Achieving soil health success in integrated crop-livestock systems

Authors: Franzluebbers, Alan

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/30/2023
Publication Date: 11/6/2023
Citation: Franzluebbers, A.J. 2023. Achieving soil health success in integrated crop-livestock systems. Proceedings of the IV International Symposium on Integrated Crop-Livestock Systems. p. 79-83.

Interpretive Summary: Soil health is a critical component for the success of any agronomic system, and particularly in conservation-oriented, integrated crop-livestock systems that focus on productive and positive interactions among biotic and environmental variables. Soil health is defined as the capacity of soil to function effectively. An ARS scientist in Raleigh North Carolina described how integrated crops and livestock together on a farm can provide opportunities for synergies in nutrient cycling and plant and animal growth and development. Soil organic carbon changes are the most direct indication of these interactions, and these changes can indicate environmental and ecological success of these systems. These results will be useful for scientists and agricultural advisors to help farmers understand the impacts of complex farm management interactions on soil health conditions.

Technical Abstract: Soil health is a critical component for the success of any agronomic system, and particularly in conservation-oriented, integrated crop-livestock systems (ICLS) that focus on productive and positive interactions among biotic and environmental variables. Soil health is defined as the capacity of soil to function effectively. Restrictions on functionality can occur due to management decisions that hinder several key functions, including but not limited to plant productivity with adequate rooting, cycling of nutrients through biological and chemical mechanisms, water infiltration and storage, and proliferation of biological diversity to withstand insect and disease pressures. A variety of ICLS can be implemented on a diversity of agricultural landscapes with different environmental limitations. Not all systems may be appropriate for all environments. Soil health metrics can be used alongside productivity metrics to evaluate the success of ICLS in different regions. Key components of soil health often include evaluation of (a) soil organic matter, (b) soil aggregation or water infiltration as general indicators of physical status, (c) routine soil chemical properties like pH, cation exchange capacity, and soil-test phosphorus and potassium, and (d) soil biological activity and/or diversity to describe the wealth of organisms participating in nutrient cycling, disease suppression, or soil aggregate manipulations. The importance of soil organic matter is emphasized in this presentation with some examples across land uses.