Illinois study finds cover crop adoption doubles

Cover crops improve soil health and water quality. They also reduce greenhouse gas emissions. But only about 5% of U.S. agricultural lands use them, despite billions of dollars in annual federal investments through efforts like cost-share and incentive payments to farmers. 

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign researchers in a new, first-of-its-kind study, say investing in farm demonstration networks can bolster cover crop adoption. They analyzed satellite images before and after a phased rollout of a farm demonstration program in eastern Wisconsin.  

The researchers saw cover crop adoption in the region go from 6% to 9%, a 50% increase in the four years after cover crops were implemented. There was even a specific pattern to it, where adoption increased a year after the program started. Peer-to-peer learning played a part, as farmers’ adoption influenced their neighbors. Larger increases happened within 10 kilometers of a demonstration farm, suggesting close proximity is a factor.  

Despite its environmental benefits, cover crop adoption continues to be low across U.S. farmland. The study shows farm demonstration networks can be a roadmap to scale up this practice.

Illinois Agricultural Experiment Station | Project supported by non-profit grants and contracts. Photo courtesy of Illinois Agricultural Experiment Station.