What is the number one natural resource issue on Johnston County agricultural lands?
by Greg Walker, Johnston Soil & Water District Director
The number one natural resource issue on Johnston County ag land is cropland soil erosion! With rainstorms seemingly getting heavier and more frequent, cropland runoff issues are becoming more and more severe. High runoff pretty much means high soil erosion rates. Our soils in most of Johnston County generally have a sandy surface. When these sandy soils are highly cultivated with little to no ground cover the surfaces can become quickly saturated. This bare ground condition makes the sandy soils very susceptible to soil erosion. The results can be quite remarkable and are evident throughout the county. Soils with high erosion rates also have lower abilities to slow runoff and retain moisture needed for crop production.
Gully erosion left unchecked will continue to degrade the fields year after year. Many sites just keep getting lower and broader as more and more soil leaves the field. Disking may temporarily hide the gully but likely won't solve the problem.
How do we reduce soil erosion?
First, we have to think about how to reduce runoff. We have to improve the surface condition and the easiest way to do this is to plan for and manage surface residue (cover). Soils that are covered for longer periods of time have a much better ‘hydrologic condition.’ This means the covered surface can better withstand heavy rains with minimal damage but also this means slower runoff and less runoff. Thus less runoff, less soil erosion and more importantly more moisture retained in the soil profile for crop production.
How many acres of soybeans, corn and cotton are planted in Johnston County annually? Why can’t we plant the majority of these acres no-till versus a disc and plant scenario? Can we plan a cover crop after tobacco? Even a late planted rye or wheat cover on sweet potato lands? A cover is burned down early to plant a full season bean or corn starts to make a difference in protecting the soil surface, reducing runoff and retaining more soil moisture. A cover crop has roots that can aid infiltration but also help hold our loose sandy soils together. The cover can also begin to establish infiltration spaces for plant available water. The surface residues of the cover crop can deflect the power of the rain drops hitting the ground. All this to say, the surface cover can increase infiltration and reduce the opportunity for soil movement or soil erosion.
Our soils, while sandy in nature, contain silts and other fine materials within the surface profile. When we disc and plant, we think that this makes for the best opportunity for infiltration. If that is true it only lasts a very short time. After that first summer time rain, the surface saturates and the sand, silt and other fine materials become liquified, then drying to form surface sealing effect. This sealing effect from that point forward inhibits infiltration thus causing more water to runoff. The ground cover management discussed above inhibits the surface sealing effect.
A few questions to ponder?
As you plan your crops for 2022 you may or may not have good ground cover to plant into. But you can start planning ahead for the next crop year so you can have surface covers. If you have a bean crop harvested in 2021, can you leave that residue on the surface to no-till a corn crop this summer. The federal Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) emphasizes cover crops and using conservation tillage (no-till). If you would like to look into financial assistance for cover crops please stop by for a visit. Our office houses SWCD and the federal (NRCS) employees.
That corn harvest this fall will leave plenty of ground cover. Many folks run the bush hog over the stalks to shred the cover and then plant soybeans in the spring. Some disk once leaving 30-40 percent cover then plant soybeans the following spring. The corn provides excellent cover to plant the next crop into. Use the previous crop residue all you can, when you can. Enhance that residue with a cover crop if you need to do so. The better cover you no-till plant into for your next springs crop provides amazing soil protection but that cover provides much more value in water retention to grow that next crop.
If you have tobacco in 2022, follow up with a cover crop down in order to plant no-till (soybeans or corn) in 60-80% surface cover next spring.
If you have tobacco and sweet potatoes in your cropping systems, we understand that these crops are highly cultivated. But we also have to see and understand that with our sandy soils, soil erosion risks increase. If we can lengthen our rotation with high residue crops and conservation tillage we can lessen the vulnerability over time. Sometimes excessive row grades in these bedded rows can accelerate soil erosion. SWCD staff can possible help evaluate row patterns and possibly recommend row grad improvements. Feel free to call on us to help you evaluate the possible ways to improve water retention and reduce soil erosion is these cropping systems.
I have seen cotton harvested, stalks bush hogged low and then cover crop no-tilled into the cotton stubble. I think this is outstanding and I plan to follow this particular producers cropping system this crop year. This producer is thinking about his ground cover management and I believe he is seeing very good benefits from it. The SWCD would like to call attention to these high level managers. There is much to learn from these producers!
Finally, our state and federal conservation programs encourage producers to manage surface residues among other conservation practices that we need to use locally. I would especially like to emphasize cover crops as I see so much need to better manage surface/ground covers. Come by to visit with our office staff or give us a call to plan and discuss cover crops in our conservation programs.
Here are just a few examples of a few Best Management Practices installed this past year by our staff...
_______________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
More Best Management Practices.....
________________________________________________________________________
Johnston Soil & Water welcomed two new employees in Summer 2021 and as you can see they have been busy!
Payton Lane joined the staff as a Natural Resource Conservationist. Recently graduating from the University of Mount Olive, Payton received her bachelor's degree in science where she focused on Environmental and Natural Resources. While in college she continued her past with the National FFA Organization by becoming involved in Collegiate FFA. She was also involved in UMO's Wildlife Organization where she became introduced to many different topics that encouraged her to pursue the career path that she did. She is looking forward to making a positive impact in the district by using what she has learned and applying it towards the programs that the district has to offer!
Elton Wilson has lived most of his life in rural Johnston county. He grew up hunting, fishing, and riding four wheelers on his family’s farm. Elton graduated from NC State University in 2012 with a degree in Agricultural Business Management. Elton worked as a sales representative at Coor Farm Supply for 7 years where was able to put many of the principles he learned in college to use in the real world and supply the tools people needed to expand their operations, and increase production. He’s excited to begin work as a Natural Resource Conservationist and continue helping the people of Johnston County get the most out of their land. Elton is married to Christina whom he met in middle school, they have two cats together Emma and Boo. He enjoys many outdoor related activities such as hunting, fishing, and boating.
NO-TILL DRILL FOR RENT!
CALL US TODAY to get on the schedule 919-934-7156 ext.3 or Click here to view the contract and Click here to learn more about the Great Plains 706NT-1075 No Till Compact Drill
The NO-TILL Benefits:
- No-till dramatically reduces soil erosion and improves infiltration.
- Virtually all crop residue remains on the soil surface and thus protects the soil from most of the damages caused by wind and rain.
- Crop residue on the soil surface and subsurface root structures help to increase infiltration rates, reduce runoff and help to retain moisture.
- Expenses for equipment decrease because the farmer doesn't need a plow, disk, or field cultivator.
- Time and fuel decreases because of fewer trips across the field with heavy equipment. In addition, fewer trips reduce compaction.
- No-till systems help to build organic matter.
- Managing crop residues also provide valuable cover for wildlife.
- Using existing row patterns for controlled traffic helps eliminate compaction.
What is a published Soil Survey?
A soil survey is a detailed report on the soils of an area. The soil survey has maps with soil boundaries and photos, descriptions, and tables of soil properties and features. Soil surveys are used by farmers, real estate agents, land use planners, engineers and others who desire information about the soil resource. If, after reviewing the soil survey report for your area, you still have unanswered questions about the soil survey or your soil, please contact the staff at Johnston Soil and Water Conservation District or our USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Soil Conservationist at 919-934-7156 ext. 3
Web Soil Survey (WSS)
Web Soil Survey (WSS) provides soil data and information produced by the National Cooperative Soil Survey. It is operated by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and provides access to the largest natural resource information system in the world. NRCS has soil maps and data available online for more than 95 percent of the nation's counties and anticipates having 100 percent in near future. The site is updated and maintained online as the single authoritative source of soil survey information. Soil surveys can be used for general farm, local, and wider area planning. Onsite investigation is needed in some cases, such as soil quality assessments and certain conservation and engineering applications.
Click below to start Web Soil Survey:
A Little More of What's Been Happening at JSWCD....
Johnston Soil & Water Conservation District Staff and Board of Supervisors were Host for Area IV Soil & Water Conservation Districts Spring Meeting on February 25, 2021 held virtually and the Fall Meeting on November 18, 2021 which was held in person at the Johnston County Agricultural Center. There were 72 attendees from 11 counties from central and northern North Carolina. Johnston County Commissioner, Ted Godwin joined us and extended a warm welcome to all those in attendance.
Johnston Soil & Water staff arranged training for continuing education credit hours for supervisors and staff. The two topics discussed included conservation easements and the history as well as the importance of Soil Conservation and protection of our Natural Resources in our state.
A silent auction was held during the Fall meeting in which the Area IV staff and partners raised $940 to benefit North Carolina Envirothon, which is a competitive event for middle and high school teams to learn about their environment and associated environmental practices.
Johnston Soil & Water staff have been busy in the field installing planned and contracted conservation practices. The staff works in concert with our State Division of Soil and Water Conservation staff to implement various conservation programs. Also we work with our federal partners, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) staff and the federal Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), Agricultural Land Easement (ALE).
Johnston Soil & Water Conservation District has served as 'staff' to the Moccasin Creek Service District since the 1960's when this project was constructed. This important project was built to provide flood relief and drainage benefits to the landowners and producers in the watershed. The project has 22.4 miles of constructed channels and many miles exhibit extreme streambank erosion that threatens private lands. The SWCD staff has applied for and received a grant for Moccasin Creek Service District through NC Division of Water Resources and matched by the Johnston County Commissioners to evaluate and develop plans to stabilize the stream channels. The watershed is experiencing new urban pressure that will only produce increased runoff. The Service District is working with an engineering firm to help guide them through the next steps towards achieving the goal restoring the integrity and stability of the project's channels.
Recently, the N. C. General Assembly approved for funds in the amount of $500,000 to help begin to fund a first phase of work that will be planned as part of the DWR grant mentioned above. From this point, it is anticipated that necessary measures will be done over a period of time in phases. Much more to come at Moccasin Creek.
Meet your Board of Supervisors for Johnston Soil & Water Conservation District.....
Board of Supervisors (L to R) Dewitt Hardee, John Langdon, Chairman, Don Rogers, Charles Hill, Vice -Chairman, Dennis Durham, Secretary-Treasurer
Johnston Soil and Water Conservation District is a governmental subdivision of the State, organized in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 139 of the General Statutes of North Carolina and is subject to the powers and restrictions as set forth in G.S. 139. Under this law, the District has the responsibility of conserving soil, water, and related natural resources within the District’s boundary. The District is governed by a five-member Board of Supervisors, with three officials elected by voters in the general election and two officials appointed by the NC Soil and Water Conservation Commission.
Upcoming Events:
- April 12, 2022, 7:00pm District Board Meeting at Johnston Agricultural Center in the Auditorium.
- May 10, 2022, 7:00pm District Board Meeting at Johnston Agricultural Center in the Board Room.