Sustainable farming - healthy soil - LSB

In a nutshell...

Soil health is not easy to define, but it is vital to the health of the plants that grow in it, and the animals that graze it.
Many believe that it's also the basis of consumer health and welfare.
The concept of a "living soil" is real and describes a large number of microorganisms in the soil.
For example, there are 1600kg/ha of bacteria, 2000kg/ha of fungi, and 800kg/ha of earthworms.
Healthy soils are fertile and rich in organic matter and humus, have a good crumb structure, and are porous.
Organic farmers make soil health their prime focus.

When you dig a spade spit and try to break the soil with your hands, it does not show a crumb structure with long plant roots.
It is highly compacted and solid, with shallow roots.
There may be evidence of a "pan" or compaction layer a few cm below the surface, preventing root penetration.
Water will not drain through the soil and lies in puddles for a long time after heavy rain.
Tile or mole drain outlets are not running after rain.
Poor pasture grows all year round, with no clear spring flush.
No earthworm casts on the surface and less than 2 worms/spade spit.
Low levels of organic matter in the soil.
A build-up of a layer of dead organic matter on the soil surface.
Soil does not smell pleasantly earthy - it smells sour.
Presence of low-fertility grass species and very little clover.
Presence of weeds - especially those that thrive in low fertility.
Increased water runoff after rain - seen from sediment in drains and creeks.

When you did a spade spit, the soil is moist and has a pleasant earthy smell (not sour).
You can break the dug spit with your hands to see a nice crumb structure.
You can see plenty of organic matter and long healthy plant roots.
There are healthy active earthworms in burrows in the soil.
There is no sign of a pan below the soil surface.
There is no accumulation of organic matter on the surface - earthworms have taken it all below ground.
The pastures are made up of high fertility species of grasses and clovers, and they look healthy and not stunted.
There is good pasture growth all year round, especially in spring.
Drains are working and there are no areas where water remains stagnant after rain.
There is no pugging in wet weather.
Livestock looks healthy and is being well fed.

Treat the soil as the most precious part of the farm. Don't call soil "dirt"!
Remember that maintaining the micro-organisms in the soil is vital to healthy crops and livestock.
Maintain soil fertility to meet the demands of your farming system.
Soil test regularly and carry out recommendations resulting from the tests.
Remember the importance of lime (not technically a fertiliser)
Keep strict control on nitrogen fertiliser and only use it strategically.
Likewise, be careful with farm effluent and get it analysed to see what nutrients are being applied.
Think of a nutrient balance sheet for each paddock where inputs and outputs are measured and must balance. This concept is being adopted now.
Avoid pugging pastures with stock in wet weather.
Avoid cultivating soils that are too wet or too dry.
Introduce new pasture species and cultivars that suit your farming needs.
Don't overgraze to expose the soil surface to the sun and rain.
Observe weeds as indicators of the effect of management on the soil.
Install, maintain and improve drainage. (See drainage)
If pastures have to be renovated at frequent intervals, check the reasons why.
If there is a lot of pasture pulling, then look at soil structure and health.