Crop Residue Management is managing crop residue in a way that best benefits future crop and soil needs.

• Reduced Soil Erosion: Rain drops hitting the soil surface has an explosive power that dislodges soil particles. The same is true for wind that is carrying blowing soil particles. Crop residue absorbs the energy of falling rain drops and by blowing soil particles. At least 30% of the soil surface needs to be covered by crop residue to do an adequate job. This is known as Conservation Tillage. In addition, crop residue will form millions of mini-dams all across a field that slows the water and traps soil.

• Soil Tilth: Soil tilth is influenced greatly by crop residue and the organic matter produced from it in the soil. For all of the plant mass seen growing above the ground there is an equal amount of root mass below the ground. Tillage adds oxygen to the soil which helps burn up organic matter. Less tillage allows more residue to stay on and in the soil and higher organic matter levels will result.