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Depth of <br />Roots <br />Percent of Total Water Extracted <br />Coming From that Depth <br />0 -1.5' <br />40% <br />1.5-3.0' <br />30% <br />3.0 -4.5' <br />20% <br />4.5 -6.0 <br />10% <br />RECEIVE: <br />Eorvh Environmental tqllution Consulting (BEPC) August 1.2012 <br />F orages <br />K Alfalfa ........_.._ _.._ _. <br />3.4 <br />4. The physical composition of the soil that is going to replace the original soil needs to <br />match within reasonable limits especially with respect to rock content and rock size as well <br />as bulk density, porosity, and organic matter content (OM %). All of these factors influence <br />water holding capacity, nutrient retention, soil biology, and thus crop productivity. The soil <br />organic matter content also directly controls soil erosion (high OM% will help prevent <br />erosion). In addition, the presence of rocks can make it difficult to seed Alfalfa and can be <br />damaging to farm equipment. In fact, seeds placed in a loose or cloddy seedbed often do not <br />have adequate soil contact, resulting in desiccation and death of the seedling (based on <br />Alfalfa establishment guidelines published by Steve Lackman at Montana State University). <br />5. I have been informed by Mr. Morgan that original topsoil has been removed and <br />transported off the Morgan property. Thus, it is critical that the amount of soil removed will <br />be substituted with a soil of the same quality and amount/depth. The depth of the soil is <br />critical for optimal Alfalfa crop yield. Alfalfa grows best on deep soils with, adequate internal <br />drainage. Deep soils encourage development of alfalfa's extensive tap -root system, which is <br />capable of utilizing water and nutrients from a Iarge volume of soil. Physical limitations to <br />rooting depth caused by hard pans or bedrock restrict alfalfa's productivity (based on Alfalfa <br />establishment guidelines published by Steve Lackman at Montana State University). <br />Individual alfalfa taproots may exceed. 20 feet in length but the active feeder roots are located <br />closer to the soil surface. The effective rooting depth is about 6 feet where no restrictive <br />layers or conditions exist. When provided with a satisfactory level of moisture, an alfalfa <br />plant will extract moisture as follows (source James W. Bauder from Montana State <br />University): <br />6. It is important to not mix soil horizons since that will change the type and thus <br />characteristics of the soil (NRCS, The second edition of Soil Taxonomy). <br />Page 7 of 13 <br />NO.0743 08/10/2012/FRI 12:11AM <br />8.8 <br />5.4 <br />