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

Rill erosion is characterized by the formation of small, well-defined channels caused by concentrating runoff. A key feature is that these channels, or rills, are small enough to be smoothed over by standard tillage equipment. Sheet erosion is the more uniform removal of soil in a thin layer, gully erosion involves larger channels too deep to be crossed by farm machinery, and splash erosion is the initial detachment of soil particles by raindrop impact.

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

The fundamental principle of contour farming is to perform all farm operations, including plowing, planting, and cultivating, on or near the contour of the land. This creates hundreds of small ridges or dams that slow water runoff, increase infiltration, and reduce erosion. While terraces, strip cropping, and waterways are also valuable conservation practices, they are distinct from the core concept of contour farming. Contour farming is most effective on slopes between 2% and 10%.

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

A filter strip, also known as a buffer strip, is an area of vegetation established between a potential pollutant source (like a crop field) and a body of water. Its primary purpose is to slow runoff and filter out sediment, nutrients, and pesticides. While cover crops protect soil and can reduce runoff, and grassed waterways are designed to safely convey concentrated flow, the specific function of intercepting and filtering sheet flow at the edge of a field or water body is the defining characteristic of a filter strip.

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

Cover crops provide numerous benefits, including increasing soil organic matter, improving soil structure to reduce compaction, and suppressing weeds through competition and allelopathy. However, they do not eliminate the need for subsurface drainage. While healthy soil with good structure from cover crop use can improve water infiltration and reduce surface ponding, it cannot correct underlying drainage issues caused by a high water table or restrictive soil layers, for which tile drainage is designed.

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

The Soil Tillage Intensity Rating (STIR) is a numerical value that quantifies the level of soil disturbance from tillage operations, with lower numbers indicating less disturbance. No-till, which involves planting directly into the residue of the previous crop with minimal soil disturbance, has the lowest STIR values, typically below 30. Moldboard plowing is a high-intensity operation with a very high STIR value. Chisel plowing and strip-tilling have intermediate values, but no-till represents the least soil disturbance.

(CCA) Certified Crop Advisor Practice Test

(CCA) Certified Crop Advisor Practice Test

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