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Study raises soil erosion concerns in the Corn Belt
A recent study says one third of the Corn Belt has lost its topsoil. Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst say that’s nearly 30 million acres.
The study estimates the topsoil loss has reduced corn and soybean yields by about six percent which is a nearly $3 billion annual loss to Midwest farmers. The study points to repeated tillage as a ‘major driver’ of the soil loss and says there is an urgent need to incentivize no-till practices.
Satellite imagery was used to estimate the topsoil loss.
