Soils are water reservoirs for crop production . Dr. Elwyn Taylor, Iowa State University climatologist reports that 200-bushel corn needs 19-23 inches of water during the growing season. For 200-bushel corn at 75O F (soil temperature), corn needs 1-acre inch of water per week, doubling to 2 inches at 85O F, and doubling again to 4 inches at 95O F. As soil temperature increases every 10O F, the corn plant’s water needs double. Keeping soil covered with crop residue and creating a good crop canopy greatly reduce soil temperatures. On a bare soil, soil temperatures may reach over 100O F, which has negative impacts on water needs, microbial populations, and nutrient cycling. Dr. Taylor reports that every 1 inch of fully and effectively used water is worth about 8 bushels corn, 3.5 bushels soybeans, and 6 bushels wheat. Effective rainfall is an extremely important concept. Imagine a slow steady 2-inch rain over several hours versus the same amount in 5 minutes. Soil has the ability to store...