Church Pivot - Balancing Biology

The first  step to making a regenerative fertility program profitable and successful is taking a look at both soil biology and soil chemistry.  Earthfort’s direct microscopy test for biology and an appropriate soil chemistry test are great places to start.  

Consider, for example, the trial we ran on a new Alfalfa grass pivot in Paradise Valley, MT that compares a biological regenerative approach - with biological and chemical testing - to the conventional approach.  On the conventional side, the land managers put down 148 pounds per acre of a conventional 30-30-10-10, per recommendations from the local fertilizer company based off of customary conventional practices. 

On the biological approach side, we took both a direct microscopy test for biology and combined it with a chemistry test. This is what we found:

The biology direct microscopy test showed very low fungal activity and low total fungi to total bacteria ratio.  This is not unusual for this area or agricultural land in general.  Agriculture tends to involve soil disturbance and disturbance decreases fungal activity more than bacterial activity in the soil, setting up adverse growing conditions for perennial alfalfa grass mixes.  To counteract that effect, we applied one gallon of Provide, a shelf-stable biological inoculum that contains a wide diversity of thousands of fungi and bacteria, and one pound of Revive, a soil microbial stimulant that is targeted to enhance fungi.

We also took a look at the chemistry test results:

Agvise did this chemistry test based on the Recommended Chemical Soil Tests for the North Central Region.   It showed low phosphorus.  We had a 6-22-2 bench tested that showed compatibility with microbiology.  Unlike most conventional fertilizers, it is low in salts and - when applied in small doses -- doesn’t negatively affect microbial populations.  We mixed it with one gallon of a high-quality fish hydrolysate, a good source of nitrogen that also is synergistic with Provide.  

These are all very small amounts applied in rates less than recommended - and with good reason!  When you are working on soil biology, less is more.  This mix cost $5 less per acre than the conventional application. We will do a midseason tissue test and chemistry test that will help us determine if there are any plant needs that weren’t met with our initial treatment, allowing us to mitigate deficiencies in real-time with a strategic foliar. The typical cost of a midseason treatment is less than $5/acre.  As the soil biology improves, the treatments can be reduced, saving money in the long-term.

UPDATE: On September 23rd of 2020, we decided to put the field to bed with a gallon and a pound of Provide and Revive and a gallon of fish. These types of biological fertility programs work well in the fall by staying in the soil and building on themselves before you can get out there in the spring. Biology works until the ground freezes hard and then fires back up early in the spring. This changed our 2020 costs. END UPDATE

One of the many benefits of using a well thought out biological approach to inputs is it helps to discourage weeds.  Annual weeds like their nitrogen in the form of nitrites while perennial grasses and alfalfa prefer nitrates. The soil fungi is the driving force that helps plants transform the available nitrogen into the form that is best suited to their needs. With a .46 Total Fungi to Total Bacteria ratio, the biology is going to struggle to get the nitrogen into a form the target crop prefers, but this ratio is very suitable for the ever-present weed seed bank in the soil. The result? Weeds are able to outcompete the perennial grasses and alfalfa we’re trying to grow. This is why we want to balance the fungi and bacteria right from the start: we aim to ensure the system is balanced and optimized for the crop we are trying to grow. The salts in the conventional treatment damaged the already deficient fungal community.  The images below were taken halfway through the season; it’s clear which approach allowed for more weeds to creep in and take over.

The plots were laid out in the sampling technique pictured below, as suggested by researchers at Montana State University.

Here is what we found for both total and individual weed populations:

The figures speak for themselves. By considering both the biological and chemical health of your soil before you start treatments, you can optimize the soil environment for the crop you’re trying to grow. With good management and midseason testing, you can ensure you have the best chance possible of outcompeting weeds and generating high yields at lower costs.