Acreage prediction likely very conservative, says ASTA, since not all projects reported.
The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) calculates that the USDA’s Partnerships for Climate Smart-Commodities projects will result in an extra 10.5 million acres of cover crops being planted over the next five years.
The Partnerships for Climate Smart-Commodities was launched in February 2023 with the goal of supporting conservation practices, particularly those of small and underserved producers.
ASTA developed the projected cover crop gains via a survey conducted in Q4 of 2023 with Partnerships for Climate Smart-Commodities project participants. The gains are based on cover crop acreage across the lifespan of the Partnerships for Climate Smart-Commodities projects, based on data provided by the respective project leaders.
According to an ASTA press release, ASTA’s surveys yielded 31 completed responses from a total of 123 surveyed projects, of which 18 provided estimates of acreage. Most projects spanned multiple states, with the highest concentration of reported projects in the Midwest (especially Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota and Kansas).
ASTA’s projection of 10.5 million additional cover crop acres was based only on the 18 projects that disclosed intended planting acreage estimates for their three- or five-year projects.
“Because not every project provided acreage estimates, this is a conservative number that is likely to be significantly higher at the end of all projects using CPS340 [USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Conservation Practice Standard #340], showing not only the benefits of, but also growing interest in cover crops,” ASTA wrote in its press release.
Among the 123 total projects surveyed, the CPS340 cover crop practice is set to be implemented in 88 projects covering 82 commodities, with a total federal funding commitment of $2.39 billion for these initiatives.
In an ASTA press release, ASTA president and CEO, Andy LaVigne, said, “Cover crops are another example of the seed industry providing solutions for the modern producer. From farms big to small, cover crops provide economic and environmental benefits to farmers, while empowering them to be stewards of the land through its sustainable practice.”
He went on to add: “ASTA continues to explore new methods, both private and public, to connect producers with quality cover crop seeds. We encourage farmers and producers of all sizes to use our Environment, Conservation and Cover Crop Seed Dealer Map to find a trusted cover crop source that will help them maximize their yield and care for their soil through the next planting season and beyond. We remain engaged with our partners at USDA to find ways for industry and government to collaborate on more ways to support American farmers.”
