Economic Information Bulletin No. (EIB-147) 40 pp

December 2015

Conservation-Practice Adoption Rates Vary Widely by Crop and Region

This research analyzes national and regional adoption of no-till and strip-till planting systems; cover-crop use; and nitrogen-fertilizer application rates, timing, and methods. Results show that U.S. farmers' adoption of these practices varies widely by crop and region. In addition many farmers are "partial" adopters, adopting these conservation practices on some but not all acres of their farm.

Keywords: No-till, strip-till, cover crops, nutrient management, nitrogen, conservation policy, Agricultural Resource Management Survey, soil health, greenhouse gas emissions

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