MINOT, ND ( KXNET ) — On Tuesday, September 10th, farmers in North Dakota spent some time learning about cover crops, as NDSU Dickinson extension service hosted ‘Cover Crop Field Day’ in nearby Ward County.

North Dakota soil is susceptible to wind erosion, so experts say having something in place can protect farmers from losing much of their topsoil. Cover crops are what farmers typically plant in between growing seasons to add nutrients to the soil and prevent erosion. They can also help by soaking in excess moisture from the spring thaw.

“If you can imagine laying down in a grass field,” says NDSU’s Assistant Professor of Climate Smart Approaches and Agriculture Dr. Lindsay Malone, “if you get your face below that grass, the wind would be less. It is literally slowing down that wind speed at the soil surface to protect crops.”

Soil health is important, and by not tilling you are protecting the nutrients inside — but this can be a challenging practice, as it is also a method of weed control.

Cover crops can help hold back noxious weeds, and include certain types of clover or winter peas, which can add nitrogen to the soil before farmers start planting next year.

“I like to talk about soil health in comparison to human health,” Malone continues. “There is not one clear answer like what makes you healthy. There is not one clear answer on what makes the soil healthy,” said Malone.

Malone adds that a wet year is going to help dry things out — and in a dry year, one of the biggest challenges in cover cropping Western North Dakota is that it doesn’t get the same rainfall as other areas.

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