CCA - Certified Crop Advisor Soil and Water Conservation Questions and Answers

Question 1

A producer is experiencing concentrated flow erosion forming small, defined channels across a sloping field after heavy rainfall.
These channels are shallow enough to be removed by normal tillage operations.
What is the most accurate term for this type of water erosion?

Accepted Answer

Rill erosion

Answer

Sheet erosion

Answer

Gully erosion

Answer

Splash erosion

Question 2

A farmer wants to implement contour farming to reduce soil erosion on a field with a 6% slope. Which of the following is the most critical principle for the successful implementation of this practice?

Accepted Answer

Orienting all tillage and planting operations as close to level across the slope as possible.

Answer

Establishing a series of broad-based terraces across the slope.

Answer

Planting alternating strips of row crops and sod-forming crops.

Answer

Installing a grassed waterway down the steepest part of the slope.

Question 3

Which of the following conservation practices is specifically designed to be a densely vegetated area that intercepts surface runoff from upslope areas to slow water flow, trap sediment, and filter nutrients and pesticides before they reach water bodies?

Accepted Answer

Filter strip

Answer

Cover crop

Answer

Grassed waterway

Answer

Windbreak

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT a primary benefit of using cover crops in a soil and water conservation plan?

Accepted Answer

Elimination of the need for subsurface drainage

Answer

Increased soil organic matter

Answer

Reduced soil compaction

Answer

Suppression of weed growth

Question 5

A CCA is advising a client on tillage systems. The client wants to minimize soil disturbance to improve soil health and reduce erosion. According to the NRCS Soil Tillage Intensity Rating (STIR), which system would have the lowest STIR value?

Accepted Answer

No-till planting directly into previous crop residue

Answer

Moldboard plow followed by a finishing disk

Answer

Chisel plow followed by a field cultivator

Answer

Strip-till into previous crop residue

Question 6

A producer has a natural drainage area in a large field where runoff concentrates, threatening to form a large gully. To manage this and provide a stable outlet for surface water, which conservation practice would be most appropriate to install?

Accepted Answer

A grassed waterway

Answer

Contour buffer strips

Answer

A field border

Answer

Terraces

A producer is experiencing concentrated flow erosion forming small, defined channels across a sloping field after heavy rainfall.These channels are shallow enough to be removed by normal tillage operations.What is the most accurate term for this type of water erosion?

A producer is experiencing concentrated flow erosion forming small, defined channels across a sloping field after heavy rainfall.
These channels are shallow enough to be removed by normal tillage operations.
What is the most accurate term for this type of water erosion?