Cover crops’ impact on water quality

Christina Curell<curellc@msu.edu>, Michigan State University Extension -

Research has shown that cover crops have a positive effect on water quality, does that apply to Michigan?

The MSUE Cover Crops Team of Dr. Dale Mutch, Dr. Dean Baas, Christina Curell and Paul Gross worked together to assess the amount of sediment and phosphorus that cover crops can reduce to improve Michigan water quality.

These data are based on seed dealers’ written and phone surveys, National Agricultural Service Statistics (NASS), county soil surveys, NRCS: 1) Wind Erosion Prediction System (WEPS), 2) Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation Version 2 (RUSLE2), 3) CORE4 Conservation Practices Training Guide—phosphorus entrapment estimate. Also contributing to the process was the MSU Median Soil Test Values for Minerals Soils in Michigan Counties.

We estimate on average cover crops will reduce sediment 1,840 pounds/acre from wind erosion and will decrease sediment 340 pounds/acre from water erosion. Cover crops are estimated to reduce phosphorus by 0.30 pounds/acre from wind erosion and 0.04 pounds/acre from water erosion.

Based on our surveys and other resource materials, we estimate that 1.1 million acres were planted in cover crops in 2011 when including wheat, and 400,000 acres of cover crops were planted excluding wheat. Seed dealer comments have indicated at least a doubling of cover crop seed sales over the last year.

Therefore, cover crop adoption is estimated to have had the following impacts in Michigan (not including wheat):

  • Sediment lost to wind erosion was reduced by 370,000 tons
  • Sediment lost to water erosion was reduced by 136,000 tons
  • Phosphorus loss from wind erosion was reduced by 120,000 pounds      
  • Phosphorus loss from water erosion was reduced by 15,400 pounds

Total combined wind and water erosion reductions from MSUE cover crop programming:

Sediment = 506,000 tons; Phosphorus = 135,400 pounds

The Michigan State University Cover Crop team and the Great Lakes Cover Crop Initiative emphasize the significant impact that cover crops have on protecting water quality. If you would like more information on cover crops visit the Midwest Cover Crop website, the MSU Cover Crop website or contact Paul Gross, grossp@anr.msu.edu or Christina Curell, curellc@anr.msu.edu.

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

Did you find this article useful?

You Might Also Be Interested In

Tag List
  • agriculture,
  • beef,
  • beef and the environment,
  • dairy,
  • field crops,
  • fruit & nuts,
  • msu extension,
  • nursery & christmas trees,
  • organic agriculture,
  • sheep & goats,
  • vegetables
Michigan State University
  • Spartans Will.
  • © Michigan State University

MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer, committed to achieving excellence through a diverse workforce and inclusive culture that encourages all people to reach their full potential.

Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Quentin Tyler, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.

The 4-H Name and Emblem have special protections from Congress, protected by code 18 USC 707.

We comply with the Federal Trade Commission 1998 Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).