The drought monitor report as of Tuesday, Dec. 10 is basically unchanged from last week. One-third of the state is totally out of dry conditions (mostly Southwest and South-Central Kansas). About 40% is just abnormally dry and the rest in moderate drought. South of Great Bend is totally out of drought while Barton County is primarily in moderate drought with the south and southeast portions just abnormally dry. Much improved from a year ago. The six to ten-day outlook (Dec. 17 to 21) indicates a 40 to 60% chance of leaning above normal for temperatures and a 33 to 40% chance of leaning below normal for precipitation. The eight to 14-day outlook (Dec. 19 to 25) indicates a 60 to 70% chance of likely above normal for temperatures and a 33 to 40% chance of leaning below normal for precipitation.
Last week we briefly discussed natural and agroecosystems; what makes them up; and how they differ. Today, why improving agroecosystems matters and how can it be accomplished?
• First, natural ecosystems, when left alone, will mature into a stable state. They reach an equilibrium. While not static, it essentially means they are resilient with little leaving or entering the ecosystem. They are closed. Agroecosystems are by design not mature, never reach equilibrium, and therefore much less resilient. Naturally, we are adding and removing from the system or it wouldn’t serve our intended purpose. They are open and immature. So, we have to manage them to be as resilient as possible within the environment and intended purpose.
• Next, recognize what we have little or no control over. Weather is the obvious example; however, we can lessen the effects through windbreaks, crop residue, perhaps irrigation, soil structure. We can mitigate some of these effects to maximize our efficiency and decrease soil water loss. Pest control (insects, diseases, and weeds) also present challenges but through breeding programs and cultural practices combined with monitoring, we can work to keep levels below economic damage.
• Now, what can we do for the living and nonliving portions of the soil ecosystem? The main principle as we deal with a changing climate and weather extremes combined with significant increases in pest pressures is to determine how to work with and not against the environment. This will likely require changes in how we produce current crops and different crops better suited for our more extreme weather conditions. As an example, in Western Kansas returning land better suited for short grass prairie to grazing. And, included are changes in cultural practices from tillage to weaning producers from reliance on irrigation. Changes in livestock production will also need to occur.
• For the soil environment specifically, increasing organic matter levels by minimizing/eliminating tillage and/or cover cropping. Increasing surface residue cover helps as does eliminating tillage to increase soil structure and porosity. All of this will increase soil water holding capacity while decreasing evaporation. Working to improve the soil chemical environment by taking advantage of alternative nitrogen sources where possible through legumes for example. A main goal must be to increase the soil microbial environment to foster beneficial bacteria and fungi for nutrient cycling, stable organic matter production, and improved crop health.
Dr. Victor L. Martin is the agriculture instructor/coordinator for Barton Community College. He can be reached at 620-792-9207, ext. 207, or martinv@bartonccc.edu.
