Conservation Alternatives to Narrow Base Terraces
C. Baxter¹, D. Busch¹, J. Huebschman¹, C. Steiner and P. Younger²
¹UW-Platteville Pioneer Farm, ²Independent Consultant
Project Description
Narrow based terraces are permanently vegetated
berms constructed along the contour of a slope
designed to prevent the rapid runoff of rainfall and
thus serve to conserve topsoil.
UW-Platteville Pioneer Farm: Product District Agriculture Research
The ability of narrow-based terraces to act not
only as a means of sustainable profitability for
agriculturists, but also as quality habitat for
grassland birds and small mammals, could be highly
beneficial. In areas composed of monoculture
crops, narrow based-terraces may provide habitat
for native grassland species.
The goal of this study is to determine what effect
removing the terraces will have on agricultural
production, surface water quality and the wildlife
habitat.
Research Methods
Surface Water Quality, Dennis Busch UW-Platteville
Paired-Basin Approach
Sediment, Nitrogen and Phosphorus
Biological Diversity, Jeff Huebschman, UW-Platteville
Nesting Bird Surveys
Surveys of Vegetation
Small Mammal Trapping
Soil Quality, Chris Baxter
Modeling, Philip Younger, consultant
Evaluate alternatives using SNAP-Plus
Economics, Charles Steiner, UW-Platteville
Partial budget analyses.
Producer Involvement
Pioneer Farm formed a project advisory group to assist
in developing treatments that will be tested in the paired
basins. These individuals represent many organizations
in the state of Wisconsin including: Farm Bureau, WI
Soybean Growers, WI Pork Association, WI Farmers
Union, Wisconsin Cattlemen’s Association, Lafayette
County, UW-Extension and UW-Soils.
The Project Advisory group developed three different
treatments:
1. Phosphorus Reduction: High soil test (>100 ppm)
at this site prompted the group to suggest eliminating
manure applications, contour farming, grassed waterways
and cover crops as appropriate conservation practices to
install after removing terraces from basin 11 (four acres).
Project Advisory Group
Mark Riechers - WI Cattlemen’s Association
Joe Bragger - WI Soybean Association
Dick Gorder - WI Farm Bureau
Mike Wehler - WI Pork Producers
Byron Freeman - WI Cattlemen’s Association
Phil Wyse - Pioneer Farm
Brian Hillers - NRCS
Al Brandt - Lafayette County LCD
Kevin Shelley - UW-Extension
Ted Bay - UW-Extension
Amber Radatz - UW-Discovery Farms
2. No-till Transition: A no-tillage system with crossslope planting and manure cover (broadcast application
of solid manure) will replace the terraces in basin 3 (14
acres).
3. High Density Dairy: In basin 10 (10 acres), cover
crops, annual P-based manure applications and presidedress nitrogen testing will be utilized following
terrace removal.
Pioneer Farm
Background Information
Pioneer Farm is a 430 acre farm with 330 tillable acres
located five miles from Platteville. The farm is home
to a Red and Black Angus beef cow herd, Holstein
milking herd and crossbred swine unit. Our crop
rotation consists of corn, oats
and alfalfa with all crops grown
harvested for feed.
As part of the campus
community, our primary focus is
to provide on-farm experiences to
students, evaluate management practices, conduct
systems and applied research, and communicate
education and research to students, agencies,
producers and the public.
Funding Support Provided by:
NRCS
UW-Platteville Pioneer Farm
29200 College Farm Road, Platteville, Wisconsin • 608.342.1850 • www.uwplatt.edu/pioneerfarm/