SOIL HEALTH w Cover Crops

      In preparation of a presentation I am to give on the Stripper Header and our ULD farming system, I got sucked into ranging my thoughts to the future.  Even though we have only been in the ULD system for a short period of time, through my reading, it is becoming obvious that ULD alone will not get us to the end of the rainbow; however, it is a great springboard to launch other healthy soil practices.  For over a year I have been thinking about how we might introduce Cover Crops into our system without jeopardizing the operation.  It doesn't take much research to gain an understanding of their value, --but how to introduce them successfully is another matter.
      In the past month I have been looking at a lot of soil health videos from experienced individuals.  I am including five in this post that I have found compelling.
      The first I am recommending for viewing is one by Gabe Brown, a farmer near Bismark, ND.  He is in a 15" rainfall area, with a variety of soil types on 2000 acres of cropland.  He also has 3000 acres of pastureland.  Gabe has several videos, from different presentations, on Utube.  This, to me, is one of his most informative.  The total time of the presentation is 58:52, and titled: Holistic Regeneration of Our Lands.  < Holistic Regeneration of Our Lands >
      The second presentation is by Jill Clapperton, a soil scientist with many years of University and private work experience in the field of soil biology.  This video is titled: Soil Health Principles, and runs 28:22.     < Soil Health Principles >
      The third presentation is by NRCS crop specialist, Ray Archuleta.  He is the spokesperson for several NRCS initiated educational videos "Secrets of the Soil", and also gives presentations to groups. This video is an NRCS training session in Wisconsin, that runs 2:36:18.  It's lengthy, but gives a lot of good information.  < Soil Health Training >
      The fourth presentation is by NRCS/ARS scientist, Rick Haney.  He developed the "Solvita" soil health test (Haney Test) that uses soil respiration instead of soil chemistry to determine nutrient needs of a crop, and the condition of the soil biology.  This video is titled: Soil Health Principles, and runs 24:55.
< Soil Health and - Solvate >
       The fifth presentation is by Dr. Kristine Nicoles of the Rodale Institute.  She gives a great presentation on the interaction within the soil biology and their relation to plant growth in regenerative organic systems. 1:04:48
< Dr. Kristine Nichols>
    These videos each support one other, and individually add new insights to the whole question of soil health and the importance of building up our soils.  Swings, extreme by past experience, between wet and dry conditions  associated with climate change will be endured more easily by those who have good soil structure, a high level of biological activity, and thick layer of surface litter.