Yet if we have the moisture, we can raise crops that are nearly as good as the crops grown east of us in the Red River Valley. Saves Rainfall With average annual precipitation of just over 17 inches, producing above-average yields requires finding ways to traps and retain moisture on his land. Leaving stubble stand over winter traps snow, and this, too, increases soil moisture in spring. But given the large amount of residue that minimum-till produces, Schindler says strips and tree belts are less necessary now than they once were. The added surface residue resulting from reduced tillage adds organic matter to the soil, which improves moisture retention and makes the soil more mellow.
Wind erosion is nonexistent on our fields.
However the steep slopes we have on some of our land make it nearly impossible to continue to farm the land and completely stop the loss of some soil to water erosion. But with more residue on the surface, we can surely slow it down. When a hammering spring rainstorm dumped 2.5 inches of water on his land in 45 minutes, Schindler expected he would have to reseed some fields because of soil washing. As it turned out, however, the crop residue did such a good job of sheltering the soil that reseeding wasn't necessary. Schindler's first field operation in spring is a diagonal pass with an anhydrous ammonia applicator.