EBOOK
The Drought-Resilient Farm
Improve Your Soil's Ability to Hold and Supply Moisture for Plants; Maintain Feed and Drinking Water
Dale Strickler5
(2)
About
Rainfall levels are rarely optimal, but there are hundreds of things you can do to efficiently conserve and use the water you do have and to reduce the impact of drought on your soil, crops, livestock, and farm or ranch ecosystem. Author Dale Strickler introduces you to the same innovative systems he used to transform his own drought-stricken family farm in Kansas into a thriving, water-wise, and profitable enterprise, maximizing healthy cropland, pasture, and water supply. Ranging from simple, short-term projects such as installing rain-collection ollas to long-term land-management planning strategies, Strickler's methods show how to get more water into the soil, keep it in the soil, and help plants and livestock access it.
This in-depth practical guide shows farmers, ranchers, and gardeners how to reduce the impact of less-than-optimal rainfall on crops and livestock with innovative, yet simple techniques for enhancing the water retention of soil and developing a drought management plan.
Defend and fortify your crops, soil, pasture, and livestock against inadequate rainfall, and even chronic drought, with strategies from a sixth-generation Kansas farmer and agronomist that will restore soil productivity through grazing, soil microbiology, and cover crops.
Dale Strickler shares the lessons he's learned while saving his own family farm from drying up, including installing rain-collection tanks, creating swales, and building retention dams. With Strickler's friendly advice and proven, innovative methods, you'll get more water into your soil, keep it in your soil, and help your plants and livestock access it.
Chapter 1: Introduction: The Ugly History of Drought and the Potential for Drought Resilience
Part I: Creating a Moisture-Efficient Soil
Chapter 2: Getting More Water into the Soil
Chapter 3: Keeping Water in the Soil Longer
Chapter 4: Helping Plants Get More Water Out of the Soil
Part II: Providing for Livestock
Chapter 5: Ensuring Livestock Water Supply
Chapter 6: Creating Drought-Tolerant Pastures
Chapter 7: Providing Emergency Forage in a Drought
Chapter 8: Livestock Decisions during and after a Drought
Part III: Looking to the Future
Chapter 9: Moisture-Efficient Agriculture for Semi-arid Regions
Chapter 10: Conclusion: A Checklist of Actions to Take before and during the Next Drought
Acknowledgments
References and Further Reading
Resources
Recommended Reading and Films
Metric Conversion Chart
Glossary
Index
This in-depth practical guide shows farmers, ranchers, and gardeners how to reduce the impact of less-than-optimal rainfall on crops and livestock with innovative, yet simple techniques for enhancing the water retention of soil and developing a drought management plan.
Defend and fortify your crops, soil, pasture, and livestock against inadequate rainfall, and even chronic drought, with strategies from a sixth-generation Kansas farmer and agronomist that will restore soil productivity through grazing, soil microbiology, and cover crops.
Dale Strickler shares the lessons he's learned while saving his own family farm from drying up, including installing rain-collection tanks, creating swales, and building retention dams. With Strickler's friendly advice and proven, innovative methods, you'll get more water into your soil, keep it in your soil, and help your plants and livestock access it.
Chapter 1: Introduction: The Ugly History of Drought and the Potential for Drought Resilience
Part I: Creating a Moisture-Efficient Soil
Chapter 2: Getting More Water into the Soil
Chapter 3: Keeping Water in the Soil Longer
Chapter 4: Helping Plants Get More Water Out of the Soil
Part II: Providing for Livestock
Chapter 5: Ensuring Livestock Water Supply
Chapter 6: Creating Drought-Tolerant Pastures
Chapter 7: Providing Emergency Forage in a Drought
Chapter 8: Livestock Decisions during and after a Drought
Part III: Looking to the Future
Chapter 9: Moisture-Efficient Agriculture for Semi-arid Regions
Chapter 10: Conclusion: A Checklist of Actions to Take before and during the Next Drought
Acknowledgments
References and Further Reading
Resources
Recommended Reading and Films
Metric Conversion Chart
Glossary
Index