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near Ruckersville, installed 46 acres of stripcropping last fall. Mr. McDaniel states that, “before the strips were installed, hay fields were washing and decided that he and his son, Billy, plan to keep the farming operation going and didn’t want to see it erode away. Stripcropping was an excellent way to preserve the land and keep it in good conservation use.” After some very heavy rains this year, according to Mr. McDaniel, very little erosion has occurred since he has installed his strips.
“Field strips are beneficial for several reasons,” states Mr. Jeffries. “First of all, the close growing hay strips anchor the topsoil in place on the steep hillsides. These strips also allow the winter rains and snow melt to soak into the ground avoiding soil erosion, washed out areas, and gullies.
Field strips work with crop rotations, allowing hay strips to be rotated with cultivated ones. This idea gives the land a rest and a chance to renew itself. For example, using legume hay crops such as alfalfa in strips fix nitrogen and may be rotated with com strips to take advantage of this free nitrogen, helping to cut the fertilizer bill.”
There may be cost-share assistance available through the Chesapeake Bay Program and the ASCS office. Through the Bay Program, an
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