Soil
Soils are a non-renewable resource and are vital to Southland's productive capacity. They sustain plant and animal production, can maintain or enhance water and air quality and support human health and habitation. When the physical, chemical and biological performance of soils is optimised, they are able to soak up rain and contaminants. Even if the soil structure is good, if not well managed, it threatens agricultural productivity, air and water quality.
There are around 170 soil types found in Southland.
Environment Southland has a network of sites across Southland that measure soil moisture, rainfall and soil temperature. This information is particularly useful in assisting farmers to manage their irrigation programme. Several factors will influence their decision on when and how to irrigate. From an environmental perspective the weather, pasture growth and application rate are critical factors in mitigating environmental effects. In order to help dairy farmers decide whether soil conditions are suitable for effluent disposal, Environment Southland has installed a number of sites across the region in a range of soil types and climates. Data is updated to the website twice a day.
Click here for the soil temperature and moisture data.
Click here to view the soil moisture maps.
Environment Southland also provides a map service which details soil types across Southland. When used in conjunction with the soil moisture and temperature information, the map can provide landowners with information on the risk of surface runoff, leaching or flow into tile drains.
Because of the mixed soil types present in some areas, the classification for these areas is based on the highest risk soil type present. In such situations, it may be worth getting farm-scale soils mapping for the property done by a suitably qualified person.
Click here for the soil classification application.
The Soil Information maps are based on the Topoclimate Survey of Southland and South Otago, which covered approximately 825,000 hectares of the intensively farmed land of the region. The results of the survey were published as a series of 36 district maps at a scale of 1:50,000. This scale is capable of identifying significant soil variations at the farm level, which is sufficient for most land users. It is more detailed than any previous surveys of Southland, although some intensive surveys have been carried out previously on small portions of the region.
Click here for the soil information application.
Environment Southland is the brand name of Southland Regional Council.