Economic Analysis of the Effects of Winter Cover Crops on No-Tillage Corn Yield Response to Fertilizer Nitrogen

The objective was to evaluate how cover crops affect profit-maximizing nitrogen rates, corn yields, and net revenues for no tillage corn production in West Tennessee. Yield data for various applied nitrogen rates during 1986 through 1995 were used to estimate corn yield response functions for hairy vetch, crimson clover, winter wheat, and no cover alternatives. Profit-maximizing nitrogen rates, yields, costs of production, and net revenues were then calculated. The vetch cover provided the highest profit-maximizing corn yields and net revenues and the lowest profit-maximizing applied nitrogen rates. The opposite was true for wheat. Clover provided lower net revenues than the no cover alternative.