Are tillage and soil carbon compatible? Agronomist andauthor Scott Gillespie shares insights from his new article Soil Carbon & Tillage: Eat Your Cake and Have it Too.” Also – lessons from polycrop systems, organic fertility strategies, and the surprising connection between cultural heritage and forgotten crop varieties.

Transcript with links to everything mentioned in the episode:https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/podcast/soil-carbon-and-tillage 

Newsletter signup:  https://mailchi.mp/plantsdigsoil/newsletterhttps://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6944029544697802752

YouTube: (Company): https://www.youtube.com/@scottcgillespie  

Podcast:
https://anchor.fm/scottcgillespie(Look below Spotify for other apps or just search “Plants Dig Soil” in your favourite app.)

Practical Regeneration: Realistic Strategies for Climate Smart Agriculture

https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/books 

Consulting packages:
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#consulting 

Speaking, Teaching, & Workshop Design:
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/speaking 

Funding service offerings: https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#paperwork

Email:
[email protected]

Call/text/WhatsApp:
403-654-3096   

LinkedIn (Scott):
https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottcgillespie/  

LinkedIn (Company):
https://www.linkedin.com/company/plants-dig-soil

Do you need livestock to build soil health? Agronomist and author Scott Gillespie digs into recent research on grazing cover crops, biomass thresholds, and fungal networks—challenging some of the more popular narratives in regenerative ag. Plus: funding program updates, writing news, and practical insight for Prairie producers.

Transcript with links to everything mentioned in the episode:

https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/podcast/no-cows-no-problem

Newsletter signup:

https://mailchi.mp/plantsdigsoil/newsletter https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6944029544697802752

YouTube: (Company):

https://www.youtube.com/@scottcgillespie

Podcast:

https://anchor.fm/scottcgillespie

(Look below Spotify for other apps or just search “Plants Dig Soil” in your favourite app.)

Practical Regeneration: Realistic Strategies for Climate Smart Agriculture

https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/books

Consulting packages:

https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#consulting

Speaking, Teaching, & Workshop Design:

https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/speaking

Funding service offerings:

https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#paperwork

Email:

[email protected]

Call/text/WhatsApp:

403-654-3096

LinkedIn (Scott):

https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottcgillespie/

LinkedIn (Company):

https://www.linkedin.com/company/plants-dig-soil

Plants Dig Soil

https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/

Newsletter signup:
https://mailchi.mp/plantsdigsoil/newsletter 
https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6944029544697802752

Practical Regeneration: Realistic Strategies for Climate Smart Agriculture
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/books

My consulting packages:
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#consulting

Speaking, Teaching, & Workshop Design:
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/speaking

My funding service offerings:
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#paperwork
SCAP program details https://www.alberta.ca/sustainable-cap.aspx
OFCAF program details https://rdar.ca/funding-opportunities/ofcaf

Email: [email protected] 

LinkedIn (Scott): https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottcgillespie/
LinkedIn (Company): https://www.linkedin.com/company/plants-dig-soil

#RealisticRegenAg | Welcome to the final newsletter of the year!

As mentioned previously, I’ll be taking a break over the holiday season but will return in early February. If you’re in southern Alberta and would like to connect before then, I’ll be at the Irrigated Crop Production Update on January 23rd in Lethbridge. You’ll find the registration link included in this email.

This month, I’m diving deeper into the topic of #RealisticRegenAg with just four articles that explore it in greater detail. Along with summaries and my own thoughts, I encourage you to save these articles in your favourite reading app and take the time to explore them fully.

Speaking of reading—if you haven’t had a chance to pick up my book yet, now’s the perfect time! Winter is ideal for catching up on the reading you meant to do over the summer. Scroll to the bottom of this email for a link to all the ways you can get a copy—locally, online, or as an e-reader version for your favourite app.

Transcript (with links to articles):
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/podcast/the-cover-crop-disconnect

Newsletter signup:
https://mailchi.mp/plantsdigsoil/newsletter 
https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6944029544697802752

Practical Regeneration: Realistic Strategies for Climate Smart Agriculture
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/books

My consulting packages:
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#consulting

Speaking, Teaching, & Workshop Design:
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/speaking

My funding service offerings:
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#paperwork
SCAP program details https://www.alberta.ca/sustainable-cap.aspx
OFCAF program details https://rdar.ca/funding-opportunities/ofcaf

Email: [email protected] 

LinkedIn (Scott): https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottcgillespie/
LinkedIn (Company): https://www.linkedin.com/company/plants-dig-soil

YouTube: (Company): https://www.youtube.com/@scottcgillespie
Podcast Subscription Apps: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scottcgillespie

#RealisticRegenAg | As the season winds down here in southern Alberta, I’ve been busy teaching both diploma and degree students at Lethbridge Polytechnic (formerly Lethbridge College). As is my annual tradition, I’ll be slowing down my newsletter and podcast production during the fall and taking an extended break over the holiday season. You can expect one final newsletter in early December, with the next edition coming your way in February.

Transcript (with links to articles):
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/podcast/plant-genetics-drive-microbes

Newsletter signup:
https://mailchi.mp/plantsdigsoil/newsletter 
https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6944029544697802752

Practical Regeneration: Realistic Strategies for Climate Smart Agriculture
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/books

My consulting packages:
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#consulting

Speaking, Teaching, & Workshop Design:
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/speaking

My funding service offerings:
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#paperwork
SCAP program details https://www.alberta.ca/sustainable-cap.aspx
OFCAF program details https://rdar.ca/funding-opportunities/ofcaf

Email: [email protected] 

X (aka Twitter) (Scott): https://twitter.com/scottcgillespie
X (aka Twitter) (Company): https://twitter.com/PlantsDigSoil

LinkedIn (Scott): https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottcgillespie/
LinkedIn (Company): https://www.linkedin.com/company/plants-dig-soil

YouTube: (Company): https://www.youtube.com/@scottcgillespie
Podcast Subscription Apps: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scottcgillespie

#RealisticRegenAg | Cover crops might be giving off more greenhouse gases than bare ground. It's a surprise, for sure. It all comes down to how long they sit in cool and wet conditions. They pull up and hold onto more nitrogen than bare ground, however when they die they can give off much greater nitrous oxide emissions compared to a bare field. So check out the articles below and read any of the most interesting articles that you see.

In case you’re new here, let me introduce myself. I’m an author and independent agronomist from the Western Canadian Prairies specializing in climate-smart agriculture. I focus on scientifically proven practices that benefit the planet and, just as importantly, farmers' economic sustainability. Be sure to visit my website, www.plantsdigsoil.com, to learn about my book “Practical Regeneration” and for services I that I offer for farmers and agribusiness.

Transcript:
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/podcast/cover-crop-emission-surprise

Newsletter signup:
https://mailchi.mp/plantsdigsoil/newsletter 
https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6944029544697802752

Realistic Regen Ag Channel (WhatsApp):
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaBofw37NoZxtgHSRl3S

Practical Regeneration: Realistic Strategies for Climate Smart Agriculture
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/books

My consulting packages:
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#consulting

Speaking, Teaching, & Workshop Design:
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/speaking

My funding service offerings:
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#paperwork
SCAP program details https://www.alberta.ca/sustainable-cap.aspx
OFCAF program details https://rdar.ca/funding-opportunities/ofcaf

Email: [email protected] 

X (aka Twitter) (Scott): https://twitter.com/scottcgillespie
X (aka Twitter) (Company): https://twitter.com/PlantsDigSoil

LinkedIn (Scott): https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottcgillespie/
LinkedIn (Company): https://www.linkedin.com/company/plants-dig-soil

YouTube: (Company): https://www.youtube.com/@scottcgillespie
Podcast Subscription Apps: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scottcgillespie

#RealisticRegenAg | White patches in a field are often referred to as alkali patches. The underlying problem may be high pH – alkalinity – but the salt in and of itself is not at a high pH and therefore is not alkaline. When you see salt on the surface it is more properly called salinity. The reason for this is that alkalinity may or may not be there. If present it may be near the surface or it may be deeper down.

Compounding on this, alkalinity may not be present. Excess sodium cations – not excess sodium salts – could be the cause. Finally, just because you don’t see salt on the surface doesn’t mean salinity is not the problem. Regular soil testing helps to see these problems developing before they visibly manifest themselves.

Huge amounts of money are spent trying to fix these patches with products or practices that either don’t work or make it worse. Even if someone is not trying to fix it, they may be putting down fertilizer and seed every year with the hope of getting something, only to be disappointed at harvest time. Digging deeper – literally – and doing the proper tests will help you diagnose and decide. In this episode I’ll give an overview of how I approach this and why it is critical you get solid advice from a Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) or Professional Agrologist (P.Ag) that truly understands this issue.

Welcome to the sixth season of Plants Dig Soil, a podcast about #RealisticRegenAg. I’m your host, Scott Gillespie. I’m an author and independent agronomist from the Western Canadian Prairies specializing in Climate-Smart Agriculture. I focus on scientifically proven practices that benefit the planet and, just as importantly, farmers' economic sustainability. Be sure to visit my website, www.plantsdigsoil.com, to learn about my book “Practical Regeneration” and for services I that I offer for farmers and agribusiness.

Resources mentioned:
https://open.alberta.ca/publications/5333889
https://openpress.usask.ca/soilscience/chapter/soil-chemistry/
https://www.topcropmanager.com/solonetzic-soils-more-compact-more-complex-21506/
https://www.pioneer.com/us/agronomy/Base-Saturation-Cation-Exchange-Capacity.html

Transcript is available:
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/podcast/tight-soils

Newsletter signup:
https://mailchi.mp/plantsdigsoil/newsletter 
https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6944029544697802752

Realistic Regen Ag Channel (WhatsApp):
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaBofw37NoZxtgHSRl3S

Practical Regeneration: Realistic Strategies for Climate Smart Agriculture
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/books

My consulting packages:
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#consulting

Speaking, Teaching, & Workshop Design:
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/speaking

My funding service offerings:
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#paperwork
SCAP program details https://www.alberta.ca/sustainable-cap.aspx
OFCAF program details https://rdar.ca/funding-opportunities/ofcaf

Email: [email protected] 

X (aka Twitter) (Scott): https://twitter.com/scottcgillespie
X (aka Twitter) (Company): https://twitter.com/PlantsDigSoil

LinkedIn (Scott): https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottcgillespie/
LinkedIn (Company): https://www.linkedin.com/company/plants-dig-soil

YouTube: (Company): https://www.youtube.com/@scottcgillespie
Podcast Subscription Apps: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scottcgillespie

#RealisticRegenAg | I’ve been thinking more and more about the circular economy recently. Truly regenerative agriculture will return the nutrients back to the land. It may not be possible to bring it back to the exact piece of land, but starting to get more of these nutrients back to any piece of land is the starting of getting to the goal of regenerative. Most of the articles this month fit into this idea, though mostly with carbon, since that is the hot topic these days.

In case you’re new here, let me introduce myself. I’m an author and independent agronomist from the Western Canadian Prairies specializing in climate-smart agriculture. I focus on scientifically proven practices that benefit the planet and, just as importantly, farmers' economic sustainability. Be sure to visit my website, www.plantsdigsoil.com, to learn about my book “Practical Regeneration” and for services I that I offer for farmers and agribusiness.

Transcript:
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/podcast/circular-carbon-economy

Newsletter signup:
https://mailchi.mp/plantsdigsoil/newsletter 
https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6944029544697802752

Realistic Regen Ag Channel (WhatsApp):
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaBofw37NoZxtgHSRl3S

Practical Regeneration: Realistic Strategies for Climate Smart Agriculture
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/books

My consulting packages:
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#consulting

Speaking, Teaching, & Workshop Design:
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/speaking

My funding service offerings:
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#paperwork
SCAP program details https://www.alberta.ca/sustainable-cap.aspx
OFCAF program details https://rdar.ca/funding-opportunities/ofcaf

Email: [email protected] 

X (aka Twitter) (Scott): https://twitter.com/scottcgillespie
X (aka Twitter) (Company): https://twitter.com/PlantsDigSoil

LinkedIn (Scott): https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottcgillespie/
LinkedIn (Company): https://www.linkedin.com/company/plants-dig-soil

YouTube: (Company): https://www.youtube.com/@scottcgillespie
Podcast Subscription Apps: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scottcgillespie

#RealisticRegenAg | Have you ever thought that a weed could become a crop? They seem to grow no matter what you do, so why not find a use for it? The plants we use today for crops have been around for centuries and even for millennia. I heard about a new crop being developed from weed and it got me thinking: How do you go about this? This episode is mostly a thought experiment, but it’s a great way to stretch our thinking on what is a crop, what is a weed, and how weeds could be used as, or mimicked, in cover crops.

Welcome to the sixth season of Plants Dig Soil, a podcast about #RealisticRegenAg. I’m your host, Scott Gillespie, and I’m an author and independent agronomist from the Western Canadian Prairies specializing in climate-smart agriculture. I focus on scientifically proven practices that benefit the planet and, just as importantly, farmers' economic sustainability. Be sure to visit my website, www.plantsdigsoil.com, to learn about my book “Practical Regeneration” and for services I that I offer for farmers and agribusiness.

Articles mentioned: https://www.forbes.com/sites/juergeneckhardt/2024/04/22/biofuels-will-be-a-key-part-of-the-net-zero-solution/?sh=727765985de9
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13593-019-0592-0

Transcript is available:
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/podcast/weed-into-crop

Realistic Regen Ag Channel (WhatsApp): https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaBofw37NoZxtgHSRl3S

My consulting packages:
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#consulting

Speaking, Teaching, & Workshop Design:
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/speaking

My funding service offerings:
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#paperwork
SCAP overview: https://youtu.be/0icitHJR2lk
SCAP program details https://www.alberta.ca/sustainable-cap.aspx

Newsletter signup:
https://mailchi.mp/plantsdigsoil/newsletter 
https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6944029544697802752

Email: [email protected] 

X (aka Twitter) (Scott): https://twitter.com/scottcgillespie
X (aka Twitter) (Company): https://twitter.com/PlantsDigSoil

LinkedIn (Scott): https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottcgillespie/
LinkedIn (Company): https://www.linkedin.com/company/plants-dig-soil

YouTube: (Company): https://www.youtube.com/@scottcgillespie
Podcast Subscription Apps: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scottcgillespie

#RealisticRegenAg | The heat has come to southern Alberta! After never making it above 30C we are now in week well over 30C. This is going to be tough on nearly every crop as it’s right at flowering time or early seed fill. In the case of potatoes, the first set has been made and they are deciding how much to keep of their second set. Hopefully they keep them and get bulking!

How is it in your area? Reply back to this email if you like. It only comes to me.

Below is a small highlight of my business and then some articles that I’ve come across over the past month.

In case you’re new here, let me introduce myself. I’m an author and independent agronomist from the Western Canadian Prairies specializing in climate-smart agriculture. I focus on scientifically proven practices that benefit the planet and, just as importantly, farmers' economic sustainability. Be sure to visit my website, www.plantsdigsoil.com, to learn about my book “Practical Regeneration” and for services I that I offer for farmers and agribusiness.

Transcript:
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/podcast/adapt-then-mitigate

Newsletter signup:
https://mailchi.mp/plantsdigsoil/newsletter  https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6944029544697802752

Realistic Regen Ag Channel (WhatsApp): https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaBofw37NoZxtgHSRl3S

Practical Regeneration: Realistic Strategies for Climate Smart Agriculture
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/books

My consulting packages:
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#consulting

Speaking, Teaching, & Workshop Design:
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/speaking

My funding service offerings:
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#paperwork
SCAP program details https://www.alberta.ca/sustainable-cap.aspx
OFCAF program details https://rdar.ca/funding-opportunities/ofcaf

Email: [email protected] 

X (aka Twitter) (Scott): https://twitter.com/scottcgillespie
X (aka Twitter) (Company): https://twitter.com/PlantsDigSoil

LinkedIn (Scott): https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottcgillespie/
LinkedIn (Company): https://www.linkedin.com/company/plants-dig-soil

YouTube: (Company): https://www.youtube.com/@scottcgillespie
Podcast Subscription Apps: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scottcgillespie