Slash Synthetic Nitrogen Costs: Sustainable Solutions for Growers

Join Glen Rabenberg, founder of Soil Works LLC, as he unveils practical strategies to help growers dramatically reduce their synthetic nitrogen costs without compromising on quality or yield. In this insightful video, Glen shares sustainable solutions that not only save you money but also support soil health and environmental stewardship.
For more information and resources, visit www.soilworksl... or call us at 605.260.0784.
Glen's Tools (penetrometer, EC Meter, BRIX Refractometer): www.soilworksl...

[@brandillysmom]

I am so thankful that this channel popped up in my video feed.

[@davidkellerman9802]

You talk all this info sounds great but how can we fix the problem give us some examples on how to fix it and i hear something about your calcium to lower ph here in illinois we put lime witch is calcium to raise the ph if you can explain that in more detail

[@rageinthekage4247]

@@davidkellerman9802 Hi David. If calcium is deficient then adding helps but any large singular input is often a short term solution that may interrupt a long term one. Balancing rates of application can only be done by nature. We can take all the tests available and make decisions from there but the soil food web decides how the inputs are used. My solution is to add small doses of a large variety so as to not cause massive changes too quickly. The soil may not need iron or magnesium right now but it's there while it lasts.

[@scottschaeffer8920]

Would have like to hear you mention how soil health gets in balance-i.e. the 7 principles. Reduced disturbance, living roots, legumes, crop diversity, etc. it was only eluded to. It’s time to start farming in a regenerative yolk.

[@rageinthekage4247]

@@scottschaeffer8920 Hi Scott. By adding a variety only small inputs the soil food web can regenerate when and where is needed. I am more focused on gardens and greenhouses rather than large field production but the cycle is similar enough. A row of carrots intermixed with a perennial such as grapes may not need riboflavin but the living pathways may. In comparison an area of a field of production crop may not need riboflavin but other areas of soil and crop in the same field whether a few meters away or on the other side of the quarter might.

[@stevengonzalez7729]

Much love Glen❤ Thanks for the wisdom!

[@lionrider1446]

Great video! So what’s the best methods to aerate the soils. Ie. If high pressure or very low pressure in the soil. What’s the solutions ?

[@nursenkaradagcol2166]

I didn't know about that nitrogen in air is in dual form (dipole bond) and that soil types without good levels of oxygen (compacted) cannot take in this form of nitrogen. .

[@rageinthekage4247]

The soil food web and the life in it need to be able to work symbiotically. Balance is key. Fertilizers, amendments and supplements are all fine if added when needed, or at least in small amounts that don't destroy the balance. Practices of the last 70 years in farming and gardening have been pushed by profit towards blindly adding short term gains without consideration of long term effects. I'm working on a biochar that isn't what most people or the IBI (International Biochar Initiative) would say qualifies as biochar. I mix pyrolysis made char with fire made char, so the end product is more like what is found after a forest ire.The idea is to give soil inhabitants carbon they can break down quickly and also carbon that is a tool to use for centuries. I am working on an inoculant that brings to the soil what the soil food web needs. It's all about regular people having a product they can afford and use simply to amend soil that will grow more nutrient dense food. Kick starting with microbes and nutrients and letting the soil food web use what it needs.

[@denniskemnitz1381]

WOW. Please report research. Dennis

[@nancyleicht5782]

I find thiis so amazingly interesting. Thankyou

[@Saskatchewan_IH_Farmer]

Ok question then. What about here on the Canadian Prairies. Here in SE Saskatchewan we only have 6” at most of topsoil, then straight to clay. Not to mention the wind here causes major erosion. What would you suggest? Do we continue with no till? I have heard in years past that we had an oxygen deficiency. But I would like to cut down on our fertilizer/nitrogen costs.

[@thomassiegfried5409]

Build wind breaks and berms, on contour swales and terraces and then add in organic matter and worms carbon etc

[@dnawormcastings]

Great video as always 🇳🇿❤️

[@edeancozzens3833]

Good job Glen. Keep up the good work.

[@denniskemnitz1381]

Sounds a bit like elemental sucrose C, H and O elements are beneficial for plants....could that be the case?

[@ThePumpkinClub]

Another great video

[@JohnDoe-jq5wy]

GREAT STUFF 👍👍🙏

[@kevinkelleher7868]

Hi Glen . Im a dairy farmer in Ireland and country is locked into a high stocking rate and high nitrogen 3 week grazing cycle . Im not sure to convert out of this . If we cut nitrogen the grass seems yellow and scarce . I know the forced green grass isn't great feed but it's the bulk we need to feed them .

[@henrymorton8443]

Have a look at the tow and fert.

[@kevinkelleher7868]

@henrymorton8443 Hi Henry I have looked into the tow and fert system but the machine is overpriced for what is basically a boom less sprayer . It would take many years of fertiliser savings to pay for it . I am spraying nitrogen at the moment ( dissolved urea mainly) but results are mixed .

[@farmideas]

I've retired from dairy farming (25 years) but continue with Practical Farm Ideas magazine. Like you, Kevin, it was all about maximising cows, lots of N and lots of runny slurry partic with fresh grass. I should have changed the feed system. But like many fools I went on doing the same thing and expecting a different reslt. Looking back I should have had the cows in cubicles at night with some nice barley straw for them to eat. The dung would have stiffened, the SNF and BF improved. Plus it would be easier to catch the ones needing insemination. In the grazing fields I should have always used a back fence and moved it regularly. I should have altered the feed barriers - standard diagonals - to an adjustable rail which they couldn't push against. This would have prevented some of the hind foot problems. I should have had small water troughs fed from a header tank. Easy to clean giving them fresh water. www.farmideas.co.uk

[@GrowBagUK]

If your soil is prone to leeching you could look at zeolite and or biochar. Some farms lose over half the nitrogen applied...better to try trap more of that run-off.

[@danthurman9076]

Just what is synthetic nitrogen ?

[@brucemcnee4818]

How do you increase the carbon to oxygen?

[@DaveE99]

Carbon I assume compost and biochar, I know it’s more porous than mineral soil.

[@DaveE99]

He also mentioned the carbon to nitrogen ratio test

[@Yesimthatkid]

Grow plants. Lots of plants all the time! This is what cover crops are all about

[@johnhealy6260]

Brilliant

[@moosa9850]

This is the only time, where one repeats the same thing to achive better yields and capture carbon and help the environment. Continue with the boring farming practices

[@user-ux3ie4he1b]

❤

[@souljahroch2519]

Yeah, don't use it.

[@Ultimatefitness360]

Whats the right way to add molasses in soil and how much for one acre ??

[@asaadfahim5864]

Careful,molasses slightly acidic if not use corectly

[@Ultimatefitness360]

@@asaadfahim5864 most soils are alklaine at present so adding acidic amendment is not a problem