Breaking the cycle { Restoring Our Land with Regenerative Agriculture} J J a as s o o n n C C a av va ad d i i n n i i M Ma ar r s s h hf f i i e el l d d A A g g r r i i c cu ul l t t u ur r a al l R R e es s e ea ar r c ch h S St t a at t i i o on n
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Breaking the cycle - UWSP · Breaking the cycle { Restoring Our Land with Regenerative Agriculture} Jason Cavadini Marshfield Agricultural Research Station. ØSoil Health ØCover
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Breaking the cycle
{ Restoring Our Land with Regenerative Agriculture}
Soil Health - the condition of the soil and its potential to sustain biological functions, maintain environmental quality, and promote plant, animal, and human health.
Cover Crops – a multi-functional crop that prevents erosion, improves soil physical and biological properties, supplies nutrients, suppresses weeds, improves water cycling, breaks pest cycles, and provides forage along with various other benefits.
Regenerative agricultureContinuous Living Roots in the Soil
Regenerative agricultureIs it a buzz-term?Is it a fad?Is it a marketing scheme?Is it the 2020 version of all-natural or sustainable or conservation?
www.generalmills.com
Regenerative agriculture
Mid 1930s
“Land doctoring” versus the science of land health
Regenerative agriculture
“Those who live close to the earth – we farmers –have become as illiterate as anyone else when it comes to reading our landscapes.”
“Regenerative agriculture implies more than just ‘sustaining’ something but rather an active rebuilding or regeneration of existing systems towards full health.”
Regenerative AgricultureWhy
?
1. To achieve soil health2. To have profitable farms3. To protect our resources4. To have healthy people5. To have healthy communities
Soil health is a component of regenerative agriculture.
TThhee LLaaddddeerr ooff RReeggeenneerraattiioonn
The “Holy Grail” – Fully functioning soil/biology/crops without off-farm inputs
No-till planting
Continuous living cover (cover crops)
Managed grazing
Soil
Heal
th
Perennials
TThhee CCyyccllee ooff…… Tillage
Bare Soil
Fertilizer
FungicidesSeed Treatments
Herbicides
Damaged Fields
Bare Soil
Soil Health
The continued capacity of soil to function as a vital living ecosystem that sustains plants,
Ø Holistic manager (not just farm or land manager)Ø Prioritize soil healthØ Manage ecology – harvest sunlightØ Manage the underground “herd”Ø Keep biology in mind with each decisionØ Nurture symbiotic relationships
Regenerative Mindset
Ø Till soil only when absolutely necessaryØ Implement perennials as much as possibleØ Integrate (continuous living) cover crops into row cropsØ Use manure as a nutrient source as much as possible Ø Integrate livestock onto the landØ Scrutinize every off-farm input