Soil compaction - Articles

Poor Soil Health Causes Compaction, Poor Soil Structure

March 16, 2020 | Posted in Soil Health

Engineers insist that soil compaction is caused by wheel traffic (true) but it also comes from excessive tillage, rain (think hard driving rains) and gravity (to a lesser degree). Soil compaction is poor soil structure due to a lack of roots and active carbon (soil organic matter, SOM) from root exudates. Read more in this article from Ohio's Country Journal.

Cover Crops Solve Soil Compaction

August 30, 2019 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: Cadillac News

Due to the very wet spring in 2019, farmers were forced to work their soil wetter then they prefer to be able to plant their crop. When soils are tilled when wet, soil compaction will occur. When soils are compacted they are less productive and less healthy. Compacted soils have less pore space, and that means that plant roots might not be able to 'breathe,‘ and both root development and nutrient uptake are restricted.

Are You Feeding Your ‘Livestock’?

By Sarah Hill posted on August 12, 2019

Earthworms — they are the unsung heroes and unpaid employees on your farm. According to Frank Gibbs, one of the featured speakers at the National Strip-Tillage Conference held earlier this month in Peoria, Ill., worms are always working to enrich your soil.

Easing the Soil’s Temperature with Cover Crops

November 8, 2017 | Posted in Seeding Practices, Soil Health

Research has shown that both cover crops and perennial biofuel crops can relieve soil compaction. Cover crops are generally planted between cash crops such as corn and soybeans to protect the bare soil.

Cover Crop Costs Recovered on Rolling Plains Cotton

December 27, 2016 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension soil scientist Paul DeLaune discusses how irrigated producers especially could potentially be reaping more dollars per acre if they include a cover crop on their continuous cotton acres.