what are you using to measure soil compaction? one of those probes with the dial on top? i tried one at an event a few years ago and wasn't very impressed, maybe i should try again.soil compaction reading - cheap as and worm count. PH is a bit of a nis norma proves very little.
How are people going about monitoring soil health?
Best indicator is if things grow well, if they do then don't bother worrying too much
First, define soil health. Nothing I have ever seen, heard or read has defined it to my satisfaction. A bit like ourselves, I suppose. I consider I am in good health. Eat, drink and sleep well. I have age and sport injury related joint problems, but can expect those. I think it is the same with any animal, plant or soil. How do we know that a soil is at its peak of "health"? It is impossible to quantify all that should make up a soil to reach that peak, even if we could define what the peak should be
I think you will see this coming through ,technology and testing protocols will be either in situ or will use spacial based analysis , gone will be sending soil offYes, I was aware of this work, but I doubt if it will come to anything practical in my time. Not just because of defining what is required, but the logistics of sampling and the cost.
The latest technique from the soil labs of the USA...the tighty whitey test:How are people going about monitoring soil health? Is it as simple as organic matter levels?
Just found this workhttp://innge.net/?q=node%2F966https://teabagindexuk.wordpress.com/the-bigger-picture-the-european-tbi-project/ it is similar idea to the tighty whites, but uses tea tags that are weigh after which gives a figure to compare to other soils. Thinking of burrying a few tea bags around the farm and see if the results correlate with SOM or other aspects of the field.The latest technique from the soil labs of the USA...the tighty whitey test:
https://www.no-tillfarmer.com/articles/6245-tighty-whities-demonstrate-soil-microbiology