How Well Do You Know Your Soils?

May 2000
Travis Seawright - Manatee County Extension Agent

It has been said that Cattlemen and Cattle women must become grass/Forage producers and to become a forage producer a cattleman/cattle woman must know the types and capabilities of their soils. Soils have always been our basic resource. They will continue to be the most important resource affecting our individual production commodity.

Soils differ one from another. Because of the differences, land capabilities vary from place to place. A knowledge of soil characteristics will help determine the capability of the land, the proper use of the land, and the conservation practices necessary.

These differences in soil characteristics can be described in rather definite terms. Once we have learned the proper terms, we can discuss soil differences with anyone who speaks the same language.

We will need to know about Soil Texture, Organic Matter, Thickness of Rooting Zone, Permeability, Drainage, Slope, Erosion, and the relationship each has with production of different varieties of forages. Soils with certain combinations of these characteristics can be grouped into soil "Types". Similar types of soil may be suited to similar agricultural uses. We arrange these groups in land capability classes. Understanding capability classification makes it easier to plan for conservation, farming, ranching, or grove management. Similarly, soils with certain characteristics may be found to have predictable degrees of "Limitation" for various uses in forage production.

One of the best tools in analyzing your production capabilities is the county soil survey that has been taken in every county in Florida. Most of the survey have been updated over the years and can be obtained from your county Extension office or the USDA - Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) office.

This soil survey contains information that can be used in land-planning. It contains predictions of soil behavior for selected land uses. The survey also highlights limitations and hazards inherent in the soil, improvements needed to overcome the limitations, and the impact of selected land uses on the environment.

The soil survey is designed for many different users. Ranchers, farmers, foresters, and agronomists can use it to evaluate the potential of the soil and the management needed for maximum production. Planners, community officials, engineers, developers, builders and home buyers can use the survey to plan land use, select sites for construction , and identify special practices needed to insure proper performance. Conservationists, teachers, students, and specialists in recreation, wildlife management, waste disposal, and pollution control can use the survey to help them understand, protect, and enchantment the environment.

Great differences in soil properties can occur within short distances. Some soils are seasonally wet or subject to flooding. Some are shallow to bedrock or spodic horizons. Some are to unstable to be used in a foundation for buildings or roads. Other soils that are high dry sandy soils may only be suited to certain forage varieties with deep rooting systems or to only native ranges.

These and many other soil properties that affect land use are described in the soil survey. Broad areas of soils are shown on the general soils map. The location of each soil is shown on the detailed soil map. Each soil in the survey area is described, information on specific uses is given.

Help in using this publication and additional information are available at the Extension Service and the NRCS offices.

References

  • Brown R.B., Herbert, J.H. Jr., and Hanlon, E.A. Jr. Land Judging and Homesite Evaluation in Florida. Ext. Publication Circular 242G.

Return to top