Carbon credits are still around and farmers should pay attention because it can be a profitable revenue stream. A carbon credit is a tradeable certificate for 1 metric ton of carbon dioxide removed from the atmosphere or recycled through sustainable farming practices. Farmers can sell these credits to companies as carbon offsets in voluntary markets. Practices like no-till farming, cover crops, and even using some biologicals increase carbon in the soil. For the farmer, getting paid to increase carbon or soil organic matter (SOM is 54% carbon) is a win-win proposition. Higher SOM increases yields and retains fertilizer nutrients and water for better crops. For farmers, up to 60% higher profit is possible by cutting back on fertilizer and still maintaining or even increasing crop quality and crop yields. Environmental benefits are also better. Less fertilizer used means less nutrient runoff and higher water quality. Improving SOM leads to less soil and wind erosion. For the consumer, t...

Pesticides (Herbicides, Insecticides, Miticides, Fungicides etc.) may affect soil microbes in many ways, often leading to reduced diversity and even lower populations of various soil microbes. Soil microbes are bacteria, fungi, archaea, protists, and viruses and account for an estimated 3%–4% of the total biomass on earth. Pesticides often degrade soil health and can lead to lower agricultural productivity or lower crop yields. Some pesticides change the soil structure so that soils become dense and compacted. Minimizing pesticide use is beneficial for improving soil health and microbial diversity and increasing soil microbial populations. Broad-spectrum herbicides are those that kill or control a wide variety of pests including weeds, fungi, and insects. Since they are so non-selective, they can kill or control beneficial microbes as well as both targeted and non-targeted organisms. Often broad-spectrum pesticides may also harm pollinators and beneficial predators. When this happens, ...

  Fertilizer generally enhance plant growth but it also may change soil microbial communities, leading to positive or negative changes. Chemical fertilizers are higher in salts (positive or negative ion charges). High salt content attracts water, ties it up, leading to both soil and plants becoming desiccated. If a nutrient is lacking, then fertilizer lets both microbes and the plant thrive. However, excess fertilizer generally leads to the opposite result. Also, chemical fertilizers tend to acidify or lower soil pH, generally disturb or change microbe diversity, and may lead to degraded soils. Organic fertilizers add more carbon and are commonly found in nature. They enhance soil microbial communities and soil fertility. They improve soil structure so that plant roots, water, and air move freely in the soil. They provide nutrients in a sustainable but slower time frame which enhances both microbes and plants, leading to more diversity and growth. However, sometimes for higher yiel...

  Jim Wiesemeyer (wiesemeyer@gmail.com), Washington DC agricultural insider, Virginia, spoke recently about US agriculture. Email him for free daily insights. Jim offered insights on E-15, Aviation fuel, and projections for the US Farm Bill. Jim is optimistic that Congress will pass a US ag farm provision for year-round E-15 Ethanol. While some Congress members are opposed, the majority want this legislation passed. The effect on corn markets may be slow though because it takes time to build new facilities for increased ethanol production. The aviation fuel (45Z) seems to be stalled. It is set to expire soon (2029) but no rules have been made. This would be a boon for USA agriculture if 45Z was a reality. It will stay stalled until a new farm bill is enacted. The 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit provides a tax incentive for producing low-emission fuels including Sustainable Aviation fuel made from grain. Jim also reported on the USDA crop estimates. Currently the way USDA collects ...