Great Soil Conservation Practices

Blowing topsoil was seen on several summer fallow fields these past two weeks. Fine topsoil brought on by hard rains and excessive tillage, lack of residue cover and strong winds all contributed to this condition. Some of the sandier soils under fallow in the western part of the county should have a minimum of 1,250 pounds of residue on the surface at seeding time.

Sweep type implements, such as duckfoots or Noble blades, are well suited for stubble mulch tillage of this type. The use of single-row field windbreaks planted at regular intervals at right angles to prevailing winds also do much to cut down the amount of soil blowing. They also distribute snow more evenly across the land instead of dumping it in drifts as multiple row shelterbelts tend to do.

Fall plowing is a practice that often contributes to wind erosion. The weathering that occurs, especially during an open winter, tends to pulverize and break down the soil surface, making it very susceptible to the spring winds. Unless weeds are a problem, fall plowing should be held to a minimum. This will leave stubble and corn stalks standing to catch show and add additional moisture to the soil.

Corn cut for silage should be cut leaving standing rows five-10 rods apart. This will also reduce the force of the wind and soil blowing, and provide some wildlife cover. The Farm Equipment Division of the International Harvester Company, with assistance from the SCS information unit at Lincoln, Neb., has published a booklet entitled Soil and Water Conservation is Everybody's Business. It is a very colorful booklet and may be worth your time to read. We have one copy here in the office, and additional copies may be obtained through your local dealer.

The Beadle Conservation District sponsored tours of various conservation practices for state and county ASCS clerks. These tours were held Jul. 15-16 and viewed such things as tree planting, interseeding, dugouts, wildlife ponds, terraces, waterways and grain storage facilities. The ladies enjoyed the chance to get out and see some of the practices for which they do most of the paper work. Judging for the Annual Soil and Moisture Achievement

Program in Beadle County is set for Aug. 23. Three judges and four farms have been selected for this year's program, which is sponsored each year by the Greater South Dakota Association, SDSU, Press Association and others. The first place winner will be awarded a scholarship to a four - day conservation short course in Brookings in November.

http://clic.cses.vt.edu/icomanth/28-Soil_Blowing.pdf