Soil Health, Cover Crops & Conservation Policy Naveen Adusumilli Extension Economist LSU AgCenter nadusumilli@agcenter.lsu.edu 225-578-2727

Existing incentives through EQIP Cover crop Reduced-till No-till Total assistance, all years $60-$70/acre up to five years $14/acre up to three years $13/acre up to three years X $300/acre $42/acre $39/acre $342/acre $339/acre

Incentives for cover crops are available through Conservation Stewardship Program as well 5 year contract; annual payments Maximum annual payment—$40,000 per producer

Cover Crops and Crop Insurance Insurance for a commercial crop following cover crop depends on three criteria Cover crop - meets the definition was planted in the last 12 months managed and terminated according to NRCS guidelines

Cover crop definition Crop planted for Erosion control Soil improvement Other conservation purposes

FSA, RMA, & NRCS guidelines indicate Cover crops can be planted after a planted crop into a standing crop after prevented planting acreage with no subsequent crop planted before a subsequent crop Terminate cover crops before the subsequent planted crop emerges (irrigated and non-irrigated cropland)

For non-irrigated croplands

If’s and but’s An FSA policy change – now allows cover crops to be hayed or grazed Crop reported as cover and harvested for any other purpose – it is not considered a cover crop ($$) Weather caused delays in termination of cover crops- can be ground for ineligibility – some leeway now!! Crops reported as cover are not counted toward total cropland

Thankyou Naveen Adusumilli Extension Economist LSU AgCenter nadusumilli@agcenter.lsu.edu 225-578-2727