A bill declaring Newdale soil as Manitoba’s official Provincial Soil was has been passed through the Legislature and received Royal Assent on June 17.
The University of Manitoba Soil Science Department says Newdale Soil is a valuable soil of the eastern Prairies in a group known as Black Chernozems, which are dark, grassland soils. They are rich in organic matter, located near the surface and look black in colour.
This soil was proposed by the Manitoba Soil Science Society since it reflects the richness of the Manitoba landscape. This was also supported by the University of Manitoba Department of Soil Science and the Keystone Agricultural Producers.
Provincial soils have also been declared in:
• PEI: Charlottetown — Orthic Humo-Ferric Podzol
• New Brunswick: Holmesville — Orthic Humo-Ferric Podzol
• Quebec: Ste. Rosalie — Orthic Humic Gleysol
• B.C.: Humo-Ferric Podzol
