התמלול המלא של Garrett Riekhof

the early generating summer annuals 64 00:04:29,600 --> 00:04:32,200 are reduced. 65 00:04:32,200 --> 00:04:37,860 I haven't gotten to the point where I'm literally reducing my herbicide rates or herbicide usage 66 00:04:37,860 --> 00:04:39,240 really yet. 67 00:04:39,240 --> 00:04:44,320 But I can totally see that coming as I learn more and we can incorporate this more on a 68 00:04:44,320 --> 00:04:49,680 wide scale basis, I can see the reduction of herbicide usage for sure. 69 00:04:49,680 --> 00:04:56,880 So really, you know, soil erosion, weed control, and just hopefully we see some general soil 70 00:04:56,880 --> 00:04:57,880 tilth. 71 00:04:57,880 --> 00:05:01,040 Those are the main benefits I think I'm seeing right away. 72 00:05:01,040 --> 00:05:03,520 What exactly does regenerative agriculture mean to you? 73 00:05:03,520 --> 00:05:05,660 We've kind of been tossing this term around a lot. 74 00:05:05,660 --> 00:05:09,500 It doesn't really have a solid definition, so it means something different to everybody. 75 00:05:09,500 --> 00:05:11,500 Is there a definition that you like to work with? 76 00:05:11,500 --> 00:05:14,120 It's a really good question. 77 00:05:14,120 --> 00:05:21,100 You know, it's regenerative and sustainable and, you know, a lot of these are emotional 78 00:05:21,100 --> 00:05:23,940 words, frankly. 79 00:05:23,940 --> 00:05:29,980 When we say the word regenerative, it does mean something different to me than sustainable. 80 00:05:29,980 --> 00:05:34,040 Because I would like to think that we're all sustainable because if we're not, then we're 81 00:05:34,040 --> 00:05:41,300 not sustainable and I don't think any of us deserve to be here if we're not on a number 82 00:05:41,300 --> 00:05:42,300 of fronts. 83 00:05:42,300 --> 00:05:48,840 But regenerative does hit home to me in that we are using the things that we're putting 84 00:05:48,840 --> 00:05:51,700 on our soil to create something else. 85 00:05:51,700 --> 00:05:53,740 You know, we're regenerating something. 86 00:05:53,740 --> 00:06:00,180 And so when we plant a seed, that seed generates roots and we terminate that root either through 87 00:06:00,180 --> 00:06:05,460 chemical means or mechanical or just natural maturing. 88 00:06:05,460 --> 00:06:07,300 What does that root then do for us? 89 00:06:07,300 --> 00:06:08,620 Does it bring up fertility? 90 00:06:08,620 --> 00:06:10,020 Does it create organic matter? 91 00:06:10,020 --> 00:06:14,300 Does it create a root pathway for the next crop? 92 00:06:14,300 --> 00:06:18,540 Does it create biological diversity where we're increasing our microbes? 93 00:06:18,540 --> 00:06:23,480 I think the answer to most cover crops, the answer is yes to all those. 94 00:06:23,480 --> 00:06:31,920 And so what are we doing to our fields today to substantiate what we're going to do next? 95 00:06:31,920 --> 00:06:38,920 And I think if we farmers have that idea in everything we put down, we then fall under 96 00:06:38,920 --> 00:06:45,720 the definition of regenerative because we're trying to use one domino to fall to hit the 97 00:06:45,720 --> 00:06:51,400 next domino to then just create that vicious cycle of great crop production. 98 00:06:51,400 --> 00:06:58,280 And unfortunately, I think for a while, years ago, maybe generations ago, we got into a 99 00:06:58,280 --> 00:07:01,160 rut of monoculture. 100 00:07:01,160 --> 00:07:06,840 And now I think society and the ag production community is getting to the point where we 101 00:07:06,840 --> 00:07:11,120 need to mix that up a little bit, whether that be from manure application or grazing 102 00:07:11,120 --> 00:07:12,920 of livestock. 103 00:07:12,920 --> 00:07:18,740 We need to mix that biological diversity up a bit to keep that soil churning and burning 104 00:07:18,740 --> 00:07:22,280 from a microbe and a micro-organic standpoint. 105 00:07:22,280 --> 00:07:29,020 So to kind of wrap this up, let's say that there was a farmer who has heard of regenerative 106 00:07:29,020 --> 00:07:33,720 practices but has never done them before and is maybe on the fence. 107 00:07:33,720 --> 00:07:35,120 What would you say to that person? 108 00:07:35,120 --> 00:07:38,860 Well, I would say start small. 109 00:07:38,860 --> 00:07:43,600 Find a field that's, I think every farmer kind of has a pet field, whether it be the 110 00:07:43,600 --> 00:07:48,560 field behind the house or one that's been in the family a long time, or you might operate 111 00:07:48,560 --> 00:07:53,880 a field that is owned by a landlord who likes to do new and different and wild things. 112 00:07:53,880 --> 00:07:59,680 Maybe pick that pet field, if you will, and just give it a shot. 113 00:07:59,680 --> 00:08:04,720 You'll really never know how any of these programs work for you until you do them yourself. 114 00:08:04,720 --> 00:08:09,720 Your soils, your farming practices, your management style is unique to you. 115 00:08:09,720 --> 00:08:15,980 And there's no one program that's going to work exactly like it says until you try it 116 00:08:15,980 --> 00:08:16,980 on your farm. 117 00:08:16,980 --> 00:08:18,360 You're never really going to know. 118 00:08:18,360 --> 00:08:23,440 But I think what you're able to gain by learning, it will help you for the future. 119 00:08:23,440 --> 00:08:29,040 Because part of these regenerative ag processes, in my mind, I'm getting my feet wet for what's 120 00:08:29,040 --> 00:08:31,120 coming in the future. 121 00:08:31,120 --> 00:08:37,600 You can't pick up an ag publication these days without seeing the newest, latest, greatest 122 00:08:37,600 --> 00:08:42,000 carbon trading program, sequestering carbon. 123 00:08:42,000 --> 00:08:48,640 Every co-op and every grain elevator, it seems at this point, and even some individual companies 124 00:08:48,640 --> 00:08:54,440 have programs available for growers to sequester carbon or carbon trading. 125 00:08:54,440 --> 00:08:59,640 And I do believe that no matter what your environmental aspect is, climate change or 126 00:08:59,640 --> 00:09:04,040 not, these programs are here to stay in some form or fashion. 127 00:09:04,040 --> 00:09:08,540 And I truly believe that cover crops and any type of regenerative practice, whether it 128 00:09:08,540 --> 00:09:17,220 be split applying fertilizer, grazing, different cover crops are going to be a piece, a heavy 129 00:09:17,220 --> 00:09:19,040 piece to that puzzle. 130 00:09:19,040 --> 00:09:23,760 So the greater we have experiences with these, the better you're going to be able to play 131 00:09:23,760 --> 00:09:28,240 in that circle, maybe 10 years from now, five years from now. 132 00:09:28,240 --> 00:09:36,260 Because I do believe those programs will be an economic gain for our farms and our farmers. 133 00:09:36,260 --> 00:09:40,760 And so understanding how it works before they're mainstream should give you a leg up when the 134 00:09:40,760 --> 00:09:41,760 time comes. 135 00:09:41,760 --> 00:09:44,500 So it's, it's really a dip your toe in the water. 136 00:09:44,500 --> 00:09:48,220 So when it's time to swim, you kind of have an idea of what you're getting into. 137 00:09:48,220 --> 00:09:51,820 A big thank you to Garrett for letting me come out to his farm and chat again. 138 00:09:51,820 --> 00:09:57,280 I'm Mikayla Voris, your host from the University of Missouri's Center for Regenerative Agriculture. 139 00:09:57,280 --> 00:10:01,600 If you have questions, comments, or any thoughts on this podcast, let us know by visiting our 140 00:10:01,600 --> 00:10:06,360 website at cra.missouri.edu and go to the podcast page. 141 00:10:06,360 --> 00:10:10,660 You can also find us on social media at MU Regen Act. 142 00:10:10,660 --> 00:10:14,600 The music you're hearing is called Back to the Woods by Jason Shaw, and we snagged it 143 00:10:14,600 --> 00:10:16,540 from the Free Music Archive. 144 00:10:16,540 --> 00:10:20,160 This podcast is created in partnership with MU Extension. 145 00:10:20,160 --> 00:10:23,320 Watch out for another regenerative reflection, and we'll see you next time. 146 00:10:23,320 --> 00:10:23,820 Music. 147 00:10:23,820 --> 00:10:33,820 Music.