Conservation tillage for wind erosion control

Excerpt

SOIL losses from wind erosion on conventionally tilled fields in eastern Colorado far exceed tolerance levels. Research, field trials, and farmer experience, however, demonstrate that conservation tillage can reduce soil losses to acceptable levels. And conservation tillage is economically advantageous for farmers as well.

Conservation tillage is compatible with dryland wheat-sorghum-fallow rotations in the region. The system results in higher yields, greater net income, and exceptional erosion protection when compared with conventional tillage.

Use of conservation tillage has increased dramatically as farmers and researchers learn how to fallow without tillage. (Fallow periods of 14 to 15 months are necessary in arid eastern Colorado.)

Southeastern Colorado, western Kansas, and the panhandle regions of Oklahoma and Texas are major producers of sorghum. In Colorado alone, about 220,000 acres (89,000 hectares) of sorghum are harvested annually. Baca, Prowers, and Kiowa Counties are the state's highest producers of sorghum, averaging 34 bushels per acre (1).

Colorado now has about 25,000 acres (10,110 hectares) of small grain in no-till production (6).

The conservation wheat-sorghum rotation is showing potential on fine textured loam and silt loam soils. Generally speaking, areas with less than 16 inches (40.6 …