Soil health is defined by the USDA NRCS as the continued capacity of a soil to function as a vital living ecosystem that sustains plants, animals and humans. These functions include maintaining plant productivity, regulating and partitioning water, filtering and buffering against pollutants, and storing and cycling nutrients.
Soil health as we know it depends on management and generally boils down to organic matter and porosity, two physical properties that are highly dependent on soil texture. When we have higher organic matter we have, greater water infiltration, lower bulk density, higher EC (Electro Conductivity), higher respiration, greater soil nitrogen, greater aggregate stability, more earthworms and more soil microbes.
To improve soil health farmers should consider implementing a practice or combination of practices that depend on soil texture, soil health status, and constraints of their farming system. The practices include minimizing disturbance, maximize time with living roots, keep the soil covered, and diversifying rotations.
News
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Workshops on soil health management when budgets are tight offered throughout Upper Peninsula
Published on December 5, 2018
Attendees will receive soil health and cost reduction tips for the 2019 growing season.
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Upper Peninsula farmers encouraged to share experiences with cover crops
Published on November 8, 2017
A survey, administered by Michigan State University Extension staff in the Upper Peninsula seeks to understand current cover crop usage throughout the region, and barriers to increased adoption.
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Taking a close look at soil profiles helps understand soil health concepts
Published on October 12, 2016
Upper Peninsula farmers take part in soil productivity on-farm field days to better understand soil health and learn from one another.
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Fall conservation update to highlight soil health and plot tour
Published on July 20, 2016
The tour and program on Sept. 8, 2016, will feature cutting-edge soil health, environmental stewardship and crop production practices. Farmers, landowners and conservationists are invited to attend.
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Make your soil smoke for optimum soil health
Published on July 6, 2016
MSU Agriculture Innovation Day to feature smoking soil and more from experts
