Cover Crop Utilization, Implications for Cropland Lease Arrangements in 2024

When planting a cover crop across Nebraska, the motivation of the landowner or operator may vary depending on the needs of the region or management requirements. Increased interest in cover crops in recent years has come from the perceived benefits to the land and mitigation of environmental issues. Cover crops reduce soil degradation (i.e. erosion) and enhance soil quality (i.e. organic matter and nutrient content). These effects may take multiple years to fully materialize but tend to persist for several years into the future. Grazing the cover crops or harvesting for forage are perceived as viable options for generating benefits on a more immediate basis.