Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

Heavy Clay Soil.

We are looking for heavy clay soil to be used in the construction of a cricket pitch.  Turfgrass is planted on this heavy clay and then rolled with a heavy roller to make it rock hard so that a ball can be bounced off the surface.  Generally the clay content is 30 % or more..

I have looked through the ontario soil surveys and found that the brookston, Caistor, Lincoln and Haldimand clay types all seem to have heavy clay content.  What i'm having difficulty doing to finding access to these soils as most of the locations where they are present is farm land.  I thought i would post on these forums to see if anyone can help me out find a site where we can get access to some of this heavy clay soil.

Thanks .

Views: 1728

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Mike Radan on August 11, 2014 at 2:38pm
We have heavy clay soil contact me at Michaelradan@gmail.com
Permalink Reply by OntAG Admin on August 11, 2014 at 2:39pm

How much clay do you need for the cricket pitch?

Truckloads?

Permalink Reply by Kato on August 11, 2014 at 3:10pm
Well i would take as much as possible..but a would need at least a truckload
Permalink Reply by OntAG Admin on August 12, 2014 at 3:31am

Responses on Twitter:


EricKaiser46:33am via Twitter for iPhone

@OntAg 30% clay is NOT heavy clay. Need 50%. Have lots. Dirt not for sale. Grow crops in it.


clayalloverAug 11, 8:34pm via Twitter for Android

@OntAg how much acreage? Is eastern ontario too far? Near Alfred college. Bearbrook clay. Some of it is that hard now

Permalink Reply by Kato on August 12, 2014 at 4:40am


ClayAllover: just had a look at the profile of Bearbrook Clay...Wow..60-80% clay.  That is the kind of clay they use on Australian cricket pitches.  Does it shrink/swell...ie..crack when dry?  Its a bit far for us as we are closer to GTA but I wonder if we can raise enough funds to be able to truck some of it....Is there an area where it is accessible.

Only problem with going very heavy clay from what i've read is that it is very difficult to grow grass on it..specially since we roll it hard like concrete with a 2 tonne roller.

I'm also attaching a document that describes the ideal soil for a cricket pitch

Attachments:
Permalink Reply by Roadrunner on August 13, 2014 at 2:26pm

There is some pretty heavy clay around Milton area.  You might be able to work something out with a developer in the area who is going to be building homes on the land.

As far as the best clay soil for Ontario conditions.  The University of Guelph Turfgrass Institute might be able to provide some advice.   http://www.guelphturfgrass.ca/

 

 

▶ Reply to Discussion

RSS

Agriculture Headlines from Farms.com Canada East News - click on title for full story

Rail Inflation Index Increased for Maximum Revenue Entitlement for Western Grain

New VRCPI determinations from the Canadian Transportation Agency show modest increases for CN and CPKC that will influence regulated western grain transportation revenues in the 2026–2027 crop year.

Pet Obesity a Growing Concern

Pet obesity is common but manageable. Veterinarians explain how to identify excess weight, manage feeding habits, encourage activity, and support long term pet health.

Lab on a Drone Lab Tests Farm Waterways Fast

Iowa State researchers developed a drone-based water testing system that measures nitrate levels quickly, helping farmers monitor runoff, protect waterways, and improve fertilizer use with real-time data.

Grain Transport Disruptions Can Cost Sector $540 Million in a Week

A single week of rail and port disruptions during peak export season can cost Canada’s grain sector up to $540 million, with most of the damage tied to lost sales that are unlikely to be recovered, according to a new analysis. Commissioned by the Ag Transport Coalition, the study found roughly 94% of the financial impact from supply chain disruptions comes from reduced sales rather than penalties or added costs. The report said that when Canadian grain does not move, international buyers often turn to competing suppliers, leaving sales permanently lost rather than simply delayed. The coalition released the findings April 27 as part of its Too Much on the Line campaign, which is calling for changes to Canada’s labour regulations to reduce the risk of future supply chain shutdowns. The report said the financial damage can begin even before a strike or lockout officially starts. Uncertainty ahead of a disruption can cause railways to stop accepting new shipments, exporters to pull b

Domestic Canola Crush Rebounds in March

After dipping below 1 million tonnes for the first time in the 2025-26 marketing year in February, the Canadian canola crush rebounded in March. A Statistics Canada crush report Thursday pegged the March canola crush at 1.097 million tonnes, up a hefty 15.3% from February’s 951,353, and 7.1% above the same month last year. The year-to-date 2025-26 crush (August to March) now stands at 8.163 million tonnes, 4.1% above the same period a year earlier. As of the end of March, the cumulative crush for the current marketing year represented 68% of Agriculture Canada’s full year projection of 12 million – nearly identical to the previous year when the crush totaled 11.412 million tonnes. At the end of February, the 2025-26 crush was running 3.7% ahead of a year earlier and represented about 58% of the full-year crush forecast. In its April supply-demand update, Agriculture Canada left its 2025-26 canola crush forecast unchanged from March at 12 million but lifted its new-crop crush ou

© 2026   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service