In the summer of 2024, the Regenerative Organic Oats (ROO) program was in full swing across the fields of participating Prairie farmers. Program coordinators conducted various field monitoring techniques and collected soil samples for laboratory analysis. This hands-on experience offered invaluable insights into the soils these farmers are regenerating, highlighting their efforts to optimize crop yields, store more water in the soil, and increase soil biology.
Have a look at these friendly faces from Meadow View Ranch! Tyler, his father Allan, and Tyler’s son, William are a fantastic multigenerational farming team. Our ROO Program Coordinator, Dru, paid these lovely folks a visit in July 2024 to perform some soil metrics.
It was late July in Kipling, Saskatchewan when Dru arrived at Meadow View Ranch. She was welcomed by Tyler and Allan in the early morning, and their high spirits propelled the day into success. Tyler and Allan have been certified regenerative organic since 2022, and that’s also the year they joined the ROO program. They grow a variety of crops that include black lentils, brown flax, fallow, flax, hard red spring wheat, oats, and rye. This family has been farming for generations, and they plan to keep the farm going for years to come.
The three soil biologists delved into the fields and began conducting water infiltration measurements. Tyler and Allan showed a strong enthusiasm for data collection. Allan diligently counted every bubble during the water infiltration test (92 bubbles) and was keenly observant of various insects in the field. The soil was dry from the long period of time without rain, and the water infiltration test reflected that fact. The soil soaked up the water quickly and saturated the soil sample thoroughly. Have a look at these photos of what the soil looks like before and after Tyler pulled the sample apart to show the “chocolate-cake” appearance, which suggests great soil composition and texture.
Healthy root systems help improve soil structure by creating channels for air and water, enhancing nutrient uptake, and supporting beneficial microbial activity. Understanding these root systems helps producers grasp how the roots contribute to overall soil health and farm productivity. Check out these intricate root systems that Tyler dug out of a soil pit! The deeper and more connected the roots are, the more nutrient extraction/root exudation can occur, which is great for the crop and the entre ecosystem.
Thank you so much to Tyler and Allan for an amazing farm visit! We cannot wait to see how this multigenerational farm family leads the charge on regenerative organic agriculture.
To learn more about the ROO program, visit our Regenerative Organic Oats (ROO) page on our website.