What started as a desire to cut his crop input costs turned into a quest for greater soil health – and higher yield potential – for Denny Winterboer. “I was tired of what tillage was costing me in terms of diesel fuel,” said Winterboer, a corn and soybean grower from Milford, Iowa, who has been farming for 45 years. “Turns out there were a lot of other costs related to soil health that I hadn’t even considered.” Soil isn’t just an inert growing medium; it’s a complex ecosystem teeming with life. Billions of organisms live in the soil, including bacteria, fungi, nematodes and earthworms. In fact, one tablespoon of soil has more organisms in it than there are people on Earth, according to the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). And, viewing soil as a living ecosystem reflects a fundamental shift in the way farmers care for the land, said Nick Goeser, Ph.D., Director of the Soil Health Partnership. TOP TIPS FOR BUILDING SOIL HEALTH Limiting tillage. Reduced tillage means less erosion and runoff, which helps hold nutrients in place for crops to access. “Less tillage was a big change for me, because I grew up with the plow,” said Winterboer. “Not only has less tillage saved me money through less fuel usage, but it creates an environment that’s good for microbes and earthworms.” Healthy soil created by less tillage can also help buffer the crop against weather extremes, from drought to flooding, while offering an extra layer of protection from a variety of other stresses. This helps the crop maximize its genetic potential. Practices such as reduced tillage that can improve soil health also have the potential to improve water quality, according to Iowa State University Extension. Building organic matter. Organic matter levels are critical to successful crop production. Dead plant material is the largest component of organic matter, followed by living plant tissue and soil-inhabiting microbes, animals and insects. Organic matter improves soil tilth, aids in reducing compaction and surface crusting and increases water infiltration into the soil. Cover crops offer a way to help build organic matter. Each additional percentage point of organic matter in the soil releases 20 to 30 pounds of nitrogen, 4.5 to 6.6 pounds of phosphorus and 2 to 3 pounds of sulfur per year. Using biologicals. More organic matter in the soil benefits soil microbes, which are nature’s invisible workforce. Harnessing the power of these beneficial microbes is one of the biggest innovations in seed treatment technology today. Microbial soil amendments contribute to soil health by enhancing organic matter decomposition and nutrient cycling. This process helps improve soil structure, which limits soil erosion, increases water availability and helps plants withstand challenging weather conditions more successfully. PUT BIOLOGICALS TO WORK FOR YOU Modern technology is unlocking the secrets of microbial growth and survival. This is leading to new solutions for growers, including the Poncho/VOTiVO 2.0 seed treatment system, a next-generation corn seed treatment from Bayer. “Poncho/VOTiVO 2.0 is unlike any other seed treatment,” said Jennifer Riggs, product development manager with Bayer SeedGrowth™ . “It still brings all the advantages of the original Poncho/VOTiVO, plus the proven benefits from increased microbial activity.” The seed treatment provides broad-spectrum insect and nematode protection while boosting the root-soil environment for higher corn yield potential. A series of trials across the U.S. corn-growing regions has shown an average yield advantage of 14 bu./A** with Poncho/VOTiVO 2.0. Unlocking these secrets to soil health is the key to maximizing productivity and profitability. Farmers like Winterboer embrace new solutions that can help them reach their yield goals. “Keep learning, keep asking questions and keep focusing on continuous improvement,” he said. “Once you try to approach farming by focusing on soil health, you’ll never go back.” ADVERTORIAL Top Tips for Healthy Soil: Enhance the Soil Environment to Maximize Yield Potential 1. 2. 3. KEY TAKEAWAYS Soil health is one of the most critical components to ensure plants get the valuable nutrients they need to grow, especially early in the season. Best management practices to improve soil health include reduced tillage, increasing organic matter, introducing organic amendments, utilizing cover crops and increasing oxygen availability. The new Poncho® /VOTiVO® 2.0* seed treatment system provides early-season protection from above- and below-ground insects and nematodes and enriches the soil environment around the root, for healthier plants and higher yield potential. The systemic insecticide is quickly absorbed through the new roots, protecting the plant from insects above and below ground. A distinctive bacteria strain creates a living barrier that prevents damage from plant pathogenic nematodes and promotes root and plant growth. A second, complementary bacterium increases the productivity of soil around the root, resulting in an increase of available nutrients for the plant to use. **Compared to a commercial fungicide seed treatment. © 2017 Bayer CropScience LP, 2 TW Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709. Always read and follow label instructions. Bayer, the Bayer Cross, Poncho, and VOTiVO are registered trademarks of Bayer. Bayer SeedGrowth and TWO.O are trademarks of Bayer. Poncho/VOTiVO is not registered for use in all states. The components of the Poncho/VOTiVO 2.0 system are not registered for use in all states. For additional product information, call toll-free 1-866-99-BAYER (1-866-992-2937) or visit our website at www.CropScience.Bayer.us. CR0917PONVO2A026V00R0. THE PONCHO® /VOTiVO® 2.0 SEED TREATMENT SYSTEM *Poncho/VOTiVO 2.0 is a seed treatment system comprised of Poncho/VOTiVO (EPA Reg. No. 264-1109) and the soil amendment TWO.O.TM The components of Poncho/VOTiVO 2.0 seed treatment system are not registered for use in all states.