How to Cut Fertilizer Inputs Without Sacrificing Yield: Soil Fertility Specialist Shares New Soil Health Data
In Part 1 of our two-part conversation with Dr. Bhupinder Farmaha, we dig into the reality of shifting farmer mindsets around nutrient management. As Clemson Extension’s Soil Fertility Specialist, Bhupinder walks us through his journey from studying soil science at the University of Illinois to on-farm research in Minnesota and across South Carolina—where he’s working side-by-side with farmers to reevaluate how much (and what kind of) fertilizer is really necessary.We explore the difficulty of challenging generational practices and the importance of building trust through local, participatory research. Bhupinder shares stories of farmers like Sonny Price, who haven’t applied potash for nearly a decade—without any loss in yield—and how that’s pushing the envelope on conventional wisdom.Topics covered include:Why scaling back fertilizer use is as much cultural as it is agronomicThe importance of working on real farms, not just research stationsBuilding peer-to-peer farmer networks for changeHow soil health practices like cover crops impact profitability, pH, and nutrient cyclingLearning from farmer-led experiments and shifting extension modelsThis episode lays the groundwork for a broader conversation about nutrient efficiency, soil health, and what it takes to bring about real-world change in agricultural systems. Whether you're conventional, curious, or fully regenerative, there’s something here for everyone interested in growing smarter.Resources Mentioned in This EpisodeCotton, Country Conservation: An 8-Year Case Study in Regenerative Agriculture (Following SC Farmer Sonny Price's path of reducing input costs, increasing organic matter, and saving over $2.5 million): soilhealthlabs.com/projects/cotton-country-conservation
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Seasoned Rancher Shares Simple Livestock Strategies For Healing the Land and Boosting Ranch Profitability
🧲 Quotable Quotes“You can’t graze a landscape unless you understand what that landscape wants to be.” — Dave Ollila“We’ve got a chance to tell a story—to show that red meat can come from stewardship, not just consumption.” — Dave Ollila“The biology in the rumen is the same biology in the soil. That’s no accident. That’s design.” — Dave Ollila👩🌾 About our GuestDave Ollila is a seasoned rancher and agricultural educator in Butte County, South Dakota. With a career spanning over 25 years, he has made significant contributions to sustainable livestock management, particularly in multi-species grazing and soil health.Dave’s great-grandfather immigrated from Finland and homesteaded in Butte County in 1916. Dave and his wife, Holly, continue this legacy by raising sheep and cattle on the same land, emphasizing practices that align with the region's semi-arid conditions (South Dakota Magazine.)Professionally, Ollila served as the South Dakota State University (SDSU) Extension Sheep Field Specialist until his retirement in February 2020. He then joined the South Dakota Soil Health Coalition (SDSHC) as a Soil Health Technician, focusing on assisting producers in western South Dakota with soil health consultations (South Dakota Soil Health Coalition).🌾 In this EpisodeIn this deeply engaging conversation, Dave Ollila shares hard-won wisdom from decades of grazing and ranching in western South Dakota. We dive into the ecology of the prairie, how sheep and cattle mimic native herbivores, and how integrating multiple species—and technologies—can regenerate landscapes, boost ranch income, and reconnect producers to the land’s natural rhythms.🐑 Topics CoveredWhy context matters in livestock integrationEastern SD = tallgrass prairie; Western SD = shortgrass prairieMatching livestock species (e.g., sheep vs. cattle) to land, rainfall, and forage typeMulti-species grazing as ecological mimicryCattle as analogs to bison: bulk grazers of coarse grassSheep and goats as browsers akin to deer and elkBetter soil biology and insect/bird diversity through livestock diversityVirtual fencing in practiceUsing “No Fence” GPS collars to control small ruminantsHow virtual fences help manage weed outbreaks and reduce fencing costsCurrent limitations: signal strength, battery life, and trainingTraining livestock to graze invasive speciesHow sheep learn to consume Dalmatian toadflax through experienceLessons from Dave's cooperative research with BLM and insights from the Targeted Grazing ManualBenefits of sheep in dry countrySheep’s ability to thrive on snow as a water sourceTheir lower infrastructure needs and suitability for women and youthIncome diversity through meat and wool (up to 200% lambing rates)Why we need to educate our "city cousins"Comparing prairie biodiversity to the AmazonUrban lawns, golf courses, and parks can also sequester carbon“We’re not enemies—we’re partners with nature.”📚 Resources Mentioned1. Targeted Grazing 101: Starting and Sustaining a Grazing Service EnterpriseA new handbook from the American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) is available for download from SheepUSA.orgAlso supported by the Society for Range Management2. 2006 "Targeted Grazing" ManualComes included with the new supplement (PDF or USB)Research-backed chapters on targeted grazing practices3. Dave Ollila’s 2024 Soil Health Conference TalkCovers virtual fencing with visuals [Watch it on YouTube]4. WWF’s Case Study on Grazing InnovationsFeatures Dave’s work with virtual fencing and multispecies grazing (Read the WWF Vlog here)
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How to Boost Animal Health and Farm Productivity with Ecological Principles
Guest: Dr. Gustavo Lascano, Associate Professor of Ruminant Nutrition, Clemson UniversityHost: Drs. Gabe Kenne & Buz KlootLength: ~70 minutesIn this conversation with Dr. Gustavo Lascano, Ruminant Nutrition Specialist at Clemson University, we discuss integrating ecological principles like succession and diversity into farm management to improve animal, soil, and human health. Dr. Lascano describes intricate details of ruminant nutrition and reinforces that it should focus not only on calories but also on proper nutrient balance and feeding the microbial ecosystem within the rumen. His expertise in this field comes not only from advanced degrees and field and laboratory research, but also from experiencing indigenous agricultural systems firsthand and seeing how they offer valuable insights into sustainable, low-input food production systems.Episode Highlights:Rethinking Production Systems with Ecological SuccessionDiverse Background with Global RootsFree Choice Feeding & Ruminant EfficiencyRumen Microbiology & Soil ParallelsIndustrial vs. Regenerative Feeding ModelsAgroecological Inspirations from the AmazonThe Role of Animals in Regenerative AgTo learn more about Dr. Lascano and ruminant nutrition, check out the below links:Gustavo Lascano at Clemson UniversityFaculty ProfileSoil Health Lab Podcast ArchivesVisit WebsiteFeatured in the episode: Cotton, Country, Conservation (8-year regenerative agriculture study)
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How Real-World Farmers are Boosting Profits: Cover Crops, Cost Cutting, & Yield Bumps
In this episode, Carl Coleman continues his deep dive into the lessons learned from years of soil health experimentation—and how they changed not only his farm but his entire career. Carl shares how the pushback he received from scientists and extension professionals led him to set up a randomized, replicated study on his farm, proving that regenerative practices could reduce inputs without sacrificing yield.We explore some of the biggest surprises from these trials, including how fields with no applied potassium actually maintained or increased soil test levels over five years—completely contradicting conventional wisdom. Carl also discusses the economic and agronomic benefits of cover crops, including how they have helped farmers reduce subsoiling, cut back on herbicide passes, and save thousands in input costs.Carl’s transition from farming to the seed business was not planned, but as demand for high-quality, affordable seed grew, he saw an opportunity to help other farmers navigate the complexities of cover cropping. Now, as the owner of Choice Ag, Carl provides tailored cover crop blends based on individual farm needs, ensuring that growers avoid common mistakes and maximize their returns.If you’re wondering how real-world farmers are making regenerative agriculture work economically, this episode is packed with practical insights and hard-earned wisdom.📌 Check the show notes for links to Carl’s seed business, research studies, and resources mentioned in this episode!Resources Mentioned in This EpisodeHow much fertilizer do we really need? https://experiment.com/projects/how-much-fertilizer-do-we-really-needNo but seriously now, how much fertilizer do we really need? https://experiment.com/projects/no-but-seriously-now-how-much-fertilizer-do-we-really-needCotton, Country Conservation: An 8-Year Case Study in Regenerative Agriculture (Following SC Farmer Sonny Price's path of reducing input costs, increasing organic matter, and saving over $2.5 million): soilhealthlabs.com/projects/cotton-country-conservation
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The Economic Impact of Regenerative Agriculture: Practical Wisdom from a Seasoned Farmer
In this episode, Carl Coleman continues his deep dive into the lessons learned from years of soil health experimentation—and how they changed not only his farm but his entire career. Carl shares how the pushback he received from scientists and extension professionals led him to set up a randomized, replicated study on his farm, proving that regenerative practices could reduce inputs without sacrificing yield.We explore some of the biggest surprises from these trials, including how fields with no applied potassium actually maintained or increased soil test levels over five years—completely contradicting conventional wisdom. Carl also discusses the economic and agronomic benefits of cover crops, including how they have helped farmers reduce subsoiling, cut back on herbicide passes, and save thousands in input costs.Carl’s transition from farming to the seed business was not planned, but as demand for high-quality, affordable seed grew, he saw an opportunity to help other farmers navigate the complexities of cover cropping. Now, as the owner of Choice Ag, Carl provides tailored cover crop blends based on individual farm needs, ensuring that growers avoid common mistakes and maximize their returns.If you’re wondering how real-world farmers are making regenerative agriculture work economically, this episode is packed with practical insights and hard-earned wisdom.📌 Check the show notes for links to Carl’s seed business, research studies, and resources mentioned in this episode!Resources Mentioned in This EpisodeHow much fertilizer do we really need? https://experiment.com/projects/how-much-fertilizer-do-we-really-needNo but seriously now, how much fertilizer do we really need? https://experiment.com/projects/no-but-seriously-now-how-much-fertilizer-do-we-really-needCotton, Country Conservation: An 8-Year Case Study in Regenerative Agriculture (Following SC Farmer Sonny Price's path of reducing input costs, increasing organic matter, and saving over $2.5 million): soilhealthlabs.com/projects/cotton-country-conservation
The Soil Health Labs are located in the Environmental Health Sciences Department in the School of Public Health at the University of South Carolina. That may be surprising to most, especially since the University of South Carolina has no Ag School! Our mission is to promote soil health, not only as something that’s good for the farmer and the environment, but we also want to highlight soil health as a public health tool. Think about it. Healthy soils and healthy crops, mean healthy farmers and consumers, never mind an ever-improving environment. One idea we are embracing is that of Regenerative Farming where we embrace the idea that if farmers change the way they manage the soils, they can actually improve, or regenerate environmental conditions through less disturbance, keeping soils covered with residue or canopies, keeping live roots I the soil year round and be reintroducing animals into the whole system. While we cut our teeth promoting soil health through video and social media (Soil Stories; Under Cover farmers: Science of Soil Health; Merit or Myth; Growing Resilience) we do have several research and outreach projects that we are doing with farmers in South Carolina.
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