Improving Soil Health: What to Measure and Why

By Liz Ripley

The Iowa Learning Farms conservation webinar taking place June 15 at noon CDT will feature Matt Ruark, professor and extension state specialist in soil biology and fertility at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Abigail Augarten, research assistant in the Nutrient Cycling and Agroecosystems Laboratory at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Ruark’s research program focuses on nitrogen, manure and cover crop management. Augarten is currently conducting on-farm research connecting pasture management to soil health.

Iowa Learning Farms is an Iowa State University Extension and Outreach conservation and water quality education program.

In the webinar, “Soil Health Management and Measurement across Agricultural Systems in the Midwest,” Ruark and Augarten will discuss the current state of soil health assessments, why they are important to agriculture and what more could be done. They will also highlight recent developments related to soil health management and measurement across different production systems in Wisconsin and the Midwest. Drawing on these new approaches, the team will provide insights into how soil assessments should be approached in the future.

“Every farmer knows that soil health is an important component of success, but they are often unsure which practices will have the biggest impacts and what exactly should be measured,” said Ruark. “While we do not have answers in hand for all these questions, we do have a much better grasp of what a modern soil health measurement system looks like and how collected data can instill confidence in soil health practice decision making. Farmers, consultants, retailers and agency staff attending this webinar will take away a great understanding of what exactly to measure for their soil — and why.”