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Calcimator

Organic Matter Building Calculator

Estimate years to reach your soil organic matter target based on compost, cover crops, manure additions, decomposition rate, and tillage intensity.

Inputs

%
%
%

Results

Years to Target OM

-1

Total Cost to Target ($/acre)

-$1

Annual Stable OM Added (lbs/acre)1,326
Annual Amendment Cost ($/acre)$135
Water Holding Gain (gal/acre)30,000
OM Gap (%)1.5
Total OM Needed30,000
How to Use This Calculator
  1. Enter current soil organic matter (SOM %) from a recent lab analysis.
  2. Enter annual compost or manure application rate (tons/acre) and carbon-to-nitrogen ratio of amendments.
  3. Enter tillage intensity level and expected annual SOM decomposition rate (%).
  4. Read projected SOM (%) after specified years and annual carbon sequestration (tons C/acre).
  5. Use results to track progress toward soil health program benchmarks and verify amendment rates.
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