Diversified Crop Rotation

Diversified cropping systems involve the addition of one or more crops into a typical corn-soybean rotation. This typically results in the soil being covered for longer periods of time during the year, improving soil health and reducing erosion.

Relay- and double-cropping involve the harvest of two crops in one year. In Iowa, these systems are typically soybeans that are planting into (relay-crop) or after (double-crop) an overwintering small grain, like cereal rye or winter wheat.

Extended rotations are a form of diversified cropping systems whereby crop rotation length is three or more years. In Iowa extended rotations typically involve small grains and a cover crop or an hay crop, but they can also include things like field peas or canola. By incoporating more species and introducing diversification, crops like corn and soybeans in extended systems undergo a "rotation effect" where they have higher yields. Furthermore, by incorporating legumes into diversified systems, farmers can save on fertilizer costs while maintaining or even increasing yields.