Erosion is the bane of every farmer, particularly those who farm in erosion-intensive environmental conditions. Aside from the relatively minor inconveniences of erosion such as fields collapsing and drainage systems getting clogged up, erosion actually costs farmers money – I’ve seen estimates that indicate even mild erosion on a field can reduce the yield on that field by 20%. Less visible, but equally expensive, is the fact that subsurface erosion on pastureland can reduce the rate of regrowth by as much as 80%. The paddock looks fine on the surface – but erosion has reduced that field’s productivity to a fifth of its maximum.

Fortunately there are some relatively easy ways to keep erosion under control. It’s almost impossible to completely stop erosion – water and wind moves soil and that’s all there is to it. But with a little planning and effort, you can reduce erosion to a minor nuisance instead of a budget-busting disaster.

The first things to look at are what you should stop doing. Here are just a few of the practices which can accelerate erosion:

• Planting under extreme cold or dry conditions. (The slow growth of germinating seeds mean that the top layer of soil is open to the environment.)

• Cultivating steep slopes. Its probably not worth it.

• Heavy grazing on sown pastureland.

• Burning stubble after harvest.

There are also some positive steps you can take to control erosion.

1. Minimum tillage. The less you tear up the top layers of soil, the more resistant that soil is to water runoff. –Despite my last name, I encourage no-till whenever possible.

2. Stubble mulching. Putting that harvest waste back onto the ground provides an additional layer of insulation against environmental effects.

3. Contour cultivation. It’s not suited for all farmland, but it can reduce erosion by 25% to 90% when done properly.

4. Rotate foraging animals in fields before the pasture is depleted.

5. Plant filter strip in low lying gullies and runoff areas of your fields.

6. Plant grasses and small trees on those steep slopes.

7. Use strip cropping to control erosion in windy areas.

8. Consider using a cover crop (especially legumes) during off season times.

9. Plant tree line windbreaks, or keep the ones you’ve got.

By controlling erosion on the farm, you preserve the value of your land and prevent yields from declining over time.