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Explore the delicate balance between oil trade-offs and soil preservation in Wisconsin's Lafayette County. Learn about the impact of continuous corn cultivation on soil health and methods to mitigate erosion risks. Gain insights from experts like Dan Cotter and Judy Derricks on sustainable soil management practices. Discover the historical evolution of land usage along the Grant River and how it relates to modern agricultural challenges. Uncover the tools and indices used to assess soil quality and erosion rates, guiding towards a more sustainable agricultural future in Wisconsin.
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Dust Cloud on the Horizon: Avoiding the Soil for Oil Trade-off
A Word from the Field Dan Cotter District Conservationist USDA NRCS Lafayette County, Wisconsin
More Corn Continuous Corn
Break even point 2005 2007 Income from Market and USDA
Reference point
Reference point Cleared for cropland 2007
Continuous Corn vs Crop Rotation • Continuous corn - more fall tillage • Corn-soybean crop rotation commonly grown using no tillage on highly erodible land
Railroad 1937 Mouth of Grant Potosi Point
1940 Railroad Mouth of Grant Potosi Point
Railroad 1949 Mouth of Grant Potosi Point
1955 Mouth of Grant Potosi Point
1981 Mouth of Grant Potosi Point
1995 Mouth of Grant Potosi Point
1949 2004
Erosion, and Consequences Judy Derricks Conservation Agronomist USDA NRCS Wisconsin
Vulnerable Soil • Declining Organic Matter, Microbial Activity, Soil Structure • When Saturated...loses its ability to stay together ****Test Soil Health and Consolidation
Tools to Measure Soil Loss and Soil Quality • Soil Loss Prediction…RUSLE2 • “T” value • Soil Conditioning Index…SCI
Impacts of Increasing Corn and Tillage • Soil Quality Declines • Erosion Rate Increases • Surface water risk from sediment and nutrients increases