Soil fundamentals library

[SD51555]

Would it be accurate to assume that your remark that my dirt is "sandy" is based on the cation exchange


Great, thank you!

Would it be accurate to say your assumption that my ground is "sandy" is because of the cation exchange score?

Most everyone who has toured my ground has remarked at how "clayish" it seems. It is quite greasy when wet and I've gotten my 4WD tractor with R1 tires stuck in it. The dominant soils on my farm are, according to the USDA soil maps, WIlliamstown-Conover Complex and Miami clay loam.

Soil Data Explorer | California Soil Resource Lab

Soil Data Explorer | California Soil Resource Lab

Soil Data Explorer | California Soil Resource Lab

Unless my sampling methodology was flawed and my soil probe just hit the wrong spots. Or I just have the tightest sands around.

That’s where I was headed yes. Your CEC says sandy, but your calcium to magnesium ratio says it’s greasy. And It would be puzzling to have a neutral to clay soil with a low CEC, but that’s exactly what I have depending on how deep you go.

Top 6” at my place is a CEC of 8. Get down 24” and it jumps to 20.

You’re still good to go with those numbers I gave you. If you don’t have moisture concerns of a sandy topsoil, kick that rate up to 2,000 lbs/ac the first year and see how it responds after 12 months.


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[farmlegend]

That’s where I was headed yes. Your CEC says sandy, but your calcium to magnesium ratio says it’s greasy. And It would be puzzling to have a neutral to clay soil with a low CEC, but that’s exactly what I have depending on how deep you go.

Top 6” at my place is a CEC of 8. Get down 24” and it jumps to 20.

You’re still good to go with those numbers I gave you. If you don’t have moisture concerns of a sandy topsoil, kick that rate up to 2,000 lbs/ac the first year and see how it responds after 12 months.


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Thank you.

I may have to do some scrambling to round up some gypsum. Deadends so far.

 

[homerj]

Where would a person source a ton or more of pelletized gypsum at a reasonable cost?

 

[T-Max]

Menards has the best price on it near me. I don’t know anywhere to buy it in bulk.


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[farmlegend]

Menards has the best price on it near me. I don’t know anywhere to buy it in bulk.


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One ton/acre over on that nine acres works out to 450 40 pound bags, and then prospectively 1,350 bags over three years. Not something I’d take on.

 

[Foggy47]

Is that gypsum pelletized or powder? What do you spread it with?

 

[farmlegend]

Is that gypsum pelletized or powder? What do you spread it with?

I assume I’d be looking for ag gypsum. Ag lime is a cinch, I could have a guy out spreading that next week, done in minutes for a very reasonable cost per ton.

 

[SD51555]

I assume I’d be looking for ag gypsum. Ag lime is a cinch, I could have a guy out spreading that next week, done in minutes for a very reasonable cost per ton.

U may have to draw a circle around your place and keep going outward until u find a farm coop that carries it. It could take some savvy negotiating to get a coop to apply it. When I lived in South Dakota, guys that farmed 120 acres were treated like food plotters and the coops weren’t very helpful.

A few pointers I’d try if you do find it:

Tell them they can spread whenever they’re not busy.

Offer to pay whatever extra mileage or minimum application charge they wanna stick on it.


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[TreeDaddy]

Currently reading "The Nature & Properties of Soil" by Brady/Weil

One had better brush up on chemistry fundamentals before tackling this read

bill

 

[farmlegend]

U may have to draw a circle around your place and keep going outward until u find a farm coop that carries it. It could take some savvy negotiating to get a coop to apply it. When I lived in South Dakota, guys that farmed 120 acres were treated like food plotters and the coops weren’t very helpful.

A few pointers I’d try if you do find it:

Tell them they can spread whenever they’re not busy.

Offer to pay whatever extra mileage or minimum application charge they wanna stick on it.


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I have found a guy the next county over who has verbally agreed to do it for me, in concert with spreading lime on a neighboring farmer when it works into their schedule. Fingers crossed!

Given what an Act of Congress it is to get this done, I’m thinking of making it two tons/acre so I don’t have to do it again anytime soon.

 

[matinc]

Legend last time I had lime spread I bumped it up to 3 tons per acre. Check your soil analysis and if need be just do it. With a truck they do it really quick