Farmer+Data

__Farm Impact Data__

Two major crops in Wamego, KS: corn and soybeans.

__Corn (Optimum Conditions)__

Corn likes rich soil with good drainage. Ideal soil for corn is sandy loam that stays moist, without being too wet.

Corn has the same needs as most vegetables when it comes to soil pH (acidity or alkalinity). The best range for all vegetables is between 5.8 and 6.8 on the pH scale. This measurement indicates that soil is slightly acidic (the scale runs from 0 to 14, with 7 marking the neutral point). Anything below 7 is acid; anything above is considered alkaline.

http://askville.amazon.com/type-soil-grow-corn/AnswerViewer.do?requestId=35973815

__Soybeans (Optimum Conditions)__

Nutrient-rich Soils > > Slightly Acidic Soils > Well-drained, Loamy Soil >
 * Soybeans need 13 mineral nutrients: nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, sulfur, calcium, magnesium, zinc, manganese, copper, iron, boron, chloride and molybdenum. Nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium are the most important nutrients. A local extension office is an excellent place to ask which nutrients the soil needs. Soil tests for mineral content will likely be performed to determine soil nutrient levels.
 * The 0 to 14 pH index is used to denote acidity, neutrality or alkalinity. Neutral pH is 7. Numbers lower than seven are acidic, higher numbers are alkaline. Franzen reports that soybeans prefer a slight--6.5 soil pH--soil acidity. Amending soil that is too acidic requires the application of lime to raise pH levels. Soil that is too alkaline will need sulfur applications to lower the pH. Lowering pH is a costly endeavor usually not warranted for large farm applications.
 * The National Soybean Research Laboratory recommends healthy, fertile, workable soil for growing soybeans. When soil particles--sand, silt and clay--are roughly evenly dispersed in soil it is a loamy soil. Loamy soil drains well because of sand content yet retains appropriate amounts of water because silt and clay particles exhibit water retention properties. Fertile soil contains organic matter that slowly release nutrients within the soil as microorganisms break this organic matter down over time.

http://www.ehow.com/list_6596686_types-do-soybeans-grow-in_.html

__CURRENT SOIL CONDITIONS IN WAMEGO,KS__

1) Sandy Loam, moist soil 2) pH - 6.5