Six Ways to Improve Soil Health While Saving Money

In 2025, the profit margins of American farmers will still be very low. Commodity prices are on a downward trend, while input prices are on the rise, squeezing potential profit margins and relying heavily on good crop yields. Consider these six ideas to make your potential profit margins a bit better. Farmers should pay tribute to soil health: find ways to make the most of agricultural inputs during the process of improving soil health.  

1. Observe, observe, observe. Visit the farm fields frequently throughout the growing season to look for insect damage, weed pressure, nutrient deficiencies, and the general health of the crops. Only when the potential damage reaches the economic threshold, and only in the areas where these thresholds are reached, use the inputs as needed.

2. Fine-tune nitrogen. One of the biggest input costs in corn production is nitrogen, so it has the greatest potential for controlling input costs. Apply nitrogen more often near the time when the corn crop needs it. Considering the changes in soil moisture conditions for the rest of the summer, many successful soil health farmers have shifted to the last application of nitrogen before it is lost. Not every field should be treated the same way.

3. Make use of what you have. You want to plant cover crops this fall, but you don't have a cover crop seeder and don't think you can fit it into your budget. Nowadays, vertical tillage tools are more common. An air seeder mounted on a vertical tillage tool can provide an adequate cover crop seeder at a low input cost. You can use the existing tools, spend some money and time, and have a very effective high-acreage cover crop seeder.

4. Adjust the seeding rate. Although there are some minimum seeding rates for cover crops, sometimes there is some room to reduce the rate. Any cover crop is better than no cover crop. Your local Natural Resources Conservation Service office can use a cover crop seeding calculator to fine-tune the seeding rate to meet the seeding requirements and standards, while possibly reducing the original seeding rate.

5. Focus on the seeding method. If you only have so much money to spend on seeding upgrades, start with the seeding equipment. In a no-till system, it is crucial for the correct placement of seeds and achieving balanced growth. Use the funds available to you for seeder upgrades.

6. Conduct your own research. Farm trials are essential for the economic success of an action. Set aside a few acres of land for trials to see the impact. Try applying different nitrogen fertilizer rates, different seeding populations, different forms of nitrogen fertilizer, different application times, or anything else you think can improve your bottom line.

Profit is the top priority for every farmer. It's fun to talk about yields in the coffee shop, but your goal is to maximize profits. By 2025, this may be more important than ever. Take the time to think about your operations and how to maximize profits this year and in the coming years. Remember, soil health is a journey. Sometimes the steps are small, but you are still moving forward.