Crop rotation

Every farmer will grow different crops, depending on his or her type of farm but if a farmer is planting the same crop year after year, this is probably hurting the soil. Micro-organisms in the soil need a diversity of plant roots in order to survive and soil diseases can build up if there is no rotation of these crops.  In most of Ontario, a standard crop rotation is Corn – Soybeans – Wheat and if there are a few years of grass (for hay) included, that’s even better for the soil!  In some areas however, it is difficult and unprofitable to grow wheat, but there may be other crops a farmer could plant in order to diversify the crop rotation, see cover crops , for example.  (Keep in mind that a crop needs to also be profitable in order to be grown.)

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