Crops

About 40,000 acres in LeFlore County are used for crops. Most of the cropland is on the Arkansas River bottom lands. HOwever, small acreages of bottom lands along the Poteau River and small acreages of upland, primarily in the extreme northern part of the county, are used for crops.

Crops grown most extensively on soils on the bottom land are alfalfa, soybeans, and wheat. Spinach and field peas are also grown on small acreages. Soybeans is the crop commonly grown on uplands.

Because cultivated crops are grown primarily on nearly level soils on the bottom land, erosion control is not a major concern. In minor undulating areas that are cropped, erosion can be minimized by a cropping system that keeps a vegetative cover on the ground for extended periods. Crop residue returned to the soil increases infiltration and reduces runoff and erosion. Terracing and contour farming help minimize erosion on sloping soils of upland farms.

Surface drainage is the major concern in management on many clayey soils on the bottom lands of the Arkansas River and on much of the acreage of loamy soils on the bottom land along the major local streams. Lateral ditches and field drainage ditches are used to remove excess surface water. On some well drained soils, ditches are needed to help drain pothole areas.

Crops grown on uplands respond to fertilizer and lime. Line is not needed on soils on the Arkansas River bottom land, but it generally is needed on soils on the other bottom land. Fertilizer generally increases yields on the soils on bottom land. Additions of lime and fertilizer should be based on current soil tests, the needs of the crop, and the expected level of yields.

The Land We Farm

LeFlore County is mainly in the Arkansas Valley and the Ouachita Mountains physiographic sections. Topography differences range from the nearly level flood plains of the Arkansas, Poteau, and Kiamichi rivers and major creeks to the steep mountainous areas in the southern part of the county. Most of the drainage is into the Poteau and Kiamichi Rivers by way of creeks and streams.

Soil, water, timber, coal, natural gas, stone and gravel, fish, wild game, and scenic beauty are the main natural resources of the county.

Soil, the most important natural resource in the county, produces pasture and hay, timber, and crops. Farm ponds are a source of water for livestock and are used for fish production. Sandstone is the most common surface rock in the area (it is excavated and used in building construction). Fishes, wildlife, and game are abundant. Crappie, bass, and catfish are the most common fishes in lakes and rivers. The habitat has abundant cover and food for deer, dove, turkey, quail, squirrel, and duck and for fur-bearing animals such as mink, beaver, fox, and bobcat.