A long list of benefits has contributed to increasing interest and adoption of cover crops across the United States. Growing cover crops on a field that would typically be left fallow provides physical protection for soils and helps feed the soil ecosystem, promoting both physical and biological benefits.

NC State Soybean Extension Specialist Dr. Rachel Vann discusses some short-term and long-term benefits of a cereal rye cover crop in soybean production.

Benefits

• Soil Health
• Weed Suppression
• Erosion Prevention
• Water Quality and Quantity
• Nitrogen Fixation
• Nitrogen Scavenging
• Enhanced Biodiversity

It is important to note that the realization of benefits and the degree to which they are experienced will depend on several factors. Farmers need to understand which factors they can influence and manage accordingly.Farmers should first determine which benefits are most important for their farms; having specific goals with cover crops can improve management. To learn more about how cover crops influence specific benefits, click on that benefit above or on the side menu bar of this site.

References

• Gatiboni, L., & Reberg-Horton, C. (2021). Winter Annual Cover Crops. NC State Extension.
• Creamer, N., & Baldwin, K. (2019). Summer Cover Crops. NC State Extension.