| Arable
Trust your senses when it comes
to soil health
Farmers should be relying on their senses to grow sustainable crops for the
future, that was the key message from international biological farming expert
Gary Zimmer speaking at QLF Agronomy’s soils event.
ary encourages producers not
to rely on just traditional
methods to measure soil
health. “It’s not all about
science, you can tell a lot by
using your senses,” says Gary.
“There’s no substitute for feeling the texture,
looking at and smelling your soils. They’re a
living system home to trillions of organisms,”
explains Gary.
He adds that producers should be ensuring
that they provide soils with the necessary
nutrients to maximise the activity of soil
organisms. “This is the fundamental principle of
biological farming,” says Gary. He adds that the
ultimate goal for the industry should be to
increase food production using less inputs.
But for crops to reach their full genetic
potential, Gary adds that producers need to
concentrate on balancing soil minerals and
ensuring they’re working with nature. “Biology
has the answer to unlocking the true value of
our soils and the true measure of soil health is
its capacity to function without intervention.”
To achieve this, Gary recommends that
farmers assess soils using a range of methods,
including tissue testing, soil sampling using the
standard P, K, Mg and pH test, as well as
testing for macro and micro-nutrients, such as
Boron and Manganese, which are essential for
plant development. He adds that they also
G
12 | Farming Monthly | December 2017
shouldn’t overlook their own instincts.
As an outcome of these tests, Gary explains
that it is vital that farmers don’t just concentrate
on feeding their crops. “Growers should also
be feeding their soils by ensuring soil
microorganisms have access to sufficient
carbon, this can be supplied by the application
of a liquid carbon-based fertiliser,” says Gary.
Tim Parton, farm manager at Brewood Park
Farm, Staffordshire, has been farming
biologically since 2014. He explains how using
a liquid carbon-based fertiliser has enhanced
his soil biology to boost crop performance.
“I’ve been applying QLF Agronomy’s liquid
carbon-based fertiliser, Boost, in conjunction
with a liquid fertiliser for the last 12 months and
have found it greatly benefits crops,” says Tim.
To aid nitrogen uptake, it’s vital that carbon is
readily available to soil microbes. “Carbon is
the most critical nutrient for the growth and
health of soil microbe populations and small
soil animals, all of which work symbiotically to
directly support the health and productivity of
the soil.”
Tim adds that he routinely looks for
earthworms as they’re a key indicator of healthy
soils and has seen a dramatic increase in worm
populations since implementing biological
farming practices.
“By providing a source of feed directly to soil
microbes I’ve also seen crops establish faster
Gary Zimmer discussing cover crops
and stronger and it’s enabled them to cope
better with pest and disease challenges.
“Boost is a combination of balanced crop
nutrients with complex carbon sources, it feeds
the soil biology and enhances plant nutrient
availability to help improve plant performance,
root growth and crop quality.”
Gary Zimmer’s six founding
biological principles
1 Test and balance your soils. Feed the
crop a balanced and supplemented diet
2 Use fertilisers that do the least damage
to soil life and plant roots
3 Apply pesticides and herbicides
responsibly while relying on customised
management practices to reach maximum
genetic potential
4 Create maximum plant diversity by
using green manure crops and varied
rotations
5 Manage the decay of organic materials
and the balance of soil, air and water
6 Feed the soil using carbon from
compost, green manures, livestock manures
and crop residue
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