Ridging as an effective barrier. Here a deep furrow drill creates ideal ridges. Ridges Ridging the soil surface can also be an effective practice. Ridges absorb and deflect wind energy and trap moving soil particles. Ridges 4 inches high spaced 16 inches apart will provide optimum protection if oriented correctly.
Soil texture determines, to a great extent, the effectiveness and persistence of ridging.
Silt loams, loams, and clay loams consolidate well with tillage and hold ridges against wind, rain, and snow impacts. Sandy loams, loamy sands, and coarse sands are easy to till into ridges but the ridges deteriorate quickly. Cover Crops Cover Crops work well in irrigated fields where moisture is not a limiting factor. Early planting of winter wheat can offset insufficient surface residues if favorable growing conditions exist. However, unfavorable fall growing conditions can eliminate any advantage to early plantings.