Where to Find the Missouri Corn Suitability Ratings (CSR)

If you’ve been scouring the Internet for the Missouri Corn Suitability Rating System, your efforts will be futile. It’s N/A in Missouri. The Corn Suitability Rating (CSR) system was originally developed by Iowa State University in the early 1970s. The system provides a way to rate  differing soil type’s potential to produce corn. The system has worked well for our neighbors to the north but isn’t utilized here in Missouri.

So How Does Missouri Rate it’s Soil? NCCPI

When researching a Missouri farm and it’s soil classes/ratings, it’s important to understand the National Commodity Crop Productivity Index (NCCPI).

The National Commodity Crop Productivity Index (NCCPI) model is a national soil
interpretation that is not intended to replace other crop production models developed
by individual states. At present, NCCPI is generated in the National Soil Information
System (NASIS) environment and is reported in the Soil Data Mart and on Web Soil
Survey. It presently deals only with nonirrigated crops, but at a later date it will be
expanded to include irrigated crops, rangeland, and forestland productivity. Each
soil, climate, or landscape characteristic is given a rating (score) by comparing its
value to an empirical optimum value. These scores are manipulated
in various ways to produce the index.  The value of ranges is from 0 to 100, 100 being the best.” (User Guide for the National Commodity Crop Productivity Index (NCCPI) Version 2.0)

Where to Find the NCCPI Rating for a Particular Farm

Locate the soil map for the parcel you’d like to research. If you’re working with a reputable land agent, he or she will have the ability to provide you with a soil map similar to figure 1, below.

A quick scan of the soil map tells us this farm is located in Nodaway County, MO, the field identified in blue has a Soil Description of Sharpsburg Silty Clay Loam, the Soil Class is IIe, and for purposes of today blog, the Overall NCCPI Rating for the field is 81.

I did a little more research and learned that the Nodaway County average is 75 so I can feel good about this farm’s ability to produce a crop.

figure 1

Author: Dennis Prussman

Dennis is considered one of the nation’s top land agents. In 2021, he ranked number 3 nationwide in total land sales, with $46 Million sold. His experience includes thirty years of Internet advertising with a focus on real estate. view listings: http://www.PremierLandSales.com, social media: https://www.facebook.com/LandByDennis