Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
13 Land
T
o make informed land management decisions, consider general aspects of the climate such
as the temperature, growing season, and grazing season as well as the expected time and
amount of average precipitation.
When planning pasture improvements, renovations, and routine management, contact
your local agricultural Extension agent for advice on soil testing, plant varieties, fertilizer
and irrigation needs, weed control, and a timetable for planting and harvesting that is suited
specifically to your locale.
Soil Testing
One of the first places to start is to have the soil tested to determine if it needs mechanical
or nutritional improvement. Ideally, your soil should be fine textured and fairly moist, well
aerated, not heavily compacted, and composed of a balanced mixture of sand, silt, clay, and
organic matter. Such a soil, often referred to as
loam,
is usually friable; that is, if you grab
a handful of the soil, squeeze it tightly into a ball, and then try to break the ball, it should
crumble.
