OUR BLOG

Year-Round Soil Health Unlocks Year-Round Farm Profitability

soil health

Maintaining healthy soil throughout the year is the key to unlocking consistent profitability on your farm. By focusing on soil health, we can improve crop yields, reduce input costs, and ensure long-term economic sustainability.  

The true power of soil health practices lies in their stacking effect. When combined, practices such as cover crops, no-till farming, crop rotation, soil amendments, and microbial inoculants can significantly amplify the benefits, leading to healthier soils and better financial returns.

In fact, according to a study by the Soil Health Institute, implementing soil health practices can increase net farm income by $51.60 per acre annually for corn and $44.89 per acre for soybeans. 

In this article, I’ll delve into the role of healthy soils in carbon sequestration, different soil health practices, and how stacking those practices can lead to more functional, profitable soils.

Healthy Soils Build Carbon Sequestration

Healthy soil is a powerful tool for capturing and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, a process known as carbon sequestration. Increasing the amount of carbon in the soil also makes it more productive for farmers. For farmers, this means potential revenue from carbon credits. In fact, estimates show that carbon credits alone could add an additional $10-$100 per credit per acre annually.

Finances aside, soil has the ability to massively offset fossil fuel emissions to the tune of 0.4 to 1.2 gigatons of carbon annually, or 5 to 15% of global emissions. Studies show that soil removes about 25% of the world’s fossil fuel emissions each year. This is done through carbon sequestration, a natural way of removing CO2 from the atmosphere through the soil, with fewer impacts on land and water, less need for energy, and lower costs. Soil can take in more CO2 from the atmosphere than it releases, making it a carbon sink. The carbon sink capacity of the world's agricultural and degraded soils is 50 to 66% higher than what has been historically. This means our soil can hold 42 to 78 gigatons more carbon.

Unlock farm profitability

Soil Health Practices

Microbials

Healthy soil starts with microbes. Bacteria, fungi, protists, and other microbes are what drive soil functionality, including fertilizer efficiency, soil structure, organic matter, water-holding capacity, and more. Microbes enable no-till farming by breaking down residue and returning nutrients to the soil. Microbes also protect and feed your crops. In fact, in healthy soils, most nutrients pass through a microbe first before ending up in your crop.

Adding microbial inoculants to your soil can boost the population of beneficial microbes, improving soil health and plant growth. Holganix Bio 800+ contains a consortium of over 800 species of beneficial microbes that enhance soil health, reduce the need for fertilizer, and improve crop yields. Studies indicate that Holganix Bio 800+ can reduce a farmer’s need for fertilizer by 10-30% in year one. By incorporating Holganix Bio 800+, farmers improve their soil's health, resulting in stronger, more resilient crops that contribute to higher overall profitability.

Bio 800 Breakdown

No-Till Farming

No-till farming keeps plant residue on the soil surface, which protects against erosion, retains moisture, and provides a habitat for beneficial microorganisms. These microorganisms help break down organic matter into nutrients that crops can use.  

Research shows that no-till farming increases soil organic matter in the top several inches of the soil. Further, farmers implementing no-till can significantly reduce soil erosion rates. According to a study by the University of Illinois, completely shifting to no-till would reduce soil loss and sediment yield by more than 70%.

Cover Crops

Cover crops are plants grown primarily to benefit the soil rather than for crop yield. They help prevent soil erosion, improve soil structure, and increase nutrient content. In fact, studies have found that cover crops reduce soil loss by as much as 75% when compared to fallowed fields. 

Cover crops also help with water management. Their roots create channels in the soil, improving water infiltration and reducing runoff. This means more water is available for your crops during dry periods, leading to better yields. In fact, studies reported decreases in runoff with cover crops, some as much as 90%.

Crop Rotation

Crop rotation helps break pest and disease cycles, improves soil structure, and enhances nutrient availability. By rotating crops, you can reduce the reliance on inputs and promote a more diverse and resilient soil ecosystem. A USDA Agricultural Research Service study demonstrated that rotating crops increased long-term yield stability and decreased crop losses during a drought by 14-90% compared to continuous cropping.

Water Management

Improved soil structure and increased organic matter content allow the soil to retain more water, making it available to plants even during dry periods. In fact, studies have shown that soils with high organic matter can store up to 20,000 gallons of water per acre for each 1% increase in organic matter.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) combines biological, cultural, mechanical, and chemical practices to manage pests in an environmentally and economically sustainable way. By using IPM, farmers can reduce the need for chemical pesticides, which can harm soil health. Instead, they can rely on natural predators, crop rotation, and other methods to control pest populations.

Soil Amendments

Soil amendments are materials added to the soil to improve its physical properties, nutrient content, or biological activity. Common amendments include compost, manure, and lime. Compost and manure add organic matter and nutrients, improving soil fertility and structure. Lime adjusts soil pH, making nutrients more available to plants. 

Using soil amendments regularly can enhance soil health, leading to better crop growth and higher yields. It's essential to test your soil to determine which amendments are needed and how much to apply.

The Stacking Effect

Using these practices together creates a stacking effect, where the benefits of each practice combine to produce even better results. For example, using cover crops in a no-till system adds organic matter to the soil while preserving its structure. Adding soil amendments and microbial inoculants further enhances soil health, leading to increased fertility and better water retention. 

Healthy soil leads to healthier crops, which are more resistant to pests and diseases. This reduces the need for inputs, saving the farmer money. Over time, improved soil health leads to higher and more consistent yields, increasing farm profitability. In fact, according to a study by the Soil Health Institute, implementing soil health practices can increase net farm income by $51.60 per acre annually for corn and $44.89 per acre for soybeans.

Conclusion

Year-round soil health is the foundation of a profitable and sustainable farming operation. By incorporating practices like cover crops, no-till farming, crop rotation, soil amendments, microbials, IPM, and water management, you can improve your soil's health and productivity. The stacking effect of these practices amplifies their benefits, leading to better crop yields and reduced input costs. 

Investing in soil health is investing in the future of your farm. Healthy soil means healthy crops, and healthy crops mean a healthy bottom line for the farmer.

Bio Of Dave Stark

Dave Stark, Ph.D., is the President of Agriculture at Holganix, where he leads innovative initiatives to enhance soil health and farm profitability. With over 40 years of experience in agricultural science, including a distinguished tenure at Monsanto, Dave has been a prominent advocate for profitable farming practices and soil health. He holds a PhD in Molecular Biology and has authored numerous research papers and articles. Dave is passionate about educating farmers on the importance of building and maintaining healthy soils for long-term agricultural success.

Posted by David Stark, Ph.D., Molecular Biologist and President of Agriculture at Holganix on Aug 1, 2024 9:00:00 AM

David Stark, Ph.D., Molecular Biologist and President of Agriculture at Holganix

Molecular Biologist and President of Agriculture at Holganix

Topics: holganix blog, soil health, agriculture, Soil heath, sustainable agriculture, Microbial, Holganix Bio 800, farmers, cover crops, farm profitability

Related posts

Subscribe Here!

Lists by Topic

see all