Stages of farm profitability after soil health system adoption in Georgia cotton

Abstract Soil health management systems (SHMS) that include reduced tillage and cover cropping can improve productivity and reduce inputs in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L. ) systems. However, there is limited understanding about the economic impacts during the transition period from conventional systems to SHMS. We conducted interviews with eight cotton growers in Georgia and grouped related production changes into stages. Ordering the resulting stages of production change in a logical sequence of occurrence allowed us to assess the change in net farm income through the transition of adoption. Initial cost of adoption included reduced tillage, followed by cover cropping, and resulted in decreased net farm income by 3 and 74 ha −1, respectively. Additional expenses were attributed to increased equipment and herbicide costs to replace tillage operations and increased seed and herbicide costs for cover crop management. However, after biophysical soil health improvements were considered, additional costs were offset with savings from reduced irrigation needs, reduced fertilizer requirements, and reduced pesticide applications. Including increased yields attributed to soil health improvements, SHMS increased net farm income by 240 ha −1 compared to conventional systems. While positive changes to net farm income were achieved, the economic benefits are presented in a sequence of stages with soil health benefits enabling changes in production practices that reduced costs over time. Further research is needed to evaluate economic impact during the SHMS transition across more geographies and crops.