I would like to make a quick point on the soil health challenge in the BETTER Farm Beef Challenge in last week’s Irish Farmers Journal (28 October 2017). The challenge only focuses on one aspect of soil health, namely the chemical aspect. Soil is a dynamic living medium and due consideration should be given to the physical and biological aspects of the soil health too. These three attributes of soil work beneficially together.
It is my experience that when the physical and biological aspects of the soil are actively managed, fertility is greatly increased as a result. Looking at one aspect in isolation will only achieve modest results compared with what can be achieved by managing the soil as a living system.
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Managing all three aspects together has increased benefit to society too, soil is a big regulator of air (GHGs) and clean water. If we take a more holistic view of looking after soil and take a systems approach to it, not only can we increase on farm productivity, but do so in a manner that benefits our local environment. Tell me what farmer would not want to do that?
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DEAR SIR:
I would like to make a quick point on the soil health challenge in the BETTER Farm Beef Challenge in last week’s Irish Farmers Journal (28 October 2017). The challenge only focuses on one aspect of soil health, namely the chemical aspect. Soil is a dynamic living medium and due consideration should be given to the physical and biological aspects of the soil health too. These three attributes of soil work beneficially together.
It is my experience that when the physical and biological aspects of the soil are actively managed, fertility is greatly increased as a result. Looking at one aspect in isolation will only achieve modest results compared with what can be achieved by managing the soil as a living system.
Managing all three aspects together has increased benefit to society too, soil is a big regulator of air (GHGs) and clean water. If we take a more holistic view of looking after soil and take a systems approach to it, not only can we increase on farm productivity, but do so in a manner that benefits our local environment. Tell me what farmer would not want to do that?
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