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June 16, 2012

Ag forum: Issues with soil mismanagement

By George Silva ----

Soil is a precious natural resource that requires the same level of protection as the water we drink and the air we breathe. It is one of the most complex and dynamic ecosystems known and is critical to sustaining plant and animal life on Earth. From the smallest seedling to the largest tree, all land based vegetation relies on the soil's capacity to provide nutrients, water and root support for optimum growth. When soils are degraded or mismanaged a number of issues can arise including erosion, compaction and crusting, all of which can greatly limit productivity and crop quality.

In Michigan, glacial activity played a significant role in soil formation and led to a highly complex mixture of soils in the state, with over 400 soil types documented in Michigan. These variable soil types greatly influence the kind of vegetation that can be grown in a given area and in part contributes to the agricultural diversity of Michigan.

However, as many Michigan farmers know, several soil types can exist in close proximity in the same field making soil management more challenging; particularly to farmers who are just getting started or have no formal training in soil science.

Michigan crop producers are constantly addressing issues with soil health as they strive to achieve the highest possible yield and quality. For example, many soybean growers have experienced yield stagnation despite utilizing best management practices and fruit growers suspect that replanting new orchards in old orchard sites without making soil amendments may not be the most efficient model for optimal production. Soil building practices and the role of soil microorganisms remains one of the least understood frontiers in the agricultural sciences, but the past decade has seen significant developments in this critical area of research. Perhaps the most visible and publicized outcome of the recent research effort is the increased utilization of cover crops to improve soil quality.

The Soil Academy 2012 will focus on presenting growers with the most recent developments regarding soil management, and aims to increase grower knowledge of Michigan soils with respect to current crop production practices, environmental stewardship and climate change. The inaugural session will be held Sept. 5 at the Mason Technology Center in Mason, MI. It is suitable for practitioners at all levels of experience and is designed to help farmers, crop consultants and agribusiness understand more advanced topics in soil fertility and nutrient management.

The event will feature U.S. Department of Agriculture soil surveys and web applications, Michigan soil types, soil health and quality, soil fertility and nutrient management basics, GPS and variable rate technology, muck soil crop production, tours of the Michigan State University Field Crop Research Plots and MSU Soil Testing Laboratory. We will fill knowledge gaps and make information more accessible so that participants can make better informed decisions about managing and protecting their soil. It will serve as a primer for a comprehensive cross-commodity soil fertility and nutrient management course slated for the winter of 2013.

The registration is $50 and is limited to 40 participants. The registration deadline is Aug. 15.

For online registration visit http://events.anr.msu.edu/soilacademy2012. For a brochure and mail-in registration form visit http://fieldcrop.msu.edu/uploads/files/Soilacademy2012programbrochure.pdf

For additional information on the soil academy, visit http://fieldcrop.msu.edu/uploads/files/soilacademy2012.pdf

George Silva is the Senior Extension Educator with MSU Extension based in Eaton County. He specializes in soil fertility and nutrient management for field crops.

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