Buying Farm Land? Check the Soil Scores First

Not all soil is equal when it comes to producing a healthy harvest. So if you’re buying land for farming, you need to know how the property’s soil scores in terms of health, structure, and general arability before you invest. 

Soil scores, also known as soil indices, tell you a lot about a piece of farmland, including what can grow, what can’t, and what issues you may encounter as you develop the land. They’re also essential to understanding the profit and future resale potential of a farm property. 

Read on to learn the basics of soil scores, and make sure your land is as eager to produce as you are. 

What Are Soil Scores?

Soil scores are regional tools for assessing the relative productivity of soil. 

Based on various methodologies, these numerical ratings provide necessary insight into the chemical and organic makeup of a property’s soil. As a land buyer, you can use soil scores to determine whether or not a piece of farmland is suitable for your needs. They’ll also help you assess the development potential of a property and what you’ll need to do to effectively manage the soil year to year. 

Types of Soil Scores

The soil scores that will matter most to you as a land investor depend on where you’re buying and what you’re planning to do/grow on the property. Use them in addition to targeted soil testing in order to assess soil health and ensure a smart land purchase. 

National Commodity Crop Productivity Index (NCCPI)

A nationwide comparison of soil productivity, with a focus on major crops like soybeans, corn, and small grains. Ratings range from 0.01 on the low (less productive) end to 1.0, and are based on factors such as soil properties, climate, and topography. 

Soil Productivity Index (PI)

An Illinois-specific ranking system that uses national and state-specific soil data to evaluate farmland value and potential. Soil is rated on a scale of 47 to 147, with prime farmland falling in the range of 100 to 147.

Corn Suitability Rating 2 (CSR2)

An index that uses advanced digital soil mapping to assess soil quality and productivity for corn growth in Iowa. Because farmland is such a common investment in the state, you’ll often see CSR2 scores mentioned in land listings, with higher scores on the 5-100 scale equaling better soil potential. Take a look even if you’re not planning to grow corn, since you can still learn a lot about a property’s crop-growing potential.

Weighted Average Productivity Index (WAPI)

Another corn-focused index, WAPI assesses soil health in Indiana as it pertains to future corn growth, looking at a wealth of useful factors that include soil drainage, depth, and organic matter composition. Scores range from 0 to 100, and higher scores are ideal. 

Corn Productivity Index (CPI)

The CPI is used in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota, scoring soil health and productivity on a scale of 0 (low) to 100 (optimal). Despite the name, it can be used to assess soil potential for all sorts of crops, including wheat, soybeans, hay, and oats.

What Does a High Soil Score Tell You?

Soil indices vary in terms of where and how they operate. But one thing they all have in common is that the higher the score, the better the soil. 

A high soil score is usually indicative of things like:

• Good soil structure: Soil is composed of a healthy mix of elements and is easy for air, water, and roots to penetrate. 
• Organic resilience: Soil is rich in organic matter that impacts its resilience and ensures a healthy environment for crop growth. 
• Optimal moisture levels: Soil drains properly and holds an ideal balance of water and air. 
• Biological activity: Soil is home to ample and diverse living organisms that decompose organic matter and support a thriving soil ecosystem. 
• Appropriate pH: Soil is neither too acidic or too alkaline, and is thus suitable for plant growth and nutrient absorption. 
• No contaminants: Soil is devoid of harmful contaminants such as heavy metals, pollutants, or unwanted chemicals. 

A perfect soil score is rare, so look for optimal ranges instead. You can find the ideal ranking range for each index on their informational websites. 

Limits of Soil Scores

Soil scores are an incredibly valuable piece of data when buying farmland, however they do have their limits.

Not overly specific

A soil score is derived from the general soil characteristics of a region, rather than specific lots. If the farm property you’re interested in buying ranks high on the soil indices, assume good baseline soil quality but still plan on doing site-specific testing before you invest. 

Don’t consider land management practices

Two neighboring farms can have wildly different soil productivity depending on how the land is managed. Unfortunately, soil scores fail to account for these differences, which include highly impactful variations based on things like cover cropping, crop rotations, and nutrient management. 

Don’t account for other productivity constraints

Physical soil health can and will impact how much you can produce on your farm property. It doesn’t tell the whole story though, which is why you’ll need to do additional digging regarding local farming policies and possible market constraints. 

Getting the Most Value Out of a Soil Score

A soil score isn’t the only thing that tells you whether you’re making a smart farmland investment, but it’s certainly important. 

For the best outcomes, use soil scores as a jumping off point for additional testing, rather than the end-all-be-all. A soil expert will use regional scores in addition to on-site testing of drainage, organic composition, and more to determine what you can build and grow, what your prospects are, and what you need to do for a fruitful yield now and in the years to come. 

Ready to find that perfect piece of farmland? Head to our listings page to search farms for sale by state.