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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Auburn, Alabama » Soil Dynamics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #430965
Research Project: Agronomic and Engineering Solutions for Conventional and Organic Conservation Agricultural Systems in the Southeastern U.S.

Location: Soil Dynamics Research

Title: Cover crop management cost estimator

Author
item Balkcom, Kipling
item Morton, Trent
item Torbert Iii, Henry

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Research Technical Update
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/17/2025
Publication Date: 12/18/2025
Citation: Balkcom, K.S., Morton, T.A., Torbert III, H.A. 2025. Cover crop management cost estimator. Technical Report. USDA-ARS National Soil Dynamics Laboratory, Auburn AL, USA. 3 p. https://www.ars.usda.gov/southeast-area/auburn-al/soil-dynamics-research/docs/worksheets/.

Interpretive Summary: Cover crops are a key part of a conservation system that are typically combined with conservation tillage to enhance soil productivity. Cover crops provide numerous benefits that include reduced soil erosion, improved water infiltration, short-term drought stress protection, and suppression of many small-seeded weeds through the creation of a surface mulch layer. However, cover crops require a monetary and time investment from growers, despite potential benefits. Establishment costs include seed, machinery used during planting, and any additional fertilizer applications. Termination costs include chemical (e.g., burn-down herbicides) and mechanical (e.g., machinery used for rolling/crimping to flatten the cover crop) methods, prior to planting the cash crop. The cover crop cost calculator can examine different cover crop cost scenarios to help growers make informed decisions regarding different cover crop management options for their farm operations.

Technical Abstract: Cover crops are a key part of a conservation system that are typically combined with conservation tillage to enhance soil productivity. Cover crops provide numerous benefits that include reduced soil erosion, improved water infiltration, short-term drought stress protection, and suppression of many small-seeded weeds through the creation of a surface mulch layer. However, cover crops require a monetary and time investment from growers, despite potential benefits. Establishment costs include seed, machinery used during planting, and any additional fertilizer applications. Termination costs include chemical (e.g., burn-down herbicides) and mechanical (e.g., machinery used for rolling/crimping to flatten the cover crop) methods, prior to planting the cash crop. The cover crop cost calculator can examine different cover crop cost scenarios to help growers make informed decisions regarding different cover crop management options for their farm operations.