CTIC, SARE, and USDA Unveil 2026 Cover Crop Report at Farm Progress Show; Publish Webinar and Presentation

Results of the 2026 National Cover Crop Report indicate strong interest in cover crops among many farmers who produce a wide range of crops and livestock. Among respondents to the national survey, the average acreage planted with cover crops was 397.9, and their projections anticipate crossing the 400-acre mark by next year, a 33% increase since 2021.

The 2026 survey was conducted by the Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC), USDA Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Program, and American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) and is the ninth National Cover Crop Report published by CTIC and SARE since 2013.

Watch the webinar release with detailed analysis below:

Top-level findings include:

• 59% of all respondents who plant cover crops report better overall weed control
• 68% of farmers who use cover crops report better control of herbicide-resistant weeds
• 57% of farmers who “plant green” report improved mid-season moisture management
• 85% of livestock producers who graze cover crops report reduced feed costs
• 77% of livestock producers who graze cover crops said the practice improves profitability

The Report was covered and expanded upon by 20 media outlets, including:

• Farm Progress: Cover Crop Acreage Climbs as Farmers See Profit Potential
• Progressive Farmer (DTN): Cover Crop Use Grows Nationally
• Growing Produce: Use of Cover Crops Continues to Expand
• No-Till Farmer: More No-Till Means More Cover Crops
• No-Till Farmer: Planting Green Without Losing Your Shirt,including an interview with the survey’s Principal Investigator Dr. Rob Myers, Director of the University of Missouri Center for Regenerative Agriculture
• No-Till Farmer: Big Trends, Ideas Shaping the Future of No-Till, Cover Crops at Farm Progress Show
• FarmWeek Now: Featuring an interview with CTIC Executive Director Ryan Heiniger
• RFDTV News: Cover Crop Use Continues to Grow Among U.S. Farmers
• Michigan Farm News: National Report Shows Continued Expansion of Cover Crop Use
• 101.5 WKKG Indiana: Farmers Are Rethinking Cover Crops—and the Numbers Reveal Why
• Ag Information Network: Agribusiness Update
• Morning Ag Clips: Use of Cover Crops Continues to Grow Nationally

The press conference at Farm Progress Show was led by CTIC Executive Director Ryan Heiniger, Principal Investigator Dr. Rob Myers, Director of the University of Missouri Center for Regenerative Agriculture, and USDA Under Secretary Richard Fordyce.

The announcement was followed by a walking tour of Green Cover‘s cover crop plots with co-founder Keith Burns, with refreshments provided by PepsiCo. Green Cover’s exhibit featured customized mixes optimized for specific benefits, such as nitrogen fixing, grazing, pollinator habitat, and other operational and agronomic outcomes.

Green Cover also provides customized mixes that are tailored for individual fields, rotations, soil, climate, and goals.

Download the full report and see past reports dating back to 2012 on our Project Page.