Getting started with soil health testing in Missouri

"Recent public initiatives and USDA programs are putting a focus on producers to improve the health of their soils. Soil health is defined by the USDA-NRCS as "the continued capacity of the soil to function as a vital, living ecosystem that sustains plants, animals, and humans." Soil health encompasses the biological, physical, and chemical aspects of soil function. Improving soil health will lead to a more sustainable agricultural system by protecting the soil resource while maintaining productivity and reducing environmental degradation. Current practices that producers can implement to improve their soil health include reduced tillage or no-till, cover crops, intercropping, manuring and more diverse crop rotations. Integration of livestock with cropping systems, such as grazing cover crops, can also boost soil health. Improving soil health may take time and will need to be monitored following appropriate sampling and testing protocols."--First page.Written by Stacy Zuber (formerly of the Division of Food Systems and Bioengineering), Kristen Veum (USDA Agricultural Research Service), Rob Myers (Center for Regenerative Agriculture), Newell Kitchen (USDA Agricultural Research Service), Donna Brandt (Soil Health Assessment Center), Steve Anderson (School of Natural Resources), Jordon Wade (School of Natural Resources)New 11/2021Includes bibliographical reference