“We also have the opportunity for algae blooms caused by phosphorus in our waters, which leads to eutrophication, or filling in, of our lakes,” says Cody Brown, district conservationist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service in Jasper, Tennessee. While the filling in of lakes is undesirable, Brown says that the algae blooms create dissolved oxygen problems in the water leading to fish kills.
Whether you’re concerned about existing erosion problems on your farm or want to be proactive in their prevention, there are steps you can take to help. Conservationists such as Brown rely on the voluntary participation of landowners who wish to conserve their land and implement a conservation plan that includes the interests of the landowner. These plans, Brown says, can focus on soil erosion, invasive species of plants on the property, or even plant productivity issues.
Soil Testing The first step in developing a plan is often collecting a soil test. “Soil sampling is one of our best tools,” Brown says. “We can’t understand what is going on with the soil until we analyze it.”
Results from the soil test allow problems with soil health to be remedied by adjusting pH levels along with various macro and micronutrients in that order. Examples of macronutrients include calcium, magnesium, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulfur.
Micronutrients include boron, copper, chlorine, iron, molybdenum, nickel and zinc. Organic matter content, made up of the tissue of plants and animals in decay, or calcium and magnesium ratio, follows.
Pastures & Crops Once these have been addressed through such practices as adding lime, fertilizer, etc. and the soil has been restored to good health, specific management practices are then woven into the conservation plan.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة January - February 2025 من Hobby Farms.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
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هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة January - February 2025 من Hobby Farms.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
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LIVESTOCK Health
Prepare yourself for how to spot symptoms of illness in your farm animals so that you can get them help before it's too late.
CUT FLOWER Farming
If you're considering growing flowers for sale, brush up on these five key things to know before diving in.
WINTER Survival
Keep your land, animals and yourself in good shape this winter with this helpful advice.
COVERAGE CONCERNS
Avoid common insurance mistakes for rural and hobby farm businesses.
FARMER'S GUIDE Berries
Set the stage for tasty strawberries, blueberries and brambles with these soil-boosting garden tips.
Preconditioning CALVES
Follow our step-by-step guide to get more money for your calves.
Soil Conservation
Often, outside of having a specific problem that needs to be addressed, soil conservation isn't something every farmer readily thinks about. Yet conserving the soil should be at or near the top of every farmer owner or manager's list of concerns because absent the prevention of soil erosion, we have the opportunity for another dust bowl.
Year-Round Lettuce & Salad Mixes
It's easy to think of salad greens as just a spring- or fall-garden crop, but it's possible to enjoy freshly harvested lettuces, mustards and more from your own garden year-round.
Barn Improvements
Days are never long enough for a farmer. From dawn to well into the night, tasks arise that often require immediate action. Having to search for tools or equipment is an enormous time waster and incredibly frustrating when you can't find what you need, especially when you know you have it.