The Power of Rotations
Well thought out crop rotations are the most powerful tool in any farmers toolbox and can drastically limit the amount of inputs required. This is due to a good rotation's ability to control pests and diseases in a natural way.
Well thought out rotations require a lot of planning, agronomic skill, and discipline. You can't simply change crops because the market will give you $5 more per acre or your rotation could be changed for the worse and it will cost you $10 in the future. Rotations are a long term commitment.
We strive for a minimum of 4 year rotations and are currently moving towards even longer rotations. The more crops in a rotation the higher degree of agronomic and marketing skills are required. Rotations are worth the effort as they increase our sustainability. To learn more about each of the field crops we grow visit our crop page.
A well planned rotation will reduce our reliance on pesticides and fertilizer due to:
- Reducing disease pressure in the field
- Reducing weed pressure in the field
- Limiting the movement and build up of insect pests
- Better ability to feed the soil biology
