A brief overview of crop rotations today and how they may be used to improve soil health and crop yields

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Crop Rotations

• A brief overview of crop rotations today and how
  they may be used to improve soil health and crop
  yields

Dennis Roe
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A new interest in crop rotations

• Interest in crop rotations has increased due to
  their role in
• Diversifying farm income
• Improving soil health
• Improving yields
• Reducing insect and disease risks

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Crop rotations must be approached as a system

• Because all aspects of the farm must be
  considered simultaneously in selecting a crop
  rotation sequence, a systems approach to
  designing a rotation pattern should be employed.

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Individual producers select the most appropriate
rotation system

• The rotation system allows for a great deal of
  customization for the individual producer. Each
  producer can select the rotation best suited to
  his or her needs

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Water-an important factor in selecting a crop
rotation

• Crops in a rotation are chosen to correctly
  utilize water. In notill systems, crops which
  otherwise would not grow in that rainfall zone
  may be utilized because of the greater
  availability of water under a no-till plan.

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Crop Diversity

• Utilizing a diverse range of crops in the
  rotation will allow for maximum profitability and
  production.

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Types of Crops

• Crops are divided into 4 categories
• Cool season grasses
• Warm season grasses
• Cool season broadleaf
• Warm season broadleaf

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Rotations can allow

• Increased water storage
• Weed control
• Nutrient management through the use of legumes
• Minimized erosion

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A crop rotation example The Zenner Farm
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Russ Zenner-Latah Nez Pierce Counties

• 22 inch rainfall zone
• Crops include winter wheat, spring wheat, spring
  barley, garbanzos, lentils, peas, oilseed and
  grass seed.
• Moving toward a direct-seeding system

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Other crop rotations on the Palouse
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The Northwest Crops Project

• The Northwest Crops project is a study in its
  third year which is examining crop rotation
  alternatives in the Palouse region.
• Growers around the Palouse are participating by
  growing test plots under different rotation
  systems in a long-term comparison

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Using crop rotation to increase yields

• My goal is to have every crop I raise add to the
  yield potential of the following crop..
• He manages a complex rotation system

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Questions?