What are Farmland Soil Ratings & What Do They Mean?

Soil health stands as a cornerstone of successful agriculture. For farmers, it directly impacts their ability to be productive and profitable. For landowners, soil ratings serve as a proxy for evaluating the farmer's stewardship of the land. 

Regular soil testing in lease agreements is crucial, but what happens after you receive the results? In this article, we will delve into the significance of soil ratings, how to interpret them, and how they can guide us toward improving the health of our soil.

Why should you care about soil ratings?

Soil ratings aren’t just numbers—they’re indicators of your ability to make money from your farmland.

While a number of factors go into determining land quality, soil quality plays a major role. Regular soil testing—usually every two to three years—helps you: 

• Understand the precise condition of your soil and its impact on crop productivity, profitability, and sustainability

• Gain insights into fertilizer levels to avoid excess chemical use

• Get early warning into soil depletion so you can take steps to fortify it

• Keep on top of environmental concerns to maintain community health

When you understand soil ratings, both farmers and landowners can make better decisions around the health of the operation. This can lead to significant benefits for both parties. 

Crop productivity

The right crop-soil match can make or break a harvest. Soil ratings provide a window into the soil's capacity, enabling farmers to select crops most likely to thrive in that soil. 

These ratings offer insights into the nutrient content, pH levels, and organic matter composition of the soil. Understanding the soil's limitations and potential allows farmers to make informed decisions about crop selection, ensuring optimal yield and quality.

Farmland longevity

Effective farming isn’t just about having one good year. It’s about being as profitable as you can for years on end. Your best shot at doing that is maintaining the quality of the land over the long haul.

To know which decisions to make to preserve your farmland, you first need to know where you stand. Soil ratings are key to gaining insight into your farmland’s health and vitality. 

For example, certain soil properties, such as compaction and erosion risks, can impact the long-term viability of our land. By implementing proper practices, you can ensure that your land remains productive and fruitful for years to come.

Sustainability and environmental health

Soil ratings provide insights into the organic matter content, nutrient cycling capacity, and overall soil structure. These are all factors that influence your ability to execute on sustainable agriculture practices. 

By understanding your soil ratings, you can adopt sustainable practices that protect the environment while maximizing your productivity.

Versatility

The better the soil, the more opportunities farmers have to diversify our farming practices. Soil ratings help to identify your land’s potential for double cropping, cover cropping, and rotational strategies. 

By optimizing soil health, you can expand your options and explore new avenues to increase productivity, profitability, and overall resilience.

How to calculate your farmland soil rating

There are a range of factors that go into calculating your farmland soil rating. Generally, you should consult with a soil expert—either your ag extension office, soil scientists, or agronomists—who can help give the most accurate picture of your farmland quality. 

A soil rating involves assessing key factors, then scoring them based on regional standards or local practices. Unfortunately, there are no universal standards for soil ratings, so it’s important to understand the specific formula that your soil expert is using. That way, you make the best decisions based on the results.

Soil texture

Soil texture is the relative proportion of sand, silt, and clay particles. Soils with a balanced mixture of these particles are generally considered more desirable for farming. 

Various soil texture classifications exist, such as loam, sandy loam, clay loam, etc. The ideal soil texture will vary based on your region, crop type, etc.

Organic matter content

The amount of organic matter present in the soil indicates its fertility and ability to retain moisture. Higher organic matter content is generally beneficial for agricultural productivity.

Examples of organic matter content include plant residues, animal waste, compost, decomposing microorganisms, and cover crops and green manure.

Drainage

Soil drainage characteristics determine how well water moves through the soil profile. Well-drained soils are preferred for farming, as excessive waterlogging can harm plant roots and impede crop growth.

pH Level

Soil pH levels indicate its acidity or alkalinity. Most crops prefer a slightly acidic to neutral pH range (around 6 to 7), although specific crops may have different preferences. Soil pH affects nutrient availability and microbial activity.

Nutrient content

Soil nutrient levels are critical to crop productivity and health. Nutrient content includes macronutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) and micronutrients (iron, zinc, manganese, etc.). Deficiencies or excesses in soil nutrients can have a detrimental effect on crop productivity, so it’s important to strike a happy medium. 

Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC)

Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) represents its ability to retain and exchange nutrients. Cations commonly involved in the exchange process include calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+), potassium (K+), sodium (Na+), and hydrogen (H+). Soils with higher CEC can hold and supply more nutrients to plants over time, a factor in improving crop productivity.

Erosion risk

Evaluate the potential risk of soil erosion on the farmland due to factors like slope, wind, and water flow. Highly erodible soils may require additional measures to prevent or minimize erosion, especially in regions where flooding is highly probable. 

How soil ratings can factor into your farm decisioning

You’ve got the soil rating report in your hands. Now what? It's time to roll up your sleeves and take action on those results. Here are some of the ways your soil rating report can influence your farm decisionsing, whether you're a farmer or landowner. 

1. Crop selection, rotation & diversification

Soil ratings significantly impact crop selection. Different crops have varying nutrient requirements and growth patterns. Finding the ideal crop for your existing soil conditions can lead to improved yields and, in turn, profitability. 

Additionally, soil ratings can help you determine the optimal crop rotation and diversification patterns. This enables you to break pest cycles, enhance soil fertility, and reduce the risk of soil diseases.

2. Soil amendments and fertilization

Soil amendments, such as compost, manure, and lime, are vital for addressing specific deficiencies and are shown in your soil rating. Matching soil amendments to address nutrient imbalances or pH issues is crucial for promoting healthy plant growth. 

3. Irrigation and drainage considerations

Proper drainage systems prevent waterlogging, while effective irrigation practices conserve water resources and enhance crop performance.

Soil ratings provide insights into irrigation requirements, helping farmers optimize water usage The soil's water-holding capacity, infiltration rate, and drainage characteristics aids in efficient water management. 

4. Cover cropping  

Cover cropping involves planting specific crops during fallow periods to protect and improve soil health. They prevent erosion, increase soil’s organic matter, and enhance nutrient cycling. 

Soil ratings help to identify suitable cover crops that complement the existing soil conditions and provide specific benefits such as nitrogen fixation or weed suppression.

5. Crop residue management 

Managing crop residue plays a significant role in maintaining soil health. Leaving residue on the field improves organic matter content, prevents erosion, and enhances water infiltration. 

Soil ratings can guide farmers in adopting appropriate residue management practices such as conservation tillage and no-till farming contributing to improve soil structure and long-term soil health.

Final thoughts on soil ratings in farm management

Soil ratings serve as a powerful tool for farmers and landowners, enabling them to make informed decisions about their agricultural practices. Regular soil testing and analysis, followed by appropriate actions based on the results, ensure the long-term sustainability and profitability of agricultural operations.

Start prioritizing soil health today by incorporating regular soil testing, and implementing sustainable practices tailored to your unique soil ratings. Together, we can nurture our soil and cultivate a thriving agricultural industry for generations to come.