Erodible Soils in Iowa

Madison Greenetz

Kathleen McGuinness

ENVL 3432

Dr. Jessica Favorito

October 21, 2019

Abstract: Soil erosion in Iowa has altered the yields of cash crops for farmers in the past decade

to the point where new techniques in farming have become essential. Degradation of topsoil affects
more than just farmers. It influences large corporations who manufacture small grains that leads

to farmers continuing to grow crops ineffectively which in turn takes money away from consumers

leading to poor diet. According to Websoil survey science analysis we have found that climate,

slope and bulk density on Mollisols in the midwest strongly influence crop yields. Through new

management strategies including no-till farming and use of cover crops, farmers can begin to

regain nutrients in soils and avoid future erosion.

Introduction

The main issue is the loss of nutrients due to eroded soils. Although soil erosion happens

naturally, when dealing with farm lands, the major concern is that nutrients are carried away,

leading to lower crop yields. Down time between cash crops over the winter leads to winds

carrying away soils. Without those crops holding them in place, the topsoil easily erodes from

rain, snow and wind. Soils have been degraded over the years by tilling, which effectively

reduces the number of microbes in the soil, making it impossible to hold soils in place. When

aggregation in soils has been reduced to this point, there is lower porosity. Porosity influences

the amount of water that can infiltrate the soil. Farmers depend on the topsoil for their

livelihoods, and the removal of topsoil faster than it can replenish causes a multitude of issues.

The more topsoil erodes, the more essential nutrients are lost and can not be taken back into

crops, which can lead to smaller, less nutritious crops. Nutrients are left in bare soil after cash

crops are sown, which is why retaining them with cover crops can help to reduce topsoil loss.

The issue spreads worldwide based on industrial farming and tilling. Research on tillage by the

Global Agriculture Organization suggests that around 24% of the worlds productive lands have

been degraded (2014) and the number climbs every year because there is little to no change in
farming practices. Poor soil management practices have led to lower crop yields, but with proper

organization and sustainable farming, it is possible to return nutrients to our soils.

Stakeholders

In the past, Iowa produced the largest amount of oats in the country, but due to the

perception that oats from other states and even Canada produce higher yields and quality,

farmers in Iowa have been forced to farm different cash crops, like corn and soybeans. In Cedar

Rapids, Iowa the largest cereal production facility for oat, is owned by Quaker Oats.

Unfortunately, over the last decade, Quaker Oats has been importing all the oats used in this

facility from outside of the state of Iowa. Oat farming has a variety of environmental benefits

which would actually help prevent more soil erosion and retain soil quality. They can be used as

a cover crop for themselves, yet stakeholders like Quaker have gone elsewhere to supply the

cereal grain for production. Corn production has become a vital component of the Iowa farming

industry, and that contributes to soil erosion as corn depletes nutrients in the soils. Should the

Quaker company return to buying oats from in state where their processing plant resides, a major

difference in soil quality could be seen.

Other stakeholders concerned with soil erosion in Iowa range from seed cleaners and

seed buyers to grain buyers. The area in which they range spans across state lines and affects

pricing all the way down to a regular consumer in a supermarket. According to the Practical

Farmers of Iowa (PFOI), there has been a steady decline in the number of farmers who grow

cereal grains in the past generation, as discussed previously. Although Iowa leads the entire

country in the production of soybeans and corn, there has recently been an influx of smaller

organizations who are banding together and growing small cereal grains including oats, wheat,
barley, rye and triticale. The PFOI are a cost-share organization increasingly interested in the

fertility of their soils and educating other farmers about how to grow small grains. While the

program spans over several states in the Corn Belt, of the 34 farms involved, 24 of them are

based in Iowa. These farms are interested in finding a way to increase the amount of small grain

crops between corn rotations to enhance the quality of their soils. Unfortunately, finding an

outlet to sell these crops has become increasingly difficult, and many farms have to store cereal

grains for six months, or even a whole year. The necessity of storing these grains for such an

extended period of time leaves farmers with little choice as to how much land they allocate to

small grains.

Larger nation-wide companies, including PepsiCo, General Mills, and many others, have

difficulty collaborating to create a market in which small grains can actually thrive. The

production cost and income from crops like corn and soybeans are far too high to return to small

cereal grains. It is of utmost importance to implore stakeholders such as these to create a more

sustainable supply of crops so that the soils remain intact for the future, instead of only being

concerned with the incomes of today. If the interest was shifted by these companies just a small

amount, then farmers would have the resources to grow a range of crops over the growing

season.

The price of cereal crops has shown an increase of about 3% to 4% according to a study

performed by Iowa State University (Graham Brooks, et. al, 2010). This increase in price affects

how and what American consumers are eating. Nutrition in America has seen a steady decline

through the use of corn and corn products such as high fructose corn syrup. Since the price of

corn products has become so cheap, there is a positive correlation between giant companies

wanting to continue to grow them and Americans buying them. Everyone has a small stake in the
issue of soil erosion due to the impact of where American money is going. Teaching agriculture

in classrooms can help provide important information about how we can make a difference as a

society as a whole. Citizens who are knowledgeable in agriculture and nutrition can help shape

the future impact of the agricultural industry on erodible soils.

Issues/Management Options

The tables below summarize information regarding the soils on three farms located in

Iowa.

Table 1: Basic information (USDA 2019)

Landowner Soil Series Quality of Yield GPS Coordinates

Farmer A Monona Degraded 42.71022°, -96.28545°

Farmer B Galva Degraded 42.98785°, -96.31771°

Farmer C Tama Satisfactory 41.79948°, -92.29093°

Table 2: Climate (USDA 2019)

Landowner Koppen Mean Annual Mean Annual Frost-Free

Climate Precipitation Air Period
Classification (in.) Temperature
(℉)

Farmer A Dfa (Hot 28 to 37 47 to 53 145 to 180 days

summer humid
continental)

Farmer B Dfa (Hot 28 to 33 45 to 48 140 to 160 days

summer humid
 continental)

Farmer C Dfa (Hot 35 to 38 46 to 51 167 to 206 days

summer humid
continental)

Table 3: Soil Properties (USDA 2019)

Landowner Surface Bulk Percent Organic Susceptibili Structure

Texture Density Organic Matter ty to of Ap Layer
(g/cm³) Matter Depletion Compactio
n

Farmer A Silt Loam 1.28 2.70 Moderately Medium Dry weak

High fine
subangular
blocky

Farmer B Silty Clay 1.28 3.10 - 4.00 Moderate Medium Dry weak
Loam fine
granular

Farmer C Silty Clay 1.32 - 1.34 3.00 - 3.50 Moderate Medium Dry weak
Loam fine
granular

Table 4: Topography (USDA 2019)

Landowner Landform Landform Position Slope (percent)

Farmer A Loess Hills Backslope, shoulder 5 to 14

Farmer B Hillslopes Backslope, shoulder 2 to 9

Farmer C Interfluves Shoulder, summit 2 to 14

 The climate of a region is an important factor in the amount of erosion experienced there,

since climate patterns dictate not only the amount of precipitation experienced, but it’s frequency

and intensity as well. The intensity of precipitation events greatly affects erosion levels, since

rainfall of greater intensity is more likely to detach and transport soil particles. The duration of

rainfall in an event is also important; the longer rainfall occurs, the more saturated the ground

becomes. Increased soil saturation leads to increased runoff, further driving erosion. (Holz et

al., 2015) Table 1 summarizes climate information for the soils examined. According to the

Köppen climate classification scheme, the entirety of Iowa has a hot-summer humid continental

climate . Areas with this climate type generally do not have differing levels of precipitation

throughout the year, maintaining relatively constant soil moisture levels. The areas receive an

average of 28 to 38 inches of precipitation per year.

The bulk density of a soil is the mass of soil particles per unit volume of that soil, usually

measured in g/cm³. The bulk density of a good soil is around 1.33 g/cm³. Bulk densities higher

than this indicate high soil compaction and low porosity. Increased bulk density is often the

result of cultivation, and affects many soil properties. Compacted soil restricts plant root growth,

resulting in shallower root development. Poor root development results in poor plant growth,

reducing crop yields as well as vegetative cover in fields. This can reduce farmers’ incomes as

well as further driving erosion, since bare soil is much more susceptible to erosion than vegetated

soil. (USDA 2008)

Decreases in bulk density are often the result of poor farming practices. Repeatedly

plowing to the same depth compacts the layers of soil below the plowed areas. Heavy equipment

traffic compacts soil, especially when it is wet. Vehicles apply unnaturally large amounts of

pressure over relatively small areas. If crops are not rotated sufficiently, with little variation in
the depth and structure of rooting, further compaction may occur. The incorporation, burning, or

removal of crop residues after harvest leaves bare, unprotected soil, which is highly susceptible

to erosion by wind or precipitation. Livestock may overgraze forage plants, and, if allowed, will

develop trails and loafing areas. The reduction of forage plants will drive erosion the same way

as the removal of crop residue. Livestock trails and loafing areas, repeatedly travelled by heavy

animals, will become more compacted than surrounding soils. (USDA, 2008)

Table 3 shows the bulk density of each soil. The soils in these areas have acceptable bulk

densities. In fact, the lands owned by both farmers A and B have bulk densities slightly lower

than average. Farmer C’s land has a bulk density that is almost exactly average. Although these

numbers are favorable at the moment, care should be taken to properly manage these areas.

According to the Web Soil Survey, these areas are moderately susceptible to compaction. Poor

management of these soils may eventually result in compaction and increased bulk densities.

The infiltration rates of soils are related to their bulk densities. An infiltration rate is a

measure of how quickly water at the surface penetrates soil layers. Higher bulk densities restrict

the ability of water to move through the soil, reducing infiltration rates. If water from

precipitation cannot enter the soil quickly enough, it will move away as runoff, often carrying

part of the top layer of soil with it. Table 3 shows the infiltration rates for each soil. Infiltration

rates for Farmer A are moderate, while they are low for Farmers B and C. This indicates that

water could be a major factor in erosion on these properties.

Soil aggregates help to give soil structure. They are created when soil particles bind

more strongly to each other than surrounding particles. The stability of an aggregate is its ability

to remain cohesive when acted upon by outside forces. The degree of soil aggregation influences
a soil’s ability to resist erosion, as well as water movement and plant growth. Aggregates which

break down easily in water or due to tillage are more easily eroded. If an aggregate breaks down

in water, its individual particles may form crusts which inhibit the entry of water and air into the

soil, as well as the ability of seedlings to sprout. Table 3 shows how aggregated each soil is.

Farmers B and C have soils which are not strongly aggregated, while Farmer A’s soils are

slightly aggregated. These soils are less likely to hold together when exposed to water, and may

be more susceptible to erosion as a result. (USDA, 1996)

Soil aggregate stability can be improved by reducing disturbances to the soil. This can be

accomplished by employing proper conservation practices, like zone or strip tillage, or no-till

planting methods. The addition of organic matter, through manure or mulch residues, will

stimulate increased microbial activity, which will result in the production of biological ‘glues’

which hold the soil together. Planting crops which provide good surface cover will prevent

degradation of soil aggregates due to precipitation, as well as contributing additional organic

matter from their root systems. (Cornell University, 2016.)

Organic matter is an important component of soils. Decomposing organic material

contributes vital nutrients to soil, including nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur. Organic matter is

able to hold absorb large amounts of water, which reduces the likelihood of soil becoming

saturated. (USDA, 1996b) Its presence encourages activity by microbes and microfauna like

earthworms. Earthworms burrow through soil, increasing aeration and infiltration rates by

increasing porosity. As stated previously, increased infiltration rates can lead to decreased

erosion rates. Microbes and microfauna also contribute biological ‘glues’ which cause soils to

aggregate. (Bot and Benites, 2005) Most productive agricultural soils have between 3% and 6%

organic matter. (Cornell University, 2008) As seen in Table 3, the amount of organic matter in
Farmer A’s soils is below this range, and has moderately high organic matter depletion. The soils

of B and C have moderate organic matter depletion. Most organic matter is in the topsoil; as

topsoil is eroded away, the organic matter goes with it.

The erosion of organic matter can be prevented by preventing erosion. Once depleted, it

may be increased in a variety of ways. These include the use of crops which leave large amounts

of residue behind to decompose, as well as reducing tillage. Proper care and fertilization of

plants ensures that root and top growth will be abundant, with the root growth contributing

significant amounts of organic matter to the soil.

Topography influences the type and degree of erosion which will occur. Generally, the

steeper the slope of an area, the greater the likelihood that sediment will be transported downhill.

For example, according to one study, a 10 percent slope can lose up to 75 percent of soil

dislodged by raindrops. (Holz et al., 2015) Usually, with slopes less than 33%, erosion can be

prevented by maintaining proper vegetative cover. (USDA, n.d.) All three farmers’ soils, seen in

Figure 4, fall into this category.

Management Recommendations

Climate and precipitation levels cannot be altered, so steps must be taken to reduce their

effects on soil. The effects of erosion may be prevented and even reversed in these farmer’s soils

through the use of conscientious farming practices. Limiting the use of heavy equipment,

including vehicles, on soils should reduce the likelihood of soil compaction. Efforts should be

made to consolidate trips or tasks which use this equipment. Crops should be rotated whenever

possible. When harvesting is complete, all plant residue should be allowed to remain on the

surface of the soil, protecting it from erosion and contributing organic matter. Soil should never
be left bare; some form of ground cover, whether it be plant residue or living vegetation, should

always be maintained. Tillage should be kept to a minimum; no-till farming practices should be

employed whenever possible.

References

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(verified 21 Oct. 2019)

Bader, Z. 2019. Iowa Cover Crops: Answers to 8 Common Questions. Iowa Farm Bureau.

[Online] Available at https://www.iowafarmbureau.com/Article/Iowa-Cover-Crops-Answers-to-

Common-Questions (verified 21 Oct. 2019)

Center for Agricultural and Rural Development. 2010. The Production and Impact of Biotech

Crops. Iowa State University. Ames, Iowa.

United States Department of Agriculture. 1995. Soil Erosion and Conservation in the United

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Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation. 2019. The Importance of Ag Literacy. West Des Moines,

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