The study analyzed the potential for adding CLC crops to Minnesota’s agricultural landscapes that are now mostly used for the production of annual corn and soybean crops. It finds that increasing acreage of perennial forages and adding other new crops will increase the percentage of cropland soils that are protected by living roots and vegetation from 48% in 2023 to 77% in 2050. As a result, there is potential to reduce nitrogen and soil loss by 23% and 35%, respectively, compared to a corn and soybean cropping system that leaves soils without living winter cover.
The study also found that adding CLC crops will increase net farm return, creating an incentive for farmers to adopt them. Certain new crops such as camelina, an annual oilseed intended for use as a winter cover, may have more environmental and economic impact than the other new crops because of its potential as a sustainable aviation fuel.
The crop categories that were analyzed for environmental and economic potential include: Perennial forage and pasture (alfalfa, cool and warm season grasses) Perennial grains (Kernza, perennial wheat, etc.) Winter annual oilseeds (winter camelina, pennycress) Winter annual cereals and legumes (hybrid winter rye, winter pea) Woody perennials (hazelnut, poplar, elderberry) Perennial oilseeds (perennial sunflower, perennial flax)
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Categories: Minnesota, Crops, Corn, Soybeans, Weather