05/14/2026
Wanna build more topsoil?
Most people have been taught that soil carbon comes mainly from manure, litter, and decomposing crop residues.
But much of that becomes short-lived soil carbon that may only last months or a few years.
The real engine of long-term soil fertility is long-lived soil carbon, also called MAOM (Mineral-Associated Organic Matter).
And one of the most powerful ways to build it is by stockpiling grass. This completely changes how we think about grazing management.
When grasses are allowed to fully mature and complete their biological cycle, they feed a very different soil process than constantly interrupted regrowth.
That changes water holding capacity, nutrient cycling, resilience, and long-term productivity.
I put together a free PDF explaining the process in more detail:
www.rwranching.com/soilcarbon