Natural Resources Conservation ServiceDes Moines, Iowa January 2008

What is stripcropping? Stripcropping is a system of growingcrops in approximately even widthstrips or bands on the contour toreduce soil erosion. The crops arearranged so that a strip of meadow orclose growing crop is alternated with astrip of row crop.

How it helps the landStripcropping is very effective at reduc-ing sheet and rill erosion. It can reducesoil loss as much as 75%, depending onthe type of crop rotation and the steep-ness of a slope. Strips planted tomeadow can provide food and coverfor wildlife.

Where the practice appliesStripcropping is a conservation optionfor any cropland where sheet and rillerosion are a problem. This practice ismost effective on slops of 2 to 12 per-cent but can reduce sheet and rill ero-sion on steeper slopes as well.

Where to get help For assistance in planning and estab-lishing your stripcropping system onyour farm contact your NaturalResources Conservation Service office.For more job sheets and conservationinformation visit the NRCS website atwww.ia.nrcs.usda.gov

SSttrriippccrrooppppiinnggIowa Job Sheet

Helping People Help the Landwww.ia.nrcs.usda.gov

Requirements of stripcroppingHere are the maximum strip widths androtation to be used in your fields.

Field # (CTU)_________________Strip width___________Rotation______________

Field # (CTU) ________________Strip width___________Rotation______________

Field # (CTU)_________________Strip width___________Rotation_______________

For crop rotations:M=meadowO=oatsC=cornB=beans

Applying the practiceThis practice is considered to beapplied when the above strip widths arein place and the most conserving crophas been planted at least once in thefield or conservation treatment unit(ctu).

Here are tips on planning your sys-tem:

• Estimate how many acres of eachcrop you want every year.

• Make sure your crop rotation allowsfor alternating row crops and closegrown crops. Close growing cropsinclude cereal grains, sudan grass aswell as perennial grasses andlegumes.

• Be sure herbicide carryover won'tbe a problem.

• Decide if you want to removefences to get longer rows.

• You can do some planning by sketch-ing out your strips on paper labelingthe crop in each strip year by yearfor the next five to seven years.

Other considerations:• On sloping ground it is important to

plant field borders in places wherethere would normally be end rowsrunning up and down hill. Thisreduces erosion that may occur inthese areas and provides importanttravel lanes during haying or grainharvest.

• Strip widths may be adjusted down-ward to accommodate your equip-ment width for even rounds.

• Leave grass turnstrips where turnsbecome sharp. Turn strips shouldbe wide enough to make a turn withtractor and equipment.

• To be most effective, not more thanhalf the field should be in row cropany one year. Strips of row cropsmust be alternated with strips ofmeadow or close grown crops. Tobalance the acres of crop produc-tion, the years in the crop rotationdivided by 2 should equal the num-ber of stripcropped fields or units.The fields or units should be asclose to the same size as possible.Example: A corn, corn, oats, mead-ow, meadow, meadow, (CCOMMM)rotation would work best with threefields or units of equal size.

• Most contour stripcropped fields willhave odd areas. Odd areas shouldbe tilled and planted parallel to adja-cent strips. This will help runoffwater move slowly off the field.Odd areas can also be used for hayproduction or wildlife habitat.

Maintaining the practice• Care should be taken to maintain

strip widths. If meadow cropsshould fail or be winter killed,adjustments may be made to yourrotation. Contact your NRCS officebefore making those changes.

• Use care in applying chemicals andin operating tillage equipment. Withstrips so close together, it's easy toaffect an adjacent strip.

• Grassed waterways will need to beestablished and/or maintained.They are important for safe disposalof excess surface water. Lift tillageequipment and turn off sprayingequipment when crossing water-ways.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimi-nation in all its programs and activities on the basis of race,color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex,marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexualorientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, orbecause all or a part of an individual's income is derived fromany public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases applyto all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alterna-tive means for communication of program information (Braille,large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGETCenter at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaintof discrimination write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights,1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.