States: Iowa
The Corn Suitability Rating 2 (CSR2) is a widely recognized system employed in Iowa to determine the inherent productivity and potential of farmland for row-crop agriculture, primarily corn and soybeans.
Developed as an update to the original CSR system, CSR2 offers a refined assessment by factoring in recent advancements in agricultural practices and technology.
The rating evaluates soil types, slope, and other relevant attributes to provide a numerical score, with higher values indicating superior soil quality and productivity.
Class A:
CSR2 Range: Typically 85-100
Description: These are the most productive soils in Iowa. They have deep profiles, excellent water-holding capacity, and are rich in organic matter. These soils are ideal for intensive corn and soybean production and yield the highest outputs under optimal management.
Examples: Nicollet, Clarion, and Webster soils are among the prime Class A soils in Iowa.
Class B:
CSR2 Range: 70-84
Description: Class B soils are still quite productive but have some limitations compared to Class A. This could be due to slightly poorer drainage, less organic matter, or other minor factors. Nonetheless, they're suitable for traditional row-crop agriculture but might yield slightly lower than Class A soils.
Examples: Tama, Okoboji, and Galva soils can fall under this classification.
Class C:
CSR2 Range: 55-69
Description: These soils face more limitations, such as reduced water-holding capacity, being more prone to erosion, or other factors that might reduce their inherent productivity. They're still farmable, but they might require more careful management and could be less predictable in output.
Examples: Macksburg, Shelby, and Grundy soils can be considered under this category.
Subprime Farmland:
CSR2 Range: <55
Description: These soils are the least suitable for traditional row-crop farming in Iowa. They might be too sandy, too clayey, prone to flooding, or face other significant challenges. While they can still be farmed, they often need specialized management and may be more suitable for pasture, hay, or other uses.
Examples: Sands, low-lying areas prone to regular flooding, or eroded hilltops might fall into this category.
States: Illinois
The Productivity Index (PI) is a numerical rating system primarily used in the Illinois to evaluate soil fertility and potential agricultural yield. Unlike other rating systems that might focus on specific crops or geographical regions, PI provides a general assessment of the soil's inherent fertility, based on factors such as soil texture, organic matter, and drainage.
Soils in Illinois are divided into classes based on their PI rating. Classes range from "Class A" being the highest to "Subprime Farmland" being the lowest.
Class A:
Productivity Index (PI): 133-147
Description: These are the most productive soils in Illinois. Class A soils typically have deep, well-drained profiles, rich organic matter, and balanced nutrient levels, making them ideal for intensive farming practices. Common crops grown include corn and soybeans.
Examples: Drummer, Flanagan, and Ipava are among the top-notch Class A soils in Illinois.
Class B:
Productivity Index (PI): 117-132
Description: Class B soils are still quite productive, but not as optimal as Class A. They might have minor limitations, such as being slightly shallower or having less ideal drainage. Nonetheless, they can support most agricultural activities effectively.
Examples: Catlin, Dana, and Saybrook soils can fall into this category.
Class C:
Productivity Index (PI): 100-116
Description: These soils may have more pronounced limitations, such as reduced drainage, lower organic matter, or shallower profiles. They may require more careful management practices to yield optimal results.
Examples: Ebbert, Birkbeck, and Huntsville soils can be considered Class C soils.
Subprime Farmland:
Productivity Index (PI): ≤ 99
Description: As the name suggests, these soils have suboptimal agricultural potential. They often face significant limitations, such as being too sandy, clayey, shallow, or having poor drainage. These lands might be more suitable for activities other than intensive farming, like pasture, forestry, or recreational use.
Examples: Certain areas of Piasa, Cisne, or Plainfield soils can be considered subprime for farming in Illinois.
In addition to these classifications, it's essential to note that local factors, such as topography, land management practices, and historical usage, can further influence the real-world productivity of these soil classes.
States: Indiana
The Land Capability Classification System (LCCS) used in Indiana is a method to categorize the suitability of soil for agricultural use.
Developed by the USDA, this system primarily categorizes soil based on its limitations, potential for erosion, and the way it responds to management practices.
Soils are classified into eight classes, with Class I being the most suitable for cultivation and Class VIII being non-arable land typically best suited for wildlife or recreation.
Unlike CSR2 and PI, LCCS does not directly correspond to a soil rating. The graph at right
Class I:
Description: Class I soils are the best agricultural soils in Indiana. They have minimal limitations, such as a deep profile, excellent water retention, and are rich in organic matter. These soils can sustain a wide range of crops and consistently produce high yields without requiring extraordinary management. Examples: Crosby, Brookston, and Miami soils are typical examples of Class I soils in Indiana.
Examples: Crosby, Brookston, and Miami soils are typical examples of Class I soils in Indiana.
Class II:
Description: Class II soils in Indiana are very suitable for farming but may have some minor limitations, such as occasional wetness or slight erosion risk. They might need some conservation practices like crop rotation or contour plowing, but overall, they can support consistent crop production. Examples: Blount, Glynwood, and Pewamo soils can be categorized as Class II soils.
Examples: Blount, Glynwood, and Pewamo soils can be categorized as Class II soils.
Class III:
Description: Class III soils face moderate limitations that can reduce their inherent productivity or pose challenges in management. These might include issues like more frequent waterlogging, steeper slopes, or lower fertility. While they can be cultivated, they require more intensive management practices to optimize yields. Examples: Iva, Morley, and Riddles soils often fall under this classification in Indiana.
Examples: Iva, Morley, and Riddles soils often fall under this classification in Indiana.
Class IV-VIII:
Description: Soils in these classes have severe limitations making them less suitable for conventional agriculture. They may be too rocky, have shallow profiles, be excessively drained, or have other challenges that reduce their potential for crop production. These lands are often more suited for pasture, forestry, wildlife habitat, or recreation rather than intensive cropping.
Examples: Rock outcrops, very sandy areas, or steep eroded hillside soils can be categorized under these classes in Indiana.
States: All states other than Illinois, Iowa, and California
The National Commodity Crop Productivity Index (NCCPI) is a system used in the United States to assess the suitability of soils for growing specific types of crops. Developed by the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the NCCPI is designed to provide a relative ranking of soil's ability to produce commodity crops under non-irrigated and irrigated conditions. The index can range from 0 to 1, with higher values indicating higher potential productivity.
The NCCPI is a composite index that combines a variety of soil properties and features, such as soil texture, depth, drainage, and water holding capacity, among others. The index is broken down into different components that represent the productivity of soils for specific kinds of crops like row crops (e.g., corn, soybeans), small grains (e.g., wheat, barley), and forage crops (e.g., alfalfa).
Class A:
NCCPI Range: Typically 0.85-1.00
Description: These are the top-tier soils when considering crop productivity at a national level. They possess characteristics like a deep profile, outstanding moisture retention, and high organic matter content. Primarily, they support robust crop growth and can consistently produce high yields with conventional management.
Examples: Terran, Lumina, and Argenta soils represent some of the premier Class A soils based on NCCPI.
Class B:
NCCPI Range: 0.70-0.84
Description: Class B soils are highly productive but may have certain limitations when compared to Class A. These limitations could stem from periodic wetness, slightly reduced organic content, or other marginal factors. Still, they are adept for standard crop cultivation and generally yield a bit less than Class A soils.
Examples: Verdan, Calera, and Ombra soils are typical of the Class B category based on NCCPI.
Class C:
NCCPI Range: 0.55-0.69
Description: Class C soils encounter a few more challenges, such as compromised water retention, vulnerability to erosion, or other elements that might undercut their productivity. They can be cultivated effectively but might need more advanced management to achieve their potential.
Examples: Sylva, Tarn, and Glimmer soils are commonly found in the Class C range for NCCPI.
Subprime Farmland:
NCCPI Range: <0.55
Description: These soils, based on the NCCPI, are less recommended for conventional crop farming on a national scale. Their limitations might range from being excessively sandy or clayey, to having issues with regular waterlogging or other significant hindrances. Though they can be used for agriculture, they often necessitate specialized care and might be more appropriate for grazing, hay production, or alternative uses.
Examples: Sandy patches, regions susceptible to constant flooding, or heavily eroded terrains often fall into this category based on NCCPI.