Cover crops pay for themselves in 2 years through reduced fertilizer and erosion costs

Planting cereal rye, crimson clover, or radishes after cash crop harvest builds soil organic matter, fixes nitrogen (legumes), breaks compaction (radishes), and prevents erosion. USDA NRCS data shows cover crops add 0.1% organic matter per year and reduce nitrogen fertilizer needs by 30-50 lbs/acre for following crop. At $3-5/acre seed cost, the fertilizer savings alone pay back in year 2.