Crop Rotation

Crop rotation is a fundamental agronomic practice in which different crop species are planted in a planned sequence on the same land over successive growing seasons. A common example is a corn-soybean rotation, where nitrogen-fixing soybeans replenish soil nitrogen used by corn the previous year. Rotation breaks pest and disease cycles, reduces weed pressure, improves soil structure, and can increase yields compared to continuous monoculture. The choice of rotation depends on climate, market conditions, available equipment, and soil type. Many crop insurance programs and conservation plans factor in rotation history when determining premiums and eligibility.