The Soil Resource Presentation for Harvest Hastings April 10/2014

What do we have? Bedrock Geology Glaciation and Subsequent Landforms Land Use History

What is Soil?

Soil texture Texture – % sand, silt, clay Field testing – Dry feel test – Ribbon test

Soil texture- in class exercise 3 samples

Texture and Soil Moisture Soil Moisture – Texture – Depth to water table Seasonal Permanent Drainage – Texture – Water Table – Impervious layers

Soil Fertility Soil nutrients – Additions Fertilizers Manure Crops – Deletions Leaching Denitrification Erosion Crops/Livestock

Building Soil Fertility Nutrient Retention – Cover crops – Crop rotations – Soil organic matter – Soil texture – Nutrient additions Organic Inorganic Soil pH

Soil Testing Soil sampling What to test for When

Soil Improvement Drainage – Tile drainage Why Cost/benefit

Soil Structure What is it?

Improving soil structure Organic matter – Cover crops – Manure – fertilizers Field timing – Tillage – compaction Earthworms and other animals

Compaction Soil texture Soil moisture Equipment Correction and Improvement – Mechanical – Biological

Weed Management Weed Resistance Crop Rotations Herbicides Cover crops Other???

Next: Field visit Any questions before we head outside?