Farming for soil health
Best practices for managing Irish agricultural soils
By Teagasc
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Soil is the natural medium on the Earth’s surface that supports plant growth and sustains life by providing nutrients, water, structure, and habitat for organisms. It is a dynamic, biologically active ecosystem composed of a mixture of mineral and organic materials, air, and water.
Soil is one of the most valuable resources on the farm. It takes a long time to form, can be lost or damaged quickly, and if it becomes badly degraded, it is not easy to fix. Farmers are the main custodians of our nation’s soils – how we manage our soils today impacts not only this year’s harvest, but harvests for many years to come.
Good soil health is among the greatest legacies we can give to society, both now and into the future. Soils are at the heart of our food systems and are essential for environmental and planetary health. They have a direct impact on farm productivity, input costs, long-term resilience, and the well-being of both local and global communities that depend on them.
As we face more extreme and unpredictable weather patterns, healthy soils are more resilient and less likely to be negatively affected by climatic events. Good soil health benefits us all.