An agronomist who spoke at last week's Pasture Walk and Talk in Brussels says carbon and diversity are the two key words in achieving soil health and re-generation.
Ruth Knight adds there are a few clear principles to follow to get there.
The first is reducing mechanical tillage.
The second is keeping the soil covered at all times.
Third is diversity both in plants and in terms of animals that are grazing.
Next is living roots as long as possible to continue to capture solar energy.
Knight says it's also important to consider animal impact.
She adds cover crops are growing in popularity but there are some obstacles to overcome in integrating them into your system, such as how do you start the cover crop and how to you terminate it.
Knight suggests that annual crops that terminate with frost are ideal because then don't have to be burned down with a herbicide or tillage.
Knight also points out that farmers considering using cover crops have to be serious about it.
She argues managing a cover crop is just as important as managing the annual crop you're putting it into.
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According to Knight, there are several key principles to be followed in getting there - including reduced mechanical tillage.
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Knight says it's important to keep the soil coverage and encourages diversity in both plants and grazing animals.
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