Keeping soil covered, building organic matter and reducing compaction can help farms cope with dry spells and heavy rainfall. Regular monitoring shows where to start and whether changes are working.

Healthy soils support crops by storing and supplying water and nutrients, recycling organic matter and providing a habitat for beneficial organisms. Their structure also influences how rainfall moves into and through the ground.

For South African farmers facing both prolonged dry periods and episodes of intense rain, these functions matter. Building soil resilience takes time, but practical changes can help protect the farm before the next weather extreme arrives.

Keep the soil covered

Bare soil is vulnerable to wind and water erosion, which can remove fertile topsoil and nutrients. Cover helps protect the surface from raindrop impact and reduces moisture loss through evaporation.

Cover crops grown between cash crops can reduce exposure, add organic material and support nutrient cycling. Their roots can help create channels for water to enter the soil. Legumes can also fix atmospheric nitrogen through their association with soil bacteria, potentially benefiting the following crop. ^{1, 2}

Choose species and planting dates to suit the rainfall pattern, soil and crop rotation. Living cover crops also use water, so plan when to terminate them to leave enough moisture for the next cash crop. This is especially important in dryland systems and drought years. ³

Build organic matter

Soil organic matter supports structure, water-holding capacity, nutrient cycling and biological activity. Retaining suitable crop residues and applying well-rotted manure or compost can help build it over time.

A 2024 review found that harvesting crop residues reduced soil organic carbon stocks by an average of 11% across experiments lasting nearly 11 years, highlighting the long-term value of retaining organic material. ⁴

How fields are managed after harvest therefore matters. Where residues are also needed for livestock feed, consider how much cover can be retained. Time manure and compost applications to suit crop needs and local growing conditions.

Reduce soil compaction

Compaction squeezes pore spaces out of the soil, restricting root growth and the movement of air and water. It can also alter soil biological activity, increase surface run-off and reduce crop productivity. ⁵

Limit unnecessary vehicle passes and avoid taking heavy machinery onto wet soils where possible. Keeping traffic to established tramlines or permanent lanes can reduce the area affected.

On livestock farms, match stocking rates to available grazing and soil conditions, and allow damaged areas to recover. Repeated or intensive tillage can also disturb soil structure and organic matter, so reducing unnecessary cultivation helps protect both.

Improve infiltration and support soil life

Resilient soil needs to absorb rainfall while retaining water that crops can use during dry periods. Stable structure and connected pores allow water to move into the profile rather than collecting on the surface or running off.

Deep-rooted plants can help develop these channels. Including a mixed-species pasture in an arable rotation is one way to introduce a wider range of roots into the soil. ⁶

Earthworms contribute to decomposition, nutrient cycling and soil structure. Their burrows can provide routes for water and roots. Maintaining cover, returning organic material and reducing unnecessary disturbance can help support soil organisms. ⁷

Diversify crops and manage grazing

Different crops bring different root systems and organic materials into the soil. Including suitable grasses, legumes and deep-rooted species in a rotation can support soil structure and biological diversity.

On grazing farms, maintaining ground cover is equally important. Matching stocking rates to available pasture and using rotational grazing can give plants time to recover while reducing soil exposure, trampling and erosion.

Monitor and adapt

Establish a baseline before changing management. Soil tests, field observations and records of previous crops and inputs help show whether soil condition is improving, declining or staying much the same.

Use soil-test results to assess pH and nutrient availability. Where acidity limits production, lime requirements should be calculated for the soil and crop concerned. Cover crops can help recycle nutrients, but should not be relied on to correct soil acidity in place of a tested liming programme.

Earthworms are useful indicators of biological activity. A 2014 meta-analysis found that their presence increased crop yields by an average of 25% across the experiments reviewed, with the benefits influenced by management and nutrient availability. ⁹

For a simple repeatable count, dig five representative pits, each 20 cm by 20 cm and 20 cm deep. Sort the soil and count the earthworms in each pit. Average the five counts and multiply by 25 to estimate earthworms per square metre in the sampled layer. ¹⁰

Record the date and soil conditions, and repeat the count at a similar time of year when the soil is moist. Comparing results over time, alongside soil tests and field observations, helps build a picture of how the soil is responding. ^{10, 11}

Build for both wet and dry conditions

There is no quick fix for soil resilience. Keeping cover, retaining organic material, reducing compaction and matching crops and grazing to local conditions can all help. Start with the main problems on the farm, record what changes and use the results to guide the next step.

Sources

1. Quintarelli et al. (2022). Cover Crops for Sustainable Cropping Systems: A Review. Agriculture 12, 2076. https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/12/12/2076

2. Chahal and Van Eerd (2023). Do Cover Crops Increase Subsequent Crop Yield in Temperate Climates? A Meta-Analysis. Sustainability 15, 6517. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15086517

3. Strauss (2016). Management of wheat stubble and your choice of cover crops. Western Cape Department of Agriculture contribution to Pula/Imvula. https://www.grainsa.co.za/management-of-wheat-stubble-and-your-choice-of-cover-crops

4. Alvarez (2024). A quantitative review of the effects of residue removing on soil organic carbon in croplands. Soil and Tillage Research 240, 106098. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167198724000990

5. Frene, Pandey and Castrillo (2024). Under pressure: elucidating soil compaction and its effect on soil functions. Plant and Soil 502, 267–278. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-024-06573-2

6. Farm Advisory Service Scotland (2024). Benefits of Multi-Species Grassland Leys for Arable Farming. https://www.fas.scot/article/benefits-of-multi-species-grassland-leys-for-arable-farming/

7. Rodríguez et al. (2025). Earthworms mediate the effect of diversifying crop rotations on soil organic carbon incorporation, soil structure formation and microbial activity. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 391, 109751. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2025.109751

8. Raath, Hardy and van der Berg (2018). Create Soil pH that Ensures Long-term Citrus Orchard Performance. South African Fruit Journal, June/July, 74–75. https://www.crw.org.za/home/document-home/news-articles/south-african-fruit-journal-safj/sa-fruit-journal-2018/5528-sa-fruit-journal-june-july-2018-create-soil-ph-that-ensures-longterm-citrus-orchard-performance/file

9. Van Groenigen et al. (2014). Earthworms increase plant production: a meta-analysis. Scientific Reports 4, 6365. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep06365

10. Stroud (2019). Soil health pilot study in England: Outcomes from an on-farm earthworm survey. PLOS ONE 14, e0203909. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0203909

11. USDA NRCS. Earthworms, Soil Quality Indicators. https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2022-10/Earthworms.pdf