Salinity Management

Many have noticed an increasing spread of white "alkali" patches in Foster County fields, rendering once-productive land barren.

What appears to be alkali is actually a buildup of soluble salts brought to the surface by evaporating water.

In recent decades, rising groundwater levels, changes in cropping systems, and improper land management have accelerated evaporation, leading to salt accumulation that makes soil unsuitable for crops.

Local farmer John Murphy—along with his wife, two sons, and brother—is proving that these unproductive areas don’t have to go to waste.

Rather than continue spending money on fertilizers and seeds with little return, the family partnership has sought a more sustainable solution.

"It didn’t make sense to keep investing in land that wasn’t producing," Murphy said. "We had cows to feed and could put hay to good use."

Murphy and his family began restoring their affected fields by planting a mix of salt-tolerant wheatgrass species along with some alfalfa. Their first field was sown 15 years ago, and two more fields have since followed.

The results were quick and dramatic. "The first year, it was all kochia and foxtail barley," Murphy recalled. "But once we mowed it the first time, the wheatgrass took over."

Now, these once-barren areas produce between three and five bales of hay per acre annually. Wheatgrass hay is high in energy, making it a valuable feed source.

Murphy acknowledges that some farmers may hesitate to plant grass in salt-affected areas because they don’t want to disrupt the continuity of their fields. However, he sees that as a minor inconvenience compared to the high cost of seeds and chemicals wasted on land that will never produce a viable crop.

Murphy also believes many ranchers would welcome the opportunity to harvest hay from these grassed-in areas, regardless of their size.

"Even if a farmer and rancher strike a deal to trade hay for hamburger, it’s worth it," he said.

For now, Murphy is grateful for the hay, but he envisions restoring the land to crop production in the future. "I see the potential for a rotation—three to five years of grass, followed by three to five years of cropland," he says.

Murphy’s method provides a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to battling soil salinity, and his success has not gone unnoticed.

The Foster County Soil Conservation District has recognized his efforts and hopes other farmers will follow his example. To raise awareness, the district posted signs at three of the restored fields—two located a mile and a half south of Carrington and one along the blacktop a mile west of Barlow.

With alkali patches expanding, the Murphy family’s approach offers a practical solution for farmers looking to reclaim unproductive land and turn a challenge into an opportunity.

For recommendations about salt-tolerant grass species, contact Dionn Schaaf at the Foster County Soil Conservation District at (701) 652-2551 or Jeff Gale at the NDSU Extension office at (701) 652-2581.