The Importance of Soil Sampling

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The Importance of Soil Sampling

• Erin Jones
• Corey Mullin
• Jennifer Childers

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Soil sampling is a tool used to

• Evaluate soil properties (i.e. hard pan,
  moisture, and the profile of the soil.
• Maximize yields
• Determine fertility requirements for crops to
  minimize inputs for lower input costs

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The Importance of Sampling Correctly

• Poor sampling results in
• inaccurate test results
• misleading recommendations
• yield loss
• money loss
• nutrient loss

• The Soil Sample is only as good as the method
  used.

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Precision Sampling

• GPS
• Increases sampling location accuracy within -
  15ft
• Generates sampling history (when, how, and
  acreage)
• Incorporates data into precision fertilizer
  application yield monitors

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Sampling Field Plans
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When to Sample

• The best time to sample is in the spring or fall
  after crop removal and before planting.

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Tools

• This is a Giddings Soil Probe used for
• High-volume, deep sampling
• Sandy, hard dense soil

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Tools continued

• This sampling probe on the back of a 4-wheeler
• Is portable
• Provides high-volume, shallow sampling

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Tools continued

• This is a Soil Auger used in
• Large samples
• Hard grounds
• Deep samples

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Tools continued

• Soil probe
• Used for shallow sampling
• Portable
• Easy to extract soil

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Tools continued
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How to sample

• Remove excess plant residues.
• 2. When using a probe, push the tube into the
  soil to the desired sample depth and collect the
  individual sample.
• 3. A composite should be taken every 40 acres.

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How to sample

• 4. Mix all the individual samples into one
  bucket.
• 5. Then take a composite sample from the
  mixture.
• 6. Place the composite sample in a sample bag.
  Label the bag properly.
• 7. Allow sample to air dry to stabilize
  nitrogen.
• 8. The sample is sent for analysis.

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Analysis Results

• Analysis Results inform the land owner of
• nutrients availability in the soil
• the cation exchange capacity
• fertilizer recommendation
• ways to improve yields
• when to apply nutrients (i.e. nitrogen,
  phosphate)

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Summary

• In conclusion proper soil sampling is a
  foundation for a proper nutrient plan. There is a
  variety of tools available for soil sampling. It
  is important to follow proper procedures to
  insure optimum results. The results provide the
  necessary information for a sound nutrient plan.

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• THE END

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Sources

• www.mn.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/ecs/nutrient/plant
  20nutrient/pla...
• Servi-Tech Laboratories
• www.soilsample.com