Cover Crop Value as Perceived by Organic Vegetable Growers

The agronomic benefits of using summer cover crops are well established in the academic literature, but how farmers perceive the economic incentives or disincentives of adoption is still less well understood. This study examines these perceptions in order to identify areas where further education may enhance adoption of summer cover crops.

Nearly all respondents (95%) perceived a positive net economic value of growing summer cover crop, but few respondents were willing to estimate the exact size of the benefit. Eighty-seven percent of respondents thought growing summer cover crops helped increase in cash crop yields. The percentage of respondents who perceived summer cover crops having benefits of improving soil condition, weed suppression, reducing plant disease, and decreasing insect pest population were 97%, 97%, 80%, and 43% respectively. Very few were able to quantify these benefits. For instance, the value of weed control--the biggest challenge for most organic growers--was not estimated by 65% of respondents; of those who provided an estimate, 25% put it as low ( <$25/ac) and 10% were more optimistic ($200-$5000).

Respondents also identified major obstacles of growing summer cover crops: hindering fall planting and disturbing timeliness of cash crop operations. Also a substantial number of respondents (63%) identified issues related to difficulty in preparing the seedbed as a result of cover crop use as either a large or moderate problem.

Helping farmers to place a value of the various benefits associated with cover crops should speed adoption.