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.

Conducted by Dr. Peter Kováks, Associate Professor of Precision Agriculture Cropping Systems at South Dakota State University, the strip tillage research seeks to support producers interested in reducing tillage practices and boosting yields — while also improving margins. "We think there is an opportunity to decrease the fertilizer application rate and reduce fuel costs," explains Kováks. It stands to reason, therefore, that producers can maximize profitability so long as yields either remain constant or increase. Kováks's research is currently being conducted on university trial plots, but the next phase includes a plan to collect on-farm data from local producers.

South Dakota soybean farmers can also participate in ongoing research — including soil management practices — through the farmer-funded On-Farm Research Program. This online tool collects anonymized data from farmers and shares key findings and yield outcomes associated with a variety of practices.

Supporting Global Demand For U.S. Soy

Soil management and conservation practices commonly used by soybean producers in the U.S. have gained traction on the global market as demand for sustainably grown products continues to increase. "We are very proud of how we utilize our land through soil management practices," says Bowar, discussing ways that U.S. Soy is differentiated from soy from other origins. "We're reducing tillage and growing cover crops. We're conserving energy and using less fuel. We try not to overapply fertilizer."

U.S. Soybean Export Council has leveraged this sustainability narrative to support demand for U.S. Soy on the global market, particularly with buyers from the European Union. And, as other regions of the world respond to consumer needs and governmental regulations, U.S. Soy will continue to demonstrate a clear advantage through its commitment to sustainable farming practices.

Soil Health Resources For Soybean Farmers

Farmers can visit sdsoybean.org/topics/soil-health to find out more about South Dakota Soybean's focus on soil health, including current research and other learning opportunities. Additionally, checkoff-sponsored events, such as Soy100 and Ag Outlook, give farmers a chance to stay current on best practices to improve yields while managing soil health and quality.