Wedoany.com Report-Feb 28, In the late 1990s, Kurt Stiefvater, a farmer from South Dakota, nearly abandoned his efforts to adopt no-till farming. Having practiced it for ten years, he struggled with the method initially. "I just didn’t understand the transition time to go from low tillage, a one-pass tillage system to no-till and how your soil has to adjust biologically," he explains. Despite this, the fourth-generation grower persisted, enhancing his approach by diversifying crop rotations and improving soil nutrients.

Today, Stiefvater manages his farm near Salem, South Dakota, cultivating corn, soybeans, oats, grain sorghum, winter wheat, alfalfa, and cover crops, alongside a cattle operation. He notes a significant reduction in commercial fertilizer use. "I use less commercial fertilizer now, less N, P, and K," he says. "I’ve doubled organic matter on some fields in the last 15 years. I don’t have the erosion from wind or water as much [as I did before no-till]." This shift has helped retain soil on his land.

Stiefvater follows five soil health principles: minimizing soil disturbance, maximizing soil cover, diversifying plants, maintaining living roots, and integrating livestock. These practices have boosted organic matter in some areas from 2% to 4% and cut nitrogen use from 1.1 pounds per bushel to 0.70 pounds. Potassium and phosphorus applications have also dropped by 30%, with no yield loss. "With less chemical disturbance, use of crop rotations and cover crops, I have learned to manage my soils and make nutrients more available to the plants," he explains. Tile lines on his entire acreage filter water before it reaches watersheds, preserving soil nutrients.

His efforts extend beyond soil improvement. Reduced fertilizer, equipment, and labor costs have lowered expenses. Stiefvater also employs rotational grazing on pastures. "I also do rotational grazing on my pastures," he says. "And I get more animal units use out of my acres of pasture with better weed control and less chemical use." Cover crops, used on 25% to 35% of his land annually, provide winter feed for cattle and protect soil from erosion with species like turnips, radishes, oats, and sunflowers.

Stiefvater shares his knowledge as a mentor, speaking at South Dakota State University and hosting soil health events. He also addresses rural mental health, emphasizing the benefits of diversified farming to reduce stress. "In my talk, I share how stressful it can be by not having crop or livestock diversity in your operation," he advises. Looking ahead, he aims to incorporate more cover crops and produce compost extract to further enhance soil biology and cut costs, hoping his daughters might one day continue his sustainable practices on the family farm.