Fields plowed after harvest may look nice, neat and clean but Mother Nature gets upset.

The bare soil promptly washes away, taking with it organic sediment which could have enriched the soil if it had stayed there to decay. So the loss is doubled; the topsoil is gone and so is its future farming development potential.

Fall burning also leaves land bare and cuts organic value drastically. The valuable nitrogen content literally goes up in smoke. The components of crop residue can return to the soil if properly managed. Most of them will seep back into the soil.

Covered soil surfaces keep tons of topsoil in place while saving fuel and labor costs. Harvesting methods which leave a maximum amount of crop residue in combination with a conservation tillage system can do much to stop erosion throughout the year.

Vegetative cover crops can be planted to dissipate the impact of raindrops and impede water flow.

Rye, wheat and oats are good examples of cover crops. Interseeding of legumes into pastureland will add nitrogen to the soil while helping to prevent accelerated erosion. Wildlife can be encouraged by planting wheat in bare areas.

Since it is easier to prevent erosion than try to stop it or repair the damage it has done, consider some protective method now. Runoff from rainfall can cause much damage to valuable crop fields.

Also, the sediment pollutes our streams and rivers. Let's keep Mother Nature happy by keeping a cover on our precious topsoil.