. . . generally, the type of soil management that gives the greatest immediate return leads to a deterioration of soil productivity, whereas the type that provides the highest income over the period of a generation leads to the maintenance or improvement of productivity.
—Charles kellogg, 1936
In this chapter, we’ll provide some guidance on
your farm. Experiment on one or two selected fields and
promoting high-quality soils through practices that
permit yourself to make a few mistakes.
maintain or increase organic matter, develop and
Decisions on the farm need to support the economic
maintain optimal physical and biological conditions, and
bottom line. Research shows that the practices that
promote top-notch nutrient management. In part 3, we
improve soil health generally also improve the economics
discussed many different ways to manage soils, crops,
of the farm, in some cases dramatically. Higher soil health
and residues, but we looked at each one as a separate
tends to provide higher yields and more yield stability,
strategy. In the real world, you need to combine a num-
while allowing for reduced crop inputs. However, you
ber of these approaches and use them together. In fact,
need to consider the fact that the increased returns may
each practice is related to, or affects, other practices that
not be immediate. After you implement new practices,
promote soil health. The key is to modify and combine
soil health may improve slowly, and it may take a few
them in ways that make sense for your farm.
years to see improved yields or changes in the soil itself.
We hope that you don’t feel as confused as the
The bottom line also may not improve immedi-
person on the left in figure 23.1. If the thought of making
ately. Changing management practices may involve an
changes on your farm is overwhelming, you can start
investment in new equipment; for example, changing
with only one or two practices that improve soil health.
tillage systems requires new tillage tools and planters.
Not all of the suggestions in this book are meant to be
For many farmers, these short-term limitations may
used on every farm. Also, a learning period is probably
keep them from making changes, even though they are
needed to make new management practices work on
hurting the long-term viability of the farm. Big changes
Photo by Abram Kaplan
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Building SoilS for Better CropS: SuStainaBle Soil ManageMent