The Economic Costs And Optimal Machinery For Cover Crops In Kentucky

This paper uses a linear-programming resource allocation model combined with sequencing and machinery selection to optimize the practices and machinery utilization of a Kentucky grain farm.

After establishing a base model, further models were developed to evaluate the adoption of cover crops into a traditional row crop system. This was accomplished through maximizing returns over selected costs at various acreage adoption levels. Additionally, a decision tool was developed to assess the costs related to cover crop adoption. The results show a $30 per acre cost to adopt 1000 acres of cover crops when no benefits were considered.

Keywords: Cover Crops, Machinery Selection, Weather  Risk, Nutrient Leaching, Soil Erosion, Farm Management