Soil Health Labs

In this episode of the SoilHealthLabs podcast series, Buz Kloot and Joe Dickie chat with Dr. Fred Provenza, professor emeritus of Behavioral Ecology at Utah State University, and author of several important books on animal behavior and land stewardship. Our discussion delves into the profound connections between healthy grasslands and healthy livestock, with Fred sharing personal stories and research that highlight the intricate relationships between soil, plants, animals, and humans.

Fred begins by recounting his early experiences working with Henry DeLuca, a rancher who started in the late 1800s. Henry’s deep understanding of his land and livestock left a lasting impression on Fred, particularly Henry’s practice of retaining his own replacement heifers to ensure they "knew the range." This experience shaped Fred’s lifelong exploration of the dynamic interplay between animals and their environments.

As the conversation progresses, Fred shares intriguing anecdotes about the mutual learning that occurs between livestock mothers and their young. He describes how a calf might explore and learn to eat a plant that the mother avoids, eventually leading the mother to try it as well. This two-way street of learning is crucial for the herd's adaptability and the health of the landscape.

The discussion also touches on the innovative methods used to train livestock, such as using a bitter, non-toxic substance to deter cows from nibbling on saplings. These stories illustrate how thoughtful, experience-based interventions can create sustainable practices that benefit both the animals and the environment.

The conversation then moved towards the wisdom of shepherds, contrasting their role with that of herders. Fred explains that while a herder might direct animals where to go, a shepherd observes and learns from the animals, allowing them to naturally select the plants they need. This approach not only supports animal health but also promotes the biodiversity of the landscape, which is essential for maintaining a healthy ecosystem.

Fred shares insights from his collaboration with French shepherds, particularly with co-author Michel Meuret (see additional resources below), highlighting how they use sequencing in grazing to optimize both animal and land health. By understanding which plants to graze first and in what order, shepherds can ensure that the landscape is utilized sustainably, preventing overgrazing and promoting a balanced ecosystem.

The conversation also explores the broader implications of reconnecting with our food systems. Fred reflects on the disconnect between modern agricultural practices and the land, using the example of Montana—a state rich in cattle but reliant on imported beef, and the talk he gave at Montana’s Old Salt Festival. This disconnect, he argues, has weakened our sense of community and our relationship with the land.

As the episode concludes, Fred emphasizes the importance of re-establishing these connections. The wisdom gained from shepherds and their relationship with the land and animals offers valuable lessons for how we approach our food systems today. This episode is a call to action, urging listeners to rediscover the value of experiential knowledge in maintaining the health of our ecosystems.

Additional Resources:

• Dr. Fred Provenza’s Talk at Utah State University: The Web of Life Event
• Dr. Fred Provenza’s Books:
  • Nourishment: What Animals Can Teach Us about Rediscovering Our Nutritional Wisdom
  • Foraging Behavior: Managing to Survive in a World of Change
  • The Art & Science of Shepherding: Tapping the Wisdom of French Herders
• Old Salt Co-Op (Montana) website: https://www.oldsaltco-op.com/
• NY Times Article: Montana has more Cows than People: Why Are Locals Eating Beef from Brazil? https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/13/business/montana-meat-old-salt-co-op.html

In this conversation with Soil Scientist Buz Kloot, Dwayne Beck— former research manager to Dakota Lakes Research Farm— discusses the destructive effects of some traditional land management techniques, one of which being tillage. Tillage consistently disrupts soil pore structure and leads to the loss of organic matter, initiating a downward spiral towards desertification. He references the Sahara Desert as an example, which was once a grassland but turned into a desert due to the loss of nutrients.

Beck highlights the importance of integrated farming practices that consider the land’s natural vegetation and climate. On his travels, particularly in Australia, he noticed significant differences in ecosystems based on rainfall patterns and soil water retention. He notes the challenge of farming in regions like Western and Eastern Australia, where the climate and soil conditions differ from grassland regions. He notes that in tree-dominated regions, water moves deep into the soil during winter, beyond the reach of grass-type crops. This creates a challenge under standard agricultural approaches; nutrients being in the soil, but too deep for crops to reach.

He shares his insights on potential solutions, such as integrating perennial crops like sorghum in summer to utilize the nutrient cycles effectively. Dwayne mentions Colin Seis, who developed a system called "pasture cropping" or "grain and graze," which integrates tall grass species and winter crops to create a mixed-species system that enhances nutrient cycling and works in tandem with the seasons. He highlights the benefits of having a mix of perennials and annuals, as it more closely resembles natural ecosystems—urging farmers to not grow dependent on perennial grains. While annual crops focus on producing seeds, perennials primarily aim to survive until the next year— noting that Seis’ ‘grain and graze’ approach, while an insightful guidepost, will not work in every climate.

Dwayne addresses the historical importance of megaherbivores in maintaining landscapes, and how the absence of these animals affects current ecosystems. The subsequent deficiency of deep-rooted species contributes to what he calls a leaky system: soil pH deficiencies leading to water and nutrient leakage. He references Randy Anderson's concept of a "death spiral," and emphasizes the need to restore the soil community to as close to its native condition as possible. This involves reintroducing diversity to rebuild soil’s capacity and productivity.

In a follow-up conversation with Kloot, Beck discusses ongoing challenges and potential solutions for farming in the Jim River region, specifically focusing on salinity issues. Dwayne emphasizes the importance of integrating perennials into farming systems to address these issues, noting that perennials could help manage salinity, although every property will have its own unique needs.

Beck highlights the benefits of having a mix of perennials and annuals, as it more closely resembles natural ecosystems. He notes how pH problems often stem from nutrient cycling deficiencies rather than input deficiencies, recounting an instance where he was asked in a conference how far a farmer would need to go to get lime. Beck’s answer was “Three feet.” He wants to remind farmers that lime is often in the soil, possibly beyond the reach of their standard crops, rather than miles away in a lime mine.

Beck expressed his concern about the increasing emphasis on bio-oil crops like canola, flax, and soybeans, warning that an over-reliance on these crops could exacerbate issues in the Corn Belt. He also mentions innovative uses for crop residues, such as making lumber from corn stalks, and suggests that tallgrass plants could be harvested biennially for biomass production while still benefiting the soil. He acknowledges that while this approach is not as beneficial as grazing, it is still better than many standard agricultural practices.

In all, Beck’s wealth of understanding on crop management and long-term planning underscores the need for strategic thinking in sustainable farming, and makes for an insightful conversation about regenerative land management.

Additional Links:

Dr Randy Anderson’s Spiral of Soil Regeneration:

Part 1: https://www.growingresiliencesd.com/videos?wix-vod-video-id=6mckHaT2Giw&wix-vod-comp-id=comp-l0v2ecy2

Part 2: https://www.growingresiliencesd.com/videos?wix-vod-video-id=aoT8x0VWu_I&wix-vod-comp-id=comp-l0v2ecy2

Part 3: https://www.growingresiliencesd.com/videos?wix-vod-video-id=jJwtd5UtUak&wix-vod-comp-id=comp-l0v2ecy2

Pasture Cropping with Colin Seis:

https://www.wool.com/on-farm-research/weather-the-drought-with-regenerative-agriculture/

Dakota Lakes Research Farm:

http://dakotalakes.com/

In this week’s SoilHealthLabs podcast, Gabe and Buz have a chat with Russell Hedrick, a first-generation farmer who began his agricultural journey in 2012 with a focus on no-till farming to minimize equipment costs. Introduced to cover crops by NRCS's Lee Holcomb, he faced skepticism from older farmers but garnered interest from younger peers curious about his methods.

Since then, Hedrick's farm has expanded significantly, collaborating with distilleries and diversifying into cattle and pasture pigs, although they've scaled back livestock due to time constraints. They also produce and sell grits and cornmeal under their brands, ensuring financial security with premium prices far exceeding market rates.

Their diverse crop portfolio includes specialty corn varieties like Jimmy Red and Blue Hopi, favored by distilleries for superior taste profiles and tested for nutrient density despite lower yields.

Buz praises Hedrick's innovation and asks about agroecology and soil health. Hedrick humorously shares a story about a Missouri farmer's struggle with soil health understanding, reflecting on the financial pressures in commodity agriculture that hinder risk-taking.

Reflecting on his early farming days, starting small allowed Hedrick to experiment and learn, boosted by resources like the "Undercover Farmers" video and supportive farmer networks. He details initial challenges with cover crops but notes significant soil health improvements over 12 years, emphasizing increased microbial activity.

Gabe queries the condition of Hedrick's land pre-cover crops, described as degraded despite decades of conventional farming. Hedrick credits cover crops for reducing nitrates in soil and controlling weeds, enhancing water table health.

Buz shifts to community support in farming innovation. Hedrick stresses the importance of addressing specific farmer concerns like finances or erosion, fostering change and practice adoption.

The interview delves into consumer-farmer disconnects, technology's role, and collaborative learning's value. Hedrick shares urbanite struggles on the farm and advocates for knowledge-sharing within farming communities, citing mentorship benefits from peers like Gabe Brown.

He reflects on past errors like overly dense cover crops and excessive organic matter, urging balance in farming practices. His farm's large-scale trials yield data-driven improvements in fertilizer efficiency, influenced by university and private sector collaborations.

Discussing technology integration, Hedrick mentions AI for accessing agricultural research insights, enhancing farm decisions. He extols a lab service offering precise nutrient deficiency corrections, countering generic fertilizer use.

Hedrick highlights regenerative farming's scientific evolution, balancing tradition and innovation. His farm innovations, from Australian compost methods to fertility enhancers, underscore sustainability and yield success.

Hedrick's dynamic farming blends tradition with modern innovations for sustainable productivity. His insights on soil health, consumer education, and farmer collaboration illustrate a progressive approach to agriculture.

To see more about farmer experiences like Russell’s, check out our “Under Cover Farmers” video that he mentions influenced him.

To find out more about Russell and his ag. support and consulting company with Liz Haney, visit https://www.agsoilregen.com/.

Have a question for Russell? Contact him here: [email protected] or through Facebook messenger (fb.com/russell.e.hedrick)

In a lively interview with Buz Kloot, Joe Dickie and Lynn Betts, Maygen and Noah of the band Maygen & the Birdwatcher delve into the origins and evolution of their musical journey and their collaboration with the South Dakota Grasslands Coalition. 

The discussion began with Maygen recounting her unexpected path into music, having grown  up with 90’s country music in the house thanks to her mother. After having children, she overcame her fear of performing and began as a studio vocalist, eventually forming a duo called Sparrow's Rising. This partnership led to an opportunity to open for the Indigo Girls, where she met Noah, a talented guitarist who shared her passion for music.

Noah's background contrasted Maygen's as he grew up disliking country music, influenced by his father's farm boy roots but personally drawn to classic rock and metal. His appreciation for country music grew over time, and when Maygen and Noah met, they clicked immediately, both musically and personally, leading to the formation of Maygen & the Birdwatcher around 2018.

Their collaboration matured, with Noah stepping into songwriting and contributing significantly to their melodies, lyrics and message. The pair continually pushed each other to learn and grow, resulting in a dynamic and evolving musical partnership.

The conversation then shifted to their acclaimed project, "Where Good Things Grow." Lynn Betts, a consultant for the South Dakota Grassland Coalition, recounted how he discovered Maygen & the Birdwatcher while searching for the perfect band to create a song for a campaign promoting the benefits of grasslands. He spent considerable time listening to various Midwest artists before finding their sound ideal for the project.

Maygen and Noah eagerly embraced the challenge. Inspired by the coalition's work and their own experiences touring the grasslands, they crafted lyrics that captured the essence of the landscape and the interconnectedness of its ecosystem. They wrote two songs initially and combined elements from both to create the final version of "Where Good Things Grow," which resonated deeply with the themes of the campaign.

The intention from the start was to produce a music video, which eventually featured the band performing amidst the prairie, visually complementing the song's message. The result was a powerful and evocative portrayal of the grasslands' beauty and significance.

In recognition of their outstanding work, Maygen & the Birdwatcher received an award from the South Dakota Grassland Coalition, underscoring the impact and excellence of their contribution. The project not only showcased their musical talents but also highlighted the importance of preserving natural landscapes, blending art and advocacy in a compelling way.

Overall, this interview highlights the band's journey, their creative process, and this meaningful and innovative collaboration with the South Dakota Grassland Coalition that defines new ways music and advocacy can intertwine.

Links: 

https://wheregoodthingsgrow.org/

Watch the full video for ‘Where Good Things Grow” at

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FklZNJWNxcY

To find out more about Maygen and Noah, go to: https://www.maygenandthebirdwatcher.com/

or follow them on Facebook or Instagram. @maygenandthebirdwatcher

In this podcast episode, we chat with Greg Brown, a market gardener at Greenleaf Farms in Columbia, South Carolina. Greg's farm spans about an acre, where he grows a variety of flowers and produce organically, despite not being certified organic. He sells his products at a local farmer's market and to some local restaurants, but his main focus is a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program he runs with another farmer.

Greg began his farming journey in Atlanta, Georgia, before moving to Columbia due to health issues that necessitated a heart transplant. Post-recovery, he resumed farming in Columbia about five years ago. He rents an acre of land where he grows various crops, including unique and lesser-known ones like ginger and lemongrass, to keep his farming interesting and to offer something different at the market.

In addition to growing crops, Greg practices companion planting and uses various soil health techniques. He uses lemongrass as mulch and creates his own compost and plant extracts to enrich the soil and manage pests. Greg emphasizes the importance of soil health and regenerative practices, like using cover crops and Korean natural farming techniques, to improve soil organic matter and nutrient levels. He also highlights the role of flowers in attracting pollinators and beneficial insects to his garden.

Greg's approach to farming includes creating natural treatments from plants like comfrey and yarrow, which he ferments into sprays to enhance soil and plant health. He is also enthusiastic about using locally available materials like fall leaves and rice hulls for mulch and composting.

Overall, Greg's focus is on maintaining a sustainable and organic farming practice, enriching the soil naturally, and providing unique, high-quality produce to his community.

Helpful Links

Follow Greg and Greenleaf farms on social media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/greenleaffarmssc

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greenleaf_farms_sc

For more podcast episodes, videos, blogs and other free resources, check out our website: soilhealthlabs.com

In this first-of-its-kind episode on the Soil Health Labs podcast, we share big news on our expansion into South Carolina. Join us as we introduce Dr. Gabe Kenne, a molecular biologist turned soil health advocate, who will be leading our efforts in the Southeast. This episode sets the stage for what’s to come, sharing insights into the different agricultural landscapes and practices of South Carolina while maintaining our commitment to soil health principles that benefit land managers everywhere.

We start by discussing the podcast's new focus, emphasizing the universal applicability of soil health principles and the value that South Carolina's unique agricultural conditions will bring to our audience. Dr. Kenne provides an overview of his work in South Carolina, highlighting his transition from molecular biology to hands-on soil health advocacy.

The conversation covers several key projects, including the Cover 5 Project, which demonstrates the benefits of cover crops on poor land, and the Evaluate, Quantify, and Share Project, aimed at helping producers adopt soil health practices with tailored support. Dr. Kenne also shares updates on the Soil Health Labs website, which now features a wealth of archived and new content, and highlights our active social media presence on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

We also preview our first SC episode (coming soon) featuring Greg Brown. Greg is a successful small-scale vegetable and flower producer in South Carolina. Greg's innovative marketing strategies and strong community presence provide a fascinating case study in successful agricultural practices and community engagement.

As we close, we express our excitement for the upcoming South Carolina-focused episodes and encourage our South Dakota listeners to stay tuned for valuable content. We invite everyone to explore the updated Soil Health Labs website and connect with us on social media for more soil health insights. 

Thank you for joining us, and stay tuned for more from the Soil Health Labs podcast!

To learn more about what we're up to (and for more free content and resources), visit our website: soilhealthlabs.com

In this episode, South Dakota rancher Dan Rasmussen discusses the evolution in practice and mindset needed to sustain ranching in South Dakota. Rasmussen emphasizes the importance of maintaining certain traditional elements of cowboy culture, like community cooperation, while adapting modern, sustainable practices for the benefit of the land, people, and livestock.

Rasmussen's family has been on their South Dakota ranch since 1914. He expresses the need for ranchers to operate their businesses efficiently to preserve the prairie and its ecosystem. He highlights the role of healthy soil, achieved through improved grazing management, as the key to sustainable ranching. Rasmussen's approach involves increasing stocking rates, protecting native prairie, and enhancing soil health to maintain the ranching culture and benefit the environment.

Rasmussen's involvement with the South Dakota Grassland Coalition, where he manages a consulting program to help ranchers implement conservation practices, reflects his commitment to these principles. He discusses the value of education, openness and curiosity in transitioning from conventional season-long grazing to rotational grazing practices that enhance soil health.

Rasmussen also emphasizes the importance of working with nature within ranch management. He discusses the value of rotational grazing, explaining how moving cattle through different pastures in a systematic way helps maintain soil health and supports natural processes. This method allows grass to grow, get grazed, and recover, which ensures better insulation for the soil and longer periods of microbial activity, even in winter.

When addressing the challenges ranchers face in transitioning to new grazing practices, Dan introduces the Dunning-Kruger effect. This psychological phenomenon describes how people with limited knowledge often overestimate their competence, while those with more experience recognize the complexity and feel less confident. Dan explains that new ranchers often get excited and invest heavily after attending a grazing school, only to face difficulties and become disillusioned. To combat this, he stresses the importance of making small, manageable changes and building a support network of mentors and consultants. 

Overall, Dan advocates for gradual change, continuous education, and collaboration to achieve healthy soil and successful ranch management while preserving the beneficial elements of traditional ranching culture.

Links:

Downloadable file with 3 graphics that Dan discusse namely (1) Cowboy Life (2) continuum of grazing practices and (3) Dunning-Kreuger effect.

https://f128aa36-278c-4eaa-b840-56a99c2a36ae.usrfiles.com/ugd/f128aa_93829f834b9746e0896f54759b2946f5.pdf

Our Amazing Grasslands Video of the 33 ranch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXWZhkOiyZ4

SD Grasslands Coalition: https://sdgrass.org/

SD Grasslands Coalition Range Consulting program: https://sdgrass.org/range-consulting-program/

SD Grasslands Grazing School: https://sdgrass.org/grazing-school/

Dwayne Beck is the former Research Manager at Dakota Lakes Research Farm in Pierre, South Dakota. Soil Health Labs researcher Buz Kloot spoke with him in 2013 and again in 2023 about his journey at Dakota Lakes.

When Dakota Lakes Research Farm was first established by local farmers in the early 1980s, the aim was to address irrigation challenges exacerbated by rising energy costs. Dwayne Beck was a graduate student at the time studying irrigation research and ushered the farm toward emphasis on efficient water usage, not only in irrigated but also dryland areas. Over time, the farm's focus expanded beyond irrigation to encompass both dryland and irrigation research, its current goal being to identify, research, and demonstrate methods of strengthening and stabilizing the agriculture economy.

Over time, through the Dakota Lakes property, Beck expanded the regional pool of research on blossoming topics in regenerative agriculture: holistic no-till approaches, effective uses of irrigation, and the conditions necessary to bolster a native mixed-grass prairie ecosystem.

“Farmers are doing ‘no till’ in the US in some ways that don't make much sense, because there's no diversity and there's no attention to water cycles and nutrient cycles and sunlight, they’re just not doing tillage– basically just a conventional system with the tillage taken out.”

Now, ten years after first speaking to Beck, he has witnessed a local rebirth in small agricultural communities. There has been a noted increase in those working in fertilizer, cropping support businesses, and grain elevators, alongside a heightened understanding of the farmer’s power in soil health issues. Land value has increased, and with it, a broader understanding that healthy soils mean for a healthy community.

“How do you change the social moorings, so to speak, of a whole area? In the old days, if we had soil erosion happening, ditches filling with dirt-- which was common-- that was just seen as an act of God, something beyond the farmer’s control. And that part has changed.”

Beck hopes in the future to engage non-farming members and absentee landowners in issues of local agriculture. Particularly absentee landowners that rent local land don’t often have an intimate understanding of how the land is being managed— Beck would like to engage these landowners and invite them to express a vested interest in what’s happening on their land and within their soils.

Engage with Dakota Lakes’ Virtual Field day through the 2020 video series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTZDoxH1GkisubbRzKxg2XA_PIzzPE8PM

Get in touch with Dakota Lakes Research Farm through their website, http://www.dakotalakes.com/contact/ where there is also information on membership.

In this interview segment between Buz Kloot and Joe Dickie of Lee Briese, Lee Briese discusses his background as an independent crop consultant in East Central North Dakota, specializing in managing salinity issues. He explains how salinity affects crop yields due to osmotic pressure, which makes it difficult for plants to absorb water. Lee emphasizes the complexity of managing salinity, debunking myths such as the belief that tillage improves the situation.

He attributes the worsening of salinity issues to factors like changes in crop rotations, emphasizing that certain crops like corn and soybeans are less tolerant to salinity compared to wheat and barley. Lee discusses the impact of wet and dry cycles on salinity levels, noting that while some actions may temporarily dilute salts, they don't solve the underlying problem.

Lee also addresses the concentration of salinity along roadways due to poor drainage, highlighting the need for watershed-based solutions. He compares managing salinity to managing a wildfire, emphasizing the importance of coordinated efforts across different properties to effectively address the issue.

Overall, the interview provides valuable insights into the challenges of managing salinity in agricultural landscapes and the need for holistic, watershed-based approaches to address this complex issue.

Briese delves into the concept of "Lean Acres," areas of farmland that fail to yield any profit despite receiving inputs. He compares these unproductive areas to hired workers who consistently fail to show up for work, emphasizing the need for farmers to address them promptly. According to Briese, these areas essentially drain resources without providing any return, akin to an unproductive employee.

He illustrates this point by posing a rhetorical question: How long would it take a farmer to fire someone who never shows up for work? The implication is clear - such inefficiencies cannot be tolerated in a business setting, and the same principle should apply to farming operations. Briese suggests that Lean Acres, which have been receiving full inputs without generating any yield, should be treated similarly.

Briese highlights the swiftness with which unproductive workers are typically let go, often within a week. He draws a parallel to the agricultural context, noting that farmers have been allowing these unproductive acres to persist for several years before taking action. This delay in addressing the issue only exacerbates the problem, prolonging the drain on resources.

To remedy the situation, Briese advocates for reassigning these unproductive acres to different tasks that are more suitable. He proposes alternative jobs such as creating wildlife habitat or planting high-tolerance crops like barley or sunflower. By giving these acres a new purpose, farmers can mitigate their negative impact and potentially even derive some value from them.

Moreover, Briese stresses the importance of managing expenses effectively, especially in areas where crops consistently fail to thrive. He suggests that farmers should refrain from investing further resources into these unproductive areas and instead focus on optimizing input usage elsewhere on the farm.

Furthermore, Briese discusses the significance of adjusting expectations when transitioning to alternative land management strategies. While the shift may not result in the same level of profitability as traditional crop production, it can still yield positive outcomes in terms of cost savings and environmental stewardship.

In conclusion, Briese emphasizes the need for proactive management of Lean Acres and encourages farmers to explore alternative land use options. By reevaluating their approach and making strategic adjustments, farmers can mitigate losses and potentially turn unproductive areas into assets for their operations. Briese's insights underscore the importance of adaptability and resourcefulness in modern agricultural practices.

We’re excited for the second podcast in this series that we call “Atlas Brainstorming with Dr. Dwayne Beck”.  The original interviews we conducted were in 2013 at Dakota Lakes Research Farm (DLRF) and then Buz Kloot followed up with Dr.  Beck in 2024 to see what had happened in the interim.

In this second 2013 interview between Buz and Dwayne, they discuss Dwayne's philosophy of science, particularly focusing on soil health and agriculture. Dwayne explains his systems approach, which is influenced by his upbringing on a farm and his background in chemistry and physics. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the interconnectedness of biological systems and using basic ecological principles to guide agricultural practices.

Dwayne also talks about the challenges he faced in transitioning to sustainable agriculture, especially during a time when funding for research was declining. He highlights the need to balance environmental sustainability with economic viability, acknowledging the real-world constraints faced by farmers.

Throughout the conversation, Dwayne emphasizes the importance of practical research that yields tangible results, contrasting it with purely theoretical or PR-driven approaches. He emphasizes the need for research to be grounded in practical application and tested in real-world conditions, using the metaphor of whether "the dog hunts" to illustrate the concept of effectiveness in agricultural practices.

Overall, the interview provides insights into Dwayne's pragmatic and interdisciplinary approach to agricultural research, highlighting the importance of integrating scientific principles with practical considerations for sustainable farming practices.

In the 2024 interview between Buz and Dwayne Beck regarding progress at Dakota Lakes Research Farm, Dwayne Beck emphasizes the long-term nature of the results achieved, particularly in response to effective management practices. He highlights the importance of sustainable agricultural management strategies that not only deliver immediate benefits but also contribute to long-term success and resilience.

Dwayne stresses the significance of implementing management practices that are environmentally friendly while also being economically viable. He discusses how their approach at Dakota Lakes involves a combination of ecological principles, practical farming experiences, and scientific research to develop sustainable solutions. This approach, according to Dwayne, is essential for ensuring that the results achieved are not short-lived but have lasting impacts on soil health, crop productivity, and overall farm sustainability.

Furthermore, Dwayne underscores the need to continually evaluate and adapt management practices based on ongoing research and practical outcomes. He discusses the collaborative efforts with researchers from South Dakota State University, indicating a commitment to integrating academic insights with on-the-ground experiences to drive continuous improvement and long-term success at Dakota Lakes Research Farm.

Overall, Dwayne's perspective emphasizes the crucial role of effective and forward-thinking management in achieving sustainable agricultural outcomes that endure over time.

Engage with Dakota Lakes’ Virtual Field day through the 2020 video series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTZDoxH1GkisubbRzKxg2XA_PIzzPE8PM

Get in touch with Dakota Lakes Research Farm through their website, http://www.dakotalakes.com/contact/ where there is also information on membership.