The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1207797
B-12 Pike County Planter SWCD Newsletter Quarter 1, 2020 The Press-Dispatch Check out our website at www.cgb.com for current weather, prices and government reports. TWO LOCATIONS: Lyles Station Road, Princeton 812-385-4524 or 1-800-326-0899 Mulkey Road, Cynthiana 1-800-326-0899 QUOTE LINE: 812-385-4524 SIEMERS GLASS CO. INC. Since 1943 • Satisfied Customers Are Our Best Advertising FARM GLASS SERVICE • Windshield Replacement & Repair • Glass Repair & Replacement on Tractors, Heavy Farm Equipment & Semi Tractors • Electric Window Repair • Auto & Truck Door Lock Repair • Domestic Truck Sliding Rear Window • Glass Replacement for most foreign models Shower Doors & Panels Installed Replacement of Residential & Commercial Insulated Units We Specialize In Insurance Work • Mobile Service Available • Pickup & Delivery WEEKEND EMERGENCY SERVICE AVAILABLE 902 Newton St. Jasper 812-634-6500 1251 E. Broadway, Princeton 812-386-1100 or 1-800-793-1676 Hours: Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Just what is regenerative agriculture? By Donald Donovan NRCS District Conservationist Rockville, Indiana If you pick up any farm magazine or check out agriculture based social media outlets, you will see some new buzz word being thrown around. Sustainable agriculture and regenera- tive agriculture are just two of the more common terms being used. Do all these terms mean the same thing: and if not how are they dif- ferent? Where is agricul- ture headed in the future and how do these terms impact agriculture across the state and the nation? A sustainable system is generally looked at as a system that does not degrade the resource base, erosion is controlled, com- mercial inputs are reduced, yields are maintained, economic return is not reduced or is improved. In simpler terms, an agri- culture system does not negatively impact the envi- ronment in which it func- tions. On the surface, this sounds good, we produce food, fiber and fuel and do not negatively impact the natural resource base. However, from at least the standpoint of our soil, is that good enough? Do we really want to sustain a depleted resource, or do we want to do something better? In simple terms, a sustainable system does not harm the land, but a regenerative system can help heal the land. What is involved in a system that will regener - ate the soil? It starts with a change in mindset, to begin to understand that if we mimic nature, we can begin to overcome current obstacles and start the journey to better soils. There are generally four principles that lead the path to better soils. 1. Diversity: There are no monocultures in nature. Weeds and other pests are nature's way of tr ying to create diversity in our cash crop monocultures. While it can be difficult to create diversity within many of our cash crops systems, the use of various kinds of cover crops within that cash crop system will provide the diversity nature is looking for. The simple addition of wheat into your corn-bean rotation provides diversity in of itself and the ability to plant multi species mixes after wheat har vest. 2. Continuous Living root: Natural systems have something growing all the time. Many of our cash crop systems only have a living root half the year or less. Growing roots break up compaction, tie up avail- able nutrients, and help feed the micronutrients in the soil that will provide your next cash crop the nutrients that will need. A living root as many of the days of the year as possible will improve your soil. 3. Limit tillage: Again, tilling the soil is not found in nature. Soil structure is negatively impacted by tillage, reducing the soil's ability to infiltrate rainfall, increase potential for ero - sion and is not noticed by a lot of farmers, negatively impact the microbiology in the soil so critical for making nutrients available for your cash crop. One till- age pass can negate many years of no tillage. 4. Keep the soil covered: Starting to sound like a broken record, but nature keeps the soil covered as much as possible. If the soil surface is protected by residue from the previ- ous crop or from a cover crop, erosion is reduced, and water infiltration is increased. In the heat of the summer, if the soil is covered evapotranspiration is reduced keeping more moisture in the soil and soil temperature fluctuation is moderated, allowing soil biology to be more active and make nutrients avail- able for crop use. While these four prin- ciples form the baseline for the regeneration of soil, there is a fifth that takes the journey a major step for ward. The introduction of livestock, especially ruminants into a system provides many benefits that make regenerative agriculture successful and productive. The impact on the soil microbiology as the result of cattle being grazed on cover crops using a prescribed grazing system is incredible and can jump start your path toward regenerative agriculture. If you already have cows on the farm, it is a no brainer. Develop a grazing system with cover crops to run the cows through your crop - land. The impact on your soils will be significant. As you consider this path toward regenerative agriculture, you might ask what the cumulative ben- efits are to be gained. Re- search is showing that the nutrient density of the food produced today is less than it was 50 years ago. As we ask why that is so, we must look at the condition of the soil our food, fiber and fuel is produced on. The soil or- ganic matter levels of most soils have decreased over time due to tillage and lack of diversity leading to de- pleted soils. These soils are supported by commercial inputs resulting in a lower nutrient dense crop. To- day's consumers are asking for food that is higher in nutrients. They are asking questions about how their food is grown. They desire food grown with low impact on the environment, while containing a higher level of nutrients. In the end, the consumer is going to have a large impact on how their food is grown. As a farmer, are you go- ing to be ready to respond to the demands of the con- sumer for a product that is grown with less impact on the soil, water, air and other resources? An implemented regenerative agriculture system, no matter what crop you raise, will take you a long way toward meeting the upcoming demands of the consumer. A regenera- tive system does not happen overnight. It is a process, it is a journey, there is a lot to learn, mistakes will be made. Look for assistance from your local NRCS/ SWCD office, do research both on line and on your farm, find a local farmer to be a mentor, start your jour- ney toward a regenerative system on your operation!