The Southern High Plains of the United States have low annual rainfall.
The Southern High Plains of the United States have low annual rainfall. When it does rain, though, intense storms can cause severe soil erosion. Strong winds also strip away valuable topsoil.
Enter cover crops.
Usually grown during seasons when primary crops aren’t cultivated, cover crops can include legumes such as pea and hairy vetch, or grassy crops like oats and barley.
Cover crops do more than just cover fields between growing seasons. They help soils retain rainwater and reduce erosion from wind and water.
Read more at American Society of Agronomy
Image: Cover crop and winter wheat fields at the NMSU Agricultural Science Center, Clovis NM. (Credit: Rajan Ghimire)
