Farmers and Ranchers Work to Preserve Soil Health for the Future of Colorado Ag

In partnership with: Colorado Department of Agriculture

Across Colorado, crops and livestock provide food, fiber and fuel. But beneath the surface, there’s just as much – if not more – happening to support Colorado’s diverse agriculture by maintaining soil health.

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It Starts With the Soil

Healthy soil contains organic matter, balanced minerals and living organisms needed to support healthy crops. Ryan Hemphill is one of many producers who understands the complexity and importance of soil health. Hemphill operates an irrigated farm and cow-calf operation about two hours east of Pueblo in McClave. His water is sourced from the Arkansas River, and what he grows depends on irrigation and rainfall, including a mix of corn, milo, alfalfa, wheat, oats and cover crops.

“Soil health is based on five foundational principles: minimizing disturbance, armoring the soil, having living roots in the soil as many days of the year as possible, diversity of plants and livestock integration,” he says. “These things can look different depending on where you live, so understanding your context is imperative.”

When paired with improved irrigation management, the principles boost soil structure and composition, leading to increased water filtration, reduced runoff and drought resilience.

“My operation is located in a semiarid desert,” Hemphill says. “We get about 13 inches of rain during an average year. Infiltrating and retaining water is very important for us, so armoring the soil is the most important principle on our farm.”

This armoring, or protecting the soil’s surface, uses a combination of old crop residue and living plants. It also prevents wind and water erosion, retaining valuable organic matter and nutrients.

“I carry a thermometer with me during the summer and regularly measure soil temperatures on bare soil and armored soil during the heat of the day,” Hemphill says. “The temperature of soil that’s well-armored is usually 15 to 20 degrees cooler than bare soil during a summer afternoon.”

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Production Practices

Hemphill says improving his farm’s soil has been a journey, and he’s still learning what practices work best. For farmers who aren’t sure where to start, several organizations across the state can help.

Annie Overlin is the Eastern Colorado and San Luis Valley regional range specialist at Colorado State University Extension. She educates ranchers on soil health, providing resources like grazing and drought plans.

“Soil health starts with learning how the water cycle works,” she says. “Especially in a drought state like Colorado, you have to understand soil biology in terms of water infiltration.”

Overlin has been conducting soil trials on different ranches in southern Colorado to measure a soil baseline and gather data on how certain practices increase nutrients and organic matter.

“We’re trying to figure out how to make the system more resilient,” she says. “A resilient system is easier to manage during a drought, which might keep a producer from having to sell their ranch. We’re still learning solutions. Maybe it’s doing things like feeding cattle seeds to reintroduce biology into the soil.”

Other organizations also work to provide resources to ag producers. This includes Rocky Mountain Farmers Union (RMFU), a grassroots organization supporting producers through legislative representation and educational opportunities, as well as the Bookcliff, Mount Sopris and South Side Conservation Districts. 

“Our members have long voiced support for innovative practices in cover cropping, reduced tillage, rotational grazing and more to increase organic matter in soil,” says Jen Ghigiarelli, RMFU membership coordinator. “We can help producers assess their operations and navigate complex changes in soil health. Many want to make the changes but don’t know which cover crop mix will work best or are hesitant about the financial risk associated with shifting tillage practices.”

The Bookcliff, South Side and Mount Sopris Conservation Districts own a no-till drill that producers can rent, allowing them to seed their fields without tilling and without having to purchase another piece of equipment. They also provide other resources in the form of technical assistance and local support.

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Consumer Benefits

Healthy soil is essential for producers, but it’s good for consumers, too.

“We’ve done a lot of research on soil biology and forage quality,” Overlin says. “Healthy soil leads to more nutritious forage and thus nutrient-dense beef. Farmers can get top dollar, and consumers get a premium product.”

Ghigiarelli adds that the market is more robust than ever, with consumers demanding transparency in food production.

“Many Coloradans seek out products labeled as organic, locally grown or regeneratively farmed,” she says.

Ultimately, healthy soil leads to healthy food, healthy land, healthy ecosystems and healthy economies, benefitting all throughout the agriculture cycle.

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