Soil penetrometers are small diameter rods that are pushed down into the soil.  A gauge attached measures the force which is required to push the rod down a given distance.  This provides an objective measurement of 'soil compaction' in agricultural soils.

Soil compaction is important to determine since compacted soils negatively impact water infiltration, water run-off after rains, the diffusion of air into the ground and a barrier to root growth and irrigation etc.

With advanced soil management systems such as eliminating or reducing tillage, the introduction of microbes (BEAM), cover crops, intensive short term grazing and  perhaps breaking up 'hard pan' with mechanical force (rippers), the compaction may be significantly improved.  Using the penetrometer before, during and after these remedies can help document and evaluate progress and improvements.

We suggest the use of this simple device to determine overall soil 'health and structure' and it can be used to compare results following BEAM inoculation in conjunction with keeping the soil armoured, having living plants on the soil whenever possible, minimizing tillage and adding grazing from a variety of animals to manure and add additional carbon and biology to the soil.