In addition to testing the soil itself, we collect other types of information.  Water infiltration is a measure of how quickly 1 inch of water will enter the soil.  Metal rings are driven into the ground, water poured into the ring and the timer begins.  Without stable soil aggregates the pores collapse and water will not move into the soil.  Stable soil aggregates (produced by biology) maintain the pore structure and water moves into the soil.  Our newest property in Lewis Township (Brown County, OH) has historically been used for soybean crops.  Many of the areas tested there had standing water in the ring after 30 minutes.  In contrast, some of the pastures in Indian Hill had the inch of water move into the soil in less than 2 minutes.

Soil compaction is another measurement we make on our fields.  High soil compaction negatively impacts root growth and water infiltration.  A penetrometer is the tool we use to measure soil compaction. The tip of the penetrometer is pushed into the ground and the depth at which 300 psi is reached is recorded.  At the Lewis Township site that depth averaged between 11.4 to 16.8 inches.