The Holosyn™ Approach to Farm Management

Since the 1960's U.S. Soil has encouraged farm practices that protect the farm and the environment, while producing lush, full crops. Throughout the years, we have researched and tested the best methods for farm management, and we still find this approach encompasses them all. Many of these practices may be common knowledge today, but they still hold true to the approach we have encouraged for over 40 years.

The term Holosyn is derived from the ecological term holocenotic, which means a systems's proper functioning as a whole is dependant on the proper functioning of its individual parts. As related to farming, the Holosyn™ approach considers all aspects of the environment and incorporates technological improvements and the use of interdependant factors which complete the whole environment.

In farming, one practice cannot be modified without affecting all other parts of the farm management plan. They are the whole, "Holo". Change one and all are changed. The goal of the Holosyn approach is the proper balance of all factors in the soil environment for nutrient availability and stability - the maximum production

Good Management
It is important that you thoroughly know your farm and its soils so that you can deal effectively with variations in soil composition. While a basic soil test can help you out of the gate, the tests should be taken with a grain of salt. Soil tests are designed to sell products and more soil tests. No test should ever know your land better than you do. Care should be taken when interpreting the results. Do not rely solely on the exact numerical values, but rather, take care to observe toxicities or deficiencies of particular nutrient elements. Other sources of information are needed. The best soil test is always to walk your land and know it.

A ready source of information about your soil and its capabilities is accurate records of yields obtained from various fertilizer applications. The information can help you utilize the multitude of living organisms that work in harmony for soil balance. Because of the living character of the soil, use only those products that will enhance life!

Pesticides are generally extremely poisonous and can be expensive. Only the most judicious use of pesticides should be made. Government reports indicate that sole reliance on chemical pesticides has failed to protect crops in a number of instances because of adverse factors generated by their use. Current data indicates that at least 50% of the pesticides applied to corn in the midwest was not necessary. More information is needed about comparative advantages, adverse effects, and future biological and economic consequences of pesticide rotation. Insect infestation can often be controlled by crop rotation. Rotating to a non-susceptible crop in many cases is the most feasible means of eliminating certain pests.

Crop Rotation
Crop rotation affords many other benefits including the maintenance and improvement of the soil structure to help ensure adequate nutrition for plant growth. Good rotation also makes possible the fullest year-round use of the soil, equipment and labor. The beneficial effects of using legumes in a crop rotation are well documented. The increase in available nitrogen and increased organic matter are the two major benefits derived from the use of legumes. Many organic or natural farmers have successfully used legumes in their farming programs to help eliminate the need for nitrogen application. Many others will use a simple compost to supplement their nitrogen, eliminating the need for chemicals.

Tillage
Do not plow deep with a moldboard plow unless it is necessary due to unusual conditions that may develop. Use a chisel if possible. The surface soil is the major zone of root development and life. Do not turn it under by deep plowing. The top few inches of soil carry much of the nutrients available to plants and supply a large share of the moisture used by crops. Chisel plowing leaves a field cloddy and trashy on top, increases infiltration, reducing possible loss through wind and water erosion.

Crop residue contributes significantly to good physical condition of the soil and improved plant-soil-water relationships. As much residue as possible should be retained or returned to the top few inches of soil as long as it does not unduly inhibit the planting or growth of the crop. Incorporation of crop residues into the soil is an effective means to prevent insect carry-over.

Material
Growing plants consume nutrient elements. In natural situations the consumption of these elements is balanced by their return to the soil when the plant dies and decays. Harvesting crops disrupts the cyclic nature of nutrient flow that normally occurs in every soil environment. Soil is resilient and for a time will maintain sufficient nutrients to sustain heavy cropping. Although soil particles continue to release mineral nutrients during the weathering process, the available nutrients can be heavily taxed in modern farming practices. Crop failures can result. Since the minerals are being removed, they also need to be returned to the soil.

All of the nutrient elements needed for healthy plant growth must be present in balance to allow the plant to assimilate food. Growth limitations are encountered when a deficiency in any one of the essential elements is present. The plant will grow only to the extent that the limiting element concentration will allow.

Trace elements or micro-nutrients are just as vital to the plant as macro-nutrients; they are only needed in smaller quantities. Deficiencies in more than one trace element often occur. Using a fertilizer containing only one trace element to correct that particular deficiency would require a very sophisticated method of analysis to indicate how much of that element is needed. This has proven in the past to be impractical and doesn't always work. Costly mistakes have been made with this practice, yet many trace mineral fertilizers are only able to offer one or two of the elements. Even worse, is that very few of them are bioactive and plant available, but they may tell you otherwise.

Use Planters
Planters II Mineral Fertilizer is a complex of naturally occurring minerals which contains seven elements essential and proven for plant growth. Fertilization with Planters II adds some of the required mineral balance for the growth of common soil flora and fauna vital to overall productivity. Planters II is also water soluble, so plants will directly digest the elements they need in the quantities they need.

Planters II Mineral Fertilizer readily incorporates into the Holosyn™ farm management program. This unique product cooperates with biological processes within the soil which can build soil fertility and encourage maximum production.

Employing the Holosyn™ approach with Planters II not only utilizes advanced technology but enhances biological stability for the most practical total farming program.

We like to ask ourselves, would we want to put chemical "replacements" on our home garden? No we wouldn't, so we use the Holosyn™ approach with Planters II on our home gardens and our own crops.

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