Farmers: never curse heavy ground

The harvest of corn grain is beginning to get into full swing in our area despite the vast acres still standing. Early reports are showing moisture averaging 22%, but some have been drier and some still remain much higher. Yields are on the higher end, mostly in the 180 bushels/acre range, but some fields exceeding 200 bu/a. Much like corn silage yields, the production on corn has been a big surprise to growers due to the simple fact that we experienced a major drought, one of which we haven’t seen since the early 2000s. The question is then; Why did the corn do so well in our area? Heavy ground.

Wisconsin’s soil map is diverse, with 520 soil series that are categorized into 15 regions. Our area is in “Region F” and described as “forested silt loam,” that is 12-36 inches deep of silt and classified as Loyal, Withee, Marshfield soil types, and some areas we have the state soil of Wisconsin; Antigo. Our soil in the area is “heavy” which can be defined as one with a prominent presence of organic matter in the sediment as well as clay. Organic matter is a powerful component for a farmer, with every kilogram (or numerical percentage) having the capacity to hold over 20,000 gallons of water per acre. Basically, for every percentage point is the potential increase in available water in the soil. Most of our soil is around 3.1-3.4%, where if we went to central-southern Wisconsin their organic matter is 1.5-2.1%. Looking at data complied from 2022 to 2023* our soil moisture was drastically down this year. In 2022 from May 1st to October 31st, the soil moisture 4 inches down was 30.1%, with no days below 15%. In the same time frame this year, the soil moisture was only 21.1% and there were 52 days that the soil moisture was below 15%. What is funny about this is, several months ago I talked about how the average rain falls were similar to last year’s (6 month total in 2022 was 9.94 inches compared to 2023 which was 9.98 inches), but I failed to realize that with the conditions the water was never able to recharge the soil, but instead was quickly gobbled up by the crops whenever it appeared (and for some, never appeared).

Despite this glaring fact, our soil type fared better than others in the state. In June the USDA reported that 62% of Wisconsin was low on sub soil moisture, and 0% with a surplus. So, who had most of the 38% adequate moisture, you ask? Clark and Marathon county.

The ground that we all curse every spring or late fall for giving us mud and stuck tractors ended up being our saving grace. Granted, the reader can point out that corn varieties now are more robust than your grandpa’s corn, built by superior breeding programs to give them top-tier agronomics. They could also cite better understanding in timing of applications of fertility, and integration of practices that conserve soil and build healthy organic matter.

Good organic matter and it’s ability to give precious moisture to the farmer isn’t something to be counted on in all farming systems. Poor rotations, lack of nutrient cycling, and heavy tillage will disrupt the production of organic matter, and in some extreme cases completely eliminate its presence from the soil. Organic matter is like a crop in the field and it needs to be tended to as well. Because if the soil is in good shape, it will give the farmer a helping hand.

* credit to Jason Cavadini of University of Wisconsin Extension.

The Soil

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