Agenda - 06-03-1991 - Laserfiche WebLink

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converted to 100, and all other yields are converted to an index relative to 100. For example, the estimated yield for a corn crop on Altavista soil is 103 bushels /acre. Thus, the productivity index would be 100 (103/103 = 1 x 100). For Congaree soil, the estimated yield is 98 bushels /acre, and the productivity index would be 95 (98/103 = .95 x 100). Soils are placed in agricultural groups according to their productivity index. Each group should have fairly narrow limits; e.g., 90 -100, 80 -90, etc. Where groups have a range wider than 15 or 20, they should be regrouped to achieve a narrower range. In some of the lower groups, where soil productivity varies considerably, a wider range may be necessary. For each agricultural group, the limits in productivity index will decrease from the highest, shown in agricultural group 1, to a lower value or zero, in lower groups. Soils in some lower groups may have a relatively high productivity index, because of the high costs of overcoming soil limitations resulting from a class III, IV, or higher classification. The estimated yields and productivity index for Orange County soils are shown in Appendix B. In Column 6 of Table 2, soils have been placed in agricultural groups according to productivity index. Important Farmlands In 1.982, the USDA developed definitions of and criteria for classifying important farmlands as part of the Farmland Protection Policy Act. The most commonly used definitions for farmland preservation purposes are prime farmlands, state /locally important farmlands, and other farmlands. Prime farmland is land that has the best combination of physical and chemical characteristics for producing food, feed, fiber, forage, oilseed, and other agricultural crops with minimum inputs of fuel, fertilizer, pesticides, and labor. It may be cropland, pastureland, or forest land but not urban built -up land or water. State and locally important farmland is land, in addition to prime farml:a-Ad, that is of statewide and local importance for the production- 'b�f food,- feed, fiber,. forage, and oilseed crops. Criteria 6r`'-_defining and delineating such land are determined by the appropriate state and local agency or agencies. State and locally important farmlands include those that are nearly prime farmland and that economically produce high yields of crops when treated and managed according to acceptable farming methods. Other farmlands include those that are not classified as prime farmland or state and locally important farmland. Soils are placed in agricultural groups according to the assigned important farmland class; e.g., prime, state /local, or other. Agricultural group 1 should include the highest class of