SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Soil compaction is a serious environmental problem that many farmers face in their fields. It occurs when soil particles are pressed together, reducing the pore space between them. This compaction can hinder crop growth, cause water and drainage issues, as well as reduce aeration. Heavy machinery and repeated passes across a field can be a common cause of compaction. It can also be caused by foot traffic and even heavy rainfall.
A study conducted in 2021 on fields across two Northern New York farms uncovered a relationship between soil compaction and crop yield. To evaluate this relationship further NYFVI is funding a research project that will collect soil compaction data from farms across the state. The farms will include a variety of soil types. For this project soil compaction will be measured as resistance to a standard cone penetrometer.
Cornell Cooperative Extension Specialist and North Country Regional Ag Team leader Kitty O’Neil will head the project. Kitty said, “The Northern NY Agricultural Development Program funded study was conducted on four Northern New York fields. It revealed a relationship not previously understood between soil compaction and historical crop yield. Soil compaction is considered to be one of the most serious environmental problems caused by conventional crop production methods because it limits soil functions and health and also crop productivity. This NYFVI study will build upon this preliminary data set by collecting soil compaction data on additional farms and fields, on more soil types, across more of New York State to confirm these initial findings and to provide more understanding of this relationship between soil compaction, soil health, corn yield, and yield stability over multiple seasons.”
Results from this project will be beneficial to dairy, livestock and cash crop farms in New York State growing corn in rotation with other row crops or perennial forages. Findings will apply to all these kinds of farms no matter the size and to both conventional and organic farms using traditional soil management and tillage methods.
The New York Farm Viability Institute is a nonprofit grantmaking organization. The organization runs a competitive grant program that seeks to fund agricultural research and education projects that will create and share knowledge to improve the economic viability of New York’s farmers. If you are a New York farmer and would like to get involved in our review process, please reach out to Aileen Randolph at [email protected].
–New York Farm Viability Institute
