Complexities of cropland conservation

Authors: Archer, Seth; Liebig, Mark

Submitted to: Popular Publication
Publication Type: Popular Publication
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/1/2023
Publication Date: 12/1/2023
Citation: Archer, S.A., Liebig, M.A. 2023. Complexities of cropland conservation. Morton County SCD Conservation News. October issue. P.1-2. (popular press)

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Over the past 30 years, the northern Great Plains has experienced significant grassland conversion to cropland coupled with a transition away from small-grain cropping systems toward systems increasingly dominated by corn and soybean. Cropland expansion and reduced crop rotation diversity in the region has negatively impacted soil health, creating a need to identify conservation practices that can counteract this trend. A three-year study was conducted to quantify soil health responses to crop diversity/intensity, cover crops, and livestock integration under controlled experimental conditions, and land use (dryland cropping, native grassland, untilled pasture) on working farms and ranches, all on a common soil type in southcentral North Dakota, USA. Among dryland cropping practices, diverse, continuous cropping led to improvements in soil structure, nutrient supply potential, and biological habitat, but increased soil acidification and soil nitrate accumulation. Cover crops had a negligible effect on the soil, while livestock integration on cropland improved nutrient supply potential and biological habitat, but impaired infiltration. Relative to dryland cropping, soil health was consistently improved under perennial systems. Outcomes from this study suggest retention of perennial agroecosystems and adoption of diverse, nutrient-efficient dryland cropping practices should be prioritized to enhance soil health in the northern Great Plains.