The loess soils of the Macon Ridge Area of Louisiana are easily eroded, contain low organic matter and are drought susceptible. The objective of this field study was to determine the effects of no-till practices and cover crops on cotton performance and determine the optimal fertilizer N rate for selected combinations of no-till and cover crops. The experiment treatments were no-till and conventional-till, winter cover crops of wheat, hairy vetch or native cover and N rates of 0, 35, 70,105, and 140 lb/acre.