Editor's note: The following article appeared in CTIC's Partners magazine, Sept/Oct 2003.

A shift in focus for soil conservation is in the making. For decades, conservationists focused on managing soil for tolerable loss, but the next generation will be managing for gains in soil organic matter, also known as soil organic carbon. Partners spoke with Dr. Bill Puckett, director of the Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS) Soil Quality Institute, about the shift in focus and what it means for agriculture.

What role has managing for tolerable soil loss (T) served in soil conservation? The NRCS, formerly known as the Soil Conservation Service, has been around for more than 60 years, and T has served us very well for natural resource conservation. T is the maximum level of soil loss that can occur while retaining soil productivity. It is an excellent benchmark, and we will continue to shoot for it. Now, however, we are being asked by many different clients across the country to do more than reduce soil erosion. They are concerned about improving air, water and soil quality and enhancing wildlife habitat.

Now we are hearing “go beyond T, manage for C.” What does that mean? NRCS began searching for additional benchmarks for soil conservation. What else could we shoot for that would give us multiple benefits? We wanted something that was manageable and that, if increased, would have a positive effect on the soil and on the environment.

Carbon seemed to fit the bill. Carbon is something farmers and ranchers can gradually increase by using proper grazing management, growing higher residue crops, not tilling as much and adding different types of crop rotations.

Producers who have been practicing conservation tillage as a way of reducing erosion may not be fully aware of the many other very positive benefits that were taking place to improve their soil quality.

Is it perfect? Probably not. Soil organic matter is only one component of soil quality management, and depending on location, other factors such as salinity or compaction may be more significant than organic matter. It's not as simple as reducing tillage and raising high-residue crops and managing nitrogen accordingly. Producers have to learn to manage everything within the system.

What will this do for the future of agriculture? Most agricultural soils have lost a lot of organic matter through soil erosion and continuous cultivation. Therefore, we have a long way to go to restore carbon levels in the soil. By increasing soil organic matter over time, soil properties such as soil structure, aggregate stability, water retention, nutrient holding capacity and drought resistance improve. Instead of managing just to reduce soil erosion, producers are managing to improve their soils, which will lead to improved productivity while protecting the environment.

Managing for carbon and soil quality will give agriculture an edge in meeting air and water quality goals while increasing productivity.

As we move ahead, it is possible for future Farm Bill programs to include managing for C. Also, once producers are managing for C, the carbon trading market offers the ability to sell carbon credits.

The focus has always been on reducing soil erosion. But as we look toward trying to obtain maximum environmental benefits while increasing production, we will begin focusing on additional factors as well, especially soil carbon.

For more information about the Soil Quality Institute, visit soils.usda.gov/sqi. If you have further questions, visit CTIC's Web site at www.ctic.purdue.edu.

Bill Puckett has been the director of the NRCS Soil Quality Institute since 2001, providing national leadership for soil quality and ensuring the development and use of sound science in the application of soil quality concepts. To contact him, call 334/844-4741, ext. 178, or e-mail bill.puckett@ftw.nrcs.usda.gov.

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