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Soil Management Conclusion <br /> In reviewing the soil types at the dairy facility, the soils are well suited to irrigated row, field, <br /> orchard, and vineyard crops. Ninety-five percent of the soil has few limitations that restrict their use. Five <br /> percent of the soil have moderate limitations that reduce the choice of plants or that require moderate <br /> conservation practices. The soils also have a moderate rate of water permeability and low available water <br /> capacity. <br /> In consideration of proper winter water applications to the farming fields,the manure effluent storage <br /> system is designed to retain rainfall runoff. The annual rainfall in the area is purported to be 17 inches. <br /> The area has had higher rates of rainfall in recent years. The challenge to any dairy is to manage winter <br /> applications of manure effluent. The total storage capacity through the winter months, the facility sites <br /> runoff and manure effluent storage calculations were based on a rainfall of 17 inches of rainfall. <br /> The main crops are to be wheat with corn for silage as a summer crop. Alf�._,yvll be rotated every <br /> three to four years. The recommendation is to periodically deep"rip" the soil to condnuee e b-mikup of <br /> the shallow hardpan layers to facilitate water and root penetration through the hardpan layers. <br /> Considering the soil profiles at the site, the moderate permeability and the low capacity to hold water, <br /> manure solids should be applied to and worked into the soil profile to a depth of 18" or deeper. This will <br /> build up the soil tilth due to an increase of organic materials to the profile. <br /> It is further recommended that due to the soil analysis and the types of soils at the site,the soils should <br /> be analyzed annually to monitor appropriate manure application rates. The soil should be analyzed for the <br /> following: <br /> • "ENR" (estimated nitrogen release) <br /> • Nitrate nitrogen, in order to accurately calculate amounts of solid manure <br /> • Dairy pond lagoon water and/or commercial fertilizer added to the soil to provide a balance of <br /> elements for optimal plant growth and nutrient uptake <br /> Organic materials are microbially converted over a period of years. Consequently, one application of <br /> manure solids will release nitrogen into the soil profile for approximately four year following. Amounts of <br /> nitrogen released will vary from year to year depending on soil type, seasonal temperatures and moisture. <br /> Thus, soil samples should be analyzed immediately before each planting to accurately account for residual <br /> nitrogen available for the up coming crop. <br /> Considering, in general, the low available water capability of the soils in the area, irrigation <br /> applications need to be carefully managed to control field runoff due to the slow rate of permeability. <br /> Conversely,the frequency of application needs careful attention to minimize plant wilting. <br /> ®Western Design/David Avila 2001 15 <br />