Changing the crops grown in a field, usually season by season.
How it works
Crops are changed season by season in a planned sequence. This improves soil health and provides crop benefits over the length of the rotation. Examples of this practice might entail: a broccoli - winter wheat - sweet corn rotation; a wheat - fallow - alfalfa - potato rotation; a grass seed - small grain rotation; or other combinations depending on a variety of factors.
How it helps
Reduces fertilizer needs; alfalfa and other legumes replace nitrogen removed by wheat and other grain crops
Reduces pesticide costs and field operations by naturally breaking the cycles of weeds, insects and diseases
Protects water quality by preventing excess nutrients or chemicals from entering water supplies
Reduces soil erosion by wind and water by adding crops like hay or small grains
Increases soil organic matter
Adds diversity to an operation
Provides food and cover for wildlife
Planning ahead
Do you have a need for other crops?
Technical notes
Crops must be suited to your soils and climate.
Design crop rotations to meet the residue needs of your crop residue management plans.
Rotations that include small grains or hay provide better erosion control.
Small grains and hay can always be used to replace any row crop or low residue crop to gain better erosion control.
For crop rotations that include hay, the rotation can be lengthened by maintaining the existing hay stand for additional years.
Maintenance
Switch crops to maintain perennials in the rotation, if necessary.
Consider herbicide carryover to avoid crop failures.
