<p> THIS YEAR’S DEVASTATING DROUGHT NOT ONLY SHORTED VEGETATION OF VALUABLE MOISTURE, IT REDUCED PLANT GROWTH AND PROTECTIVE COVER FOR THE SOIL. TILLAGE WILL ONLY MAKE THESE CONDITIONS WORSE, STATES SOIL QUALITY SPECIALIST JEFF HEMENWAY WITH THE NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE. “IF I …. Q: EROSION :18.</p><p>HEMENWAY SAYS EVEN REDUCED TILLAGE CAN BE MORE DAMAGING THAN USUAL AS THE CROP RESIDUE THIS YEAR IS VERY FRAGILE. “WHEN … Q:EROSION :13.</p><p>BY ELIMINATING DISTURBANCE, HEMENWAY EXPLAINS THE SOIL WILL BE BETTER ABLE TO ABSORB THE MOISTUE WHEN IT RETURNS. RAIN DROPS FALLING ON BARE SOIL DISLODGE SOIL PARTICLES RESULTING IN POTENTIAL WATER EROSION. RESIDUE SOFTENS THE FORCE OF THE RAINDROPS LETTING MORE WATER INFILTRATE THE SOIL PROFILE, REDUCING RUNOFF.</p><p>STANDING RESIDUE IS ALSO IMPORTANT FOR ACHORING THE SOIL….SLASHING THE FORCE OF STRONG WINDS. “I’M HOPING … Q: TIME FRAME :10.</p><p>HEMENWAY STRONGLY ENCOURAGES SD FARMERS TO LEAVE THEIR SOILS PROTECTED THIS FALL BY ELIMINATING TILLAGE OF ANY KIND. HE SAYS THE SOIL IS THE FOUNDATION FOR NEXT YEAR’S CROPS….AND IS THE FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE IN BATTLING WIND & RAIN.</p><p>I’M PG REPORTING FOR THE NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE, HELPING PEOPLE HELP THE LAND</p><p>9/12 R</p>