Our Vision
A collective effort to increase sustainable ag production through diversification and improved soil health.
News & Events
Bale grazing: Efficient soil health improvement
By Stan Wise PIERRE, SD – “Last winter, I fed 450 head of cattle and did not start a tractor for 90 days.” South Dakota Soil Health Coalition Board member and Colome, SD, producer Van Mansheim doesn’t mince words when it comes to the benefits of bale grazing. “I hear...
Soil Health School: Results of residual herbicides on cover crops
As part of the 2022 Soil Health School, SDSU Extension Soils Field Specialist Anthony Bly and South Dakota Soil Health Coalition Soil Health Technician Austin Carlson conducted a field trial to determine the residual effects of various herbicides on common cover crop...
Soil Health Assessment and Cover Crop Grazing Calculator mobile apps now available
The South Dakota Soil Health Coalition is proud to announce that the Soil Health Assessment Card and Cover Crop Grazing Worksheet are now available as mobile apps! With the Soil Health Assessment App, users can input information about the practices used on each of...
Our Mission
The South Dakota Soil Health Coalition is a producer led, non-profit, membership organization that was created in the spring of 2015. The Coalition is governed by a nine-member board of farmers and ranchers from across the state and includes several staff members. Staff and board members strive to carry out the Coalition’s mission to “Promote Improved Soil Health” through education and research.
5 Principles of soil health
1. Soil Cover
Keep plant residues on the soil surface. Look down, what percentage of your soil is protected by residue? Erosion needs to be minimized before you can start building soil health.
2. Limited Disturbance
Minimize physical, chemical, and biological disturbance as much as possible. You will start building soil aggregates, pore spaces, soil biology, and organic matter.
3. Living Roots
Keep plants growing throughout the year to feed the soil. Cover crops can add carbon to the soil, providing a great food source for micro-organisms. Try to add a perennial to your system. Start small to find the best fit for your operation.
4. Diversity
Try to mimic nature. Use cool and warm season grasses and broad leaf plants as much as possible, with three or more crops and cover crops in rotation. Grassland and cropland plant diversity increases soil and animal health.
5. Integrating Livestock
Fall/winter grazing of cover crops and crop residue increases livestock’s plane of nutrition at a time when pasture forage quality can be low, increases the soil biological activity on cropland, and improves nutrient cycling. Proper grassland management improves soil health.
Soil Health Benefits
Organic Matter
Builds organic matter which retains and cycles nitrogen and sequesters carbon; which in turn reduces fertilizer and fuel costs.
Water Infiltration
Improves water infiltration and retention which helps to better manage the effects of flood or drought and improves trafficability.
Water Quality
Healthy soils filter and clean water that moves through it, for improved water quality.
Reduced Erosion
Stabilizes soil aggregates which improves resistance to erosion by wind and water.
Wildlife Habitat
Enhances wildlife habitat and balances the biological community above and below ground.
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