Is it possible to farm without synthetic fertilizers? Jason Doebelin, a farmer in Missouri, describes his journey into fertilizer-free farming utilizing biologicals and strategies to make soil nutrients more available to crops.
Show Notes
This episode covers a wide variety of topics around biological alternatives to synthetic fertilizers. Does it still make sense to farm like grandpa and dad did? Here, we explore the latest science and gain personal perspectives from several proponents of biological-based strategies. Here a few important moments from this podcast:
- 00:00: Jason's overview of his fertilizer-free farming strategy.
- 9:25: What's so important about pH?
- 10:20: Soil biology is a critical link in a plant's food chain, so we need to feed it.
- 11:34: How soil compaction makes it hard for the "good guys" in the soil to boost yields.
- 17:20: Best practices for brix testing to get crop health insights you can use.
- 23:55: Are fungicide programs really a good idea?
- 46:15: Why apply biologicals multiple times throughout the growing season? Can you overpopulate your soil with microbes?
- 57:05: The logistics of biologicals. Do they store well, etc.?
- 1:18:26: Can you add the wrong biologicals to your soil? What's the best way to apply them?
- 1:26:15: How soil compaction is costing one grower 36 bushels per acre. What can you do to prevent this situation?
- 1:43:50: What is ORP or oxygen reduction potential? Why is it important?
- 2:02:30: Carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen: What your soil biology needs.
- 2:13:45: How do you manage all the moving parts of a cover crop program?
- 2:26:10: Wrap up: What does "standard" practice mean in agriculture? Does it still make sense to approach farming the way dad and grandpa did?
What is FCLG: Farmers Sharing Calls?
As farmers, we often choose our agronomy strategies alone, with only sales pitches to guide us. We worry for our farm’s future because our success depends on salespeople who may place their interests ahead of ours. The Fellowship of Christ Like Growers is working to change this with our Farmers Sharing Calls. Our podcasts are an opportunity to bless each other with shared knowledge without sales pitches and the pressure to buy something. We center our discussions around soil health, not a particular crop or region. My own 18-year journey in agriculture has taught me the importance of soil stewardship. And other farmers have inspired much of what I’ve learned. I’m George Sims, and I hope you’ll join us.