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By Ken Ronnan | Published Wed, Feb 25 2009 2:00 pm
Thanks to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA), students get a firsthand look at how different soil coverage can have a dramatic impact on the amount of erosion taking place on farm fields. MDA Sustainable Agriculture Specialist Mark Zumwinkle demonstrates the department's rainfall simulator. The machine is designed to mimic a natural rainstorm on three different types of soil conditions: bare soil, soil with a cover crop and soil covered with woodchip mulch. Students are able to observe the amount of runoff, soil splash and erosion on each type of soil.
The MDA also has a larger version of the rainfall simulator it uses to assist farmers, researchers, extension and state agency staff with designing and implementing on-site farm research to study the interaction of rainfall and various tillage systems, including water retention and runoff. Simulated rainfall is a primary tool used on farms to assess tillage management effects on soil and water quality.
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