Genesee County Farmland & Soils George Squires Genesee County Soil & Water Conservation District Manager.

Genesee County

Farmland & SoilsGeorge Squires

Genesee County Soil & Water ConservationDistrict Manager

Where is the farmland in Genesee County located?

Show me a map!

• According the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) in 2010 Genesee County had 550 farms and 179,000 acres of land in farms.

• According to the 2007 Census of Agriculture the market value of all agricultural products sold in Genesee County was $177,810,000.

• According to George there are 145,000 acres of cropland in Genesee County.

GENESEE COUNTY CROPLAND – 145,000 ACRES

What is the best soil to farm in Genesee

County?• I would pick Ontario loam!• The most common Soil Series mapped in the

County• 27,324 acres (8.6%)

•A deep, nearly level to gently sloping, well drained, medium to high lime soil formed in reddish colored, loamy glacial till. The soil is found on drumlins and till plains. The available water capacity is high. Permeability is moderate to moderately slow. Capability unit I. Non HEL. Prime farmland. NEW YORK AGRICULTURAL LAND CLASSIFICATION - Soil Group #1a, #2a. Hydrologic Soil Group B.

Soils 101What is loam?

Soil material that is 7 to 27 percent clay particles, 28 to 50 percent silt particles, and less than 52 percent sand particles.

Where is the Ontario loam in Genesee County?

Show me the map!

ONTARIO LOAM SOIL – 27,324 ACRES (8.6%)

Prime farmland

• Prime farmland is defined as land that has the best combination of physical and chemical characteristics for producing food, feed, forage, fiber, and oilseed crops and that is available for these uses. It has the combination of soil properties, growing season, and moisture supply needed to produce sustained high yields of crops in an economic manner if it is treated and managed according to acceptable farming methods.

GENESEE COUNTY PRIME SOILS120,365 ACRES (38%)GENESEE COUNTY PRIME FARMLAND

ARKPORT VERY FINE SANDY LOAM

CAZENOVIA SILT LOAM

CHENANGO CHANNERY SILT LOAM

COLLAMER SILT LOAM

COLONIE LOAMY FINE SAND

CONESUS SILT LOAM

DUNKIRK SILT LOAM

ELNORA LOAMY FINE SAND

GALEN VERY FINE SANDY LOAM

HAMLIN SILT LOAM

HILTON LOAM

LANSING SILT LOAM

LIMA SILT LOAM

MIDDLEBURY SILT LOAM

MOHAWK CHANNERY SILT LOAM

NUNDA SILT LOAM

ONTARIO LOAM

ONTARIO STONY LOAM

PALATINE CHANNERY SILT LOAM

PALMYRA GRAVELLY LOAM

PALMYRA CHANNERY SILT LOAM

PHELPS GRAVELLY LOAM

SCHOHARIE SILT LOAM

SCIO SILT LOAM

TEEL SILT LOAM

WASSAIC SILT LOAM

PRIME FARMLAND – 120,365 ACRES (38%)

GENESEE COUNTY PRIME SOIL WHERE DRAINED

67,450 ACRES (21%)GENESEE COUNTY PRIME FARMLAND WHERE DRAINED

ANGOLA SILT LOAM

APPLETON SILT LOAM

BURDETT SILT LOAM

DARIEN SILT LOAM

FREDON GRAVELLY LOAM

KANONA SILTY CLAY LOAM

KENDAIA SILT LOAM

MANHEIM SILT LOAM

MINOA VERY FINE SANDY LOAM

NEWSTEAD SILT LOAM

OATKA SILTY CLAY LOAM

ODESSA SILT LOAM

OVID SILT LOAM

RHINEBECK SILT LOAM

WAKEVILLE SILT LOAM

PRIME FARMLAND WHERE DRAINED – 67,450 ACRES (21%)

Prime Farmland Where Drained ?

• Since 1944 the Genesee County Soil & Water Conservation District has assisted farms with installing 12,446,776 feet (2,357.3 miles) of tile drainage.

• What is tile (sub-surface) drainage?

It’s time for our tour – we’ll find out!