Optionally create a database of regional soil types indicating their characteristics at Hub / Setup / Soil Types. At a minimum, enter the name of the soil type which is then available for selection at the Field Profile window. The soil characteristics entered here are informational only and do not affect how the Planning module calculates nutrient recommendation.
- Soil Type – Enter the name of the soil type.
- Soil Class – Indicate which description listed below most closely describes this soil type.
- Definition of Soil Classes:
- A – Dark-colored silty clays and silty clay loams.
- B – Light and medium colored silty clays and silty clay loams; dark colored silt and clay loams.
- C – Light and medium colored silt and clay loams; dark and medium colored loams; dark colored sandy loams.
- D – Light colored loams; light and medium colored sandy loams; sands.
- E – Muck and Peat.
- T-Value – Tolerance value is an estimate of the amount of topsoil (expressed in tons/acre) which can be lost to erosion with no measurable effect on soil productivity. Generally, darker soils have a higher tolerance than lighter soils.
- Water Hold – This is a measurement of a particular soil type’s ability to retain water in the topsoil. The sandier the soil, the lower the water holding capacity. Express as low, med, high, or soil surveys may give a number grade.
- Productivity – This is the overall productivity index for this soil type. Usually expressed as an average of bushel/acre yield of grain crops which may be achieved under high management versus low management.
- Slope – Typical slope of this soil type, it is expressed as a percentage (e.g. 3 percent slope means the slope is a 3-foot change in elevation over a 100 foot run).
- Org Matter – This is expressed as percent of the soil which is decomposed non-mineral organic matter. A darker soil has more organic matter.
- Texture – Choose the expression that best describes this soil type’s texture.
- Comments – Enter general comments about the soil type not indicated elsewhere.
- Default Yield Goals Per Crop – Optionally enter the typical yield expected in the region for each crop for this soil type. These goals are available as defaults when filling out the Field Sample window or at the Nutrient Recommendation screen when a crop is selected.
