How to improve soil fertility for your Iowa farmland [6 expert tips]

Having healthy soil isn’t just a formality.

It’s your golden ticket to a productive and profitable farmland investment.

Here’s why…

Fertile soil (soil with nutrients) uses nutrients more effectively, tolerates dry weather stress better, grows healthier plants and produces better crop yields. 

Poor soil fertility (soil without nutrients), on the other hand, can lead to lower crop quality, higher susceptibility to stress and require more inputs. 

This can result in higher costs, lower returns and asset depreciation over time for you.

But good soil fertility management practices can help improve your land asset’s ROI.

I’m going to show you how to improve soil fertility so you can achieve better, more stable returns on your Iowa farmland asset.

Let’s dig in.

Why is soil fertility important?

Soil fertility is a major component of overall soil health as it provides essential nutrients to crops.

Here in northern Iowa, our prairie soils naturally retain nutrients from applied fertilizers year to year. This retention is beneficial because it helps provide a steady nutrient supply for crop production. 

But challenges abound:

• Tenant and landowner interests are often unaligned.
• The complexity of soil systems makes return calculations and valuations hard.
• Fluctuating fertilizer prices can make it challenging to maintain soil fertility economically.

Because of these challenges, many industry professionals manage soil on a short-term, year-by-year basis, replacing only what the previous crop used. This approach can lead to reduced fertility levels, which can impact productivity and overall land value.

A long-term nutrient management strategy, on the other hand, can sustain soil fertility and productivity over time. (More on this below…)

Both of these factors ultimately increase the worth of the land asset.

Before we go further, it’s important to note that while this article aims to simplify and capitalize on the value of excess fertility, the reality is that soils are inherently complex. What works in one field may not work in another.

Our approach to soil management

At Weiland Farms, we follow a long-term nutrient management strategy for three main reasons:

1. Inconsistent soil tests

Soil tests can be inconsistent. Conducting them every three to five years (as opposed to annually) gives us a broader, more accurate picture of soil health. While tests are just snapshots, they help us ensure the soil receives the nutrients it needs for optimal productivity. 

Yearly testing can cause farmers to make hasty decisions, as soil additions take time to show up on tests, and fertilizers, microorganisms and manure take time to become fully effective. ‍

2. Economic efficiency

By leveraging the soil's natural ability to store nutrients, we can add them when prices are low and reduce additions when prices are high. 

Here at Weiland Farms, we keep track of the relationship of the value of a unit of corn relative to the value of a unit of fertilizer. We call this the “fertility crush” — i.e., how many pounds of nutrients one unit of corn will buy.

3. Improved yields

Our long-term data shows higher yields when we maintain high soil fertility.

Of course, soil fertility management is a dynamic process, and my team and I are learning (and adapting our strategies) as we go.

6 ways to improve soil fertility for your farmland

Maintaining good soil fertility is essential for your farmland's productivity and long-term value. 

But how do you do it? 

Here are six tips for soil fertility improvement we practice both ourselves and for our landowner clients. 

These practices will help you understand what you should expect from your tenant to achieve soil health and maximize your land’s ROI:

1. Apply different forms of fertilizer 

Using a variety of fertilizers, like manure and synthetic fertilizers, provides the foundation for healthier plants and better yields. 

Did you know that there are about 125 million bacteria in a sphere the size of a period at the end of a sentence? While the agronomy and science community doesn’t fully understand all aspects of soil biology, doing the same thing over and over doesn’t seem wise.

2. Use biological sources of fertilizer 

Biological fertilizers like microbes and cover crops improve soil structure and increase organic matter. Tenants who use these sources are more likely to maintain healthier soil.

3. Use organic fertilizers

Applying organic materials, like local manure, adds essential nutrients and improves soil structure. This, in turn, enhances the soil’s ability to retain moisture and nutrients.

4. Reduce tillage in erodible areas 

Minimizing soil disturbance in areas prone to erosion helps maintain topsoil during winter. This prevents erosion and preserves soil fertility for future growing seasons.

5. Evaluate soil tests 

Soil testing helps identify nutrient deficiencies, track soil responsiveness to fertilizers and lime, and informs the precise needs of the soil. This real-time data can be used to monitor and adjust fertilization methods for optimal soil fertility and plant growth.

At Weiland Farms, we conduct soil tests every three to five years (versus annually) and thus map the historical results to provide a broader, more reliable picture of soil health.

6. Add tile drainage 

Installing a drainage system to remove excess water from the soil increases its ability to metabolize nutrients and support microorganisms. As these systems help maintain optimal soil conditions, tenants who implement them are more likely to contribute to your land's inherent value.

Improve your soil fertility with Weiland Farms

The key to a productive, profitable farmland investment lies in healthy, fertile soil. 

Poor soil fertility management can lead to lower crop quality, increased input costs and, ultimately, lower returns.

But good soil fertility management ensures that the earth receives necessary nutrients, remains resilient against environmental challenges, and supports healthier crops and higher yields.

In other words, it maximizes your land asset’s productivity and inherent value. 

One way to do this?

Partner with tenants who follow a long-term nutrient management strategy. 

If you’re wondering about your farm’s soil fertility or whether your land asset could perform better overall, we can assess your situation and make recommendations for improvement. 

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Reid Weiland is the managing partner of Weiland Farms.

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Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute investment, financial or tax advice. You should consult with a licensed professional for advice concerning your specific situation.