Agronomic soil consistency terms have been evaluated using shear strength as a unit of measure. The Torvane vane shear strength device was employed to measure shear strength on pedogenic profiles developed in several parent materials and on unconsolidated substratas of till. Correlations were then established between the consistency class and shear strength. The shear device is capable of placing a numerical value on soil consistency classes. Variations in consistency were controlled by soil structure, bulk density, texture and organic matter. The device can easily be carried in the field and can reduce bias in the investigator\u27s consistency estimations
