Crop Rotation, what's that? by Ashley

 Crop rotation is the practice of planting different crops sequentially on the same plot of land to improve soil health, optimize nutrients in the soil, and combat pest and weed pressure. Crop rotation also helps to control soil erosion and soil depletion.  These things are important because certain crops need specific nutrients and take it from the soil, leaving the soil lacking or depleted of specific nutrients, but by planting another crop, after the original crops' harvest, it puts the nutrients lost back into the soil for the next season's crop. 

For example: Corn is a heavy feeder crop. It can take a lot of nutrients like nitrogen from the soil. Rotating corn with soybeans can help replenish the soil through nitrogen fixation. Legumes like soybeans have the ability to pull nitrogen from the air and store it in nodules on their roots, explaining the reason soybeans are planted the following year after corn. Soybeans are less susceptible to common corn pests and diseases, which can help to reduce pest and disease pressure on corn. However, soybeans need corn just as much as corn needs soybeans.

If a farmer doesn’t rotate crops, it has the potential to lead to a variety of problems. The soil may become depleted of vital nutrients since the same crop is being planted in the same field year after year. This can result in decreased yields and soil health.

Soybeans

Corn