The economics of conservation: How cover crops save more than just soil

For Delaware County farmer Erik Fisher, conservation is about more than doing right by the land—it's about doing right by his bottom line. 

Over the last several years, Erik has discovered that cover crops not only protect and enrich his soil, but they also offer tangible financial benefits that make sense for any forward-thinking operation.

Reduced inputs, better outcomes

Over time, the benefits began to stack up. Erik noticed his soil structure improving. Organic matter increased. Water infiltrated more easily. And he began seeing some weed control benefits.

Cover crops helped slow down weed growth in both the late fall and early spring. Erik explained that having additional residue from cover crops created conditions that made it harder for weeds to establish themselves.

He also noted improvements in soil fertility, which has allowed him to rely more on what his soil builds naturally, rather than heavily depending on added fertilizers.

Cost-share as a catalyst

The shift to cover crops wasn’t instantaneous or risk-free. Early on, Erik participated in cost-share programs, including EQIP, which allowed him to test and scale conservation practices without bearing the full financial burden.

“We were able to put a lot of acres into the EQIP program, and that's when we really stepped up our commitment,” he said. “This is our fourth year outside of all the cost-share programs, and we're still here and we're still doing it.”

Erik has even expanded his cover crop practice after the cost-share ended, growing from 80 percent in covers during EQIP to 100 percent in covers post-EQIP. 

Those decisions speak volumes: even without financial incentives, the economic and agronomic benefits of cover crops are now self-sustaining on Erik’s operation.

Weatherproofing the farm

In 2019, heavy spring rains tested the durability of Erik's cover crop system. When he terminated cereal rye too early and then planted his cash crop, disaster struck. 

“The stuff that we sprayed and terminated early, we actually had to replant those acres,” he said. "The first rains hit, it just turned into mud. It killed the seeds. So I learned a lesson there."

Now, he plants his cash crops into living, green cover crops and terminates them afterward—a method that maintains soil cover longer and improves trafficability during wet periods. 

This practice paid off in 2024 when cover crops absorbed enough moisture from the soil during a soggy spring to allow for planting. By comparison, neighboring fields being farmed with conventional methods were too wet. 

Advice for the bottom line

Erik is the first to admit that cover crops take patience, experimentation, and a willingness to change. But the financial case is becoming harder to ignore.

“Sometimes we get lucky, and sometimes we don’t. But you kind of have to stay committed to doing it,” he said.

By reducing input costs, improving soil conditions, and protecting against costly erosion, Erik has found that conservation farming is more than just good stewardship—it’s smart economics.

If you're a farmer in Delaware County looking to explore the financial and environmental benefits of cover crops, the team at Delaware County Soil & Water Conservation District is here to help. Reach out for advice, technical support, or to learn more about available programs.