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Cropping Practices to Reduce Nutrient Losses in Runoff

Additional Resources

More information on green manuring is available in the following document from Ropin’ the Web:

AF. 1993. Legume green manuring. Agdex 123/20-2. •

Other valuable online resources with information on green manure include:

McGill University. Not Dated. The basics of green •

manuring. EAP Publication 51. http://eap.mcgill. ca/Publications/EAP51.htm National Sustainable Agriculture Information •

Service. 2003. Overview of cover crops and green manures. http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/covercrop. html Sustainable Agriculture Network. 1998. Managing •

cover crops profitably. 214 pg. www.sare.org/ publications/covercrops/covercrops.pdf University of California (Davis). 2006. Cover crop •

database. Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program. www.sarep.ucdavis.edu/ ccrop/ search_ccrop.html

AF has several publications relating to forage production, including:

2005. Perennial forage establishment in Alberta. •

120/22-3. 2006. Varieties of perennial hay and pasture crops •

for Alberta.Agdex 120/32. 2006. Applying manure on perennial forage. Agdex •

538/120-2. 1999. Removing forages from the rotation in a direct •

seeding system. Agdex 519-17. 1999. Residue management for successful direct •

seeding. Agdex 570-4.

Practices that Reduce Soil Compaction

As was discussed in the previous chapter, soil structure influences infiltration of water into the soil and the extent and severity of runoff. Traffic from heavy field equipment, especially when soils are moist, compresses the soil structure compacting and sealing the soil surface and preventing water infiltration. Water from precipitation then has a greater tendency to accumulate on the soil surface setting the stage for runoff events resulting in soil and nutrient loss.

Tips for Preventing Soil Compaction

Avoid wheel traffic on soils that are too wet •

Use wide, dual tires or tracks •

Maintain minimal tractor tire inflation pressure •

for an acceptable tire lifespan

Avoid heavy, oversized equipment that exceeds •

job requirements

Combine or eliminate field operations to •

minimize number of passes on the field

Minimize tillage on soils in the spring •

Keep openers and shovels sharp •

Adopt practices that build soil organic matter •

and improve structure

Vary the depth of primary tillage operations •

from year to year

Use track-type tractors or tractors with four- •

wheel drive or mechanical front-wheel drive instead of two-wheel drive

Vary directions of field operations •