Cover Crops

USDA Launches New $700 Million Regenerative Ag Pilot Program

Wed, 10 Dec 2025 22:49:51 GMT

USDA wants farmers to focus on soil health and producing more nutritious food. To that end, Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins, along with Robert “F” Kennedy Jr., Health Secretary, and Doctor Mehmet Oz, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator, announced a $700 million pilot program aimed at supporting regenerative farming. USDA says the Regenerative Pilot Program’s goal is to help American farmers adopt practices focused on improving soil health, water quality and boost long-term productivity.

“We are committed to restoring America’s natural strength by empowering producers with simple outcome-based tools,” Rollins says. “Producers at every stage, from beginners just starting with cover crops to advanced operators with years of conservation experience, many of those are represented by our farmers today, will find a pathway through this pilot.”

Rollins says the program will be funded through existing programs at USDA and allow farmers to pursue “whole-farm planning” instead of a piecemeal approach. The pilot will be administered through the agency’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

“Each producer’s results will be measured and credited back to the farmer through an outcomes report, recognizing and rewarding improvements they achieve on their own land,” Rollins says. “This initiative puts American farmers first as part of the solution to make America healthy again.”

Building Off MAHA

The announcement follows the Make Our Children Healthy Again Strategy released in September.

Kennedy said the initiative promises farmers an “off-ramp” to transition away from chemical fertilizer inputs, “to a model that emphasizes soil health, and with soil health comes nutrient density through voluntary action.”

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is also investing in research on the connection between regenerative agriculture and public health, as well as developing public health messaging explaining this connection.

“We cannot truly be a wealthy nation if we are not also a healthy nation. Access to wholesome, nutritious and affordable foods is a key tenet of the Make America Healthy Again agenda, which President Trump has directed this administration to execute across all government agencies,” Oz says. “I commend Secretary Rollins and Secretary Kennedy for today’s efforts to strengthen our nation’s food supply.”

“This is another initiative driven by President Trump’s mission to Make America Healthy Again,” Rollins adds. “Alongside Secretary Kennedy, we have made great strides to ensure the safe, nutritious, and affordable food our great farmers produce make it to dinner tables across this great country.”

How Does it Work?

USDA released details about the program in a release. It says the program will be administered by NRCS, allowing producers to bundle multiple regenerative practices into a single application, saying it will both streamline the process and allow for operator flexibility.

In FY2026, USDA is dedicating $400 million through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and $300 million through the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) to fund the first year of regenerative agriculture projects.

USDA says farmers and ranchers interested in regenerative agriculture are encouraged to apply through their local NRCS Service Center by their state’s ranking dates for consideration in FY2026 funding. Applications for both EQIP and CSP can now be submitted under the new single regenerative application process.

Regenerative Reaction

Farm groups and outside influencers are weighing in on the new pilot program announcement. Farm Bureau and President Zippy Duvall welcomed the approach while pointing out its still light on details.

“We value USDA’s acknowledgement that farmers have long practiced regenerative agriculture on their farms, both through federal conservation programs and on their own,” Duvall says. “Building on these efforts by leveraging existing voluntary and incentive-based programs to advance additional regenerative goals sounds like smart government to me, especially when farmers remain in the driver’s seat.”

Study shows promise for organic vegetable growers

Wed, 21 May 2025 17:57:28 GMT

Preliminary results from a from a two-year suggest high-residue cover cropping is “a promising tool,” according to a news release from the Rodale Institute’s California Organic Center. The study compared high-residue cover crops and termination methods on weed suppression, soil moisture retention and yield in organic vegetable production.

The center said the practice could help organic growers seeking to transition away from plastic mulch.

“I think this system has a future,” COC Research Director Arianna Bozzolo told The Packer.

Study overview and findings

The study compared two high-residue cover cropping mixes: oats and vetch, as well as oats and field peas. It also examined tillage or roller crimper termination methods.

Researchers compared these experimental efforts and a fallow control in 2023 and 2024. The cover crops were seeded in March, then terminated in June. Organic pumpkins were planted in late-June and early-July, then harvested in November. The test crop was under drip irrigation to simulate local growing conditions.

COC called the preliminary results promising. It reported the oat and field peas mix terminated via crimping had the most cover-crop biomass at 2,741 pounds per acre. Weed biomass was “significantly lower” in crimped cover crop plots compared to either the tilled plots or the control plot, the center noted.

On soil health metrics, the center said soil moisture was consistently higher in the crimped plots versus the others. This trend continued into the hotter parts of the summer as well. On yields, COC reported the oat and vetch cover crop — especially the crimped termination version — produced more pumpkins per acre.

“These findings suggest that even in the first year of transition, cover crop-based no-till systems — particularly those using oat/vetch mixtures — can support competitive yields while delivering additional soil health and weed suppression benefits,” COC concluded.

The study ran in Camarillo, Calif. Funding came from the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s Healthy Soils Program .

Study designed with growers in mind

Bozzolo said researchers try to keep the needs of organic growers in mind when designing studies. They chose oats as part of the cover cropping mix for their ability to produce a lot of biomass and selected legumes for the nitrogen fixation abilities, though there were other factors involved in the legume selection.

“I particularly like the peas because the peas can give an additional income to the growers,” she said, adding that many small farmers in the area have found success selling pea tendrils for salad and fresh markets.

“Especially here where we are so close to LA, it’s easy to reach out to local restaurants that are interested in these types of crops,” Bozzolo said. “It’s a little niche, something you don’t find in the store.”

Organic growers in California don’t often use cover cropping, she said. High-value specialty crops plus a year-round growing climate makes giving up two to three months for a cover crop unattractive, so Bozzolo said she tries to test cover crops that might hold an economic opportunity for growers.

Some commercial organic farms are trying cover cropping systems for the soil health benefits — but they approach it differently, Bozzolo said.

“Maybe they don’t allocate a whole three months for cover cropping, but they’re doing intercropping,” she said.

Bozzolo described it as looking like “a mohawk of cover crop” between rows of salad greens or broccoli, for example.

“People are trying to include [cover crops],” she said. “They are doing as much as they can to improve soil health, but it’s challenging here.”

Potential for all organic vegetables

While the study was targeted, and Bozzolo stressed the need for more research, she said the concept has the potential for wider application.

“The high-residue cover-cropping system is a system that can be applied to several different kinds of crops,” she said.

The COC research farm had another high-residue cover-cropping trial running on peppers, eggplants and zucchini, for example. However, Bozzolo said finding an efficient way to terminate the cover crops is a challenge.

“If we can find a way to terminate the cover cropping efficiently, that will a good step toward having this system that can be scaled up basically in every state where you can grow vegetables.”

Evaluate Soil Economics

Sun, 15 Nov 2020 20:58:11 GMT

Data points are being collected on more than 4,000 acres

A soil health program aimed at determining the economic, yield and environmental benefits of farm practices such as cover crops, nutrient management and reduced tillage has enrolled 111 farms across 12 states.

The Soil Health Partnership (SHP) is an initiative of the National Corn Growers Association that is testing conservation practices on farms using 20- to 80-acre plots. The size of the test fields “allows us to have reduced variability on each farm to strengthen our data set,” says Jack Cornell, operations manager for SHP.

The research trials take place on just over 4,000 acres across the program, but that doesn’t necessarily reflect its magnitude, Cornell says. “It’s important to understand that these acres are representative research acres, strategically placed geographically to represent different soil types, climates, and cropping systems,” he says. “This program is not necessarily about how many acres change practices within SHP. It’s about how the data those farms gather can demonstrate a positive economic impact from these practices, and that in turn can convince many more farmers to adopt the practices on a larger scale.”

The program receives financial support from Monsanto, NCGA, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, The Walton Family Foundation, General Mills and the Midwest Row Crop Collaborative. Technical support is from the Environmental Defense Fund and The Nature Conservancy.

It aims to provide long-term, farm-specific data insights including soil lab reports, mid-season aerial imagery, and profitability and ROI analysis in partnership with startup AgSolver (now EFC Systems).

The project leaders shared interim data at farmer field days and research meetings this summer and fall throughout the Midwest, and researchers will prepare articles for publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals, SHP director Nick Goeser says.

Survey Reveals Yield Benefits of Cover Crops

Sun, 15 Nov 2020 20:57:10 GMT

As more and more farmers turn to cover crops, they want to know if there are benefits beyond improved soil health and conservation. Are improved yields also in store?

Recent surveys from the Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC) certainly suggest so. More than 1,200 farmers participated in the 2015 survey, and results showed a mean increase of 3.66 bu. per acre in corn (2.1%) and 2.19 bu. per acre in soybeans (4.2%).

Chad Watts, CTIC program director, says he is encouraged to see farmers looking into the potential short-term and longer-term benefits of cover crops.

“It’s great to see the immediate benefits of yield increases from cover crops, and very exciting to see that the use of cover crops continues to expand,” he says. “What’s particularly interesting is that while seeing an immediate benefit like a yield bump from cover crops is great, the large majority of farmers who plant cover crops told us they actually rate improvements in soil health, increases in soil organic matter, reduced soil erosion and improved weed control far higher than yield increases when they list the benefits they enjoy from the practice. That shows a strong appreciation for the wide range of long-term benefits cover crops deliver.”

Once again for 2016, CTIC is calling for farmers to participate in its annual survey. Watts says it continues to inform others on farmer intentions, expectations and concerns surrounding cover crops.

“Results from the survey help guide policy, research and education on cover crops. In recent years, data from cover crop surveys has been used in testimony on Capitol Hill, featured in the New York Times, and cited in academic journals,” he says. “People are very eager to hear how farmers view cover crops.”

Take the survey at http://tinyurl.com/ccsurvey2016 .

Farmers who want to take a smarter approach to cover crop considerations can access a new tool from USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) that measures

seed/establishment costs, erosion reductions, grazing opportunities, soil fertility levels, nutrient credits and more. Users enter “what-if” scenarios into the tool to compare various short- and long-term benefits of adding cover crops .

“Our hope is that answers to some of the big economic questions will help more farmers give this conservation option a try,” according to NRCS state conservationist Ivan Dozier. “Cover crops are a good trend, and one that can actually pay off.”

To get started, visit http://1.usa.gov/225TjyR .

New Mobile-Friendly Cover Crop Resource Available

Sun, 15 Nov 2020 20:57:21 GMT

Cover crops have gained interest in recent years as a possible best-practice for many farmers. Still, they remain planted on a minority of U.S. row crop acres. Many farmers are still interested in learning more about how to fold this production practice into their operation – and more importantly, how to do so mistake-free.

A new mobile-friendly publication series from Purdue Extension hopes to put some of these worries to rest by giving farmers easily accessible information on cover crops delivered right to their smartphones.

“The mobile device is now an essential part of agricultural production,” said Ron Turco, professor of agronomy and head of the project. “Commodity prices, weather updates and critical information are now available wherever you need it. Indiana’s farming community will soon also have ready access to Purdue’s best production information.”

Topics include:

Cover crop benefits
How to select appropriate covers
Common seeding methods
How to terminate cover crops
A two-year plan for corn-soybean rotation
Checklist for cover crop integration
And much more

These publications constitute the first installment of Purdue University’s Indiana Soil and Water series. The intent is to give farmers easy-to-use tools and information on soil, water and nutrient management. It is tailored to Indiana growing conditions, although farmers in other states will find much of the information useful.

For more information, visit: https://ag.purdue.edu/soilandwater/cover-crops/ .

Nearly 1 in 4 Iowa Farmers Use Cover Crops

Sun, 15 Nov 2020 20:55:45 GMT

A new study released by global consulting firm Datu Research reveals that conservation practices such as cover crops and no-till are catching on in Iowa.

According to the study, 23% of respondents are using cover crops. Most are still experimenting in small-scale trials of fewer than 100 acres before committing to adoption on a larger scale. Additionally, nearly half (47%) reported using no-till.

The study’s authors say an important obstacle to wider adoption is the lag time that farmers may face implementing these practices before yield gains occur.

“We set out to find the economic win not just for farmers, but for the businesses they deal with,” says lead author Sarah Mine. “The idea is to find other actors who are willing to share the short-term costs and risks to gain a greater return in the long run.”

Because 55% of farmland in Iowa is rented, Datu looked at the potential economic gain for landowners who rent to conservation-minded farmers. Researchers say that landowners could benefit economically from farmer adoption of conservation agriculture, which can reduce in varying degrees the use of fertilizer, pesticides, fuel, equipment and labor. Crop insurance provides another potential opportunity in light of evidence that conservation agriculture can increase crop resilience to weather threats such as droughts or floods.

The study’s recommendations include researching yield effects of conservation agriculture. Until adequate data on yield increases are available, these practices are unlikely to increase land value, according to Mine.

“Conservation agriculture translates into economic value and environmental sustainability for future generations,” she says. “A fair share of the economic benefit really should accrue to farmers.”

A separate ongoing 12-year study by the University of Illinois has shown that the use of cover crops does not improve crop yields, although it does increase the amount of sequestered soil organic carbon. Soil organic carbon stock gains were 30% higher for no-till, 10% higher for chisel plowed and 18% higher for moldboard-plowed plots.

“This suggests that soil organic carbon stock losses from tillage, water erosion and some disturbance or mixing during no-till planting, aeration, nitrogen injection in corn years and mineralization were less than the soil organic carbon gain from the cover-crop treatment,” says U of I soil scientist Ken Olson.

The published paper is available at http://tinyurl.com/jvvflvz .

What are your conservation agriculture challenges and successes? Share your story on the AgWeb discussion forums.

Plan Ahead 18 Months for Cover Crops

Sun, 15 Nov 2020 20:57:56 GMT

Cover crops can be a wonderful addition to a farming operation, according to Randy McElroy, technology development representative with Monsanto. They do require some extra planning – starting with a different timetable than some farmers may be used to dealing with.

“I encourage people to think in terms of an 18-month planning process instead of year-to-year,” he says.

With cover crops comes a lot of new decisions, from the cover crop “recipes” themselves and how to apply to how to terminate ahead of planting. How to apply cover crops might be one of the easier decisions, according to McElroy.

“The reality is, it’s very difficult to get better stand establishment than with using a drill,” he says. “There are a lot of other creative ways, such as aerial seeding or seeding from combine heads, but the drill’s still the best way we’ve got.”

Deciding on a cover crop mix can be more difficult, McElroy admits. Making goals for each field can help. Is the primary goal erosion control? Weed suppression? Nutrient management? A different mix of cover crops can feed into these different goals. For example, a uniform stand of cereal rye can help suppress amaranth species. And crimson clover can boost nitrogen rates.

“Decide up front what you want to accomplish in a given field,” McElroy says.

Also be aware that there are several different termination options in the spring, McElroy adds. For example, you may be able to execute a selective kill to take out grass species but keep a legume species alive longer to fix more nitrogen in the soil.

The bottom line is, cover crops require a different skill set and thought process, McElroy says. Don’t give up on the practice too quickly, he says.

“You may have an off year, but don’t throw it away because of a single field or experience,” he says. “You need to really want to do it. There’s no halfway.”

Looking for more information on cover crops? Be sure to check out Farm Journal Media’s Cover Crop Resource Guide .