Crop Rotation
Crop rotation is the practice of alternating the crops planted in a specific field in a given year. One season, a farmer may plant wheat, and then switch to sugar beets or corn in subsequent growing periods.
“If you grow the same crop on the same field, year after year, you risk increased disease and insect pressure, and you risk wearing out the soil,” said Krick.
Crop rotation helps by breaking up disease cycles that could affect the same crop year after year. Farmers will often have several different crops growing in different sections of their farm at the same time. This is good for the soil, and it reduces the business impact if a major threat (disease, weather event or insect) was to hit one crop. It’s good business, and it’s good for the environment.