Middlefield, OH (PRWEB) November 09, 2013
Advancing Eco Agriculture, the leading provider of regenerative agriculture systems, discusses an initiative designed to test the outcomes of the use of regenerative agriculture practices.
According to an October 10, 2013 article published by Basque Research, titled "Neiker-Tecnalia is looking into regenerative practices to achieve more fertile soil and pastures with greater plant biodiversity," the LIFE Regen Farming Project, led by Neiker-Tecnalia, the Basque Institute of Agricultural Research and Development, is designed to create healthier and more fertile pastures that have greater plant biodiversity. As a party of the initiative, researchers will identify, demonstrate and transfer the best regenerative practices and propose that farmers adopt them in order to manage soil in more effective and sustainable ways.
Currently soil and crop management practices can reduce the quality and ecological diversity of soils. In the article, Neiker-Tecnalia suggests five basic steps to be taken to revitalize and maintain soil quality. These are based on a regenerative agriculture model which includes practices which enhance soil and plant health.
- Elimination of pesticides, herbicides and harmful chemical fertilizers.
- Use of natural fertilizers and soil amendments.
- Direct seeding of pastures. This is the practice of making small holes in soil where seeds are scattered as opposed to digging furrows that cause soil erosion.
- Use of perennial herbaceous species. This enables grass for more years, preserving soil quality longer.
- Planned grazing of herds. This is the process of taking livestock to specific places at the most "suitable" times in order to "optimize pasture outputs and use."
The study will take place on pastures located on "Neiker-Tecnalia land in Arkaute (Álava-Araba), on land belonging to INTIA in Roncesvalles (Navarre), in meadows for organic production devoted to the grazing of sheep of the latxa breed and in Orduña, on pastures for milk- and meat-producing cattle."
John Kempf, Founder and CEO of Advancing Eco Agriculture, the leading provider of regenerative biological agriculture systems, says, "Soil health plays a foundational role in plant health. The symbiotic relationship between soil health and plant health is the foundation of a regenerative agriculture systems. Plant photosynthesis drives soil biology and soil microbiology drives plant nutrition."
Advancing Eco-Agriculture (AEA), has created models for understanding the soil plant system and how this systems performance can be optimized with plant nutrition supplied at Critical Points of Influence (CPI’s). Our product technologies and consulting services help farmers around the world to grow healthier crops, regenerate soil health and improve farm economics. Our mission is to help farmers produce quality, disease and insect resistant, and high yielding crops by using a system based approach to providing complete plant nutrition.