Removing Crop Residue Can Reduce Yields

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Announcer:
Some corn farmers are harvesting crop residue, too. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service says be careful when removing crop residue. Here’s NRCS State Agronomist Barb Stewart:

Barb Stewart (MP3, 475 KB, 00:30)
(Transcript) "Taking too much residue off your fields can hurt yields. Studies show removing too much crop residue will eventually result in a decline in soil health and yield. Residue helps increase soil organic matter and recycle nutrients. The greater the organic matter, the healthier the soil. Crop residue also provides ground cover, which helps control soil erosion—important especially if we get heavy spring rains again next year. Contact your local NRCS office for more information."

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