Soil Health Research Promotes Sustainable Success For South Dakota Soybean Farmers

It goes without saying that land is the single most important asset in agriculture. That's why taking good care of it through research-backed soil management practices — ensuring it is healthy and productive for years to come — is indispensable to a farmer's toolbox.

Equipped with this knowledge, the South Dakota Soybean Research and Promotion Council continues to prioritize supporting producers in their efforts to manage soil effectively. "As farmers, we always try to take care of the land in all that we do," says April Bowar, South Dakota Soybean District 9 Director. "We realize it's not just for our generation, but it's for the next generation and the generation after that."

Bowar farms just outside of Faulkton with her husband, James. They focus a lot of energy on nutrient management in their fields and have begun implementing strip tillage when planting corn on beans to retain moisture in the soil while minimizing disturbance.

"If you don't have soil health, your crops aren't going to perform," she explains. "And if you aren't getting the yields you need, that goes down the chain."

Checkoff Focus On Soil Health Research

Several farmer-funded research projects approved by the South Dakota Soybean Research and Promotion Council have focused on regenerative practices aimed at improving soil health over the past several years. Currently, the soybean checkoff is sponsoring a study examining strip tillage versus conventional tillage as well as precision fertilizer applications.