1. Soil Tillage, Land Preparation and Conservation Topic 2061
Soil Erosion
Developed by Amanda R. Moore

2. Erosion
Erosion is a process that removes soil layers from a farmer’s field to bodies of water or other land.

3. Erosion Productive layer of soil is called humus or topsoil
When this layer is eroded, ground can become very unproductive

4. Types of Erosion
Wind Erosion
Water Erosion
Tillage Erosion

5. Wind Erosion Occurs where land is flat or dry
Wind blows and spreads soil particles across the land
In the Midwest much of wind erosion occurs during the winter when ground is frozen but upper most layer is dry and loose

6. Water Erosion May occur gradually May occur suddenly during floods
During rainfall
When winter snow melts
May occur suddenly during floods
Generally occurs on slopes

7. Tillage Erosion Caused by the way a farmer tills the land
Equipment used
Frequency of tilling
Management during the winter

8. Methods to Reduce Soil Erosion
Contour Tillage
No-Till Agriculture
Windbreaks
Conservation Tillage
Forage Rotation
Cover Crops
Grassed Waterways
Strip Cropping

9. Contour Tillage Reduces water erosion
Produces furrows perpendicular to the slope of the field
Breaks up flow of water

10. No-Till Agriculture
Reduces erosion by keeping plant residue on surface longer
Stirs only 2” of soil rather than the 8” in traditional plowing

11. Windbreaks Used to reduce wind erosion
Planting trees along the borders of fields
Often practiced in flat areas

12. Conservation Tillage Leaving crop residue in field after harvesting
For example:
Corn stalks left in field all winter to reduce erosion and fertility decline

13. Forage Rotation
Crops such as alfalfa included in rotation with corn

14. Cover Crops Plant crops that will grow during most erosive months
For example:
Fall rye or winter wheat act as ground cover to protect from soil erosion

15. Grassed Waterways
Planting grassy strips in natural land depressions prone to water run-off
Excess water absorbed by grass instead of eroding soil

16. Conclusion Soil conservation is critical to agriculture
It also creates need for heavier doses of pesticides and herbicides
Long term soil conservation must be balanced

17. Resources Soil Erosion Soil Erosion in Agricultural Systems
Soil Erosion in Agricultural Systems

18. Strip Cropping
Alternate a field with strips of different crops or fallow