www.sare.org publications building-soils-for-better-crops-3 manure-handling-systems Manure Handling Systems Solid versus Liquid The type of barn on the farmstead frequently determines how manure is handled on a dairy farm. Dairy-cow manure containing a fair amount of bedding, usually around 20% dry matter or higher, is spread as a solid. This is most common on farms where cows are kept in individual stanchions or tie-stalls. Liquid […]
www.sare.org publications building-soils-for-better-crops-3 a-case-study-alex-and-betsy-hitt A Case Study: Alex and Betsy Hitt Graham, North Carolina Alex and Betsy Hitt were forced to reevaluate their farm fertility program in 1990 when a nearby horse stable that had provided them with manure went out of business. The Hitts, who raise 80 to 90 varieties of vegetables and 160 varieties of cut flowers on their 5-acre farm, have created elaborate rotations […]
www.sare.org publications building-soils-for-better-crops-3 summary-and-sources-7 Summary and Sources Summary There are literally dozens of rotations that might work well on a particular farm. The specific selection depends on the climate and soils, the expertise of the farmer, whether there are livestock on the farm or nearby, equipment and labor availability, family quality-of-life considerations, and financial reality (potential price minus the cost of production). […]
www.sare.org publications building-soils-for-better-crops-3 rotation-examples Rotation Examples It’s impossible to recommend specific rotations for a wide variety of situations. Every farm has its own unique combination of soil and climate and of human, animal, and machine resources. The economic conditions and needs are also different on each farm. You may get useful ideas by considering a number of rotations with historical or […]
www.sare.org publications building-soils-for-better-crops-3 general-principles General Principles Try to consider the following principles when you’re thinking about a new rotation: Follow a legume forage crop, such as clover or alfalfa, with a high-nitrogen-demanding crop, such as corn, to take advantage of the nitrogen supply. Grow less of nitrogen-demanding crops, such as oats, barley, and wheat, in the second or third year after a […]
www.sare.org publications building-soils-for-better-crops-3 farm-labor-and-economics Farm Labor and Economics Before discussing appropriate rotations, let’s consider some of the possible effects on farm labor and finances. If you grow only one or two row crops, you must work incredibly long hours during planting and harvesting seasons, and not as much at other times. Including forage hay crops and early harvested crops along with those that […]
www.sare.org publications building-soils-for-better-crops-3 rotations-and-water-quality Rotations and Water Quality When annual crops are grown and planted in the spring, there is a considerable amount of time when the soil is not occupied by living plants. This means that for a large portion of the year there are no living plants to take up nutrients, especially nitrate, that can leach out of the soil. This […]
www.sare.org publications building-soils-for-better-crops-3 species-richness-and-active-rooting-periods Species Richness and Active Rooting Periods In addition to the quantity of residues remaining following harvest, a variety of types of residues is also important. The goal should be a minimum of three different species in a rotation, more if possible. The percent of the time that living roots are present during a rotation is also important. The period that active roots […]
www.sare.org publications building-soils-for-better-crops-3 residue-availability Residue Availability As pointed out in chapters 3 and 9, more residues are left in the field after some crops than others. High residue-producing crops—especially those with extensive root systems—should be incorporated into rotations whenever possible. There is considerable interest in the possible future use of crop residue for a variety of purposes, such as for biofuel […]
www.sare.org publications building-soils-for-better-crops-3 rotations-and-soil-organic-matter-levels Rotations and Soil Organic Matter Levels You might think you’re doing pretty well if soil organic matter remains the same under a particular cropping system. However, if you are working soils with depleted organic matter, you need to build up levels to counter the effects of previous practices. Maintaining an inadequate level of organic matter won’t do. The types of crops […]