Months of strong winds have resulted in significant soil erosion across North Dakota.”In western North Dakota, there are spots that have lost up to two inches of soil,” said NDSU Extension Soil Specialist Dr. Brady Goettl. “Here in the Red River Valley, some fields have lost an eighth to a quarter inch or more. Any amount is too much in my book. Any soil that we lose is going to decrease field productivity.” Goettl said the immediate solution is getting crops established and growing. Looking ahead, Goettle recommends reducing tillage and increasing residue cover. “Here in the Red River Valley, cover crops are certainly a really good option, but the first line of defense is reducing tillage. Out west, strip cropping is a very good option because it doesn’t require new equipment or major changes in crop rotation.”
