In any livestock enterprise, start from the ground up: know the soil.
For general farm planning, use the NRCS online soil surveys.
To find out:
- pH (acidity)
- mineral nutrient content
- organic matter content
take a soil sample and have it analyzed.
For broader measures of soil health, including physical (structure, slaking) and biological (earthworms, respiration) indicators, see NRCS’ soil health assessment pages.
Exploring Biochar
This intern report consists of an annotated research bibliography on biochar.
Two-Barrel Nested Biochar Retort
This is a drawing illustrating how a two-barrel nested biochar retort operates.
How We Converted Bermuda Pasture to Organic Vegetables
This fact sheet describes how to eliminate bermudagrass from future vegetable fields using a sorghum-sudangrass cover crop.
The Effects of Added Mineral Salts on Biochar Yield Using a Two-Barrel Nested Retort
This intern report describes the results of a series of trials designed to determine whether adding different mineral salts affected the quality of biochar produced in a two-barrel retort of a design used at the Kerr Center.
Biochar Feedstock Research Using a Two-Barrel Nested Retort
This intern report describes the results of a series of trials designed to determine which materials produce the most suitable biochar in a two-barrel biochar retort of a design used at the Kerr Center.
Feedstock Guide for a Two-Barrel Nested Biochar Retort
This intern report describes which feedstocks produce the most suitable biochar in a two-barrel biochar retort of a design used at the Kerr Center.
Soils and Organic Fertility Management
This presentation discusses the management of soil fertility under organic regulations.
Blending Guide for Low-Analysis Fertilizers
This handout discusses points to consider when blending organic fertilizers. It contains several tables of nutrient contents of different organic fertilizers.
Compost & Soil Humus Resource List
Hot Composting with the Berkeley Method
This intern report describes the results of a summer project that attempted to make finished compost in 14 days using the Berkeley method.
Sustainable Livestock Production Circle
This diagram illustrates the basic interconnection between soil, forages, animals, and weather in livestock production.
USDA-NRCS Soil Health Assessment
This page contains links to soil quailty indicator worksheets for assessing indicators of soil health, developed by USDA-NRCS.
Soil Sampling and Analysis
On-Farm Mortality Composting of Livestock Carcasses
ATTRA Resources on Sustainable/Organic Pasture and Forage Management
Soil Health and How it Relates to Healthy Cattle
This presentation covers simple soil health monitoring techniques, basic soil science, and sustainable livestock management.
A&L Reference Guide: Soil Sampling
This guide covers procedures, tools, sample preparation, size, depth, and timing, and recommendations for specialized sampling locations and situations.
Soil Test Interpretation for Vegetable Crops
This is Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service publication number HLA-6036.
A&L Soil Sample Information Sheet
This is a soil sample submission form from A&L Laboratories.
Soil Testing: The Right First Step
This is Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service leaflet number L-249.
OSU Soil Test Pricing
This is the 2011 fee schedule from OSU’s Soil, Water, and Forage Analytical Laboratory.
Soil Testing, Soil Sampling, and Soil Fertility
This presentation discusses soil nutrient management.
Soil Management: Site Selection, Soil Fertility
This presentation discusses the management of soils for market farming operations.
