State Symbol: State Soil — Drummer�s Silty Clay Loam (original) (raw)

Drummer soil is the most extensive type of soil occuring in Illinois. It developed under the prairie. Drummer soil consists of a series of soils that are very deep and poorly drained. They formed in 40 to 60 inches of loess or other silty material and in the glacial drift. In Illinois, 1.5 million acres of Drummer soil stretches across the northern half of the state.

Drummer soil is rich for agriculture. The yield per acre is 175 bushels for corn and 57 bushels for soybeans.The soil is rich in the protozoa, molds, and bacteria that encourage plants to grow.