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As we reflect back on 2024 we do so with a sense of realism. High interest rates, input prices and equipment prices are being felt by farmers and ranchers across the country. Most commodity prices like corn and wheat are below the cost of production and certain specialty crop prices, like wine grapes, have plummeted.
Like many agriculturalists across the nation, Green Cover felt the squeeze of the economy this past year and for the first time since our founding in 2009, our farmer-owned and family-led company did not grow in sales. While our team, relationships, experience and education grew in many ways, we actually went backwards as far as acres covered.
We understand that we’re not alone in facing this trend. While the current numbers may not yet reflect our aspirations, they don’t change the fact that cover crops and a systems approach create opportunities for increased resiliency in hard times. The experiences of farmers like Jeff Steffan give us confidence that improving soil health through regenerative practices improves profitability by lowering the cost of production.
Jeff farms a diverse rotation of corn, soybeans, oats, peas, cereal rye and buckwheat in Crofton, Nebraska. Despite oats falling out of favor in the area due to disease pressure, Jeff has been able to grow a profitable and healthy oat crop and he credits his diverse rotation, grazing and cover crop habit. “We’re finding that with our extended rotation, even when you have weather that causes disease, we’re having very little. We have not applied any insecticide or fungicide since 2011, and we have never applied any insecticide to oats.”
Jeff goes on to share “My revenue is generally lower… and we’ve been seeing this for close to ten years now, but my cost of production is so much less. With our system, we can lower our inputs by $150-$250 an acre. It takes a lot of the pressure off of needing to have the revenue high.” You can learn more about how Jeff is improving profitability on his farm in the full story written by Kate Smith on page 30-31 in the newest Soil Health Resource Guide.
And Jeff isn’t the only farmer witnessing the benefits of soil health practices even in tough times. We’ve helped thousands of other farmers across the US utilize cover crops amidst less than ideal conditions in this past year.
Even in bad times, there is much to be said about the resiliency and spirit of the regenerative movement and the farmers and ranchers who make it so. At Green Cover, we continue to feel great excitement for upcoming events and projects we have in the works. In 2024 we hosted several events including our annual Soil Health Field Days, Southeast Kansas Soil Health Conference and two Regenerative Nexus events. We also hosted our first-ever 2-day workshop with Dr. Christine Jones, which brought in passionate and curious individuals from across the country to learn from the expertise of Dr. Jones. Thanks to the positive feedback received, we’ll be hosting another workshop in 2025 with a new guest teacher. More information on that soon!
Though this past year presented many challenges, it also highlighted the enduring spirit and innovation of the agricultural community. With the lessons of 2024 in mind, Green Cover is eager to embrace new opportunities in 2025, driven by the belief that regenerative practices can help farmers thrive, even in the toughest times.
Be sure to pick-up a copy or download our newest Soil Health Resource Guide. In the guide you’ll find inspiring stories of farmers like Jeff Steffan as well as highly educational articles from some of the top soil health researchers. Download the guide today or visit us at a conference this season to get your copy! |
