Field Guide. cropping and pastoral grazing on flat to rolling country.

INTRODUCTIONTHE QUESTION – To profit or to pug?The soil’s physical properties are vital to the ecological <strong>and</strong> economic sustainability ofl<strong>and</strong>. They control the movement of water <strong>and</strong> air through the soil, <strong>and</strong> the ease withwhich roots penetrate the soil. Damage to the soil can change these properties <strong>and</strong>reduce plant growth, regardless of nutrient status. Decline in soil physical propertiestakes considerable expense <strong>and</strong> many years to correct, <strong>and</strong> can increase the risk of soilerosion by water or wind.CropPastureTop soilUnrestrictedpenetration <strong>and</strong>developmentof plant rootsCO 2AirUnrestrictedmovementof air <strong>and</strong>waterSubsoilThe primary functions of the soil are to provide plants with air, water,nutrients <strong>and</strong> a rooting medium for growth <strong>and</strong> physical support.Safeguarding the soil resource for present <strong>and</strong> future generations is a key task of l<strong>and</strong>managers. Loss of soil quality (soil degradation) can significantly affect theenvironmental sustainability of the soil, <strong>and</strong> the economic sustainability of farmingbusinesses.There is more to measuring soil quality than just assessing carrying capacity, cropyield or soil fertility. Often, not enough attention is given to: the basic role of soil quality in efficient <strong>and</strong> sustained production the effect of soil quality on the farm’s gross profit margin the long-term planning needed to sustain good soil quality the need for l<strong>and</strong> managers to be able to identify <strong>and</strong> predict the effects of theirshort- <strong>and</strong> medium-term l<strong>and</strong> management decisions on soil quality.As a l<strong>and</strong> manager, you need reliable tools to help you make decisions that will lead tosustainable l<strong>and</strong> management. The way you manage your farm has profound effects onyour soil, <strong>and</strong> your soil has profound effects on your long-term profit.VISUAL SOIL ASSESSMENT: Volume 15