Contour Buffer Strips#
Definition
Leaving a permanent strip of non-crop vegetation (perennial grass, shrubs, etc.) in areas adjacent to production strips.
How it works: When water is running across a field, it carries soil particles. If you put buffer strips between production strips along the contour in your field, it puts a permanent barrier perpendicular to the water’s path. This makes the water slow down, and drop its soil particles in the buffer strip. This intervention is conceptually similar to a filter strip, but is planted and maintained along a contour, rather than at the end of furrow plantings.
Benefits |
Drawbacks |
|---|---|
Effective way to slow erosion |
Requires new planting patterns and planning |
No new infrastructure required |
Removes a strip of land from production |
Increases water infiltration |
Strip needs maintenance |
GPS technology makes farming along contours easy |
Get help
You don’t have to do this on your own! Your soil and water conservation office is here to help. If you want help setting and surveying in contour buffer strips, contact us!
608-637-5480