The Rural Voice, 1982-05, Page 21GUEST COLUMN
Pian to reduce soil Toss
by Bruce Shlllinglaw
Soil losses from cultivated land in Huron County cost we
farmers in several different ways. First as the productive
top 6 inches of soil is lost the yield producing potential of the
soil is reduced. Second; the top soil which is lost carries with
it expensive fertilizer which we bought and paid for as well
as the nutrients which are supplied from the natural break
down of the soils parent material. The total cost of a yield
potential loss, and nutrients losses as well as other
problems with stands and emergencies can total $40.00-
$45.00 per acre per year.
Soil erosion is a naturally occurring process which cannot
be stopped completely but we must reduce it to a level
where we can substain an equilibrium which is about 3T of
soil per ha. (2.7 ton/ac.)
Knowing that the majority of soil losses from loam and
clay soils occur in early spring after snow melts and before
newly planted crops have emerged developing roots and top
growth to protect and hold soil in place, we can develop a
crop mix which will allow us to leave more residue on the
soil, change our tillage practises and still not lose yield.
Following are some methods that a number of Huron
County farmers are using to conserve their soils. Change
tillage and planting direction so we are planting and
working across slopes. This may be a type of contour
farming which helps to slow down water velocity and so
reduce its erosion potential. (Ten to fifteen per cent
reduction in soil losses are possible.)
Install and maintain grass waterways where Targe
amounts of water flow regularly.
Change our tillage practices, such as chisel plow, grain
stubble and bean land which leaves more residue on the soil
surface to protect the soil from rains and sheet erosion.
Another idea would be to take cover boards off the plow so
more trash is left on the surface. (Forty to fifty per cent
reduction in soil losses are possible.)
Crops like spring grains and soyabeans may be able to be
planted into land which had no fall tillage without
experiencing a yield reduction. This likely would only work
in certain crop sequences such as spring grains following
soyabeans or white beans, soyabeans following sovabeans
or spring grains. (Seventy to eighty per cent reductions in
soil losses are possible.)
Plant fall cover crops on land following crops such as
white beans where no or little residue is left on the field.
The installation of tile under drains can help reduce soil
loss by allowing more water to be absorbed by the soil and
removed slowly rather than have it flow over the surface and
take top soil with it.
A number of newer systems involving no -till crops will be
tried this year under the supervision of the Huron County
Soil and Crop Association. These trials hopefully will give
us some new and economical practises to save our soils and
still farm at a profit.
Bruce Shlllinglaw, R.R. 1, Londesboro, is first vice-
president of the Huron County Soil and Crop Improvement
Association.
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THE RURAL VOICE/MAY 1982 PG. 19