Soil Health Concerns
Compaction
Soil compaction occurs when moist or wet soil aggregates are pressed together and the pore space between them is reduced. Compaction changes soil structure, reduces the size and continuity of pores, and increases soil density (bulk density).
Salinity
A soil has been described as a porous medium consisting of minerals, water, gases, organic matter, and microorganisms. The largest component of soil is the mineral portion, which makes up approximately 45% to 49% of the volume. Some of the mineral portion consists of primary mineral particles. These are the sand and silt particles. Some of the mineral portion is made up of secondary minerals that result from the weathering of primary minerals into secondary minerals like silicate clays.
Low Organic Matter
Soil organic matter is that fraction of the soil composed of anything that once lived. It includes plant and animal remains in various stages of decomposition, cells and tissues of soil organisms, and substances from plant roots and soil microbes. Well-decomposed organic matter forms humus, a dark brown, porous, spongy material that has a pleasant, earthy smell. In most soils, the organic matter accounts for less than about 5% of the volume.
Soil Health Conference Registration Open!
The 2025 Soil Health Conference will be held Jan. 15-16 at the Ramkota Hotel and Event Center in Watertown, a spacious venue which will allow for a full day and a half of speaker sessions, awards, producer panels, and time to engage with sponsors. This event will feature many speakers including Keith Berns, Nebraska no-till farmer, ag educator, and co-owner of Green Cover Seed; Paul Jasa, noted Extension egineer at University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Dr. Jon Lundgren, Ecdysis Foundation executive director and CEO of Blue Dasher Farm; and Joe Breker, an award-winning North Dakota producer who has been using regenerative agriculture practices for over 40 years!
News & Events
Noted rancher, author to explain ‘sweet spot’ of grazing at conference
By Janelle Atyeo For South Dakota Soil Health Coalition PIERRE, SD – Tom Krawiec found the sweet spot for grazing quite by accident. The Canadian rancher sought out the point where grass in his pasture was both established enough to stay healthy and nutritious enough...
Study finds soybean yields resilient following late rye termination
By Janelle Atyeo For South Dakota Soil Health Coalition PIERRE, SD – A cover crop of quick growing cereal rye can keep the soil in place over winter’s brown and blowing days. Its long roots soak up excess spring rains, and its straw helps block weeds. The more...
Restaurateur promotes local food for community security
By Stan Wise PIERRE, SD – When Sioux Falls restaurateur Tim Meagher purchases local food, he doesn’t do it because it’s trendy. For him, it’s about securing a future for his business and the community. “If somebody else has control of our food system – if you were a...