More About Soils

1. More About Soils 9/26/12

2. Home * A * Syst assignment • Due Monday, Oct 1, 2012 • Hand in paper copy • It seems that the formatting got messed up from some that were sent via e-mail • 2-Sided copies are much preferred for Fact Sheets

3. Field Day Reminder – tomorrow, 9/27 • Two-Stage Ditch and Bioreactor Field Day • Throckmorton Purdue Ag Center (8343 U.S. 231, Lafayette) • A unique opportunity to learn about new conservation practices for drained land • 7:45 am and 12:30 pm: presentations about the practices, design, research, and a tour of the site • 11 am: presentation on two-stage ditches • The site will be open all day to view the construction • The field day is free

4. Web Soil Survey • Online access to soil information, http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/ • Uses: • General management decisions • Land use decisions • Required for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO) siting • Soil Survey: soil map for a land area + soil descriptions + predicted use and limitations • Example of soil limitations for a CAFO: • high seasonal water table • slow permeability • low bearing strength • high shrink/swell capacity • corrosive to metal and concrete

5. How Are Soil Surveys Made? • Soil scientists examine soil properties for thousands of soils in each county Soil Properties Landscape Features Vegetation Rocks Slopes Streams Drainage-ways Lakes roads, Dams Gravel pits • Horizons • Color • Texture • Structure • Other physical, chemical and mineralogical characteristics • Soil Scientists then compare and classify soils (similar soils make up a soil series); analyze how the soils will support different management and uses, plot the soil location on aerial photographs so you can view them.

6. Assignment: WSS • NRCS WSS: http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/ • Read the home page information • Click on the Green “Start WSS”

7. Soils Articles • The Fate of our Nation's Soil Resource • World Food Prize Digs Deep for Hunger Relief Conservation Practices Help Correct Erosion Issues & New Conservation Program Protects Most Highly Erodible Croplands • No-till Practices Open Mississippi Hills to Crop Production & Gullies in Long-term No-till Fields can be Troublesome

8. The Fate of our Nation's Soil Resource • Who is the author? Katherine R. Smith • Where and when was the article published? Agri-Pulse Communications, Inc. (www.agri-pulse.com); 6/20/12 • What is the main point of this article? • Our rich soils ensure our abundant supply of food and fiber – a true national treasure worthy of safeguarding • What policy changes is the author concerned about? • A policy change from traditional crop support programs to farm revenue protection programs increases the likelihood that additional marginal lands will be brought into production. • Congressional failure to attach conservation compliance to insurance program subsidies may lead to increased erosion.

9. World Food Prize Digs Deep for Hunger Relief • Who is the author? Owen Roberts • Where and when was the article published? Guelph Mercury.com; 6/25/12 • What is the subject of this article? • The 2012 winner of the World Food Prize was Professor Daniel Hillel, soil physicist and author who “wrote the book on healthy soil.” Soil physics involves water uptake by plants and water retention and movement in soil. • What contribution did Dr. Hillel make? • Hillel has been working to help farmers in under developed nations improve soil healthy, particularly by using micro-irrigation • Micro-irrigation is a low-volume, high-frequency calibrated water system that provides small, continuous amounts of water to plant roots with dramatic improvements in production and water conservation. • What “plea” did the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization make? • “Calling on nations to redouble their efforts to fight hunger. Soil health is unquestionable an integral part of this mission.”

10. Conservation Practices Help Correct Erosion Issues • Who is the author? Ashley Bechman • Where and when was the article published? Agrinews online, 8/24/12 • What is the main point of this article? • The value of installing a grass waterway and a rock-lined outlet near a creek to reduce erosion • Who is featured? • An Indiana farmer from Hendricks County New Conservation Program Protects Most Highly Erodible Cropland • Who is the author? Agri-Pulse staff • Where and when was the article published? agri-pulse.com, Feb. 21, 2012 • What is the main point of this article? • A new conservation initiative to protect the nation’s most highly erodible cropland • Farmers can enroll land with an erodibility index of 20 or greater into a wildlife-friendly, long-term cover through the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). • How does CRP help water quality and wildlife? • CRP keeps > 600 million pounds of nitrogen and > 100 million pounds of phosphorous out of surface water and provides $1,8 billion annually to landowners. • Has helped increase populations of pheasants, quail, ducks and rare species including: sage grouse and lesser prairie chicken.

11. No-till Practices Open Mississippi Hills to Crop Production • Who is the author? AgWatch Network staff • Where and when was the article published? Agriwatchnetwork.com, Feb. 10, 2012 • What is the main point of this article? • Time, experience and research shows that no-till farming can boost production, prevent soil erosion and transform hayfields and pastures into viable cropland • What location is discussed? • Mississippi and primarily about their areas with sloping topography. Gullies in Long-term No-till Fields can be Troublesome • Who is the author? Sjoerd Duiker • Where and when was the article published?http://southeastfarmpress.com, March 21, 2012 • What is the main point of this article? • Tips given to reduce or correct gully formation in long-term no-till fields • What are a few of the tips that the author gives? • Till only to repair gullies and then change management to fix the problem, use high residue cover throughout the crop rotation; don’t kill cover crops early; maintain soil structure (avoid compaction); and, if needed: plant on the contour; install a sub-surface drainage system; install terraces and diversions; divert road runoff