Soil health - Articles

Soil Degradation Becoming a Concern

July 3, 2020 | Posted in Soil Health

Soil health, as defined by a team of researchers in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at New Mexico State University, is “the state of the soil being in sound physical, chemical, and biological condition, having the capability to sustain the growth and development of land plants.” Rajan Ghimire, a cropping systems agronomist at the Agricultural Science Center in Clovis, put it more simply: “Healthy soil leads to healthy human beings.”

Dig Into Soil Organic Matter

July 3, 2020 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: Lincoln Journal Star

Steven Hall is dedicated to exploring how farmers can get the most out of their soil. Hall, an assistant professor with the Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology at Iowa State University, runs a biogeochemistry lab where students look at the different factors that can effect soil health. Read more in this article from the Lincoln Journal Star.

New Mexico State University Researching Soil Health

June 29, 2020 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: Las Cruces Sun News

Soil is a natural resource that supports human civilization and plays a vital role in global food security. So, while we may not be ranchers, crop growers or researchers, we all have a vested interest in soil — especially soil health. Read more in this article from the Las Cruces Sun News.

Cover Crops Lower Cropping Input Costs

June 26, 2020 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: Environmental Defense Fund

Cover crops have proven benefits for soil health. A recent Iowa Soybean Association study shows that cover crops can also reduce the input costs associated with growing crops. Read more in this article from the Environmental Defense Fund.

[Video] Improving Soil Health with Cover Crops

June 18, 2020 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Cover crops were interseeded into V4 corn in mid-June to evaluate what species will survive in a shaded crop on the Seim farm in Merrick County, Nebraska.

[Video] Soil Biology Basics

June 5, 2020 | Posted in Soil Health

Soil health is the basis for all types of agriculture. In this webinar, Mark Schonbeck with the Organic Farming Research Foundation discusses the role of soil health in crop nutrition, how the soil food web works, how bacteria and fungi play into soil health, and more.

[Podcast] 60 Inch Wide Corn Rows Can Improve Soil Health

Retired engineer Bob Recker is an expert on wide row corn. In this week’s podcast, Recker explains how 60-inch corn rows can improve soil health and water quality, why research and development are happening every day on the farm, and more. (Courtesy of Cover Crop Innovators)

May 26, 2020 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Retired engineer Bob Recker is an expert on wide row corn. In this week’s podcast, Recker explains how 60-inch corn rows can improve soil health and water quality, why research and development are happening every day on the farm, and more. (Courtesy of Cover Crop Innovators)

Soil Health Practices Have to Pay

May 25, 2020 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: Rock Island Dispatch-Argus

Self-titled “soil health farmer” Chad Christianson is not unlike other farmers when he says soil health practices have to “pay their way.” He realizes that rent is high and taxes are not cheap. Read more in this article from the Rock Island Dispatch-Argus.

Growers Invest in Cover Crops for Soil Health Benefits

By Sarah Hill posted on May 22, 2020

The results from the first annual Cover Crop Strategies Benchmark Study found the majority of growers do not receive incentive payments to plant cover crops, while soil health benefits are their top reasons for growing covers.

[Video] Making the Transition to No-Till

May 20, 2020 | Posted in Seeding Practices

Maddy Rabenhorst, Field Manager with the Soil Health Partnership, discusses the challenges and benefits of incorporating soil health practices in your operation, why growers should consider using no-till, the process for transitioning to no-till, and more.