Healthy soils bring growing benefits that depleted soils simply can’t. And with a few basic practices, such as no-till and cover crops, farmers are creating a living factory of microbes and organisms that work nonstop, 24-7, to rejuvenate and rebuild their farms’ most valuable asset – soil. In fact, building soil health can lead to healthier yields, lower input costs and more resilience for your farm.
Healthier soils help farmers increase water infiltration, reduce runoff, improve water quality and reduce input costs — often with higher yields.
Improving farm profitability is more important than ever, so is sustaining the environment and waterways. That’s what is driving more farmers to adopt conservation farming practices that build soil health. And while it takes a multiyear commitment to see results, simple practices can make a difference sooner than many would think. A recent study by the Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC) surveyed 750 farmers from all over the U.S. and asked how long it took them to see the benefits from cover crops, and 58% reported they saw soil health benefits in under two years.
Be dirt smart and revitalize soil health for benefits that grow season after season.
Click here to get started.
Healthy soil acts like a sponge that absorbs more water during rain events. Roots from cover crops, plus reduced or no-tillage practices, increase water infiltration into the soil by creating a network of soil pores and reducing soil compaction. The more water that infiltrates the soil, the less water runs off. This translates to less sediment and nutrient export to streams and waterways and more healthy soil for your farm.
How To Build Healthier Soils
Agricultural conservation practices that help build soil health include:
- Practicing conservation tillage (reduced till, strip-till or no-till)
- Reducing soil compaction by minimizing passes over the field
- Extending rotations with a diversity of crops
- Planting cover crops between growing seasons
- Growing perennial vegetation
Why Build Healthier Soils
- Enhanced crop quality
- More nutrient cycling
- Reduced weed pressure
- Reduced pests and improved plant health
- Better water conservation
- Reduced nutrient runoff
Be dirt smart and revitalize soil health for benefits that grow season after season.
Click here to get started.
