Soil health - Articles

Variety of Cover Crop Options Helps Producers Better Manage Soil Health

February 1, 2021 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: Farm Focus

Dr. Judith Nyiraneza, a research scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) based in Charlottetown, P.E.I., and Oyster Cove Farms of Hamilton, P.E.I., recently completed a two-year study that tested the performance of cover crops planted following the potato harvest. Read more in this article from Farm Focus.

Nitrogen Fertilizer Efficiency, Improved Soil Health Linked

January 29, 2021 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: Ohio's Country Journal

Most farmers value soil health in theory, but few studies have worked to place an actual agronomic value on soil health. A study found that a 10% improvement in certain soil health measurements increased relative yields by an average of 5% across N fertilizer rates. Read more in this article from Ohio's Country Journal.

[Video] Revitalizing Soil Health with Cover Crops

January 27, 2021 | Posted in Soil Health

Aaron Lehman, a fifth-generation Iowa farmer, started planting cover crops a little over a 12 years ago—and hasn’t looked back. Cover crops have helped Lehman improve soil health through increased soil organic matter as he transitioned to organic farming.

Barriers to Cover Crop Use

January 27, 2021 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: Lancaster Farming

Cover crop acreage has increased significantly around the nation, and in some areas over 70% of farmland is “green” going into winter. The Mid-Atlantic region is leading the charge. Read more in this article from Lancaster Farming.

Farmers Have Questions About Carbon Markets

January 22, 2021 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: Indianapolis Star

Rick Clark was out working the field on his farm near Williamsport, Ind. one day, 16 years ago. Then a one-inch rain rolled in.?He didn’t think anything of it at the time, he said. Read more in this article from the Indianapolis Star.

Ag Management Practices Need to Change for Soil Health

January 20, 2021 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: Ohio's Country Journal

As more is learned about the complexities of the soils serving as the basis for our civilization, it is becoming apparent to many that agricultural management practices need to change. Les Siler, a farmer from Fulton County, said farmers need to be intentional to improve the quality and health of their soil. Read more in this article from Ohio's Country Journal.

Keys to Intercropping

January 18, 2021 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: The Cattle Site

There is a lot of buzz in beef and forage production systems around the concepts of sustainability and soil health and the numerous different production practices that can support those ideas. Intercropping is one strategy that may help achieve producers' goals. Read more in this article from The Cattle Site.

Defining Soil Health Terms

January 18, 2021

Source: Ohio's Country Journal

Soil health can be hard to understand if you do not know the “lingo” or terminology. Here’s a short primer on soil health terms. Read more in this article from Ohio's Country Journal.

Prince Edward Island Farmers Rebuild Soil

January 8, 2021 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: CBC

Concerns about the state of the Island's soil, and its impact on the agriculture industry, prompted the province to begin monitoring organic matter levels in soil in 1998. The study included 600 sites, with samples being taken, analyzed and recorded about once every three years. Read more in this article from the CBC.

Optimize Soil Nutrient Cycling

January 8, 2021 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: Crescent-News

Skeptics of soil health abound in agriculture. After World War II, farmers became reliant on inorganic fertilizer to improve crop yields. Read more in this article from the Crescent-News (Defiance, OH).