overcrop

American  

[oh-ver-krop, oh-ver-krop] / ˌoʊ vərˈkrɒp, ˈoʊ vərˌkrɒp /

verb (used with object)

overcropped, overcropping

1. Agriculture. to crop (land) to excess; exhaust the fertility of by continuous cropping.

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verb (used without object)

overcropped, overcropping

1. to produce a crop in excess of what is permitted, agreed on, or normally required, especially in an attempt to gain added profits by circumventing government regulations.

noun

1. a mark of identification on cattle, which is made by cutting a piece from the upper margin of the ear.

overcrop British  

/ ˌəʊvəˈkrɒp /

verb

1. (tr) to exhaust (land) by excessive cultivation

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Etymology

Origin of overcrop

First recorded in 1560–70; over- + crop

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

overcropped overcropping

Too often, when planted in the wrong places, overcropped or made carelessly, it disappoints.

From New York Times ● Sep. 20, 2018

As each ranger has his land assigned to him and no one else can use it, the grass is not overcropped as it often is in regions outside the forests.

From Checking the Waste A Study in Conservation by Gregory, Mary Huston

The lands are all overcropped and under-stocked with cattle and sheep from the want of pasture lands.

From A Journey through the Kingdom of Oude, Volumes I & II by Sleeman, William

Its ability to resist drouth and overcropping and hard usage generally must be great, and I judge that many lawns and pastures would be improved by it.

From The Continental Monthly, Vol. 1, No. 2, February, 1862 Devoted To Literature And National Policy by Various

Since only one year's growth can be harvested annually the supply is not endangered by the pernicious practice of overcropping, which has contributed so much to the present high and increasing cost of pulp wood.

From Hemp Hurds as Paper-Making Material United States Department of Agriculture, Bulletin No. 404 by Dewey, Lyster H. (Lyster Hoxie)