New Tool Estimates Potential Long-Term Costs & Benefits of Adopting Soil Health Practices

Michelle Perez shares more about the American Farmland Trust’s resource to help farmers and producers plan soil health improvements.

SILVER SPRINGS, Md. (RFD-TV) — Farmers continue to seek ways to improve soil health while maintaining profitability, and new tools are emerging to help guide those decisions. American Farmland Trust has released an online tool designed to estimate the long-term costs and benefits of adopting soil health practices.

Michelle Perez with the American Farmland Trust joined us on Friday’s Market Day Report to discuss their new tool and the impact of soil health management strategies.

In her interview with RFD-TV News, Perez explained the basics of soil health, distinguishing between poor and good soil conditions. She highlighted how practices such as cover crops, no-till farming, and nutrient management can improve soil structure, water retention, and overall productivity.

Perez also discussed the economic benefits of adopting these practices, noting that improvements in soil health can increase crop yields and reduce input costs, delivering both environmental and financial returns for farmers. Finally, she introduced the new predictive soil health economic calculator, explaining how it works, which crops it applies to, and how farmers can use it to make informed decisions about implementing soil health practices on their operations.

To learn more, visit: www.farmlandinfo.org

Related Stories
Hunter Biram, an extension economist with the University of Arkansas, is tracking Mississippi River water levels as grain shippers shift their focus to transportation following the wrap-up of fall harvest.
UMN Extension’s Emily Krekelberg outlines today’s top farm stressors, key signs of mental health distress in rural communities, and the resources available for support.
Brooks York with Agrisompo joined us on Monday’s Market Day Report with some guidance on how producers can navigate their crop insurance claims for unsold grain crops.
For many farm businesses, property taxes on business assets have become a significant and highly visible expense, threatening liquidity, discouraging investment, and creating a disproportionate burden when compared to other industries.
The ACRE Act modestly reduces farmland borrowing costs now, with more savings possible once federal guidance clarifies which loans qualify.

Marion is a digital content manager for RFD News and FarmHER + RanchHER. She started working for Rural Media Group in May 2022, bringing a decade of digital experience in broadcast media and some cooking experience to the team.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Farm CPA Paul Neiffer discusses how January’s WASDE report could impact ARC and PLC payments and updates on disaster relief programs as farmers navigate a challenging market environment.
Texas Commissioner of Agriculture Sid Miller joined us to discuss data center expansion, farmland preservation, rural economic impacts, and imminent cattle biosecurity concerns affecting agriculture today.
The Pennsylvania Farm Show continues through Saturday, wrapping up another successful year of celebrating agriculture in the Commonwealth.
Shaun Haney joined us to discuss Canada’s new trade agreement with China, the potential impact on farmers and exporters, and what it could mean for U.S.–Canada trade relations going forward.
National Corn Growers Association Chief Economist Krista Swanson discusses corn supply pressures, market fundamentals, policy considerations, and producer outlook for the year ahead.
The proposal signals a renewed push to offset tariff-driven losses, stabilize nutrition programs, and broaden eligibility for farm aid, though its path forward will depend on congressional negotiations.
Agriculture Shows
Hosted by Scott “The Cow Guy” Shellady and RFD News Markets Specialist Tony St. James, Commodity Talk delivers expert insight into the day’s ag commodity markets just before the CME opens. Only on RFD-TV and Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147.
A look at the news, weather and commodities headlines that drove agriculture markets in the past week.
Everything profits from prairie. Soil, air, water — and all kinds of life! Learn how you can improve your land with prairie restoration, cover crops and prairie strips, while growing your bottom line.
Special 3-part series tells the story of the Claas family’s legacy, which changed agriculture forever.