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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MI Ag Ideas to Grow With Virtual Conference Will Share Vital Agricultural Information with Farmers and Homeowners
Published on January 6, 2021
Unique virtual experience combining Ag Action Day, Branch County Farmers Day and Southwest Michigan Horticulture Days. -
Thumb Ag Day to go virtual in 2020
Published on December 7, 2020
Join MSU Extension field crops educators along with experts for this free Virtual Thumb Ag Day on Dec. 9. -
Saving soil with cover crops
Published on December 4, 2020
Podcast recording with a thumb-area farmer delves into how he uses cover crops to save soil and money. -
Michigan pesticide applicator recertification credits available online before the end of the year
Published on November 17, 2020
Growers needing a few more credits to renew their pesticide applicator license have some online opportunities available. -
Pesticide course offered for private and commercial pesticide applicators
Published on November 17, 2020
New online course for restricted use pesticide applicators offering 12 credits.
