Carbon Sequestration

Cap and trade does not seem to go away. Farmers, and midwestern farmers in particular have some opportunity to sell carbon credits in return for their good tillage practices. When I was a college student, the body of knowledge said we could not increase organic matter in soils with common cropping practices. In fact, we knew we had depleted organic matter and released the carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. My college Mentor Ted Peck said that soil organic matter had reduced by half. He thought that more Carbon Dioxide had been released by tillage than by burning fossil fuels. At that time organic matter seemed to be in equilibrium in the soil.

As tillage was reduced or eliminated, we found that we could increase soil organic matter. With high yields in the midwest and with no-till farming practices, soils have potential to exceed their original organic matter content. Reduced tillage increases organic matter in the soil more slowly. Cap and trade proposes to pay for increasing or sequestering carbon. Is this a good deal? Probably not for the energy companies paying for it. Probably not for the consumers who pick up the cost.

Will it reduce greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere? Who Knows? Will it change the Climate either way? Who Knows? Al Gore? Do you trust a politician as a scientist? Do you trust Hollywood actors and actresses as scientists?

On the other hand it makes sense to do what we can to conserve our resources. Improved air quality might be a bonus to doing something to conserve soil, water, and fertilizer. Tillage needs to fit your knowledge level and management ability. If you are thinking about no-till or doing it, then you might be giving benefits to society and not just to yourself.

I would like to tell you what to say to your legislator, but I don't really know and I am a scientist. In General I would leave things alone until there is some compelling evidence that we should spend the money.