'Alternative Rotations' Replace Wheat-Fallow Systems

November 12, 1999

Farmers are finding that "alternative rotations," based on findings of USDA's Agricultural Research Service scientists, can be 20-40% more profitable than the traditional wheat-fallow system. A fallow system is one where farmers plant one crop every other year and leave the soil bare for a year to store water.

Researchers found that farmers could crop successfully continuously in years with normal or more precipitation by using a cycle of four crops and alternating high and low-water use crops. For example, continuous cropping with wheat-corn-millet and either field peas, another wheat crop or fallow doubles the land's productivity compared to wheat-fallow.

Wheat-fallow systems use only 40% of the average 14-18 inches of annual rainfall, but continuous cropping soaks up nearly 80%, according to Randy L. Anderson at ARS' Central Great Plains Research Station, Akron, CO. For nine years, he and colleagues have tested 20 dry land crop rotation and tillage systems, seeking the best alternatives to wheat-fallow.

Researchers also are working on rotations that succeed in dry years. One option they're exploring is a forage crop or green fallow. Both use less water than the current crops such as wheat, corn, millet and sunflowers.

More details are available on the Internet at http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/nov99/falls1199.htm.