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Contour Farming |
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It is a form of agriculture, which reduces soil erosion. It is done with row patterns nearly level around the hill.
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Crop row built by tilling and/or planting on the contour create hundreds of small dams like structure. These ridges or dams slow water flow and increase infiltration which reduces erosion.
How it Helps
Contouring reduces soil erosion by as much as 50 percent.
Contouring promotes better water quality by reducing sediment and runoff, and increasing water infiltration.
Tech Notes
Establish a key line around the hill by using a hand level or contour gauge.
Contour key line grade should not exceed 2 percent except within 100 feet of an outlet. In that case, the grade can be a 3 percent slope.
Perform all tillage and planting operations parallel to the key contour line.
Contouring is less effective in preventing soil erosion on steeper or longer slopes.
Replace end rows with field borders to reduce erosion.
Topography may be too steep and/or irregular to contour.
Maintenance
Use grassed waterways in areas where runoff is concentrated to prevent gully erosion.
Contoured rows should enter the grassed area of waterways on the level, but should direct water into the grass.
To avoid having to lay out new key contour lines every year, establish a narrow permanent strip of grass along each key contour line.
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