Soil Health https://www.agproud.com/rss en-us Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium strategies for mixed forage systems Soil testing helps producers tailor nutrient and pH management across mixed forage systems for healthier stands and stronger yields. Soil testing helps producers tailor nutrient and pH management across mixed forage systems for healthier stands and stronger yields.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/63223 Mon, 13 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/63223-nitrogen-phosphorus-and-potassium-strategies-for-mixed-forage-systems 63223-thomas-alfalfa-wheat-grains-wheat..jpg A new player in soil fertility dustin_sawyer@rockriverlab.com Nickel plays a critical role in nitrogen metabolism – especially in legumes and urea-fed crops. Nickel plays a critical role in nitrogen metabolism – especially in legumes and urea-fed crops.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/61941 Tue, 12 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/61941-a-new-player-in-soil-fertility 61941-sawyer-elements.jpg Soil health considerations after harvesting summer silage crops pacharya@uidaho.edu Silage yields are soaring, but what is happening to the soil left behind? Silage yields are soaring, but what is happening to the soil left behind?

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/61947 Fri, 08 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/61947-soil-health-considerations-after-harvesting-summer-silage-crops 61947-acharya-2371.jpg Managing high-phosphorus soils for optimal crop performance john.leif@agroliquid.com Better quality feed equals more milk. Better quality feed equals more milk.


]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/61622 Mon, 09 Jun 2025 17:26:05 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/61622-managing-high-phosphorus-soils-for-optimal-crop-performance 61622-leif-091730.jpg Homestead Acres Ag: Sustainable hay, crops and livestock done naturally Homestead Acres Ag is a part of the Lerwicks' management transition process. Homestead Acres Ag is a part of the Lerwicks' management transition process.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/61469 Tue, 27 May 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/61469-homestead-acres-ag-sustainable-hay-crops-and-livestock-done-naturally 61469-thomas-7.jpg Harnessing the benefits of manure in forage production mdeharo@uidaho.edu The proper management of nutrients is fundamental to effectively use manure and reach the highest cost-benefit. The proper management of nutrients is fundamental to effectively use manure and reach the highest cost-benefit.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/61323 Tue, 22 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/61323-harnessing-the-benefits-of-manure-in-forage-production 61323-haro-marti-1.jpg What crop advisers in Utah and Idaho have to say about soil health matt.yost@usu.edu The survey results highlight both the growing emphasis on soil health and the challenges crop advisers face in helping farmers adopt effective soil management practices. By understanding the perspectives and practices of crop advisers, it becomes clear that providing more comprehensive training and fostering greater face-to-face interactions may help overcome barriers such as cost and knowledge gaps. The survey results highlight both the growing emphasis on soil health and the challenges crop advisers face in helping farmers adopt effective soil management practices. By understanding the perspectives and practices of crop advisers, it becomes clear that providing more comprehensive training and fostering greater face-to-face interactions may help overcome barriers such as cost and knowledge gaps.


]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/61070 Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/61070-what-crop-advisers-in-utah-and-idaho-have-to-say-about-soil-health 61070-yost-dirt-dixon.jpg Inflation Reduction Act in action: Utah ranchers utilize cover crops to improve soil health The family started working with NRCS in 2021 to replace an existing flood irrigation system with two center-pivot sprinkler systems and irrigation pipeline through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). The family started working with NRCS in 2021 to replace an existing flood irrigation system with two center-pivot sprinkler systems and irrigation pipeline through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/61031 Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/61031-inflation-reduction-act-in-action-utah-ranchers-utilize-cover-crops-to-improve-soil-health 61031-welliver-field.jpg Fertilizer prices stabilize in 2024, but uncertainty continues qizhang@uidaho.edu Following the historical high prices of 2021 and 2022, fertilizer prices significantly declined in 2023 as supply chain disruptions eased. This trend largely continued into 2024. While prices have stabilized, they remain elevated compared to pre-pandemic levels. Following the historical high prices of 2021 and 2022, fertilizer prices significantly declined in 2023 as supply chain disruptions eased. This trend largely continued into 2024. While prices have stabilized, they remain elevated compared to pre-pandemic levels.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/60732 Mon, 23 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/60732-fertilizer-prices-stabilize-in-2024-but-uncertainty-continues 60732-etienne-fertilizer-jaynes.jpg Pastures and radishes: Renovating with cover crops At some point, every pasture or hayfield needs to be renovated. Although there are many useful approaches to improving a piece of land for forage production, some cover crops offer distinct advantages and disadvantages. At some point, every pasture or hayfield needs to be renovated. Although there are many useful approaches to improving a piece of land for forage production, some cover crops offer distinct advantages and disadvantages.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/60722 Mon, 23 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/60722-pastures-and-radishes-renovating-with-cover-crops 60722-omeara-Oat-radish-mix.jpg Make manure manageable again matt.shortlane@gmail.com Manure is a gift and a curse for dairy farmers. It becomes the dark cloud for dairy operations, being the source of time constraints, nutrient runoff and financial strains. Finding methods and approaches that bring consistency and flexibility to applications is often hard to find. That was, until conservation agriculture. Manure is a gift and a curse for dairy farmers. It becomes the dark cloud for dairy operations, being the source of time constraints, nutrient runoff and financial strains. Finding methods and approaches that bring consistency and flexibility to applications is often hard to find. That was, until conservation agriculture.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/60343 Mon, 07 Oct 2024 20:31:20 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/60343-make-manure-manageable-again 60343-oehmichen.coreylewis.jpg The fungus among us woody@woodylane.com Let’s enter a very strange world. Dark, silent, microscopic, underground. The soil – on which our crops and forages depend – is a veritable Amazon jungle teeming with thousands of species of animals and plants and something that’s not quite either: fungi. Let’s enter a very strange world. Dark, silent, microscopic, underground. The soil – on which our crops and forages depend – is a veritable Amazon jungle teeming with thousands of species of animals and plants and something that’s not quite either: fungi.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/60290 Tue, 10 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/60290-the-fungus-among-us 60290-lane-1.jpg Put your manure storage on a diet following wet season jenn@agproud.com For the first time since 2019, the Midwest is mostly clear of drought advisories, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. In fact, May was one of the wettest months on record for Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin and South Dakota and regions of Michigan, with above-normal precipitation continuing throughout the growing season. Such weather has dairy producers in a pinch to manage manure appropriately. For the first time since 2019, the Midwest is mostly clear of drought advisories, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. In fact, May was one of the wettest months on record for Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin and South Dakota and regions of Michigan, with above-normal precipitation continuing throughout the growing season. Such weather has dairy producers in a pinch to manage manure appropriately.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/60118 Fri, 16 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/60118-put-your-manure-storage-on-a-diet-following-wet-season 60118-jcoyne-manure-staff.jpg Can your soil cash your forage’s checks? dustin_sawyer@rockriverlab.com It may seem simplistic to analogize soil with a checkbook, but it works and is more apt than perceived. Matter can be neither created nor destroyed. It’s a simple truth that drives everything in the universe and holds true in the soil as it does in the cosmos – giving rise to the soil nutrient balance. It may seem simplistic to analogize soil with a checkbook, but it works and is more apt than perceived. Matter can be neither created nor destroyed. It’s a simple truth that drives everything in the universe and holds true in the soil as it does in the cosmos – giving rise to the soil nutrient balance.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/60153 Tue, 13 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/60153-can-your-soil-cash-your-forages-checks 60153-sawyer-illustration.coreylewis.jpg Building integrity in the soil Over time with many common farming practices, we start to lose some of those minerals to insolubility, erosion or crop exportation. As with sentences, a soil's integrity can deteriorate as these minerals are depleted, leading to reduced plant health, more pest pressure and overall harvest productivity decline. Over time with many common farming practices, we start to lose some of those minerals to insolubility, erosion or crop exportation. As with sentences, a soil's integrity can deteriorate as these minerals are depleted, leading to reduced plant health, more pest pressure and overall harvest productivity decline.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/59829 Mon, 01 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/59829-building-integrity-in-the-soil 59829-burr-alphabet.jpg PFAS: Free always has a cost dustin_sawyer@rockriverlab.com PFAS are a family of chemicals known as “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down in the environment. They’ve been in use since the 1940s and are designed to repel or displace water.

PFAS are a family of chemicals known as “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down in the environment. They’ve been in use since the 1940s and are designed to repel or displace water.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/59542 Mon, 06 May 2024 17:06:10 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/59542-pfas-free-always-has-a-cost 59542-sawyer-canal.jpg Forensic files: Soil edition scott_fleming@rockriverlab.com There is a new testing method in town. It is far different than any other form of agronomic testing taking place over the last century. Instead of looking at a soil's chemical properties, we catch a glimpse into the soil's DNA. There is a new testing method in town. It is far different than any other form of agronomic testing taking place over the last century. Instead of looking at a soil's chemical properties, we catch a glimpse into the soil's DNA.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/59141 Fri, 16 Feb 2024 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/59141-forensic-files-soil-edition 59141-fleming-soil.jpg Ensuring spinner spreader fertilizer application accuracy nathan.druffel@heartlandag.com Broadcast fertilizer spreaders are used to apply the bulk of most dry fertility programs – making them an important factor in crop productivity and return on your fertilizer investment. Just like all pieces of equipment on the farm, proper setup and calibration is critical. Broadcast fertilizer spreaders are used to apply the bulk of most dry fertility programs – making them an important factor in crop productivity and return on your fertilizer investment. Just like all pieces of equipment on the farm, proper setup and calibration is critical.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/58913 Tue, 16 Jan 2024 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/58913-ensuring-spinner-spreader-fertilizer-application-accuracy 58913-druffel-broadcast-getty.jpg A first in soil testing dustin_sawyer@rockriverlab.com With funding from the USDA NRCS, ARS and NIFA, along with OCP North America, the soil fertility community has undertaken the immense task of finding and collecting the data that underpin the existing soil testing paradigm in the U.S. With funding from the USDA NRCS, ARS and NIFA, along with OCP North America, the soil fertility community has undertaken the immense task of finding and collecting the data that underpin the existing soil testing paradigm in the U.S.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/58861 Mon, 08 Jan 2024 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/58861-a-first-in-soil-testing 58861-sawyer-soilsampletools.jpg In-field vs. in-lab testing and techniques in the archaic world of soil dustin_sawyer@rockriverlab.com While drones and imagery are flying along, the evolution of soil testing seems to be moving at an earthworm's pace. While drones and imagery are flying along, the evolution of soil testing seems to be moving at an earthworm's pace.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/57971 Mon, 17 Jul 2023 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/57971-in-field-vs-in-lab-testing-and-techniques-in-the-archaic-world-of-soil 57971-fleming-soilsamplerobot.jpg You’re thinking about selling carbon credits – what next? dustin_sawyer@rockriverlab.com Carbon sequestration, carbon capture, carbon farming – call it what you will, it all comes down to one concept: We can use plants to convert CO2 from the atmosphere into physical forms of carbon that are locked away in the soil. Carbon sequestration, carbon capture, carbon farming – call it what you will, it all comes down to one concept: We can use plants to convert CO2 from the atmosphere into physical forms of carbon that are locked away in the soil.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/57571 Mon, 15 May 2023 15:40:20 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/57571-youre-thinking-about-selling-carbon-credits-what-next 57571-fleming-carbon-credits.jpg How soil contamination and clostridia damage silage quality rschmidt@lallemand.com Clean, hygienic, high-quality silage is crucial to cattle health and is dependent on understanding its proper management. However, contaminated silage remains a huge problem in the industry, with some of the biggest concerns being soil contamination and its consequences. Clean, hygienic, high-quality silage is crucial to cattle health and is dependent on understanding its proper management. However, contaminated silage remains a huge problem in the industry, with some of the biggest concerns being soil contamination and its consequences.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/57535 Fri, 05 May 2023 15:53:38 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/57535-how-soil-contamination-and-clostridia-damage-silage-quality No-till farming and cover-crop realities Sure, Midwest farms can utilize no-till planting, but can Western producers make it work in a drier climate? Two Idaho producers tell us how it's working for them. Sure, Midwest farms can utilize no-till planting, but can Western producers make it work in a drier climate? Two Idaho producers tell us how it's working for them.


]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/56235 Thu, 15 Dec 2022 15:38:32 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/56235-no-till-farming-and-cover-crop-realities 56235-thomas-3.jpg Elevate your manure management to align with 2023’s input projections nikki_wagner@rockriverlab.com Completing manure analysis at a certified lab might be more important than expected in 2023. Completing manure analysis at a certified lab might be more important than expected in 2023.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/56542 Mon, 12 Dec 2022 10:17:52 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/56542-three-ways-to-level-up-your-manure-for-2023-nutrient-needs Manure_injection_-_staff.jpeg Increase the nitrogen in your pastures for increased quality and production Nitrogen is necessary for high production, but what if you are looking to increase the production of pasture? Steve Norberg, Ph.D., regional forage specialist at Washington State University has some guidance. Nitrogen is necessary for high production, but what if you are looking to increase the production of pasture? Steve Norberg, Ph.D., regional forage specialist at Washington State University has some guidance.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/56537 Wed, 07 Dec 2022 14:32:54 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/56537-increase-the-nitrogen-in-your-pastures-for-increased-quality-and-production 56537-boylen-manure-pasture.jpg Management-intensive grazing and soil health: The story continues cjshawver5734@gmail.com Producers continue to look for ways to improve soil health using regenerative agricultural practices. Producers continue to look for ways to improve soil health using regenerative agricultural practices. 

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/56540 Wed, 07 Dec 2022 14:06:32 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/56540-management-intensive-grazing-and-soil-health-the-story-continues [Podcast] Farming rocks and not liking it much, McIntyre Family Farm makes a change Beating the odds of farm consolidations or sell-offs, 4th generation family members at McIntyre Farms are now actively preparing for the 5th generation through soil health practices and multi-species grazing that will ensure their operation is sustainable for many years ahead. Beating the odds of farm consolidations or sell-offs, 4th generation family members at McIntyre Farms are now actively preparing for the 5th generation through soil health practices and multi-species grazing that will ensure their operation is sustainable for many years ahead.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/56522 Mon, 28 Nov 2022 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/56522-podcast-farming-rocks-and-not-liking-it-much-mcintyre-family-farm-makes-a-change Time your manure applications and use cover crops to maximize ROI mlw@umn.edu Protect your bottom line by timing your manure applications closer to crop nutrient demand and keeping the ground covered with a living root year-round. Protect your bottom line by timing your manure applications closer to crop nutrient demand and keeping the ground covered with a living root year-round.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/56426 Tue, 15 Nov 2022 11:16:03 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/56426-time-your-manure-applications-and-use-cover-crops-to-maximize-roi Fall signals time to revitalize soil health cbruice@wilburellis.com Fall soil assessments and sampling can provide insights into soil health so growers can work with an expert to devise a plan that revitalizes the soil microbiome. Fall soil assessments and sampling can provide insights into soil health so growers can work with an expert to devise a plan that revitalizes the soil microbiome.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/56191 Tue, 18 Oct 2022 22:19:22 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/56191-fall-signals-time-to-revitalize-soil-health 56191-bruce-3bags.jpg Spreading the wealth of dry manure with proven precision ROI industriousleprechaun@gmail.com Adoption of advanced application technology is providing an economic alternative to costly commercial fertilizers, while also organically building soil biology. Adoption of advanced application technology is providing an economic alternative to costly commercial fertilizers, while also organically building soil biology.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/56098 Tue, 18 Oct 2022 21:59:04 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/56098-spreading-the-wealth-of-dry-manure-with-proven-precision-roi 56098-zemlicka-1.jpg