Soil Health Education

Six Principles of Soil Health

wyatt@riogro.com (Wyatt Flory) — Wed, 18 Oct 2023 21:41:41 GMT

Unchanging principles that guide soil health decisions.

1. Know Your Context

If you have ever travelled long distances, you know that culture, climate, and the realities in daily life can change drastically from place to place. Knowing your context is acknowledging that reality as you think about managing your soils as a living organism for regenerative change.

Following are context-related questions:

What are your goals?
Do you have clay or sandy soil?
Do you receive high or low rainfall amounts?
What did nature do with your soils before human management?
What budget do you have to work with?

Asking questions like these help you think from a bigger picture as a manager, and will guide your expectations and decisions as you seek to build healthy, productive soils.

2. Cover the Soil.

Ever been outside on a hot day with no shade and you started to feel a little lightheaded? When the soil is left uncovered, it gets hot. Microbes do not thrive in this heat. Soil surface temperature differences as great as 50 degrees F(sometimes more) can be measured between soils that are covered and soils left bare in the sun. Evaporation rates are also way higher on uncovered soil.

Soil that is covered with a layer of mulch or organic matter can "breathe". Soils left bare quickly crust over. They soon crack because there is no gas exchange capability. To protect soil life, conserve moisture, and quickly see life in the soil: start by covering the soil. This can be done by growing a cover crop or leaving some residues on the surface.

3. Keep a Living Root Growing as Often as Possible

Living plant roots are "leaky". They push out a large amount of sugars and other compounds created by photosynthesis into the soil around them.

This is like a buffet for soil microbes. A living plant root is one of the best ways to increase soil organic matter and keep soil life alive and thriving. When you keep living roots alive in the soil, you are harvesting energy from the sun and converting it into something useful: Sugar! Add energy to the soil by growing living roots.

4. Minimize Disturbance

Tillage and chemicals are major catastrophic tragedies to the soil. Imagine an earthquake or clouds of toxic fumes disintegrating your community regularly. After these tragic events, it takes a while for the community to rebuild.

Microbes are the same way. By reducing the amount of disturbance we make in the soil system, we are making a better environment for micro-life to grow. Of course, there are situations where chemicals or tillage may be necessary. The goal is to reduce these disturbances as much as possible so that the soil life can thrive as it was designed.

5. Implement diversity

Nature functions together as a complex web of interactions. A community with diversity of people has greater combined strengths. Soil and Nature are the same way. It has been documented that plants can behave totally different and use less moisture when grown in a mixture, versus growing in a singular species. Different species of Bacteria and Fungi have different specialties, and need lots of diversity to create a healthy community. By implementing diversity in every area of the operation, we can harness this principle of nature and become more resilient.

6. Properly Integrate Livestock

The High-production soils of the Great Plains had huge herds of animals passing over them for many years. The key to livestock helping to regenerate soils is that the livestock are on the soil for quick periods of time at high density. This mimics the "herd" effect of the open plains. The concentrated manure, urine, hoof traffic, saliva, and chewing on the plant, coupled with long periods of rest, stimulates plant growth. Livestock are a shortcut to cycling stored energy in the plant back into the ground, because the biology in the gut of the animal begins the breakdown process.

If properly managed, Livestock can greatly speed up the process of soil regeneration.

These are unchanging principles that build soil health no matter what climate, era, or situation. By applying these principles in your unique situation, you can make decisions year in and year out that build healthy soils and stand the test of time.

Regenerative Pecans - Results

wyatt@riogro.com (Wyatt Flory) — Wed, 18 Oct 2023 19:54:45 GMT

Data from cover crops, minimum disturbance, and carbon-based fertility

This pecan orchard is located in the Mesilla Valley of southern New Mexico.

The history of this farm is 100% conventional and common local practices, including:

200+ units of synthetic N (UAN32, Urea,)
Annual deep-rip tillage
3-4 foliar sprays of zinc sulfate in the spring

Yields on this farm averaged 1,650 Lbs/acre, per year.

In the Spring of 2018, a cover crop was planted to test cover crop effects on Pecan yields and nut quality. S everal blocks in the same soil type were not planted with cover crop to act as a control.

The yields and nut quality were measured separately from the cover crop and non-cover crop blocks on the same field.

There was significant nut quality increase on the cover crop fields, as shown by the following chart.

From 2018 through the present, cover cropping has been implemented as a soil fertility strategy, with very minimum tillage as well.

In 2020, 100 head of sheep and a few miniature cows were grazed on the cover crops using intensive grazing management during the summer.

These practices have resulted in increasing Soil Organic Matter levels and soil structure improvement.

Synthetic Nitrogen was reduced in 2020 by 50%, and was eliminated the following year due to Nitrogen inputs from grazing, legume fixation in cover crop, and amino acid applied N.

Following are data sets that reflect the changes in soil health.

Soil Organic Matter Levels

Nut Meat Quality

As a result of these soil health practices, the soils on this orchard are changing drastically. High earthworm activity, high biological activity and tilthy, black soil structure are seen throughout the farm.

A lot of Nitrogen fixation now takes place through the legumes in cover crop mixtures. This took a couple years to establish, but now that the legumes and rhizobium bacteria are happy, the orchard receives a lot of free nitrogen from the air.

In summary, the benefits of improving soil health and biological life on this orchard are clearly reflected in both the yield and quality of the crop, as well as improvements in soil tilth and quality. Farming to grow life in the soil and working with nature is much more fun than killing things and working against nature!

Trial on Chile Peppers in New Mexico

Wed, 18 Oct 2023 19:25:42 GMT

This trial was recorded by Rio Gro and conducted by our grower in Deming, New Mexico.

Historical Overview:

The UNTREATED field was formerly the best chile dirt on the farm. This means that the incidence of disease pressure is lowest in this field.
The WG TREATED field was across the driveway to the north in similar soil conditions with historically more disease.

Rate:

The grower followed Rio Gro's recommendation of 6 applications @ 20 gal/ac of WG solution per application. A season total of 120 gal/ac was applied.

Timing:

As recommended, the grower applied the first three applications 2 weeks apart beginning at planting.
The fourth and fifth applications were applied monthly thereafter.
The sixth and final application was completed following the first pick on August 1st.

Results:

The Untreated block produced a season total of 28 tons/ac.
All untreated fields average 22 tons/ac.
WG Treated block totaled 31.5 tons/ac.
That's a 3.5 ton and $1,680 gross increase per acre!

Observations:

More lead nodes per plant = more flowers.
More root mass and hair roots.
Less plant diseases. Less than 5% Vert.
No treatment for Rhizoc. Less than 1%
More season-long plant vigor
More Yield.

Verticillium Wilt remained below 1% until August and never exceeded 5% the entire season in the WormGold Treated blocks.

2022 Regenerative Pima Cotton

wyatt@riogro.com (Wyatt Flory) — Mon, 16 Oct 2023 22:56:11 GMT

3 components for powerful synergy

These results are from Pima cotton grown near Deming, NM.

Blocks yielded between 3 and 5.5 bales per acre. The average yield was 4.2 bales per acre.

This nutrition program takes a systems approach, where 3 critical components are implemented:

Biology
Food source for the Biology
Carbon-complexed nutrients

This system creates a powerful synergy in the soil environment. The biology provide efficient nutrient delivery. Food sources for the biology ensure that there is energy for the microbes to utilize. Carbon-complexed nutrients are more biologically friendly, more resistant to leaching and tie-up, and achieve greater efficiency rates.

The nutrition program included sap testing at critical growth stages to monitor nutrient levels and respond to crop need accordingly.

A carbon-based starter fertilizer was used pre-plant. Foliar applications were applied per sap analysis results.

Total Nutrition cost per acre was $380.00, which was easily recovered with the yields produced.

High-Return Regenerative Green Chile

wyatt@riogro.com (Wyatt Flory) — Mon, 16 Oct 2023 21:57:53 GMT

3 critical components are necessary.

Grower Experienced yields of 37 tons per acre on this block.

The block was initially wiped out by Rhizoctonia after lying fallow for 3 years. When it was realized that the field had never received a Biology/Carbon program, a standard protocol for Vermicompost Tea was recommended, along with a food source for the biology. Crop was then replanted.

A Systems Approach was taken to the crop nutrition program, composed of these 3 critical elements:

Microbes: Diverse biology through vermiculture tea and fungal spores provides maximum nutrient delivery.

Food Source for fungal and bacterial biology.

Carbon-complexed nutrients: Efficient and biologically compatible for maximum nutrient delivery and plant benefit.

Without any of these 3 components, the system does not work, and optimum plant health is not achieved.

This program included bi-weekly sap testing to monitor nutrient levels closely and be prepared for nutrient demands.

A carbon-based starter fertilizer (analysis 7-21-3) was used at planting, as well as foliar applications of micronutrients as required per sap testing.

Amino acid nitrogen comprised a portion of the nitrogen input, and all N and P applications were carbon-complexed.

The nutrition program cost per acre was $1,500.00

The Gross income per acre was $22,200.00

Some observations:

Extremely low pest and disease pressure throughout the season. (Healthy plants repel insects and disease!)
Very low pesticide input costs. (1 application for darkling beetle)
High nutrient efficiency from carbon complexed nutrients and biology.

In the end, the grower experienced excellent ROI in spite of low fresh-market green chile prices, due to lowered input cost and excellent yield of a systems approach to crop nutrition.

Yes, it is possible to grow highly productive, insect and disease-free crops!

Livestock Integration - A Powerful Tool!

Mon, 16 Oct 2023 20:56:14 GMT

Livestock play a major role in transformation – Use them!

As you travel to a new region within our continent, there are many things that change including culture,

landscape, climate, food, resources, terrain and etc. One cannot expect to be successful in living in a

new area without first embracing these ‘new normals’ and adjusting to these new conditions. I relocated

my family from the fruit growing region of the Pacific Northwest to the Arid and Hot Southwest U.S., just

north of where New Mexico borders Mexico. Hot? Yes! Sunshine is present 300+ days out of the year in

this region. The winters barely qualify as cold and snow is a treat every 5 years, and only sticks around

for a day!

We began farming 120 acres of commercial producing pecans and began asking how we could increase

yields from 1,600lb per acre, to industry acceptable standards of 2,300lb per acre or beyond. We were

also well aware that with OM levels ranging from 1.3-2.3% this must increase in order to affect the

bottom line. If you’re reading this article, likely you understand that improving soil is crucial in order to

improve crop health, yield, quality etc.

To properly address the issues of poor soil health, there are many pieces to address, and determining

which one to do first can be difficult. For us, the answer to that question was to plant annual cover crops

which we directly implemented. After seeing instant results from this by observing nut quality increases

along with improved water retention, we began asking ‘how can we take the next step’? By the way,

asking good questions is the most sure way to find the best answers – we should not expect to find

good answers or solutions to our biggest problems if we do not first ask.

In 2020, 100 head of ewes and 5 cows were integrated into the crop fields. By April, there was enough

grazing vegetation to begin rotating through 5acres per day and in a short amount of time, we were

grazing 1 acre per day, moving the animals every 24 hours.

The results were exciting! After integrating livestock into your fields so much begins to happen as you

observe. I will try to touch on the high points here and undoubtedly, this article alone will not be enough

to list all of the benefits.

Earthworms know where to find a conducive environment. If you have worms in your soil, you will

quickly find them working in cow pies.

Dung beetles know your farm’s address! If they didn’t know it before, once you bring in livestock they

are quickly aware. I don’t think we understand the synergy of microbes and their communication with

all things underground, but once you have cow pies and sheep droppings on your farm, you have lunch

prepared for dung beetles. Within a few months, dung beetles made their first appearance as they

quickly and efficiently assist in incorporating the dung into the ground, where it becomes available for

microbes and plant roots to feed directly. These critters know how to get it done. Most cow pies are

invisible within 30-60 days.

Hoof impact from the livestock is not a negative. Many folks and old timers are aware of the compaction

issues resulting from overgrazing. This is certainly detrimental, however in a healthy system where you

are rotationally grazing cover crops and moving animals on a daily basis, compaction is not an issue. The

hoofs actually do enough disturbance to push some crop residues into the soil along with some of the

cow pies and etc., effectively incorporating the proper amount. Rest assured, these hoofs are much

better than going out to cultivate the ground in an attempt to incorporate residue in the soil.

Fungi and bacteria absolutely thrive with available food sources on the surface of our soils. Manure

from the above ground livestock are a perfect lunch for these “underground livestock” and microbes

now have a place to colonize on the soils surface. The saliva from these animals has enzymes that are

beneficial to biology and plant decomposition as well, which we will not go into further detail here…

One question we ask prior to implementing a new practice is this, “Am I hurting or helping the microbes

in my soil by this practice”? It affects nearly everything we do. I can guarantee by asking this you will

find a better answer…

To summarize what we have seen over the past 6 seasons: Nut quality has been significantly greater

since implementing livestock into our operation, pecan yields have increased by 30% and OM levels

have increased to 2.25-3.15%. On those same acres, we now graze 160 ewes and 15 cows due to the

increase in cover crop biomass from the improved soil health.

One thing never changes when you move throughout our continent: Our soils need to be improved and

God created these animals to play a major part in that transformation. Use them!

How does soil biology actually work?

Tue, 01 Aug 2023 15:22:35 GMT

Great Question!

The broad-brush term 'biology' leaves us wondering exactly what it is and what it does.

Biology in our soils does a lot of things, but one of the primary roles of beneficial soil biology is to recycle nutrients. There is a plethora of bacteria, fungi, beneficial nematodes and earthworms that are busy in a healthy soil. And what are they busy doing? Eating! The smallest organisms make enzymes to get minerals they need for survival, they are eaten by larger organisms, and the excess is expelled. All the excrement from those organisms are nutrients in plant-available form. For this process to take place, there has to be a jungle of organisms: all predators or prey, just like we see in the above-ground food chain.

Bacteria and fungi are the basis of this "food web", as they secrete the enzymes that break nutrients free from the soil. But, if only the bacteria and fungi are present, no one is home to eat them, and so the nutrient cycling process is not very efficient. A diverse system of Fungi, Protozoa, and higher level feeders like Arthropods are needed in order to cycle the nutrients and provide them in plant available form.

Plants and Soil Microorganisms have a very close relationship. As a plant begins to grow, it produces sugars from photosynthesis. The plant uses a large portion of these sugars to form liquid which it "exudes" through its roots into the soil environment. These sugars are food for soil microorganisms, and the biology begin feeding on these 'root exudates' around the root system. As the organisms are fed, they in turn can obtain nutrients from the soil with the enzymes they produce, and the plant is fed in return. Thus a symbiotic system for plant growth and even more nutrient cycling is started and maintained. This is one of the reasons that keeping living roots growing in our soils as much as possible is so important: they feed the biology that feeds the plants.

When a soil has highly diverse and large populations of biology, we see a huge improvement in uptake of any inputs that are applied.

Soil-borne pathogens are also suppressed as a result of competition and health of the good guys.

There are many, many other huge benefits of biology-rich soils (like soil aggregation) that we can't get into in this article.

Start soil health practices on your farm to see for yourself the amazing benefits of biology!

Takeaways:

· Keeping living roots (diversity) in your soil feeds biology, and this biology then provides nutrients back to growing plants! (does that blow your mind?).

· Soils with rich biology are much more resistant to soil-borne disease.

· Biology greatly increases uptake of nutrients you apply.

Soil Chemistry

Mon, 10 Apr 2023 15:22:35 GMT

Have you ever looked at a handful of soil and wondered: "What's really in there?"

Let's take a peek into the chemistry component of our soil. Stick with us for some takeaways at the end of the quick read below!

For many, understanding soil chemistry seems pretty complex! We’ve all heard of NPK though, and that seems pretty simple. But have you ever considered that your crops need much more than just NPK? While certainly important, focusing on these 3 nutrients alone can actually limit your crop potential.

There many elements that play a critical role in the growth and reproduction of our plants. At least 21 elements have been identified as essential to grow a healthy, viable plant. When these elements are balanced and available for plants, there is significant impact on crop yield and quality.

How do you know what nutrients are in your soil, and if they are available to your crop? Soil testing is a good tool for getting a general picture of nutrient levels and balances in your soil. Testing provides a window into the factors that affect the availability of those nutrients to the crop. A soil test is like a barometer: it gives an overview of nutrient levels, excesses, and other factors such as pH and ORP. Testing the plant sap during the growing season enables you to determine what nutrients the growing crop is able to access.

Many commercial nutrient inputs have a long-term negative effect on soil health. Most conventional fertilizers are forms of salts, which causes cellular stress, negatively affecting both plants and microorganisms. There are many options available for nutrients that are soil-health friendly. Complexing liquid inputs with a carbon molecule or a carbohydrate is one example of a simple step you can take that pays dividends in soil health and nutrient uptake.

Ultimately, biology is the key to unlocking unavailable nutrients in our soil. Healthy, diverse populations of bacteria and fungi create enzymes that release those nutrients from the soil. These microbes, if they are present and healthy, will result in impressive nutrient availability in the long run. Stay tuned for more on biology next month!

Takeaways:

· Focusing on NPK alone will limit a crop’s full potential.

· Balancing the 21 nutritional elements will impact crop yield and quality.

· Testing and measuring is essential and allows us to compensate for excesses and deficiencies.

· Biology is the key to unlocking unavailable nutrients in our soils.

Soil Physiology

Wed, 27 Oct 2021 16:48:21 GMT

Hello Friends!

As farmers, imagine the impact we could have on the health of our soils, (and consequently our crops) if we took a closer look at our soils and asked:

"What can I do to make a difference?"

Today, we are going to discuss one of the 3 components of our soil. Stick with us for some quick takeaways at the end of the quick read below!

Physical Component

The physical component of soil is simply it's texture and physical characteristics. Sand, Silt, and Clay are the 3 main categories of physical characteristics that soils fall under. There are pretty significant differences between sand, silt/loam, and clay soils that will have an impact on crop health. If you are on a clay soil, it will have greater compaction potential and will have a larger "holding power" (known as CEC) compared to a sandier soil. With a higher CEC, clays will be able to hold more nutrients (and toxicities) than sand, but they will often have much less pore space and therefore hinder root growth because of reduced oxygen levels in the soil. In contrast, sandier soils tend to struggle with water and nutrient holding capacity.

What do you do if you want a more sandy or clay-like soil? Should you try to truck in the soil type that you want and mix it around, in hopes of changing your soils? Sounds like an expensive and time-consuming project!

Whether you struggle with problems on a sandy or clay soil, or somewhere in between, there is good news. Soil heath principles work on any type of soil, and these principles, when put into action, serve to remediate the bad physical characteristics of your soil. Things like covering the soil with a residue armor, keeping living roots in the soil, minimizing tillage and compaction, and fostering an environment for biological life will:

· Increase soil organic matter. This greatly helps improve soil structure in both sand and clay soils.

· Stimulate biological activity, increasing pore space and flocculation in clay soils, and forming glomalin, a glue which makes particles stick together in sandy soils.

· Prevent wind and water erosion.

· Buffer salts and pH.

· Begin the nutrient cycling process: digesting residue and providing plant-available nutrients

Takeaways:

· Physical soil characteristics do impact crops.

· Trying to physically change the soil is expensive and futile.

· Soil Health Principles will mitigate problems associated with every different physical soil type.

Consider implementing soil health principles on your farm today!

Am I Satisfied with the condition of the soil on my farm?