"
The biggest opportunity I see for the Red River Valley farmers I work with is making targeted adjustments to address soil health issues."
- Centrol Agronomist Chris Huffman, CCA
Take the Soil
Health Self-Check
Select any soil health issues you’ve seen on your farm from the list below.
Get connected with a Certified Crop Advisor through the Northern Plains Trusted Advisor Partnership today!
Spot the Signs that Your Soil Health Needs a Checkup
Tired of putting in effort and not seeing good results in your fields? It might be your soil. This quick self-assessment covers the most common soil issues in the Red River Valley, based on advice from local crop experts and soil health partners working in the area.
Soil Compaction
- Loss of productivity through too wet conditions
- Shallow roots increase crop damage risks
- Increased costs of fuel
- Decreased yields or crop value
Nutrient Depletion
- Increase in water and fertilizer costs
- Decreased yields or crop value
- Loss of long-term land value
Soil Salinity
- Loss of crop stand potential
- Increase in input costs
- Can lead to soil compaction
- Decreased yields or crop value
Erosion
- Loss of long-term land value
- Decrease in productivity and shorter growing seasons
- Poor subsoil leads to salinity and compaction
- Decreased yields or crop value
READ MORE
Take the next step towards soil health improvement
I know who I need to call.
If you have an agronomist, Extension agent, or retailer who already knows you and your fields, let them know what symptoms you noticed from this self-check to get that conversation going quickly.
- Contact a local agronomist
- Attend a local field day or education event
- Consult with your retailer
Where do I start?
If you haven’t had an expert you can trust out to your place yet, we have provided some links below of good places to start. Take your pick! Read up a bit more on your soil-health challenges or reach out to local experts and mention your symptoms from the self-check, and they can take it from there.
- Connect with an Extension or conservation expert
- Reach out to a grower organization
- Connect with other farmers
Get connected with a Certified Crop Advisor through the Northern Plains Trusted Advisor Partnership today!
What do the Local Agronomists Say?
“
The first step for cover cropping should be deciding what you want to attain from the cover crop. If the main goal is erosion prevention versus N-fixation, the species, timing, and rates will all vary.”
— Brady Goettl,
CCA, Assistant Professor of Extension Soil Science
“
In the RRV, our window for getting things done is very small. Every practice we do in the fall will influence how our spring planting will go. Time is our most valuable commodity.”
— Mike VanEps,
crop consultant, Centrol Ag Consulting
“
Don’t start too big and don’t think soil health is something that it isn’t. Soil health practices aren’t a cure all overnight fix, and they aren’t a magic yield maker all at once. What we are really talking about is a system of practical changes that can make a farm more successful over time by keeping their land productive for the long term.”
— Chris Huffman,
crop consultant, Centrol Ag Consulting
Find resources to help diagnose your soil health issues
In the Red River Valley, there are a variety of sources that can help you take the next step to restoring the health of your soil.
North Dakota State University Extension Soil Health Program
Includes practical, science-based information, maps to find your county Extension expert, apps to calculate nutrients, a salinity economics tool and additional resources to learn more about soil health challenges in this region.
University of Minnesota Extension
Find region-specific tillage guides, videos about tillage and cover crop strategies and tips to manage agricultural drainage as well as connect with a local crops extension specialist.
Red River Basin Commission
In the Red River Valley, there are a variety of sources that can help you take the next step to restoring the health of your soil.
Minnesota Soil Health Coalition
The Minnesota Soil Health Coalition is a producer-driven, producer-led soil health organization that provides information, support and networking for producers interested in boosting soil health on any farm type.
Northern Plains Trusted Advisor Partnership
The Northern Plains Trusted Advisor Partnership is an advisor-led soil health initiative that provides training, resources and peer support to crop advisers helping farmers strengthen soil health and farm profitability.
Trust In Food
Trust In Food is a Farm Journal initiative that brings together farmers, agricultural organizations and conservation partners to improve farm outcomes and accelerate conservation practice adoption.