Page 2 - MWC 3-30-2023s

The Fundamental Principles The Midwest Cattleman · March 30, 2023 · P2

of Regenerative Agriculture and Soil Health

There is no step-by-step those processes. What
process to regenerative agri- works for someone
culture, but there are a few else may not work
fundamental principles to for you because your
follow. context is different.
Regenerative agriculture Find what works
is not a prescription. There for you, but recog-
are no set rules or formulas nize your context is
for you to follow. Instead, re- always changing. Be
generative agriculture de- willing to learn, grow
pends on individual farmers and adapt with it.
and ranchers applying prin- Cover the soil. as even when dormant their
ciples to their specific opera- Soil health cannot be built activities are implemented roots are living and function-
tions. if the soil is uncovered or is in a planned manner that aid ing (though slower compared
These principles help you moving. Using a diversity of in rebuilding ecosystem pro- to during the growing sea-
make management decisions plants and leaving the prop- cesses. Always ask yourself, son). Soil microbes use active
that work with the natural er amount of forage residue “Are there any other options carbon first, which comes
processes taking place in the minimizes bare ground and besides these disturbances?” from living roots. These roots
ecosystem. builds soil organic matter. Increase diversity provide food for beneficial
Below, we outline the fun- Plant cover further protects Increasing plant diversi- microbes and spark benefi-
damental principles and con- the soil from erosion and ty creates an enabling envi- cial relationships between
cepts that all regenerative serves as a barrier between ronment and catalyst for a these microbes and the plant.
farmers and ranchers should the sun and the raw soil, pre- diverse underground com- Greater plant species diver-
understand and follow. These venting escalated soil tem- munity. In nature, grasses, sity allows for living roots
principles are applicable no peratures that can decrease legumes, forbs, and woody during an extended period of
matter where you live or how soil microbial life. species all work together in the year.
much land you operate. Minimize soil disturbance a native, diverse rangeland Integrate livestock

SOIL HEALTH PRINCIPLES Mechanical soil distur- setting. The complex interac- Research, practical appli-
The soil health principles bance, such as tillage, alters tions of roots and other living cation, and common sense tell
are key to guiding you in the structure of the soil and organisms within the soil im- us the same thing: livestock
building up your soil health. limits biological activity. If pact soil dynamic properties, are a necessity for healthy
Always remember, the soil the goal is to build healthy, affect carbon sequestration soils and ecosystems. The
needs actively growing functional soil systems, till- and enable nutrient avail- Great Plains evolved under
plants, vibrant communi- age should be limited and ability for plant productiv- the presence of animals and
ties of microbial species, and only used in specific circum- ity. Managing for increased grazing pressure. Soil and
well-managed animal graz- stances. Tillage of any specif- diversity can also be applied plant health is improved by
ing. ic acre even once each year to grazing animals, wildlife, proper adaptive grazing of
and other organisms above
Know your context is too much tillage. However, and below the soil. one or more animal species,
which recycles nutrients, re-
Know your individual sit- tillage is not the only dis- duces plant selectivity, and
uation, including your cli- turbance. Grazing, fire, fer- Maintain continuous increases plant diversity. As
mate, geography, resources, tilizer and pesticide appli- living plants/roots with any management prac-
cations, etc., all can be soil
skills, family dynamics and Maintaining actively tice, grazing is a tool that
goals. You need to under- disturbances. For this rea- growing living plant roots is requires intentional applica-
stand how the ecosystem pro- son, with grazing lands, one encouraged to keep the soil tion.
cesses function on your land must ensure that the timing, biology processes working,
so that you can work with frequency, intensity, and du- no matter the season. Peren- continued on page 10
ration of these management nials are a big help in this,