Soil structure is the combination of individual soil particles into aggregates. Aggregates are heavier than individual particles and so are harder for wind to move. Organic matter helps to hold aggregates together and so soils with more organic matter are more resistant to wind erosion. Sandy soils are very susceptible to erosion. Clay soils which have been pulverized by frequent freezing and thawing are also very erodible.
Wind erosion is a threat to soils in all four cropping systems and in pastures.
You can reduce wind erosion and maintain production by maintaining a protective plant cover for the soil. Tilling summerfallow fields dries out the surface soil and leaves it prone to erosion. Bare fields are especially at risk of wind erosion in late winter and spring at the end of the fallow period, and immediately after seeding of the next crop. The best way to conserve soil moisture and prevent wind erosion is to leave as much crop residue cover as possible during the fallow period. The crop residue cover reduces evaporation, and standing stubble traps snow for extra spring soil moisture.