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Farmington, Mo | John,
Everything we farm would fit this description. CEC is 9-13 and our mag levels are in the 20’s and 30’s on most fields. Our area had access to “free” mine tailings to use as ag lime for many decades. Only problem was, it was dolomitic limestone and has made most fields mag base saturation to be 2 to 3 times recommended levels.
I’ve read that if you can get your calcium levels into the 65% range magnesium can be leached out of the soil by applying high amounts of sulfer. The only way this is affordable is with gypsum but I have yet to source any.
My protocol has been to be very picky about ag lime…making sure it is as low as possible in mag…don’t pay so much attention to ENM because mag influences that number more than calcium. I use AMS on corn and try to keep calcium up in the mid 60’s
Higher mag in lighter soils is better for the reasons you mentioned, but anything over 22-25% is a hindrance.
Long term no till and rye covers along with drain tile in the worst locations has been a huge improvement for our soils. | |
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High magnesium levels in timber soils?
