While it can be easy to focus on the benefits of cover crops, farmers must understand that challenges or risks exist. Similarly to the benefits, several factors will influence the challenges experienced and to what degree. Again, growers must understand which factors can be influenced and manage cover crops accordingly.
The willingness to take on certain risks will be a personal preference for each farm operator. Developing a suitable cover crop management plan requires farmers to understand the potential benefits and risks of each cover crop management decision.Common Challenges/Risks with Cover Crops
Operate Within your Risk-Comfort Level
It's important to note that management practices aimed at maximizing certain benefits can also increase certain risks. For instance, a farmer wanting to enhance the weed suppression ability of their cover crop residue may delay termination. While this can lead to increased growth and biomass, it also heightens the risk of pest transfer from the cover crop to the following cash crop.Farmers must account for these tradeoffs and make decisions based on their risk-comfort level. Tailoring management to your circumstances and risk-comfort level is crucial in making cover crops work for your farming operation.References
- Quinn, D., Lee, C., & Poffenbarger, H. (2019, January 29). Benefits and Challenges of Cover Crop Use. Purdue University - College of Agriculture. https://ag.purdue.edu/news/department/agry/kernel-news/2019/01/benefits-challenges-cover-crop-use.html
- U.S. Department of Agriculture. Cover Crops for Climate Resilience. International Climate Hub. https://www.climatehubs.usda.gov/hubs/international/topic/cover-crops-climate-resilience
