Common Cropland Conservation Practices
Cover Crops
Cover crops improve soil health when used with no‑till and diverse rotations.
Cover crops improve soil health when used with no‑till and diverse rotations.
- New landowners/operators may receive assistance for up to three consecutive years
- Not eligible for hay or silage intended for resale or consumption
- Contour Buffer Strips
- Filter Strips
- Critical Area Planting
- Nutrient Management
- Sediment Basins (livestock waste systems only)
- Underground Outlets / Diversions
Grassed Waterways
Grassed waterways safely convey runoff to stable outlets without erosion.
Cost Share Includes
Grassed waterways safely convey runoff to stable outlets without erosion.
Cost Share Includes
- Shaping and grading
- Topsoiling and vegetation establishment
- Subsurface drainage when required
- Restoration Eligibility
- 20+ years old
- Reduced capacity with frequent runoff
- Evidence of erosion
- Stable outlet available
Land treatment practices on cropland reduce soil erosion, improve soil structure, protect water quality, and retain moisture. Below are examples of commonly funded practices.
No‑till and strip‑till systems manage crop residue year‑round while limiting soil disturbance to what is necessary for planting and nutrient placement.
Benefits include:
Later mowed for hay and soybeans no-tilled into stubble.
Decomposition of roots adds to organic matter which later releases nitrogen
No‑till and strip‑till systems manage crop residue year‑round while limiting soil disturbance to what is necessary for planting and nutrient placement.
Benefits include:
- Reduced sheet, rill, and wind erosion
- Improved soil organic matter
- Increased available soil moisture
- Reduced sediment delivery to waterways
- Key Requirements
- Crop residue may not be burned
- Residue must be uniformly distributed
- No full‑width tillage is allowed
- Soil Tillage Intensity Rating (STIR):
- No‑till: ≤ 10
- Strip‑till: ≤ 15
- Direct seed: ≤ 30
Later mowed for hay and soybeans no-tilled into stubble.
Decomposition of roots adds to organic matter which later releases nitrogen
Terraces & Restoration
Terraces reduce slope length, slow runoff, control erosion, and improve water quality.
Eligible Terrace Types
Terraces reduce slope length, slow runoff, control erosion, and improve water quality.
Eligible Terrace Types
- Broad Base (Storage or Non‑Storage)
- Storage – Grass Back, Level, or Flat Channel
- Storage – Narrow Base
- Terrace Restoration Requirements
- Must be 20 years or older
- Less than 50% remaining capacity
- Adequate stable outlets required
- General maintenance is not eligible
- Elimination or conversion to underground tile is not eligible
Crop Management & Planting Best Practices
Successful conservation systems rely on good agronomic management.
Crop Selection & Rotation
Successful conservation systems rely on good agronomic management.
Crop Selection & Rotation
- Use herbicide‑resistant varieties when appropriate
- Match plant populations to variety specifications
- Wheat is an effective entry crop for no‑till
- Rotate crops to disrupt pest cycles
- Residue & Weed Management
- Evenly distribute crop residue
- Avoid residue removal—residue has significant nutrient value
- Rotate herbicide modes of action
- Scout fields regularly and maintain records
- Maintain proper seeding depth and seed‑to‑soil contact
- Avoid planting speeds faster than 4.5 mph
- Corn planting depth: 1.5 inches
- Use residue managers without tilling soil
- Soil test regularly
- Band nutrients when possible
- Consider split nitrogen applications
- Apply manure evenly for nutrient and organic matter benefits
📞 Call: (785) 266-9053 ext. 3 Visit: 3231 SW VanBuren Street Ste: 2 Topeka, Kansas 66611 📧 Email: [email protected]
