• The soil in Wisconsin supports the dairy, timber and vegetable farming industries.dirt image by jackie from Fotolia.com
  
  Soil is important to northern Wisconsin's farming and timber industries---so important, in fact, that the state Legislature named a state soil. There are more than 550 types of soil in Wisconsin, including several prominent classes of soils in northern Wisconsin such as sands, silts, clays, peats and mucks, and rough and stony varieties.
  
  

Wisconsin State Soil

• Antigo Silt Loam, a northern Wisconsin soil, is also the official Wisconsin state soil. The official soil was named in 1983 by the state Legislature to remind residents of the importance of soil in Wisconsin. Antigo Silt Loam supports Wisconsin main agricultural and industrial industries including potato and dairy farming and timber production. Antigo Silt Loam even has an official song, written by a University of Wisconsin soil science professor.
  
  

Sands

• Sandy soil is common in Burnett and Douglass counties. This soil has less production value because it doesn't hold moisture and nutrients as well as other soils. Though these areas were originally populated by Jack and Norway pine, once the trees were harvested, it was not possible to use the land for timber production.
  
  

Silts

• Silt loams with well-drained subsoils are common in northern Wisconsin, especially in Florence, Forest, Langlade and Marathon counties. These soils are the result of glaciers moving through the area, and thus can be rocky. Generally, though, the soil can hold a large amount of water and is well-suited for pasture and hay as well as grain and vegetable farming.
  
  

Clays

• Lake Superior is bordered on its south side by a band of red clay. There are smaller areas of red clay in Burnett and Shawano counties. Clay soils are best for growing grains and grass for pasture. Wheat, barley, oats, and clover are common. Red clay is not suited for growing vegetables such as corn.
  
  

Peats and Mucks

• Northern Wisconsin has substantial tracts of marshland. These areas were formed when shallow lakes left behind by glaciers were covered with moss and aquatic plants and then filled with water. There is generally between 2 and 5 feet of muck and peat covering the lake beds. In order for these soils to be useful for agriculture, forestry or construction, the area would need to be drained and cleared.
  
  

Rough and Stony

• Rolling hills made up of stony soils are also the result of glaciers moving through the area. These stony hills are ill-suited for development as it is difficult to use machinery in these areas. Rough and stony soils include the sandiest soils as well. These soils are not even suited to growing grass.