Did you know one of the Midwest’s biggest farming advantages starts below the surface?
Much of the Midwest is built on soils that measure three to six feet deep. By comparison, many agricultural regions around the world farm with roughly 12 inches of usable topsoil. That difference in soil depth plays a major role in long-term productivity and yield stability.
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What Is Soil Depth?
Soil depth refers to the vertical thickness of soil available for root growth, water storage, and nutrient availability. Deeper soils allow crops to develop stronger root systems and access moisture and nutrients more consistently throughout the growing season.
In the Midwest, naturally deep soils were formed over thousands of years, creating some of the most productive agricultural ground in the world.
Why Does Soil Depth Matter?
Deeper soils provide several important advantages:
- Greater water-holding capacity during dry periods
- Improved drainage and resilience during wet conditions
- Stronger root development and nutrient uptake
- More consistent crop performance year to year
These characteristics help explain why Midwest farmland continues to support high yields across a wide range of weather conditions.
Why This Matters to Landowners
Soil depth directly affects farmland productivity, risk management, and long-term value. Farms with deep, well-structured soils tend to produce more consistent yields and attract stronger demand from both operators and investors.
Because soil depth is a natural characteristic that cannot be easily replicated, it remains one of the foundational drivers of Midwest farmland value.
The Bigger Takeaway
Not all farmland is created equal. The Midwest’s naturally deep soils provide a long-term advantage that many farming regions simply do not have. That depth continues to support productivity, stability, and farmland value across generations.
This post is part of our Farmland Facts series, where we share clear, practical insights that help landowners, buyers, and investors better understand what drives farmland value and land ownership decisions.
