KindHarvest summary: Field measurements from two northern New York dairy farms found a relationship between soil compaction and the stability of silage-corn yields. The work adds field-scale evidence to the practical observation that compacted areas, especially headlands, often underperform.
How the fields were compared
Researchers collected 360 penetrometer readings across two fields on each farm. Sampling targeted zones classified from yield maps as consistently above average, inconsistently below average or consistently below average.
The observed relationship
Low-compaction areas corresponded with the consistently high-yield zones. Earlier work cited in the report found compaction in 90% of sampled headlands and an average headland yield loss of about 15%.
Correlation is a diagnostic clue
The researchers cautioned that low-yield zones can have many causes, including drainage, fertility and soil variation. Compaction may be one contributor rather than the sole driver. Penetrometer readings, yield maps, traffic patterns and soil-moisture conditions should therefore be interpreted together before deciding on remediation.
Related KindHarvest reading
See Considerations for improving soil health for wider management context.
Source and credit
This KindHarvest Team research brief is based on reporting by Brian O’Connor for No-Till Farmer, published 24 May 2022, covering work supported by the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program and Cornell Cooperative Extension. Read the full No-Till Farmer article.