When farmers think about erosion, they usually think Midwest. And the issue has historically been worse in that region.
But increasingly, the flatter Mississippi Delta area is also experiencing significant soil erosion — to the point where it’s impacting farmers’ profitability. Despite the fact that there are fewer hills there, soil erosion is still a serious issue.
What’s the scale of soil erosion in the Mid-South?
According to estimates from the USDA, loss of topsoil from erosion in the Delta is at about 4,000 to 8,000 pounds per acre per year.
On a 1,000-acre farm, this equates to between 100 and 200 dump trucks of topsoil — gone.
Think about this lost topsoil in terms of your production. A soybean operation that typically yields about 60 bushels/acre would lose anywhere between 67 to 133 pounds of topsoil per bushel per year.
In other words, for every bushel of soybeans you produce, you pay for it with one or two pounds of topsoil. This is a resource that takes generations to build back up — so the long-term cost is great.
When topsoil washes away, it takes critical nutrients, like phosphorus, with it. If you’ve just made a nitrogen application, then there’s rain or wind that causes erosion … that’s valuable input investment down the drain. At a time with input costs already on the rise, this loss hurts profitability even more.
Soil erosion directly harms yields by taking away nutrients and harming the overall soil structure. The soil has a harder time holding onto critical water and nutrients, and roots struggle to grow.
Questions?
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Our team of local advisors have worked with growers across the Mid-South to tackle unique challenges and improve soil health. Get connected with one today.
Why does erosion happen in the Mid-South?
Although many don’t expect erosion to be so common in the Mid-South, it does happen. In fact, the Delta region has a few qualities that leave it particularly vulnerable to erosion:
Poorly drained soils: Bad drainage can cause ponding and prolonged wet periods. When the ground takes a long time to dry down, this can lead to pooled sediment that accumulates over time. Even if that soil doesn’t get washed far away … it’s still not actively working for you in your fields. These areas of poor drainage can also be more conducive to compaction after fieldwork, which exacerbates the problem.
Rainfall intensity: Weather events in the Delta can be extreme. The USDA estimates that rainfall intensity in this region is 1.5 to 3 times higher than in the Midwest. As global climate continues to evolve, scientists expect less frequent rainfall — but it will be heavier when it does happen. That’s bad news for soil erosion.
Soil texture: Certain soil types — like silty or fine sandy soils, which are more typical in the Delta — can be more prone to erosion. There are also a lot of mixed textures in this region (sands and heavy clays in the same field, for example). This can slow down water movement deep into the soil, leaving more potential for erosion.
How to mitigate erosion’s impact
Erosion is on the rise. And while you can’t control intense weather events, there are a few practices you can try to reduce risk — and protect profitability.
- Be proactive: The first step is noticing you have soil erosion in the first place. Keep an eye out for water running off the fields, as well as signs of soil movement. If you have a border with a non-cultivated area, like a fenceline, comparing your cultivated soils to this area can help you notice change over time.
- Transition to a reduced / no-till system: Reducing tillage helps maximize the crop residue left on the soil surface that can help prevent erosion. Less tillage also helps maintain soil structure, organic matter, and infiltration.
- Integrate cover crops: Adding cover crops to your operation is like adding armor to your regular cash crops. These help break the impact of falling raindrops, as well as slow down soil movement if there is heavy rainfall.
At Vayda, we’ve integrated these practices — including cover crops and reduced tillage — on our own 5,000+ acres. Using our scientific expertise and lessons from our own experiences, we’ve also helped growers in our region adopt these strategies in practical ways.
But there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. If you’re curious about how to integrate erosion-mitigating practices onto your farm — in ways that are tailored to your specific fields — connect with one of our local advisors for a consultation.
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