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Strips of Prairie Alongside Crops Can Save the Soil

As Dr. Lisa Schulte Moore said in an NBC News story, the simple act of planting strips of prairie alongside corn, wheat, soybeans and more can reduce soil erosion by 95%.

Not only can prairie roots protect the soil, they also reduce fertilizer runoff by 90%. Plus, bees and butterflies flourish, buzzing among the prairie flowers. Pheasants and other birds enjoy their new habitat.

High school seniors want their photos taken among the pretty flowers.

It’s wonderful to see Iowa farmers planting prairie. Let’s get to the point where planting prairie is common across the Midwest (even if in strips), where more bees are buzzing and monarchs are floating on the breeze, where the soil is rich and healthy.

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Grass Growth - Leeds County Pasture Walk Part 7

Video: Grass Growth - Leeds County Pasture Walk Part 7

Presented by Brad & Karen Davis, owners of Black Kreek Ranch, Anita O'Brien, Grazing Mentor, and Christine O'Reilly, Forage & Grazing Specialist with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Watch each video from this event to learn about grazing tips, water systems, setting up fencing, working with net fencing, electric fencing tips, grass growth and managing grazing, gates and laneways, and frost seeding.