Changing the Game in Soil Health:
At the Lewis Lab, our soil fertility and chemistry expertise extends beyond simply teaching producers how to care for their soil health. Through hands-on activities and fieldwork, we have established ourselves as leaders in the field, showcasing the scientific knowledge and practical advancements that can improve crop production across the region. By implementing innovative techniques and technologies, we empower producers to optimize the soil health within their production systems and maximize their yields. Through our educational programs and on-farm demonstrations, we ensure that producers, stakeholders, and researchers are equipped with the tools and understanding necessary to make informed decisions about their soil management practices. Whether promoting sustainable farming methods or introducing cutting-edge soil testing methods, the Lewis Lab is at the forefront of advancing soil health and supporting agricultural success.
Producers learned a lot from two events: our Regenerative Agriculture Field Day in Lamesa, TX, and a producer Soil Health Testing Kit workshop in Olton, TX.
On September 27th, in the small town of Lamesa, Texas, an exciting and educational event took place at the Agricultural Complex for Advanced Research and Extension Systems (AG-CARES). Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension organized a Field Day centered around the fascinating concept of Regenerative Agriculture. The term “regenerative agriculture” has significantly risen in popularity, with the term seeing an exponential increase in its inclusion in scientific publications in the last few years since first mentioned in the early 1980s. Unfortunately, confusion and skepticism around regenerative agriculture and its goals persist, most likely attributed to the notable lack of formal definition for the term. Here we define regenerative agriculture in the context of the Southern High Plains as the continued capacity of agricultural systems to function in a changing climate that supports soil health, communities, economic output, environmental sustainability, and resiliency to the outside threats of those outcomes. Producers from near and far were invited to tour and learn at the renowned AG-CARES farms.
The Field Day turned out to be a grand success, thanks to the participation of eleven knowledgeable and passionate speakers. Each speaker brought their expertise and shared valuable insights with the attentive producers and researchers in attendance. The information shared ranged from the latest advancements in farm practices to the pressing issues currently faced by the agricultural community in the region.
The tour organized by Dr. Joseph Burke had an insightful itinerary consisting of four stops, each offering a unique perspective on various topics. The first stop, called Cropping Systems, delved into nutrient management in regenerative systems, greenhouse gas emissions, nematode management, and economics. The knowledgeable speakers for this stop were Dr. Katie Lewis, Nicholas Boogades, Will Keeling, and Dr. Terry Wheeler.
Moving on to the second stop, the focus shifted to Cover Crops. Attendees were enlightened about cover crop termination timings, cover crop production, sUAS integration, and digital agriculture. The esteemed speakers for this leg of the tour were Dr. Gurjinder Baath, Dr. Paul DeLaune, and Christopher Cobos, whose expertise added valuable insights to the discussion.
The third stop took the participants into the fascinating world of diesel nuts. The topic at hand revolved around the production of these peanuts in Texas, shedding light on the intricacies and potential benefits of this industry. The speakers who captivated the audience with their knowledge on the subject were Drs. Katie Lewis and Paul DeLaune, offering a comprehensive understanding of the topic.
The last and final stop of the tour delved into a long-term study on the implementation of conservation practices in cotton production. With a focus on economics, carbon sequestration, water management, and insect pests, this stop provided a holistic view of the challenges and opportunities within the industry. Attendees were fortunate to partake in this eye-opening discussion and gain valuable insights from industry experts.
Speakers: Gurjinder Baath, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Digital Agricultural. Nick Boogades, M.S. Ph.D. Student, Plant and Soil Science. Joseph Burke, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Cropping Systems Agronomy and Weed Science. Chris Cobos, M.S. Sr. Research Assoc. and Ph.D. Student, Soil Science. Paul DeLaune, Ph.D. Professor, Environmental Soil Science. Wayne Keeling, Ph.D. Professor, Cropping Systems Agronomy and Weed Science. Will Keeling, M.S. Program Specialist, Risk Management. Katie Lewis Ph.D. Associate Professor, Soil Chemistry and Fertility. Brandt Underwood, B.S. Conservation Agronomist. Suhas Vyavhare, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Cotton Entomology. Terry Wheeler, Ph.D. Professor, Plant Pathology.
On Tuesday, July 25th, Lewis and a team of Graduate students from the Lewis Lab visited Olton, TX, to conduct an informative and hands-on workshop on soil nutrient health for local producers and farmers. The purpose of this workshop was to provide valuable information on various topics such as crops, carbon sequestration, and greenhouse gas emissions, while also equipping participants with the necessary skills to assess and monitor the soil health of their production systems.
During the workshop, Dr. Lewis and her graduate students delivered a comprehensive presentation that covered the basics of soil chemistry and fertility. They discussed the importance of maintaining nutrient-rich soils to enhance crop productivity and sustainability. Additionally, the team addressed the impact of carbon and greenhouse gases on soil health and how these factors can be managed to optimize agricultural practices. One highlight of the workshop was an engaging activity at the end, which allowed the participants to learn how to assess soil health on their own. This hands-on experience was designed to empower the producers and farmers with the knowledge and tools needed to evaluate the status of their soil. By being able to check their soil health, they would have the ability to make informed decisions and implement appropriate strategies to enhance soil nutrient content and overall agricultural productivity.
Dr. Lewis and Dr. Burke
Graduate student: Hector, Tessa, Nick, Christopher, Riley.
Dr. Katie Lewis
Christopher Cobos
