Six Years of Success: Rice Creek Farmers Show Conservation Pays Off

Over the last six years, farmers in the Rice Creek Watershed west of Dundas have been quietly proving that healthy soils mean healthy water—and that cover crops can play a big part in both.

Since 2019, Rice Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), Clean River Partners, St. Olaf College, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Bridgewater Township and other donors have partnered with local farmers to study how cover crops affect nitrogen management and water quality. The 4,100-acre watershed—home to about 3,600 acres of cropland—has become a testing ground for real-world results.

John Becker interseeds cover crops into his soybeans in the Rice Creek Watershed.

Nearly 30% of the tillable acres in the watershed are now using cover crops. The project compared fields with and without cover crops to measure nitrate levels in tile drainage, fertilizer use, crop yields, and assess the overall return on investment.

Over six years, researchers collected 984 water samples from tile outlets and Rice Creek itself, tracking how nitrates moved through the system in different weather and cropping conditions. The data revealed the following:

• 27% lower nitrate levels: Fields with cover crops consistently showed lower nitrate concentrations in tile drainage compared to those without cover crops—every year and nearly every month of the growing season. Even after the heavy rains of spring 2024, nitrate levels in cover crop fields remained lower.

• Less fertilizer needed: Farmers using cover crops applied 11% less nitrogen fertilizer per bushel of corn, saving about $15.75 per acre each year.

• Comparable yields: On average, corn yields following cover crops were about 5 bushels per acre lower, while soybean yields were 1 bushel per acre higher.

• Lower tillage costs: Farmers using no-till or strip-till paired with cover crops saw potential savings of $50–$70 per acre through reduced fertilizer and tillage expenses.

The partial budget analysis showed that a no-till and cover crop system earned about $3.00 less per acre over a two-year corn–soybean rotation compared to conventional tillage without cover crops. But that calculation did not include reduced labor and machinery costs, cost-share program payments, or soil retention benefits—all of which make the conservation system even more favorable.

“When you look at the full picture, the economics start to make sense,” said one participating farmer. “We’re not just saving on fertilizer—we’re keeping soil in the field and nitrates out of the creek.”

This long-term study shows that cover crops are more than just a buzzword—they’re a proven tool for improving water quality and making nitrogen use more efficient. Even with minor yield tradeoffs, the environmental and economic benefits add up over time. The water collection and analysis in this project will continue through 2027.

Farmers here are showing that stewardship and profitability can go hand-in-hand. It’s about finding the balance that works for your fields and your farm. If you are interested in trying cover crops or would like to change to no-till/strip-till, there are many incentive and cost-share programs available. Contact the Rice SWCD at 507-332-5408 to learn more.

Alan Kraus is a Soil Health Specialist with the Rice and Steele SWCDs. He works with producers and landowners in both counties to implement soil health conservation practices. In Rice County, he also promotes the Soil Health Incentives Program and Custom Interseeding Program. Contact Alan with your conservation questions at 507-332-5408.