Nebraska Soils and Crop Selection

Nebraska’s soils are remarkably diverse and play a major role in determining which crops perform best across the state. Much of Nebraska’s farmland is dominated by loam and silty soils — a balanced mix of sand, silt, and clay that offers good water retention and drainage — which supports high yields of corn, soybeans, wheat, and forage crops in many central and eastern areas. For example, the Holdrege silt loam — Nebraska’s state soil — is fertile and well-drained, making it excellent for row crops like corn and soybeans, especially with proper nutrient and moisture management.

In contrast, soils in the Sandhills and western regions tend to be sandy or loamy sands with lower water-holding capacity and organic matter, which makes them better suited to native grass forage and grazing than intensive crop production unless irrigation is available. Meanwhile, heavy clay soils found in parts of southeastern Nebraska hold water and nutrients well but can be challenging for root penetration and drainage, requiring careful management and drainage to optimize crops like corn and soybeans.

To match crop choices with soil properties — including texture, organic matter, pH, and water-holding capacity — Nebraska landowners and producers routinely use NRCS soil surveys or Web Soil Survey tools, which provide detailed local soil maps and interpretations for crop suitability and limitations. Understanding these soil characteristics helps landowners and tenants choose the crops and management practices that maximize productivity and long-term soil health.