Kansas State University agricultural policy specialist Jennifer Ifft presented findings from research led by Delide Joseph (now a doctoral student in agricultural economics). The study examined regenerative soil health approaches—such as no-till and cover crops—across Kansas farm operations using a soil health scoring system developed through Joseph’s thesis work and collaboration with an agronomy doctoral student.
Ifft said farms with higher soil health scores tended to be more profitable. Using one agronomic classification, the highest-scoring farms showed net farm income ratios about 5.6 percentage points higher; for a farm grossing $500,000 annually, that could translate to roughly $28,000 more net income. She also emphasized that more profitable farms often had lower expenses rather than clear, consistent yield increases. Ifft noted the research did not rely on a single one-year yield picture and highlighted a learning curve and added planning needs for producers.
The field day took place at the Guetterman Brothers farm near Bucyrus, where Ifft’s main takeaway was that producers should adopt practices that match their soils, climate, and production system instead of chasing a universal set of tactics.