Because eroded knolls tend to be inhospitable for crops, it can be tough to get a good stand established in those areas after seeding, especially in dry conditions. Curtis Cavers, an agronomist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, says one possible solution for farmers is to crank up their seeding rates.

As Cavers points out, larger plant stands are more competitive against weeds, and they also help to reduce evaporation and store more moisture in the soil. The crop residues left behind at harvest also act to increase organic carbon in parts of the field where it’s needed most.

“Say you double your seeding rate in some of these cases, there’s a chance you’ll get a better stand in an area where more plants are needed to do that,” Cavers says.

When soils are really poor, however, increasing seeding rates may not make much difference.

“It’s going to be very site-specific from place to place, even from one hilltop to another in the same field. Some places are going to be more severe than others.”

Cavers notes cost is another consideration for farmers. “For less expensive seed, this might be attractive as a short-term fix. For some expensive seeds like canola, it may not be quite as appealing,” he says.

To learn more about how to work with eroded knolls on your farm, read Mark Halsall’s article “Restore Productivity on Your Eroded Knolls” on Cover Crop Strategies.