More than any other asset, soil is the driving force behind strong yields and profitability. Farmers know that improving soil health is important to improving yield potential. But unlike a good-looking crop, soil health is most often invisible to the naked eye, making it difficult to see value in the short-term.

Here are three of the top strategies farmers can use to transform soil for the long run:

1. Begin by analyzing how water moves in your field. If compaction or erosion has been an issue, a field cannot absorb stormwater very well. Being cognizant of this can lead a farmer to experiment with cover crops or different tillage strategies.
2. Keeping a living root is important in healthy soils. Soil is a living ecosystem; without living roots, soil microbes can die off along with water-holding capacity or the development of any organic matter.
3. Use a holistic approach. Farmers who view their fields as part of the larger environment can benefit from strategic nutrient utilization and biodiversity.

Read more strategies for improving soil health here.