The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness (OMAFA) has released the Ontario Topsoil Sampling Project: Soil Health Baseline Study (OTSP), a new report that sets a benchmark for agricultural soil health across the province. The study provides valuable insights into how land management and environmental factors affect topsoil, helping farmers make informed decisions to improve soil health and productivity. 

Launched in 2019, the OTSP involved sampling topsoil at more than 500 farms across southern Ontario, with select sites in the north. Three samples were taken at each site to reflect landscape and soil variability, resulting in more than 1,500 samples collected. The project included land management surveys, soil and landscape descriptions, and laboratory analysis. 

The report highlights results for key soil health indicators - such as soil organic matter and bulk density - and the factors that influence them, including soil texture, cropping systems, and landscape position. One key finding was that fine-textured soils often have higher-than-ideal bulk density, indicating widespread compaction. Compacted soils limit root growth, reduce water infiltration, and can lower yields and profits. 

“This report represents a major step forward in our understanding of the status of Ontario’s agricultural soils,” said Daniel Saurette, land resource specialist at OMAFA. “Soil health is a generational challenge. Managing soil health today is an investment for future generations.” 

With this new baseline, producers can compare their own soil data, identify areas for improvement, and adopt best practices to enhance soil health over time. 

Link here: https://ontario-soils-geohub-ontarioca11.hub.arcgis.com/

Source:  Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Agribusiness July 14, 2025 news release