Extended Rotation

ER

About

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Extended rotation cropping systems integrate a sequence of crops on the same land, over multiple years. Importantly, extended rotations expand corn-soy cropping rotations and often include corn followed by at least 2-years of a different crop, such as small-grains or forage crops. The types of crops grown may vary depending on site conditions and producer goals. By expanding production beyond corn and soybeans, extended rotations increase on-farm diversity.

Benefits

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When managed properly, extended rotations:

• Reduce reliance on one crop
• Diversify income
• Improve water quality
• Enhance soil health

Challenges

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However, extended rotations face challenges including:

• Management complexity
• Limited markets
• Lack of necessary equipment
• Lack of technical support

Extended Rotation Practices

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The ACRE team evaluated various extended rotation practices for climate smartness. Below is a list of practices linked to the ACRE Portal.

• Alley Cropping: Plants crop alleys between tree or shrub rows for diverse yields.
• Composting Facility: Converts organic waste into stable compost through controlled decomposition.
• Conservation Cover: Establishes permanent vegetative cover to protect and restore the land.
• Conservation Crop Rotation: Rotates different crops on the same field each growing season.
• Contour Buffer Strips: Plants perennial vegetation strips along the contour to slow runoff.
• Cover Crops: Plants a mix of species between cash crops to cover bare soil.
• Critical Area Planting: Establishes permanent vegetation on erodible or disturbed land to stabilize soil.
• Field Border: Plants permanent vegetation strips around field edges to reduce erosion and support wildlife.
• Filter Strips: Uses permanent vegetation to filter runoff from fields.
• Fuel Breaks: Uses strips of reduced vegetation to slow wildfire spread and protect property.
• Grassed Waterways: Uses vegetated channels to safely convey runoff and prevent soil erosion.
• Herbaceous Wind Barriers: Plants narrow strips of herbaceous vegetation across fields to reduce wind erosion.
• Mulching: Applies plant residue or other materials to bare soil to protect and improve it.
• No-Till: Leaves crop residue on the soil surface to minimize soil disturbance.
• Nutrient Management: Manages fertilizer rate, timing, placement, and source to reduce nutrient loss.
• Pasture and Hay Planting: Establishes perennial forage species for pasture and hay production.
• Prescribed Grazing: Manages timing and intensity of grazing to protect pasture health.
• Reduced Till: Limits soil disturbance during seedbed preparation while retaining protective residue cover.
• Riparian Forest Buffer: Plants trees and grasses along waterways to filter runoff and stabilize banks.
• Roofs and Covers: Covers manure and waste facilities to keep out rain and snow.
• Soil Carbon Amendment: Applies organic material to soil to improve health and store carbon.
• Strip Cropping: Alternates erosion-resistant and erosion-prone crops in strips across a field.
• Vegetative Barriers: Plants narrow rows of perennial vegetation along contours to slow runoff and erosion.
• Wildlife Habitat Planting: Plants herbaceous vegetation and shrubs to create or restore wildlife habitat.
• Windbreaks: Uses linear tree and shrub plantings to reduce wind speed and protect farms.