10 Benefits of Soil Health All Farmers Should Consider
September 3, 2022 From reducing on-farm energy and costs to restoring ecosystem services like air and water quality, soil health, and soil functionality are the catalyst to optimal crop yields.
Here are 10 benefits of soil health all farmers should take into account.
1. Reduce farm operation costs
When you invest time in learning new farming practices that improve soil health, like reduced tillage and cover cropping, you can save money on-farm costs. The long-term benefits of soil health can pay off.
2. Increase yields & crop quality
The soil is the foundation of our food system. When you preserve the microbial communities that live in the soil, you can benefit from more yield because the system in which the food grows is a thriving ecosystem. You can work with the soil and preserve the value of your land to feed many generations to come and improve food security in your own communities.
3. Increase resistance of plants to disease
Healthy soil is a metropolis of micro and macro fauna. Some microbes have networks and build relationships with the plants in the ground, while others are soilborne plant pathogens.
4. Reduce erosion and runoff
There are several management practices you can do to prevent erosion and runoff like cover crops, windbreaks, riparian buffers, mulching, adding soil organic matter, and other regenerative agricultural and agroforestry practices. Healthy soil is able to make the farm more productive and provide more nutrients to the plants.
5. Prevent compaction
Preventing compaction can improve the overall health of your soil. If you incorporate livestock with crops, one important factor to consider is compaction. This occurs when livestock tramples the soil from continuous feeding. Soil particles are then pressed together, reducing pore space between them and do not allow proper water movement in the ground.
6. Greater resilience to climate change
Soil that has a strong microbial population has certain features that eroded soil does not. For example, microbial species may have the ability to produce metabolites that help plants withstand stress conditions. If the soil contains microbes that produce metabolites that have substances that can withstand drought or salination, this will be beneficial as your farm endures extreme climate changes in the future.
7. Ability to sequester carbon
As crops capture carbon from the atmosphere, the land is able to increase nutrient cycling and water filtration, cultivate a productive soil microbiome, and improve farm profitability. Carbon sequestration might be a way for you to earn supplemental income as you grow your farm. Check out our about carbon sequestration. You can reduce greenhouse gases and make extra money!
8. Less on-farm energy
As you begin to work with the land and manage the health of the soil, you will save money and energy you put into the farm. Healthy soil works strategically with plants to optimize their growth so that you do not have continual work to strengthen crop growth.
9. Increase land value
Healthy soil ensures the longevity of your farm operation. If you plan to grow food on your land for many generations to come, strong soil functionality and health will build your soil equity. Land that faces heavy erosion and pollution will endure obstacles that may result in your land’s inability to produce crops. You can increase your land value with a strong soil microbiome.
10. Maximize water infiltration and retention
Soil is a key resource that supports water quality and infiltration in a farming system. Depending on your soil texture, whether it is clay, loam, silk, or sandy, it may have a higher infiltration rate and more water-holding capacity. Your land management decisions can be optimized with healthy soil and affect your irrigation costs, ag input costs, and yield throughout the growing season.
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