Cost-Share Practice - N386
Field Borders

Field border... a strip of grass or legumes at the edge of a field used in place of end rows.

How it works:

Strips of perennial vegetation are established at the outside edges of a field where excessive sheet and rill erosion is occuring.  The grass or legume strips replace crop end rows, which would be planted up and down hill and be highly erosive.  Field borders are sometimes referred to as picture frames of grass, and are used with contour farming, terrace, buffer strip and contour stripcropping systems.

How it helps:

• Vegetative cover reduces sheet and rill erosion by slowing water flow.
• Vegetation filters runoff to improve water quality.
• Grass and legume strips may be harvested in some cases and are easier to turn on than end rows.
• Vegetation provides cover and habitat for small birds and animals.

Excerpts from “Conservation Choices”, a USDA – NRCS publication.

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Livingston County Soil and Water Conservation District
1100 Morton Parkway, Chillicothe, MO 64601
PHONE: 660-646-5687 *** FAX: 660-646-4894