Soil Management Guide
Summary
The purpose of this guide has been to provide the appropriate background and technical information required for managing soils in a sustainable fashion. Most of the information provided hinges on the following main points:
- Use detailed soil survey information, where available, to confirm soil type, dominant processes and limitations.
- Determine your crop yield potential and use the most appropriate Beneficial Management Practices (such as appropriate amount of tillage, crop choices and crop rotation, etc.) to try to reach that potential.
- Conduct soil testing to at least the 2 feet (60 centimetres) depth for nitrogen and to 6 inches (15 centimetres) for phosphorus and potassium from representative areas of the field for proper nutrient assessment over time.
- Establish buffer strips of perennial forages, with or without shelterbelts adjacent to sensitive areas to minimize runoff, wind and water erosion, compaction, moisture problems, overlap of inputs, salinity, pesticide drift, etc.
