The project should be staked before construction to guide the equipment operators. Heavy-duty road construction equipment, such as a motor scraper, is needed to construct terraces. Cross-section of one type of terrace. Terraces are practical only when crop returns from the land are high enough to justify construction costs. Tillage and residue management options should be evaluated before considering terraces.
Terraces intercept runoff.
Summary Many on-farm water erosion problems can be solved by the farm operator with minimal expense or inconvenience. Modifying tillage practices to keep crop residue on the surface can greatly reduce erosion. A crop residue cover also conserves soil moisture and improves soil tilth and fertility for better crop production. Costs for conservation tillage systems are usually similar to or lower than costs for conventional tillage systems over the long term. Preventing soil erosion helps to ensure the sustainability of the farm operation.