While farm machinery gets bigger and wider to reduce travel across fields, the increased weight of equipment is causing deep compaction.
A study from Penn State notes box manure spreaders 2 decades ago weighed approximately 2 and a half tons, while liquid spreaders today top 20 tons.
The University took part in 20 experiments across North America and Europe and found a reduction in compaction area.
However, the soil travelled on was significantly compacted below levels that most plows can reach.
The most negative effect they say is a lack of water infiltration and earthworm numbers.
Penn State says the best way to alleviate compaction is by increasing organic matter in the soil, which will increase the amount of organisms in the dirt as well.
