The month of March closes out and completes the transition from winter to spring. This year’s transition is from the warmest winter on record and the hottest February—the ninth consecutive warmest month—into a spring under the lingering effects of one of the strongest El Nino events on record and the rapidly intensifying consequences from climate change (Sengupta and Erdenesanaa, March 6, 2024; NOAA, March 8, 2024; Henson, March 8, 2024; Copernicus, March 8, 2024; Sommer, March 11, 2024; Becker, March 14, 2024; NOAA, March 21, 2024; NOAA, 2024). What this portends for the crop year ahead rests heavy on the mind preparing for planting season. Spring rains also impact soil erosion and this article continues the series exploring that topic (farmdoc daily, March 14, 2024; March 21, 2024). Today’s discussion focuses on conservation buffers, or portions of land dedicated to vegetation, such as grassed waterways, filter strips, and similar practices, designed to reduce erosion and other environmental or natural resource concerns.
