RED: <20 = Very Low (constraining) functioning 

  • The “constraint” column provides a short list of soil processes that are not functioning optimally when an indicator rating is red. It is particularly important to take advantage of any opportunities to improve management that will address these constraints. 

ORANGE: 20 – 40=  Low functioning

  • Soil process is functioning somewhat poorly, and addressing this should be considered in the field management plan.

YELLOW:  40 – 60 = Medium functioning 

  • soil health could be better; yield and sustainability could decrease over time if unaddressed

LIGHT GREEN: 60 – 80= High functioning 

  • soil process is not limiting funcion; maintain practice

DARK GREEN: >80 = Very High functioning

  • Past management has been effective at maintaining soil health
  • Soil health is often high when first converting from a permanent sod or forest, however, intensive management quickly damages soil health when it includes intensive tillage, low organic matter inputs, bare soils for significant parts of the year, excessive traffic.