Soil Health Practices are Gaining Popularity in Rice County

As we head into summer, the crops are now planted and getting just enough rain, but could use another good shot to keep them happy.  I have been travelling across the county looking at all the fields to see how much conservation tillage is being done.  I have to say that it appears farmers did less tillage this spring than last year, as many fields showed high levels of residue on the surface.  No-till soybean acres look to be increasing, and many corn fields also showed decent residue on the surface. 

This is an anecdotal observation, but after many years of conducting tillage transect surveys, it definitely seems real.  So what is the driver behind the change?  Fuel prices? Conservation messaging?  Program incentives?  My guess is all of the above! 

One program in particular that we received in the past year is the Soil Health Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), which pays farmers up to $60 per acre to implement cover crops and up to $35 per acre for no-till or strip-till.  While the program is bringing in almost $800,000 to Rice County over the next three years, there will not be a new round of RCPP funds coming, although other programs are anticipated soon. 

A farmer performs strip tillage on a field near Nerstrand, Minnesota in Rice County.

Still, by the end of the three-year period, we will have put cover crops on about 10,000 acres and no-till/strip-till on about 8000 acres!  This is the kind of change that you can see as you drive across the county.  The changes mean that these fields will be less likely to erode, more likely to increase water infiltration, which reduces rainfall runoff, and cover crops help scavenge nitrogen, leading to less nutrients leaving the farm and entering our waterways. 

If you are interested in trying reduced tillage or planting cover crops, there are still programs that can help.  The programs are changing rapidly these days, so it’s good to check with your local SWCD often to see what is available.  For example, we expect a new cover crop program to roll out in July that pays you only when you achieve at least 12 inches of growth before terminating the cover crop. 

The private sector also has many options out there, as everyone is seeing the benefits of soil health practices.  The bottom line is this: When you are ready for a change in your farming operation, visit your SWCD office and find out what resources are available, as well as get some technical assistance from staff who have many years of experience with these practices.  You can reach us at 507-332-5408 or visit our website at www.riceswcd.org.

Steve Pahs is the District Manager with the Rice Soil & Water Conservation District. Contact Steve with your questions about conservation practices and programs at 507-332-5408.