The microbiomes of animals, on and in crops, and in soil and water are incredibly complex that are intricately interconnected, with each influencing the others in various ways.
Dr. Tim McAllister, principal research scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, has spent nearly a decade studying microbiomes, referring to them as the one health microbiome or the circle of microbiomes, he explains in this interview with RealAgriculture’s Amber Bell at the Western Canada Conference on Soil Health and Grazing.
While the research examines each component individually — such as how the microbes in a cow’s gut influence the animal’s health or how the soil microbiome impacts plant health and productivity — it also connects these elements as part of a larger system. One example McAllister highlights is replacing chemical fertilizers with manure. Manure enhances soil health by adding organic matter and a variety of substrates that soil microorganisms can utilize. Healthy soil, in turn, supports healthy forage growth, which nourishes the microbiome of the cattle, creating a continuous cycle that returns to manure.
McAllister hopes that his research will lead to a greater understanding of how these processes work, which would inevitably lead to a list of best management practices for maintaining healthy microbiomes that are beneficial not only for the animals, but also for the environment.
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