Cover crops prevent erosion, improve soil's physical and biological properties, supply nutrients, suppress weeds, improve the availability of soil water, and break pest cycles along with various other benefits. Cover crops can also potentially be grazed.
Only land that is currently in a continuous no-till cropping system is eligible. There are three Cover Crop Seed Mix Alternatives:
- Single Species - $25/acre
- 3-way Cocktail Mix - $35/acre
- Deluxe Cocktail Mix - $55/acre
One-year contracts may include up to 160 acres. Participants may apply for 2nd and 3rd year of NRD funding, but will be encouraged to switch to EQIP. Annual limit of $20,000 for the practice (outside of the Groundwater Quality Management Areas). Producer will terminate the cover crop each spring prior to planting the new crop without using inversion tillage.