Soil Health - Colorado Corn Council

S.T.A.R.

The Colorado Saving Tomorrow’s Agricultural Resources (STAR) Program is a free and voluntary tool to inspire producers, give bragging rights, and structure conversations around soil health. STAR is a practice-based rating system that assigns points for the following soil health practices: cropping, tillage, nutrient application, and other best management practices based upon a 10-minute form that producers fill out about each field. As a result, the farmer or rancher receives a STAR rating from 1-5 stars that help them understand how well they are doing in promoting soil health and upholding the 5 principles of soil health.

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5 Principles of Soil Health

Soil Armor

Control water and wind erosion
Reduce evaporation
Suppress weed growth

Minimize Disturbance

Biological disturbance limits photosynthesis
Chemical disturbance disrupts soil food web
Mechanical disturbance disrupts the physical system

Plant Diversity

Increased resource use and efficiency
Rooting depth and water infiltration/use
Variable water use between species
Diversity above ground –> diversity below ground

Continual Living Root

Captures nutrients and locks them in place for the next crop
Reduces erosion by holding the soil in place with its roots
Continues to capture C
Feeds microbes throughout the year

Integration of Livestock

Cycling nutrients in place
Reducing C:N in residue for mineralization
Increases biodiversity (bugs) within the field
- Reduction and redistribution of crop residues and amendments