Study Shows Positive Economic Impact of Soil Health
The Soil Health Institute and the National Association of Conservation Districts announced the results of a nationwide study showing how improving soil health can improve a farmer’s profitability.
The study shows farmers can build resilience across a diversity of soil types, geographies, and cropping systems.
Among the key findings across 29 farms, Soil Health Management Systems increased net farm income by an average of $65 per acre.
On average, when implementing soil health systems, it costs producers $14 an acre less to grow corn and $16 an acre less to grow other crops.
Yield increases were reported for 42% of farms growing corn and 35% of farms growing other crops.
Farmers reported additional benefits like decreased erosion and soil compaction, earlier access to fields in wet years, and increased resilience to extreme weather events.