soil health

Farmers Have Questions About Carbon Markets

January 22, 2021 | Posted in Soil Health

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).

Cold Doesn't Always Kill Covers Over the Winter

December 28, 2020 | Posted in Grazing

Source: Hay & Forage Grower

By definition, cover crops are planted to protect the soil and contribute to improved soil health. However, often these annual forages are also grazed or harvested as livestock feed in the spring or early summer in an effort to make them more cost effective. Read more in this story from Hay & Forage Grower.

Cover Crops in Potato Rotations

December 23, 2020 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: Potato News Today

In humid climates, there is a high risk of topsoil loss from erosion on bare soil as well as nitrogen from fertilizers leaking or leaching from the soil into water sources, which can cause groundwater pollution. This is especially true in the fall, after potato harvest, and in the spring, due to melting snow. Read more in this story from Potato News Today.

Cover Crops Can Influence Pest Populations

By Sarah Hill posted on December 21, 2020

Cover crops have numerous benefits, which we’ve discussed at length in this blog—everything from improving soil health, increasing water infiltration, suppressing weeds, and more. One under-utilized benefit of covers is how cover crops can be used for pest management.

Suppressing Pests in Healthy Soils

December 18, 2020 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: Ohio's Country Journal

Farmers who improve soil health increase the amount of soil carbon being stored, and recycled. The increased carbon flow increases microbial numbers and efficiency leading to improved plant photosynthesis. Read more in this article from Ohio's Country Journal.