KBS Long-Term Agroecosystem Research (LTAR) Aspirational Cropping System & NRCS Conservation Practices
DOWNLOADAugust 1, 2025
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EmailImplementing the Aspirational Cropping System on Your Farm
The Aspirational Cropping System at the W.K. Kellogg Biological Station (KBS) LTAR can be implemented on your farm using NRCS Conservation Practices. Ask your local NRCS field office for a Conservation Plan to get started:
https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/state-offices/michigan/nrcs-michigan-field-offices
Linking LTAR Practices to NRCS Conservation Standards
| KBS Aspirational Cropping System | NRCS Soil Health Principles & Resource Concerns Addressed* | Related NRCS Conservation Practice Standards (CPS) & Activities* |
|---|---|---|
| Crop Rotation Corn, Soybean, Winter Wheat, Winter Canola, Diverse Perennial Forage |
Maximizing Living Roots Maximizing Biodiversity |
Conservation Crop Rotation (Code 328) Pasture and Hayland Planting (Code 512) |
| Pesticide Management Pesticide applications based on scouting and disease models; fungicide seed treatments on corn, wheat, and canola; insecticide seed treatment on corn only |
Minimizing Disturbance | Part of a Pest Management Conservation System (Code 595) |
| Tillage None |
Minimizing Disturbance Maximizing Soil Cover |
Residue and Tillage Management – No-Till (Code 329) or Reduced Till (Code 345) |
| Cover Crops Grass & brassica after corn; legume after wheat; legume, grass & forb after canola |
Maximizing Living Roots Maximizing Biodiversity Maximizing Soil Cover |
Cover Crop (Code 340) |
| Fertility Variable rate and split applications; nitrogen credits; grid soil sampling; banded phosphorus; Maximum Return to Nitrogen (MRTN) rates |
Minimizing Disturbance | Nutrient Management (Code 590) Soil and Source Testing for Nutrient Management (CEMA 217) |
| Conservation Plantings Integrating prairie strips on erodible areas of the field< |
