websoilsurvey can someone decipher?

[JohnP]

Does anyone understand this scientific gibberish?

I understand the basics but most of it just makes no sense. Some of it even contradicts itself. I'm still exploring the site. (40 minute session ran out so start again) I've searched some of the terminology but the search results all pretty much led back to usda. Maybe they have their own proprietary language.
Anyway. Here's the text of the reports. Hopefully someone here with more soil savvy than me can help me understand. Thanks.

Here's the bottom part. About 44% of the 8 acres.

73280—Alred very gravelly silt loam, 3 to 15 percent slopes,
very stony

Map Unit Setting
Landscape: Hills
Elevation: 850 to 1,050 feet
Mean annual precipitation: 39 to 49 inches
Mean annual air temperature: 54 to 59 degrees F
Frost-free period: 172 to 232 days

Map Unit Composition
Alred and similar soils: 90 percent

Description of Alred

Setting
Landform: Ridges, interfluves
Landform position (two-dimensional): Summit, shoulder
Landform position (three-dimensional): Crest, interfluve
Down-slope shape: Convex
Across-slope shape: Convex
Parent material: Slope alluvium over residuum weathered from
dolomite

Properties and qualities
Slope: 3 to 15 percent
Surface area covered with cobbles, stones or boulders: 2.0 percent
Depth to restrictive feature: 14 to 40 inches to strongly contrasting
textural stratification
Drainage class: Well drained
Capacity of the most limiting layer to transmit water
(Ksat): Moderately high (0.20 to 0.57 in/hr)
Depth to water table: More than 80 inches
Frequency of flooding: None
Frequency of ponding: None
Maximum salinity: Nonsaline (0.0 to 2.0 mmhos/cm)
Available water capacity: Very low (about 2.8 inches)

Interpretive groups
Farmland classification: Prime farmland if irrigated
Land capability (nonirrigated): 4s
Hydrologic Soil Group: C
Ecological site: Quercus alba-Quercus velutina/Rhus aromatica/
Soli---- ulmifolia-Schizachyrium scoparium (F116AY011MO)
Other vegetative classification: Trees/Timber (Woody Vegetation)

Typical profile
0 to 8 inches: Very gravelly silt loam
8 to 11 inches: Gravelly silt loam
11 to 24 inches: Very gravelly silt loam
24 to 80 inches: Cobbly clay
__________________________________________________ ___________
Here's the top end. About 56%

73276—Rueter-Hildebrecht complex, 3 to 15 percent slopes,
stony

Map Unit Setting
Landscape: Hills
Elevation: 700 to 1,300 feet
Mean annual precipitation: 39 to 49 inches
Mean annual air temperature: 54 to 59 degrees F
Frost-free period: 172 to 232 days
Map Unit Composition
Rueter and similar soils: 50 percent
Hildebrecht and similar soils: 40 percent

Description of Rueter

Setting
Landform: Ridges, interfluves
Landform position (two-dimensional): Shoulder, summit
Landform position (three-dimensional): Crest, interfluve
Down-slope shape: Convex
Across-slope shape: Convex
Parent material: Slope alluvium over residuum weathered from
dolomite

Properties and qualities
Slope: 3 to 15 percent
Surface area covered with cobbles, stones or boulders: 0.1 percent
Depth to restrictive feature: More than 80 inches
Drainage class: Somewhat excessively drained
Capacity of the most limiting layer to transmit water
(Ksat): Moderately low to moderately high (0.06 to 0.20 in/hr)
Depth to water table: More than 80 inches
Frequency of flooding: None
Frequency of ponding: None
Maximum salinity: Nonsaline (0.0 to 2.0 mmhos/cm)
Available water capacity: Low (about 5.8 inches)

Interpretive groups
Farmland classification: All areas are prime farmland
Land capability (nonirrigated): 4s
Hydrologic Soil Group: C
Ecological site: Quercus alba-Quercus velutina/Rhus aromatica/
Soli---- ulmifolia-Schizachyrium scoparium (F116AY011MO)
Other vegetative classification: Trees/Timber (Woody Vegetation)

Typical profile
0 to 4 inches: Very gravelly silt loam
4 to 17 inches: Gravelly silt loam
17 to 32 inches: Very gravelly silt loam
32 to 43 inches: Very gravelly silty clay
43 to 80 inches: Very cobbly clay


Description of Hildebrecht

Setting
Landform: Ridges, interfluves
Landform position (two-dimensional): Summit
Landform position (three-dimensional): Crest, interfluve
Down-slope shape: Convex
Across-slope shape: Convex
Parent material: Loess over pedisediment over residuum weathered
from dolomite

Properties and qualities
Slope: 3 to 15 percent
Depth to restrictive feature: 25 to 37 inches to fragipan
Drainage class: Moderately well drained
Capacity of the most limiting layer to transmit water
(Ksat): Moderately low (0.01 to 0.06 in/hr)
Depth to water table: About 18 to 24 inches
Frequency of flooding: None
Frequency of ponding: None
Maximum salinity: Nonsaline (0.0 to 2.0 mmhos/cm)
Available water capacity: Moderate (about 7.0 inches)

Interpretive groups
Farmland classification: All areas are prime farmland
Land capability (nonirrigated): 3w
Hydrologic Soil Group: C/D
Ecological site: Quercus stellata-Quercus marilandica/Rhus
aromatica/Schizachyrium scoparium-Desmodium
(F116AY004MO), Pinus echinata-Quercus stellata/Amorpha
canescens/Schizachyrium scoparium-Aster (F116AY054MO)
Other vegetative classification: Trees/Timber (Woody Vegetation)

Typical profile
0 to 4 inches: Silt loam
4 to 36 inches: Silty clay loam
36 to 39 inches: Silt loam
39 to 62 inches: Extremely gravelly silt loam
62 to 80 inches: Gravelly clay


I ran some of the individual reports as well on the top 24" of soil. Pretty decent for the Ozarks I think. Percentage of clay was around 20, sand 15, silt 20. pH on the top half was 5.2 and bottom half 6.2 though I realize actual on site tests will be more accurate. Alfalfa rates were 4 tons per acre and clover was 5 1/2. I wouldn't give me the crop production numbers. (corn). Kind of bugs me that they assume people are only going to grow hay or corn.

[haypoint]

You’ve got a bit of rolly polly land that has some fertile topsoil mixed in with some fine gravel. It drains well, sometimes too well. There is the rare rocky spot.
You could drive a well, but you’ll soon run into a glob of clay with rocks. Most of the land in your area is the same stuff.
What else do you need to know?

[sandc]

The USDA does have it's own language when it comes to soils. Currently learning all about that in my soil science class. The terms Alread, Reuter, and hildebrecht all reflect on the grid where that particular type of soil was first tested or discovered.

The alred looks to be fairly decent soil that shouls allow for good root growth. I thing the reuter-hildebrecht is pretty reflective of most hillside soil in the states of Missouri and Arkansas. Personally, I would utilize your county extension agent. I think most people tend to underutilize what can be a valuable resource in the extension office.

[JohnP]

It's way different than where we are now. We're South central MO and the survey is for 8 acres we just got about 100 miles N.E. of here, closer to St Louis. Around here it's silty clay, no loam, 30-50% gravel, poor drainage, poor farmland. Pick axe required.
I imagine the survey is generalized for a broad area and realize that even different spots on the property will vary. There was standing water in one low spot on the top half the day after some moderate rain and that's the part that's supposed to be somewhat excessively drained. I think it was still draining from the next property which is uphill.
Most of the top half is actually very close to level. Shame it's not the better soil of the two. On the other hand it will be easier to improve a level area than a slope.

Depth to restrictive feature: 14 to 40 inches to strongly contrasting
textural stratification

What would textural stratification mean? I tried looking it up but got usda or PDFs which are killing my bandwidth. Oh and also got a link to this thread in the search results.

The top is Rueter-Hildebrecht complex. I guess that means a mix of the two? However one is very gravelly from the top and one is not until 39" down at which point it's extremely gravelly. I suppose it will vary from spot to spot and I'll know when I go digging.

What is the difference between gravelly and cobbly? The size of the rocks?

[terradura]

Like any science, soils has its own language, and the USDA adds a layer on top of that!

I will try to translate some of it.

Textural stratification is when there are soil layers of very different texture; for example, a sandy loam over a clay. Textural stratification affects water movement, because infiltrating water tends to hang up at the boundary between the layers. It can also affect root growth.

A soil complex is where two kinds of soils are mapped together (not separated out on the map) because they occur so closely intermingled that it would be almost impossible to draw lines around them individually on the map.

Gravel = pieces of rock that are 2 millimeters to 3 inches in diameter, cobbles are 3 to 10 inches in diameter. "Gravelly" (as in gravelly silt loam) means that 15 to 35% of the soil volume is gravel. Very gravelly means 35 to 60% gravel, and extremely gravelly means 60 to 90% gravel.

You are right that the soil survey is somewhat generalized for a broader area. You may not find exactly what is mapped on your 8 acres, but it should be pretty close for the unit as a whole.

Hope this helps.

[haypoint]

The soil is from weathered Dolomite. That is Magnesium Carbinate. They mine that to use in the steel making process and mineral suppliments. Local farmers use it as Lime to correct the soil's low PH. But you said your PH is fine.

[Cabin Fever]

As a professional soil scientist, all I can say is "sorry!" If you have a specific question, I'll be glad to try to answer it. I had the same problem once when I tried reading one of my daughter's psychology text books.

[Cabin Fever]

You might find these descriptions of the soil series a bit more user-friendly (or not):

https://soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/...LDEBRECHT.html

https://soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/.../R/RUETER.html

https://soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/...s/A/ALRED.html

[rambler]

Originally Posted by Cabin Fever

As a professional soil scientist, all I can say is "sorry!" If you have a specific question, I'll be glad to try to answer it. I had the same problem once when I tried reading one of my daughter's psychology text books.

I can think of 5 good retorts to that, but none would add to the thread....

I've always thought those were good general reports, used more for the well diggers, septic installers, and such. While it will tell a farmer if his land is wet or dry, steep or not, I can figure that out in 10 minutes driving across the dirt.

A soil test for ph, P, K, CEC, and so forth is far more valuable to a farmer looking to build his ground. Will run about $25, local Extension office might help do it or point you to labs nearby that will.

Paul

[JohnP]

Originally Posted by terradura

Like any science, soils has its own language, and the USDA adds a layer on top of that!

I will try to translate some of it.

Textural stratification is when there are soil layers of very different texture; for example, a sandy loam over a clay. Textural stratification affects water movement, because infiltrating water tends to hang up at the boundary between the layers. It can also affect root growth.

A soil complex is where two kinds of soils are mapped together (not separated out on the map) because they occur so closely intermingled that it would be almost impossible to draw lines around them individually on the map.

Gravel = pieces of rock that are 2 millimeters to 3 inches in diameter, cobbles are 3 to 10 inches in diameter. "Gravelly" (as in gravelly silt loam) means that 15 to 35% of the soil volume is gravel. Very gravelly means 35 to 60% gravel, and extremely gravelly means 60 to 90% gravel.

You are right that the soil survey is somewhat generalized for a broader area. You may not find exactly what is mapped on your 8 acres, but it should be pretty close for the unit as a whole.

Hope this helps.

Yes, Thank You

Originally Posted by Cabin Fever

You might find these descriptions of the soil series a bit more user-friendly (or not):

https://soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/...LDEBRECHT.html

https://soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/.../R/RUETER.html

https://soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/...s/A/ALRED.html

Oh yeah, those are nice, Thanks

Originally Posted by haypoint

The soil is from weathered Dolomite. That is Magnesium Carbinate. They mine that to use in the steel making process and mineral suppliments. Local farmers use it as Lime to correct the soil's low PH. But you said your PH is fine.

Actually the pH is totally different for the two halves. The top half which is nice and level has very acidy soil. Blueberry type soil. Kind of strange being that it comes from something that reduces acid. Same around here. Acidy soil that comes from limestone. Go figure. The lower, slightly sloped half is just slightly acid. I almost wish they were the other way around. I'd grow berries on the slope and veggies up top. Regardless, easier to reduce acid than increase it.

I can see I'm going to have to do a grid of soil tests and make my own soil map. Might be worth buying a test kit and just verifying results of some. I want to try and work with what I've got and instead of just bulldozing the whole thing, clear a little bit here and there and plant what will work. Kind of permaculture/forest garden. We'll be living there for a year or more before doing much of anything. Might plant some fruit trees this year though.