What if Farm Soil Could Grow ITSELF?

[@jasonwilliams8016]

One of the most educational soil videos I've seen, thank you!

[@hamishhunt9844]

Great set of interviews Tim - great to see both Niels and Phil in the dirt - this is where real understanding happens!!

[@garethingham8821]

Colin Seis pioneered this stuff with pasture cropping. Similar results with organic matter and production. He put a cash crop into a heavily grazed sheep pasture to fill feed gaps. Rather than soil disturbance he uses the dormancy of the grasses to his advantage. Great to see more people recognising this.

[@gregbell2117]

Could use a diagram about what it does, and a shorter explainer, but I think it's something like: 1) A mower on the front makes shredded plant waste 2) A hook disturbs a 20% wide strip of soil 3) That soil gets mixed with the plant waste, and seeds get mixed in The result is a seeded seed bed with ready-to-go plant waste fertiliser, knocked-down competition, and with soil broken up to aid in air and water filtration. 80% of the soil is undisturbed to serve as a refuge for fungi and other organisms.

[@landontesar3070]

There is a mechanism to lift soil adjacent to the soil disturbed by the hook, allowing air without adversely disturbing the fungi. Would like to understand the mechanism that does that.

[@Ifyouarehurtnointentwasapplied]

I'm stoked you are getting to meet the people who know about Fung and bacteria and microbes and everyone is getting to hear this the basis should be taught in school to everyone 👏✌️👍

[@ronchappel4812]

This is amazing to see! Great work guys! I notice it's similar to Percy Yeoman's work in the 50s/60s.His intent was to make whole farm irrigation methods that anyone could afford but he also succeeded in dramatically improving his soils similar to the results shown here. He started as weak grey top soils less of than 80mm over yellow clay.They were quickly turned into dark very deep topsoils of 300mm or more. In his case he did it with repeated cycles of 'aeration' and irrigation .The aeration was done with a chisel plow which would fully mix some soil but leave clumps of grass with their roots semi intact.That is the likely overlap with this method. I'm sure he didnt fully understand what was happening but i seem to remember him mentioning soil microbes. If i recall correctly he did understand the role irrigation played.Irrigating right after aeration would be especially good for microbes and fungi and is probably how he got such a dramatic change so quickly

[@rmonk10]

Great content and video Tim. I can personally vouch for the Soilkee. Has produced amazing results for low input cost. It has Significantly improved our profitability and soil health. A huge win/win for the farmer.

[@timcoates3821]

This machine was on Landline a few years back. Great to see farmers now getting the knowledge that backyard growers have known fior awhile.

[@FarmLearningTim]

🙄

[@adamotoole_soilcquest]

Top video and nicely explained about how bacteria and fungi interact with plant roots.

[@johndoe1778]

Classic Tim Tom with the organic goodness

[@kevinroberts2014]

Great video, it brings up a lot of questions to relate it to our systems here in the UK, even Europe. Ploughing, seedbed preparation and firming for most farms here is to provide us high output grass crops and crops,yes high inputs, but we have high s to stocking rates which causes compaction, a vicious circle for sure. Fascinating machine and soil management, I did something like this by rotavating a piece of trashed pasture broadcast seed and seeing both old and new grasses coming up together, not really knowing in detail what I had done. Really interesting and going to share this with folks here thanks 👍

[@gedwardnelson]

@@kevinroberts2014 you misspelled plow. LOL😉

[@ronpalmer7260]

This is great information. I had been thinking of tilling in strips much like this, but this is next level stuff. I love it.

[@RollaConstructions1]

Cant wait to add SoilKee to our fleet

[@Yowie549.]

What an awesome system. Great video, thanks.

[@Luca-hc6wo]

I'm curious as to how treatment from the soilkee differs from treatment with a keyline plow + pasture sowing and good grazing management. As far as I can tell they operate very similarly; disturb and aerate a small percentage of soil, leaving the rest of the sod with an intact microbial community (potentially even stimulating it through intermediate disturbance).

[@rickfletcher8422]

That was fantastic Thankyou Tim! This is the same theory I mentioned to you about 2 years ago, with the hybrid seed drill. since then I’ve come up with some new plans as I’m currently running 50-55hp tractors for physical size. Because I can’t have good working width power harrows I’m actually experimenting with different sized points and spacing before I buy a seeder or air seeder for the chisel plough I’m testing with. After this I may be just ringing soilkee and seeing if they make a 6-7’ machine and if my 50hp machines will run it.

[@landontesar3070]

Let us know your findings, I don't want anything bigger than my Oliver 880 on the soil, and minimizing that

[@jamesthefisherman832]

Great content 👍🏼 Valuable learning

[@thomasforbes8904]

A bit similar to the Claydon drill is it. Disturb as little as possible and it works good too I believe

[@exvictorian3605]

Thank you

[@Dmolina2099]

mate I'm from Chile in the Patagonia, i liked your videos and sometimes download them but now am having problem's downloading them is there anyway I can download the videos

[@FarmLearningTim]

Hey mate. Great to hear from you. I’m assuming that you mean watch when you say download. Is it internet speed problem? I was recently at a mates house where they had starlink and the speed blew me away! Maybe this could be a solution? I’ve always wanted to see Patagonia! Hopefully we can meet one day!!

[@Dmolina2099]

@@FarmLearningTim no have to download as speed is to slow and the power, we only have for a short time haha so thats why we have to download and watch it in the afternoon

[@benmcneill2436]

I'm curious about the kikuyu weed comment. Kikuyu can root very deeply and has recognised ability to build soil carbon levels at depth, is a C4 with good summer growth in temperate regions, and is fibrous enough to encourage soil fungi. It can also be used in a multi species system with some attention to detail. What was the specific issue that the kikuyu was causing?

[@FarmLearningTim]

It was choking out pasture species. He still has to grow good beef to stay in business.

[@benmcneill2436]

@@FarmLearningTim But at it's best kikuyu is 20% better feed quality than top perennial ryegrass! I know lots of beef farmers who rely on kikuyu and doubt they'd be viable without it.

[@FarmLearningTim]

The aim is to improve soil fertility and carbon capture. A mat of kikuyu prevents other plants from growing that increase fertility. It’s not just about protein per gram of grass leaf.

[@Power_Prawnstar]

What do you mean the cattle can get a bit hot?

[@FarmLearningTim]

Two things; more sugar in the diet can convert to acid in the rumen if you don’t transition carefully and let th gut biome adapt. Second, in hot weather the nitrate levels can get high, leading to nitrites in the blood. Once again, acclimate the gut biome.

[@MalFlower]

Doesn't a ripping plough do the same thing?

[@FarmLearningTim]

No. Check the explanation halfway through. The tiller creates a fine tilth bed for the seed and also covers the mulched vegetation over the untilled ground between. Niels explains that in the video.

[@Ifyouarehurtnointentwasapplied]

I don't hate it it's definitely a good option

[@vsvnrg3263]

good show

[@UPGardenr]

What is C4 C3? I am in USA explain?

[@FarmLearningTim]

There are two main photosynthetic pathways (meaning sequence of action of proteins) in plant chloroplasts. The C4 pathway is less efficient but works better in extreme temperatures. So C3 grasses grow faster in ideal conditions and have been historically favoured in pasture mixes. However c4 plants are deeper rooted and greener in summer making both essential

[@GoWest_270]

C3 and C4 Grasses. Perennial grasses can be classified as either C3 or C4 plants. These terms refer to the different pathways that plants use to capture carbon dioxide during photosynthesis. All species have the more primitive C3 pathway, but the additional C4 pathway evolved in species in the wet and dry tropics. The first product of carbon fixation in C3 plants involves a 3-carbon molecule, whilst C4 plants initially produce a 4-carbon molecule that then enters the C3 cycle. Why are these differences important? These differences are important because the two pathways are also associated with different growth requirements. C3 plants are adapted to cool season establishment and growth in either wet or dry environments. On the other hand, C4 plants are more adapted to warm or hot seasonal conditions under moist or dry environments. A feature of C3 grasses is their greater tolerance of frost compared to C4 grasses. C3 species also tend to generate less bulk than C4 species; however, feed quality is often higher than C4 grasses. The presence of both C3 and C4 species can be desirable in a pasture as they can occupy different niches (e.g. C3 species are often more abundant in the shade of trees and on southerly aspects, while C4 species often dominate full-sun conditions and northerly aspects in the southern hemisphere) and thereby provide greater ground cover across a range of conditions. This has advantages in providing a broader spread of production throughout the year for both grazing enterprises and native animals. In the hot dry environment, warm-season C4 grasses usually dominate pastures. However, the presence of both C3 and C4 species provide greater year-round ground cover across a range of conditions, as they can occupy different niches (e.g. C3 species are often more abundant in the shade of trees and in wetter, more fertile areas, while C4 species often dominate full-sun conditions in drier, less fertile areas). A mix of C3 and C4 species also allows pastures to respond to rainfall at any time of the year.

[@jameswilson9361]

Australia's Greg Judy!

[@666bruv]

Why the phrase 'snake killer'? When holding the spade

[@johndoe1778]

I wouldn't myself, I'll always try to relocate. The spade is used to cut snakes from the shoulders up though sorry to break it to you

[@peteseed5383]

@@666bruv very common use for a spade in rural Australia.

[@poeticcatcat2353]

Also made me very sad. I am learning to respect snakes and let them be. Unlike the previous generation.

[@666bruv]

@poeticcatcat2353 true, they are an important predator species

[@MrWillmay]

How do I get a contractor in vic to do this for me?

[@FarmLearningTim]

Get onto Niels. Link in description

[@AdamDaniel-wz6hx]

What area are you in Victoria?

[@CitizenAyellowblue]

Maybe I missed the full spiel about him but Phil's last name, and what company or agency does he work for?

[@FarmLearningTim]

See the link in description

[@poilochien]

semavator ...1970

[@mikecain6947]

If you had diagrams it would be much easier to follow and learn.

[@TonyWade-xk7mt]

Is this system similar or complimentary to PA Yeomans keyline pliw and system for growing (making) topsoil and water penetration? Regards

[@FarmLearningTim]

Very different machine

[@peteseed5383]

They are very different in zones of disturbance and the way exudance are utilized. But I believe they can both increase soil quality. This could do it quicker in areas of good rainfall. In marginal rainfall areas and erratic seasons Yeomans with gaps between rows for fungus preservation. Mixed pastures of high legume content. I have seen similar results as well . The full PA Yeomans system ie keyline system makes a huge difference in dry areas as bacteria, fungus and plants all need moisture. Soil Moisture zones are key for either principle , both fail without it .

[@TonyWade-xk7mt]

Thanks

[@peteseed5383]

@@TonyWade-xk7mt thought I should mention that cell grazing. The the adoption of legumes with their corresponding nitrogen fixing bacteria and some deep rooted grasses etc, as it looks like is adopted here (I use rows highly productive tree or bush legumes like leuceana, desmanthus etc on contour) for the undisturbed zones.along with legumes in pasture. Benefits nutrient / moisture cycling as well as exudance production,and increases the microclimate even further than they mention .I have doubled beef/ lamb production, using this and Yeomans plow and one of there stealth hiller attachments alone .

[@denyswoodroffe490]

Why not direct drill directly into the soil. You would not be exposing the soil and opening it up to soil moisture loss. The soil fungi is being destroyed by cultivation would still be there if you had direct drilled. Kiwi

[@FarmLearningTim]

Hi mate. This is explained by the guys in the video.

[@georgekaragiannis1827]

😊

[@michaelwilliams3232]

Terra Preta...

[@michaelproust7891]

ok