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MSU explores prairie strip benefits

Research at Michigan State University is determining the best use of prairie strips in and around farm fields.

Brook Wilke at the W.K. Kellogg Biological Station tells Brownfield the diverse planting of wildflowers is meant to encourage pollinator and soil biodiversity.

“Our hypothesis is that we’re going to store more carbon in the soil which is going to be net gain and we’re probably going to improve soil health as well in those areas and potentially in surrounding areas next to the prairie strip,” he shares.

He says imagery was used to identify unprofitable areas where the planting is most suitable like along tree lines.

“Another area was where we had powerlines running through our fields—oftentimes it’s hard to farm around power poles,” he says.

Unlike grassed waterways or some other buffer strips, the prairie strips use native species.  Wilke says research is also considering intersecting waterways and following field traffic patterns.  

“So that it’s perpendicular to the waterway, a lot of times this will make it easier to farm around because it’s more in the direction of our farming traffic,” he explains.

The next steps in the long-term project will evaluate yield, profitability, and ecological impacts.

Wilke says USDA’s Farm Service agency also has programs supporting the practice in fields for at least 10 years.

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