Two of the best conservation practices to protect the soil is crop rotation and leaving crop residue on the soil after harvest. At least one legume (a nitrogen fixing plant) such as soybeans or red clover in a good crop rotation with other crops breaks weed, insect and disease cycles. A tremendous amount of tillage and chemicals is used each year trying to battle these problems which could simply be reduced through crop rotation. Less tillage would leave more crop residue. The rain drops hit plant material, not bare ground. The plant material also shields the ground from wind. The soil stays in place.