Using Prairie Strips To Protect South Dakota Water

Updated July 26, 2021
Professional headshot of David Kringen

David Kringen

SDSU Extension Water Resources Field Specialist

Diagram of a of prairie strip in the Conservation Reserve Program. The goals are to reduce soil erosion, improve water quality and provide wildlife habitat. For an in-depth description of this graphic, call SDSU Extension at 605-688-6729.
Figure 1. Infographic of prairie strips in the Conservation Reserve Program. Courtesy: STRIPS Team, Iowa State University

Prairie strips (CP43) are a new continuous Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) practice that integrates native prairie plantings oriented linearly within a row crop field to reduce soil erosion and runoff. Prairie strips are designed to intercept surface and subsurface water flow to remove nutrients, sediment and other pollutants through deposition, plant uptake, denitrification and other processes.

Prairie strips can be placed along the edge of a field, through the field, in terrace channels, next to waterways or in pivot corners. Prairie strips also provide needed pollinator habitat due to the diverse mix of grasses and forbs. Grasses will compromise approximately 50% of the mix and forbs will include species that flower in the early, mid and late growing season.
 

    A blooming prairie strip with a variety of grasses and wildflowers growing throughout.
    Figure 2. Blooming prairie strip at the ISU Armstrong Research Farm. Courtesy: Omar de Kok-Mercado, Iowa State University

    Strips may not exceed 25% of the cropland area per tract and can range from 30 to 120 feet in width. While they cannot be used as travel lanes, strips planted as field borders may be used for equipment turning during normal field operations.

    For more information on prairie strips and the Conservation Reserve Program, contact your local USDA Service Center.

    Additional Resources

    Related Topics

    Conservation, Wildlife, Soil Health

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