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| This is all a fascinating subject. I'm at about mile marker 1 on my journey of soil health. One thing that bothers me is the incredible management and risk involved with getting to where we want to be. My understanding is that 12-14 brix levels are unattainable with current hybrids. Ok, so I cut out 95 percent of the current hybrids and go with something that will interact better with the mycorrizhal fungi. But wait.... My soil health isn't good enough yet to support high brix levels so I get a wave of corn borer, or gray leaf spot, or corn rootworm. Now I've just opened myself up to serious economic loss, or the need to spray the pesticides I never wanted to spray. All my ground is rented on share crop. I can't really explain to my LL too well if I take an economic loss trying to improve soil health.
As Joel Williams says,,,,, the science is there, it's the application of it that's difficult.
I'd like someone to tell me how to overcome the hurdles listed above. If i can't get brix levels up, those benefits listed won't be there. But I continually stumble at knowing how to get past the beginning curve. Jumping off the diving board into the river with this seems foolhardy, as I open myself to a tremendous amount of risk. But taking baby steps and dabbling toes in the water really doesn't get anywhere either.
For perspective, I am all either no-till or shallow strip till. I've been planting some covers for about 4 years now, usually as many acres as I have time and courage for. Covers in western KS are a challenge due to dry conditions. The spring cover crop helps save a preplant herbicide app. I've been running Holganix Bio 800 for 2 years now, I think, and trying to apply more N through the pivot and less at one time, for the most part. Kinda failed on that one this year though. Thought about buying some Bass hybrid corn, but have to figure out how to manage the stuff.
Keep up the discussion, I'd like to hear more.
Edited by kwk 1/24/2025 08:02
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Follow up? To Humic acid post
