CARRINGTON, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – All of the world’s food is grown on just 11 percent of the earth’s land, making topsoil vitally important to continued productivity on this land.

Over time, Foster County Soil Conservation District Manager Dionn Schaaf says this has been heavily impacted by wind erosion.

Schaaf says the loss of topsoil leaves less healthy and less fertile soil, leading to lower yields and a greater need for commercial fertilizer.

Schaff adds there are other forms of topsoil erosion too.

Schaff says implementing different practices to minimize wind erosion can be taken. In a publication by the NDSU Extension Service, there are five ways to keep soil covered and reduce wind speed to prevent wind from removing valulable topsoil.

These include:

1. Reduce the number of tillage passes and intensity. Leaving residue on the soil surface protects the soil from blowing away.
You can virtually eliminate erosion on most fields with sufficient residue levels.

2. Adding a cover crop after a short season crop is an excellent way to protect the soil through the winter and early spring months. Ryegrass is fairly inexpensive, easy to grow and provides excellent coverage from wind and water erosion.

3. Leave residue standing is an effective way to slow down wind speed. Examples are raising the cutting height for small grains
and if chopping residue, leave alternating strips of un-chopped stalks.

4. Plant vegetative buffer strips in erosive areas to trap sediment and slow wind speeds.

5. Living windbreaks or shelterbelts are rows of trees and shrubs that effectively slow the wind. When taking out an old
windbreak or farm site, plant a new windbreak elsewhere in the field.

Schaaf says with recent heavy wind, this is something to keep in mind when planning future work with the fields. She says at this time, you may be able to see some cover crops at work in the area.

Visit fosterscd.com for more information.

Listen to a full interview with Dionn Schaaf below: