Improving Cover Crop Benefits in Sustainable Farming Systems Using Integrated Approaches and Tools.

Global reduction in agricultural productivity due to soil erosion and degradation, depletion of irrigation water supplies, and competing land uses is limiting our capacity to meet increasing world-wide demand for food and fiber. Sustainable farming systems can be well suited to control soil loss due to water erosion.   Improving soil quality is key to improving soil, water, air, plant, and animal resources. Cover crops can help reduce water erosion and improve soil quality, among other resource improvements, when applied within an integrated cropping system. Integrated approaches and tools are necessary for achieving and assessing sustainable farming systems.  The Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation version 2 (RUSLE2) is a process-based model that predicts long-term average annual soil loss for a given set of climatic conditions, on a defined land slope, and under a specified cropping and tillage management system.  RUSLE2 can be used to predict the erosion and soil quality benefits of cover crops. Practical applications, integrated approaches and tools, and interpretations of the effect of cover crops on soil erosion and soil quality will be provided.