A series of winter storms has boosted the snow pack all across the state, with a potential for more storms over the weekend in both Rim Country and the White
American soil specialist and co-founder of the Soil Health Academy and Understanding Ag LLC in Missouri, Ray Archuleta, is the next guest on QMS’ international podcast series. In conversation with QMS podcast presenter Mark Stephen, “the soil guy”, as he’s dubbed, discusses the fundamentals of using biomimicry and agroecology to improve soil function and reduce input costs. He examines the essential role of livestock and cover cropping, in particular, to farm effectively in tandem with extreme weather events. “In the States, the Government has perpetuated the wrong premise – “we must control nature to get the maximum yields”, “nature is against us”,” says Mr Archueta. “It takes a lot of energy and cost to fight nature. We need to switch the premise and work with it, reduce inputs and save on costs. [Australia is doing really well with its soil health, but it’s not tied into government support].”