I try to post frequently on various Facebook Groups related to various soil health aspects. Some of these groups are very general such as the 'Regenerative Agriculture Group' while others are more focussed on one particular aspect such as 'Johnson-Su Composting' or farming in a particular location such as 'Mid North Coast Microherders'.
For the most part I have posted the same material on each group even if it may not 'on its face' appear to be directly about 'Johnson-Su Composting' for example. I have taken the view that there are many facets to farming and so there will likely be some in the group who are interested in that aspect as well as part of the big picture. While a few 'purists' in narrowly focussed groups have raised issue with my doing this, the response across the group has indicated that there are many who welcome the content. One site administrator asked how it was relevant to the particular focus of their group and seemed happy once I explained my reason. In essence I am putting forward a wide range of information to enable those interested in regenerative agriculture to develop 'broad vision' and then be in a position to exercise 'balanced judgement'.
The following show text only and not photos that may have gone into the posting. Some postings are short, some a bit longer. Some content may be used in more than one posting.
START OR ENHANCE YOUR REGEN AG JOURNEY
Learn for absolutely FREE how to get started on or enhance your regenerative agriculture journey (or to help others to do so).
After 50 years pursuing a strong interest in soil health as an aside to my occupation as a ‘Property Professional’, now in my retirement I’ve become a ‘volunteer researcher / publisher’ helping without charge those interested in getting started in regenerative agriculture.
Initially I packaged into a handy reference, information that I progressively shared with ‘Tom’ to help him through the first 18 months of his Regen Ag Journey. And now to make it easy for him to explain to others who are enquiring what he has been doing, I’ve put an enhanced ‘package’ on a new ‘Regen Ag Starter’ website (www.regenagstarter.com) that I’ve set up just for the purpose.
You too can now learn what Tom has learnt and more. You’ll see photos of his progress and read some of his comments. Then, in a separate blog, learn even more with links to over 100 informative websites, webinars and podcasts and see the name of a wonderful, widely acclaimed book that looks at the journey of many others who have been pioneers in the Regen Ag environment in Australia.
Access to my website is absolutely FREE, no PayWalls, no catches, no requirement to ‘Subscribe’. I’m not trying to sell you anything nor am I getting money or benefits from anyone, I promise. I’m just trying to promote the fundamentals of Regen Ag to those who are interested in improving this world.
If you haven’t got an hour or so to read through the main blog, there is a Summary, mainly in dot point form, that will take you about 10 minutes. Either way, a very beneficial use of your time. Or simply save the link and come back when you want to learn more. Thousands of people in 99 countries have already visited the site in just over its first 6 months. Early feedback includes:
“Excellent Resource - thanks for putting it together” - Regen Ag website Admin
“Refreshing, informative & comprehensive enough to stimulate any budding Regen Ag novice or enthusiast. Well done on a great initiative” - a South Australian University academic staff member.
Enjoy learning and feel free to share with others whom you feel might be interested!
15 FREE Regen Ag Soil Tests YOU Can Carry Out
Why wait for a lab, why pay for soil tests when YOU can do them on the spot.
Whether you are just starting your regen ag journey or want to monitor your progress, see 15 tests YOU can do in the paddock. Visit: www.regenagstarter.com
Useful Testing / Monitoring Equipment
Following my previous posting (’15 FREE Regen Ag Soil Tests YOU Can Carry Out NOW’), quite a few of you have shown an interest in carrying out your own soil tests. In case you didn’t spot it when you looked at this information on my website - www.regenagstarter.com -, just below that section was the following which you might also find interesting.
FREE Regen Ag Information and Research - Already Done - Just a Click Away!
A new website for those looking to get started on, or enhance their Regen Ag journey.
“Excellent Resource - thanks for putting it together” - Regen Ag website Admin
“Refreshing, informative & comprehensive enough to stimulate any budding Regen Ag novice or enthusiast. Well done on a great initiative” - a South Australian University academic staff member.
Benefit from an easy, informative read that includes the story of the first 18 months of Tom’s Regen Ag journey (or a ‘dot point’ Summary if you are time poor!). Also over 100 links to ‘Helpful Websites, Podcasts and Webinars’ and Beneficial Books.
SOIL COMPACTION - Surprising primary cause!
Soil compaction is the most limiting factor to successful agriculture.
Learn how Tom has used quick and comparatively cheap, effective ways to start overcoming soil compaction.
See also the first sub-heading under the section ‘Other Ways to Expedite Regeneration’ then go to the first two links in the ‘Helpful Websites’ blog - ‘Boots in the Dirt’ and ‘An Insight into the Real Cause of Compaction (Correcting the Cause)’.
MAGIC MICROBES, MINERALS and MYCORRHIZAE
Understand the many benefits to soil health, fertility and resilience by creating the right conditions for soil microbes, add major / trace minerals and mycorrhizal fungi.
Check my acclaimed NEW website (already viewed by people in 80 countries).
Things to do, avoid or minimise, things to add or foliar spray, simple soil tests you can do yourself and links to over 100 ‘Helpful Websites, Podcasts & Webinars’.
Visit: www.regenagstarter.com
WORMS WORK WONDERS
Understand the many benefits to soil health and fertility from creating the right conditions for earthworms to ‘appear’ and rapidly multiply.
Acclaimed new website (already viewed by people in 92 countries).
See ‘Simple Soil Tests’, the third of many ‘Other Ways to Expedite Regeneration’ and 4 links to good websites about earthworms.
FREE FARM and GARDEN HELPERS 24/7
Benefit from countless numbers of nature’s helpers working for you 24/7. Understand how to establish and maintain conditions for them to flourish in mutually beneficial relationships with each other and YOU.
Acclaimed new website - already viewed by people in 88 countries!
Includes over 100 links to ‘Helpful Websites, Podcasts and Webinars and Beneficial Books’.
BENEFIT FROM LOOKING STRAIGHT DOWN
Allan Savory, one of the forefathers of regenerative agriculture, rather than just looking across an area, looked straight down and spotted a major cause of soil deterioration. Watch his amazing TED Talk to learn many more important aspects.
Click on the 4th link in the ‘Helpful Websites, Podcasts & Webinars Plus Beneficial Books’ Blog section of my acclaimed new website (already viewed by people in 84 different countries).
DRIVE YOUR REGEN AG JOURNEY INTO THE ‘FAST LANE’
Soil treated ‘right’ is the enabler of every function intended by nature to facilitate all the cycles of existence - the carbon, nitrogen, water and mineral cycles, the Soil Food Web, photosynthesis etc. If any of these is compromised, in due course all will be compromised. Similarly, enhancing one may eventually benefit the others however ‘simultaneously’ enhancing all will lead to the greatest, fastest and most beneficial regeneration of your farm.
THOUSANDS IN 86 COUNTRIES VISIT ‘REGENAGSTARTER’ WEBSITE
In just a few months thousands have already visited this new website set up to provide FREE help those looking to get started in regen ag or to boost their journey if already started. Visit: www.regenagstarter.com
“Excellent Resource - thanks for putting it together” - Regen Ag website Admin
“Refreshing, informative & comprehensive enough to stimulate any budding Regen Ag novice or enthusiast. Well done on a great initiative” - a South Australian University academic staff member.
Lots of easy to understand information incorporating the story of the first 18 months of Tom’s Regen Ag Journey. Over 100 links to ‘Helpful Websites, Podcasts & Webinars’. Totally free - absolutely no catches. I promise.
A CHEAP WAY TO ACQUIRE ADDITIONAL PRODUCTIVE LAND
Discover a cheap and convenient way to acquire additional productive land and make your property more resilient, productive and profitable. No approvals needed, no fees or commissions to pay, no need to consult neighbours, no extra council rates or land taxes to pay. Just ‘invest’ a bit over an hour to read what you need to do (or 10 minutes to read a summary).
NATURE’S MAGIC BALANCING ACT IN ALL 84 MINERALS
Why pay for individual minerals (as fertiliser or supplements) when you can have all 84 minerals in balance as nature intended? Discover HOW, and also WHAT this will do for soil acidity, biology, structure and fertility, crop and pasture growth and health, crop yield and quality, animal growth and health and more. Save money, make money! Just ‘invest’ a bit over an hour to read what you need to do (or 10 minutes to read a summary).
ACHIEVE READILY AVAILABLE FULL-SPECTRUM NUTRITION
Discover how to make sure your crops and pasture have available ALL the minerals they need in a form ready for plant uptake - the right quantity and the right spectrum. It’s a key to achieving excellent quality crops with very high yield as well as healthy animals achieving good weight gains and bounding fertility. Goes hand in hand with healthy soil.
WEEDS - Making them ‘Attractive’ to Animals
There is no doubt that given a choice, animals will seek out the most palatable plants to eat leaving the less attractive ones (weeds?) to flourish. What if ‘weeds’ could be made more attractive so they are grazed along with everything else? Learn what ‘Tom’ has done to get his stock to “graze the whole paddock”. See the last sub-heading under ‘Other Ways to Expedite Regeneration’.
ACHIEVE READILY AVAILABLE FULL-SPECTRUM NUTRITION
Discover how to make sure your crops and pasture have available ALL the minerals they need in a form ready for plant uptake - the right quantity and the right spectrum. It’s a key to achieving excellent quality crops with very high yield as well as healthy animals achieving good weight gains and bounding fertility. Goes hand in hand with healthy soil.
Acclaimed new website - absolutely FREE, no Pay Walls, no requirement to ‘Subscribe’. I’m not selling anything or getting money or benefits from anyone, I promise - in my retirement I’m just promoting Regen Ag. Already viewed by people in 95 countries in just 5 months.
BROAD VISION & BALANCED JUDGEMENT BENEFITS
Many years ago (C1980) after a bad drought with lots of dust storms, I went to an Agricultural seminar called ‘Recovering Lost Ground’. In question time, a farmer asked: “Years ago when we plowed the fields the birds would follow the plow to pick up the earthworms. Now, no birds, no worms! What is going on?” Another farmer sitting near me muttered, “What do you want earthworms for?” Now it just so happened I had recently finished reading ‘A Study of Earthworms’ by Charles Darwin. I was stunned! I recall thinking at the time “and you’re growing my food!”
At the next break I sought out the farmer who had asked the question. He was the one who put me onto the ‘Acres USA’ organisation from whom I learned a lot in those early days. I also recall him telling me he was experimenting with using sea water to replenish soil mineralisation. Looking back, that is what I got most from that seminar.
On another occasion I went to a field day about ‘Aluminium Toxicity Impact on Wheat Growing’. As I recall, it was merely stated that soils were becoming more acidic without mentioning ‘why’. The solution the ‘experts’ put forward was “well, we’ll breed up varieties of wheat tolerant to aluminium toxicity’. Again I was stunned by this level of ‘expert thinking’! I recall pondering “why don’t you just fix up the soil acidity?” (mostly caused by prolonged use of chemical fertilisers etc).
It makes me wonder if sometimes ‘experts/specialists’ are too close to the problem to get the big picture and see what the real issue is, so close their vision risks being narrow?
My career as a ‘Property Professional’ involved looking at many issues with all sorts of properties in many locations and developing an understanding of the ‘big picture’. Certainly many of those issues involved discussions not only with farmers but also discussions with or learning from experts / specialists in a particular field, but that would be just one of many issues to examine in coming to an understanding of ‘the big picture’. My professional Institute’s motto was ‘Broad Vision & Balanced Judgement’. I not only found this good guidance professionally but also applicable in much of life’s issues and activities.
And so, in remotely helping ‘Tom’ start to transition his beef cattle property to Regenerative Agriculture, I not only gave him the key fundamentals but also access to lots of other information by way of links to over 100 ‘Websites, Podcasts and Webinars’ so he too could develop ‘broad vision & balanced judgement’ in deciding what best suited his particular situation.
More recently, in putting together a website to help those looking to get started in Regenerative Agriculture or enhance their journey if already started, I have tried to avoid stuff that was too technical or too deep, rather aiming for material and comments that the average farmer has some chance of understanding. At the same time I have also included those same links that I shared with ‘Tom’ so anyone interested could also arm themselves with information to enable them to develop ‘Broad Vision & Balanced Judgement’.
I have been delighted by the response to my new website which has now been viewed by people in 95 countries.
Access to my website is absolutely FREE, no PayWalls, no catches, no requirement to ‘Subscribe’. I’m not trying to sell you anything nor am I getting money or benefits from anyone, I promise. In my retirement I’m just trying to promote the fundamentals of Regen Ag to those who are interested in improving this world.
If you haven’t got an hour or so to read through the main blog, there is a ‘Summary’, mainly in dot point form, that will take you about 10 minutes. Either way, a very beneficial use of your time. Or simply save the link and come back when you want to learn more. Thousands of people have already visited the website in its first 6 months. Early feedback includes:
“Excellent Resource - thanks for putting it together” - Regen Ag website Admin
“Refreshing, informative & comprehensive enough to stimulate any budding Regen Ag novice or enthusiast. Well done on a great initiative” - a South Australian University academic staff member.
Enjoy and feel free to share with others whom you feel might be interested!
ALTERNATIVES TO SOIL TESTS AND CHEMICAL FERTILISERS
Traditional soil tests tend to result in recommendations for adding varying amounts of one or more minerals and/or adding lime to improve acidity.
Application of individual minerals risks locking up others due to imbalance and are often applied in a form to feed the plant rather than improve the soil. Liming to improve acidity is expensive, slow acting taking several years to get deep down, and tends to lock up sulfur contributing to soil compaction. Further, excessive applications of lime can significantly accelerate the decomposition process of the very desirous humus component of healthy soil.
Chemical fertilisers provide a quick hit but with numerous adverse long term impacts including soil acidity and creating conditions adverse to soil biology.
Are there other alternatives?
Well, for a start, there are quite a few ways that YOU can do tests in the paddock to get some idea of the health of your soil as I have set out in my website. Visit: www.regenagstarter.com
It is evident from regenerative efforts that sudden total withdrawal of chemical fertilisers results in crop failure as there is no life in soil to make minerals plant-available as traditional farming relies on feeding the plant rather than feeding the soil causing some biology to ‘go to sleep’, so withdrawal should be gradual over several years.
Natural plant growth requires minerals in plant-available form (helped by soil biology and fungi), appropriate pH range, air and moisture. Lots of the required minerals are already in the soil but locked up by imbalances and after years of chemical use and plowing there will likely be a lack of soil biology and fungi to make nutrients plant-available. Ample nitrogen is available in the atmosphere but with lack of air in the soil, this valuable resource can’t be readily accessed.
Is there a way to provide all minerals in balance and in a readily available form and access atmospheric nitrogen?
Is there a way to rapidly increase soil biology and fungi?
Is use of lime worthwhile or is there a better, quicker way to improve soil acidity?
There is good news on all these aspects for those contemplating starting or already on a regenerative agriculture journey.
Various sea mineral products can provide all 84 minerals and trace minerals in balance without adversely impacting current soil minerals. Liquid sea minerals (LSM) applied at low rates provides these in an ionic form making them readily available when applied just before a good rainfall event or with irrigation. LSM helps to flocculate the soil while rapidly improving soil acidity and soil microbiota and eventually helping overcome soil compaction. Indeed, after 10 years trying to overcome Pasture Dieback Affected Soils in Queensland, Australia (affecting 4 million hectares or 10 million acres) researchers at the Institute of Future Farming, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, tried application of what they described as a low rate of liquid sea minerals. Their research paper released November 2022 notes that 20 weeks after a single application, total dry matter increased by 967 kg/ha. They also noted improved soil microbiota by boosting beneficial taxa while reducing genera associated with arid and toxic soils. They further noted a significant increase in electrical conductivity (which should help soil structure and any compaction issues). They also recorded an increase in the number of grassroots. In their conclusion they suggested sea minerals be further explored as a natural, affordable and non-toxic alternative to chemical fertilisers.
As you will see on my website, the first non-scientific ‘trial’ that ‘Tom’ carried out on his farm using liquid sea minerals produced encouraging initial results. Treatment of subsequent areas combined the liquid sea minerals with various microbial and fungal extracts. The results over 18 months to soil, microbial life, fungal activity, diverse pasture growth, plus health, fertility and performance of livestock have been impressive as you will see in photos posted on www.regenagstarter.com .
Tom had been taking advice previously from agronomists and those with chemicals to sell but steered away from the recommended soil tests and chemical applications to follow a regenerative agriculture path I recommended. He did various tests himself, and as noted above, undertook a range of measures in applying natural products in anticipation of making a difference. And indeed it all did. Reintroducing microbes into the full 84 mineral enhanced soil enables soil biology to thrive and contributes to re-establishing a consistent electrical current and in turn helping to overcome compaction. Fungi help to increase the drawing area of the plant for minerals and moisture. Restoring fungi is essential to gain the full benefits from sea minerals.
Do your own tests and trials and see for yourself that adding a form of ‘full spectrum of nutrition in a readily available ionic form as in sea minerals’ as well as natural things to return and boost biology and fungi that are likely missing will make a significant difference on you land.
Are Mineral Supplements for Livestock a Long-Term Solution?
Providing mineral supplements for livestock either by way of salt lick blocks or in ‘free choice’ form have been common practices for many years and can certainly help to provide benefits when stock are malnourished or have particular conditions indicating one or more mineral deficiencies. But is there a better way to achieve long term benefits that could remove the need to supplement?
Livestock are amazing in the way they instinctively know what they are lacking and what they need. They will self medicate by seeking out plants that meet their current needs. But when these are not available they will try to find other ways such as licking clay seepage in the side of a gully or even eating bark off trees or off freshly cut fence posts from farm trees.
So why are there mineral deficiencies if fertiliser is being applied? The answer is simple if chemical fertilisers are being used - most are designed to feed the plant and not the soil and having been treated to make them readily soluble, they tend to make soil more acidic and lock up some minerals in the process. They also, along with other things, are harmful to soil biology and fungi if any remain limiting the ability of plants to be fed by minerals already in the soil. While that regime continues, supplements will still be required.
Those on a regenerative agriculture journey will know that it is necessary to steadily reduce dependency on chemicals over several years while at the same time introducing more organic forms of fertiliser along with measures to improve soil biology and fungi. However, getting the full suite of minerals and trace minerals happening in plant available form can take quite some time.
One quick and cost-effective way to kick start the ready availability of all 84 minerals and trace minerals is to apply Liquid Sea Minerals (LSM) or some other form of sea minerals such as various kelp extracts. Liquid Sea Minerals provides a liquid concentrate (sodium and chloride reduced) in ionic form that is added to water and sprayed out before a good rainfall event so that it gets washed into the soil. There it starts to quickly flocculate the soil improving air and rainfall penetration and providing all minerals in a plant available form. This quickly makes for healthier, more robust plant growth and also seems to make weeds more palatable. It quickly helps to bring soil pH into the more favourable range where the greatest number of minerals in the soil become available and where earthworms can flourish. And if action is also taken to reintroduce beneficial microbes and fungi into the soil, these will further accelerate the effective uptake of minerals to plants.
Livestock will seek out mineral rich, nutrient dense plants which will not only provide the minerals but also vitamins and enzymes (needed to break the plants down for digestion and to extract full goodness), things that are missing in supplements. This will lead not just to good animal health but also fast growth and robust fertility. The manure and urine from these animals and the plants they trample will help to get all the cycles of existence - the carbon, nitrogen, water and mineral cycles, the Soil Food Web, photosynthesis etc. all happening. Soon there will be no need to provide supplements for animals as they will be getting them in a form that nature intended along with the important vitamins and enzymes. The animals will be an important part of getting and keeping all those cycles happening.
This basically is what ‘Tom’ did on his farm during the first 18 months of his regenerative agriculture journey. See and read for yourself.
CAN’T WAIT 12 MONTHS FOR A JOHNSON-SU BIOREACTOR? TRY THIS!
Once a Johnson-Su Bioreactor has been built, filled and set up, it takes about 12 months to produce material from which you can make a fungal extract that can be sprayed out on growing crops and / or pasture. But if you are keen to get something fungal happening in the interim or if you are not in a position to make a Johnson-Su type bioreactor, it is possible to quickly make an extract for yourself in a couple of hours if you can gather the correct type of materials.
If your farm has mature deciduous trees or any wooded areas that have fallen twigs and branches as well as leaves, some of this material may be decomposing due to fungi in the soil; there may even be some fungus / mushrooms evident. This material, along with some of the soil below can be gathered into a bucket. Otherwise check for areas where, for many years, soil has not been disturbed or chemicals applied, for suitable material. Failing this, if there are any legally accessible moist wooded areas in your locality where you might find fallen tree material that is decomposing or where mushrooms are evident, you could gather suitable fungal material including soil from there.
Break this material up into small pieces and soak it for a short while in non-chlorinated water. Then stir it briskly for some minutes in both directions to dislodge fungal spores. Remove the larger material, then put the remainder through a fine sieve or open weave fabric. Alternatively, put the material in a mesh bag (a paint strainer bag works well) and apply a moderately strong spray. You should end up with a solution that is suitable for mixing with more water along with various things as available such as liquid sea minerals, kelp and fish extracts, microbial extracts, humic and fulvic acids and molasses and spraying out shortly afterwards or applying in a drill row with sowing seed. Some of the mix could also be used to inoculate seeds before sowing.
Various types of fungi have been identified as important but missing in many soils that have been under conventional agriculture and even in many where some level of regeneration has been underway. This greatly limits plant potential and resilience. Mycorrhizal fungi is invisible to the naked eye and requires a strong microscope to view it. But as it connects to plant roots, it then travels out much further than those roots can reach and can access minerals and moisture within soil aggregates while plant roots are only able to travel between aggregates.
Fungi, and mycorrhizal fungi in particular, need growing roots to survive and therefore is best applied when there are plants growing in the soil. If you would like more information on the importance of beneficial fungi and how it works, AG-USA produces a product called MycorrPlus that contains those ‘ingredients’ mentioned above.
I have posted previously about the many benefits of using liquid sea minerals, kelps etc to supply all 84 minerals and trace minerals to the soil. While these make a great difference, having mycorrhizal fungi present will enable plants to make even better use of these minerals and accessing moisture, making for healthier, more productive plants and livestock. This is what ‘Tom’ did under my guidance in the early to mid phases of his regenerative agriculture journey. See and read for yourself what a great difference all these measures made on his farm.
DON’T BE FOOLED BY ‘LUSH’ GREEN!
It is easy to look at a pasture that has been grown with chemical fertilisers and be amazed how healthy and lush it ‘looks’. But ‘looks’ can be deceiving!
Chemical fertilisers cause rapid growth however this takes place by cell expansion. The larger cells tend to be watery and comparatively weak and can collapse easily producing pasture and crops without strength and full mineral integrity. Brix readings for such plants will tend to be on the low side.
Silica is essential for cell strength. Silica deficiency was never considered to be an issue given that most soils contain good amounts of sand, a source of silica. However in the last few years it has been found that chemical fertilisers, herbicides and pesticides have locked up silica in the soil meaning that many pastures and crops do not have sufficient nutrient levels to support not just healthy growth but also nutrition for the things that eat those pastures and crops.
Full spectrum nutrition, such as comes from soils having the full range of plant-available minerals, will not only provide those minerals but will also provide vitamins and digestive enzymes. While those plants may not appear quite as green or lush, if you look closely you should notice that plant stems are thinner but leaves are larger. These plants will have higher Brix, be more resilient and more nutritious and with digestive enzymes and vitamins to help livestock and humans who eat them to get more of the goodness from them. And if cut for hay, these pastures will make superior hay that animals will subsequently do well on. If you want to try an experiment, offer two lots of hay, one grown with chemical fertiliser and the other one grown without chemicals on regenerated soil with full spectrum nutrition. Animals will instinctively know healthy food.
It is possible to free up silica (and all other minerals) in the soil by improving soil pH, reducing / eliminating chemical use including chemical fertilisers and improving soil microbiology and fungi with application of appropriate extracts. Probably the quickest way to improve soil pH while waiting for this to happen is by applying the full range of minerals and trace minerals in ionic form such as found in liquid sea minerals (or failing that by application of various sea mineral products such as kelp extracts).
In the very short term it is possible to feed livestock with diatomaceous earth (DE) which is 80-90% silica dioxide plus some 14 other trace minerals.There are numerous health and condition benefits to livestock from consuming DE periodically. In due course as silica in the soil is freed up, DE can also be used if there are any intestinal issues such as worms or parasites or external issues such as lice. ‘Tom’ fed DE to his cows mixed with hay and molasses in moveable troughs. They devoured the lot the first time it was offered. The next time they were filled with eager anticipation as soon as they saw the troughs!
WHERE TO START, WHAT TO INCLUDE
Soil treated ‘right’ is the enabler of every function intended by nature to facilitate all the cycles of existence - the carbon, nitrogen, water and mineral cycles, the Soil Food Web, photosynthesis etc. If any of these is compromised, in due course all will be compromised. Similarly, enhancing one may eventually benefit the others however ‘simultaneously’ enhancing all will lead to the greatest, fastest and most beneficial regeneration of your farm.
If soil has a history of use of artificial fertilisers and chemicals there will be very little life in the soil and many minerals will be ‘locked up’ making them not readily available to plants and destroying the electrical charge of soil particles leading to soil compaction (one of the most limiting aspects to healthy soil). Regeneration of soil health will require these to be steadily reduced over 2-3 years while measures are undertaken to soil health.
Start by conducting some simple testing (up to 15 - see below) that you can do yourself to gauge the health of your soil. This will give you a good picture of what areas need to be addressed.
Next add the full complement of 84 minerals and trace minerals preferable in a readily available form such as found in various sea mineral products. The ionic form of calcium they contain will help to restore the electrical charge to soil particles causing the soil to flocculate and start overcoming compaction once it is taken into the soil by a good rainfall event or irrigation. This is also the fastest and cheapest way to bring soil into the ideal range for growing most things - whether too acidic or too alkaline it will make the soil more towards neutral pH where soil biology including the all important earthworms can thrive. Using kelp or seaweed extracts will also add various enzymes and vitamins.
Then add a good worm extract product or if you have a worm farm make up your own. This will add lots of microbes to the soil. Microbes however require a source of carbon right there next to them so they can rapidly multiply. If there is a good level of organic matter in the soil then that should be adequate at first or you can add a good compost or molasses.
If there is already something growing in the soil you can then apply a fungal extract which will help develop a fungal network in the soil to access minerals and moisture from parts of the soil that roots can’t access, and bring them to plants. If however you don’t have anything growing then you can sow a multi-species cover crop so that there are roots in the soil for the fungi to work with.
Doing these things in the shortest time frame you can manage will get you started on your regenerative agriculture journey. From there you can undertake a range of soil management strategies such as outlined by Gabe Brown (one of the leaders in this area) along with a range of other things. You will find lots of information about all this by visiting my acclaimed new website - absolutely FREE, no Pay Walls, no requirement to ‘Subscribe’. I’m not selling anything or getting money or benefits from anyone, I promise - in my retirement I’m just promoting Regen Ag to help anyone looking to get started on or enhance their regenerative agriculture journey. Already viewed by people in 96 countries in just 6 months. Early feedback includes:
“Excellent Resource - thanks for putting it together” - Regen Ag website Admin
“Refreshing, informative & comprehensive enough to stimulate any budding Regen Ag novice or enthusiast. Well done on a great initiative” - a South Australian University academic staff member.
As well as including the story of how I helped one farmer transition to regenerative agriculture, it also provides links to over 100 ‘Helpful Websites, Podcasts and Webinars’.
ENABLE NATURE TO QUICKLY START WORKING FOR YOU
‘Conventional’ farming has done much to lock up soil minerals and destroy soil biology while requiring lots of testing, application of individual minerals and mineral combinations and use of lots of chemicals to deal with problems arising from a decimated ‘Soil Food Web’.
But if you merely stop getting soil tests and applying chemical fertilisers you will find there is nothing available to feed plants leaving soil exposed and inviting weeds to appear. You could also simply stop using chemicals but problems would soon magnify.
Fortunately, nature is a great healer but unfortunately not always the fastest, often requiring many months or years to remediate the damage caused. However YOU can enable nature to more quickly start working for you.
Instead of paying for lots of testing and trying to ‘balance’ individual minerals, YOU can quickly and simply apply all 84 minerals and trace minerals in balance as nature intended and, importantly, in a plant available ionic form providing full-spectrum nutrition. YOU can also readily source nature’s vitamins and enzymes to further enhance soil biology and plants.
Instead of waiting months and years for the ‘Soil Food Web’ to start to rebuild, YOU can sow diverse species cover crops to protect the soil and harness the sun’s energy through photosynthesis, followed by which YOU can re-introduce microbial and fungal extracts to take advantage of your new mineral practice and roots growing in the soil.
Discover what all this will do for your soil pH, compaction and structure, biology, crop and pasture growth, crop yield and quality as well as animal fertility, growth and health and more. And importantly, discover how microbes and mycorrhizal fungi which YOU can also apply will help nature to get to work freeing up minerals already in the soil and assist in building beneficial and long lasting soil carbon.
After remotely helping ‘Tom’ transition his beef cattle property to regenerative agriculture, I have set up a website that provides lots of regenerative agriculture information and comments incorporating the story of the first 18 months of Tom’s regen ag journey as well as links to over 100 ‘Helpful Websites, Podcasts & Webinars’.
So if you are looking to start on or enhance your Regenerative Agriculture journey, simply take 80 minutes to read what YOU need to do (or 10 minutes to read a Summary).
My acclaimed new website is absolutely FREE, no Pay Walls, no requirement to ‘Subscribe’. I’m not selling anything or getting money or benefits from anyone, I promise - in my retirement I’m just promoting Regen Ag. Already viewed by thousands of people in 99 countries in just over 6 months. Visit: www.regenagstarter.com or Google search RegenAgStarter.
HUMUS - Different in Laboratory after Extraction Compared to 'As Viewed' in Soil
I recently asked if anyone felt the end result from a well made Johnson-Su Compost had any resemblance to humus. One response attached a link to a YouTube video ‘Humus Doesn’t Exist As We Think It Does - Johannes Lehmann’. In short, it explained that in earlier research going back over several hundred years, a strong alkali was used to extract a blackish-brown liquid or ‘soup’ but then states that this does not resemble what is in the soil but can’t really be seen. From this extraction however it was possible to identify ‘humic substances’, ‘humins’, ‘humic & fulvic acids’ leading to identification of a process called ‘humification’ that generates these humic substances that are called ‘recalcitrant’ because microbes don’t appear able to impact on them and they therefore stay in the soil.
Now apparently, with modern techniques and equipment, it is possible to look at this material in situ in soil without extracting it. It has been found that it does not look like the laboratory extraction.
Johannes says current thinking from looking in situ is that soil organic matter is a substance that is the product of microbial activity. I’m not a scientist but from my readings and listening to people like Dr Christine Jones, I can’t help but think that there is much more involved here, much more biology including earthworm activity, photosynthesis and glomalin production as well as mycorrhizal fungi, but I’d be keen to read what others feel is involved.
Humus (or whatever it might be called when it is in the soil) is said to be the ‘holy grail’ of healthy soil and is plentiful in the world’s best soils. Surely then, the more elements or aspects that are involved that we can enhance by regenerative soil management, the quicker and better our soils will benefit. Any contributions welcome. Thanks. Bernie.