Because the purpose of soil testing is to report the nutrient levels present and indicate which nutrients may be deficient to properly produce the next intended crop yield goal, soil variability is often a concern when collecting soil samples.
However, there are several methods of soil sampling that can help to avoid this issue. Below, we'll outline five methods for taking a reliable soil sample on your farm.
This is the most common soil sampling method if soil variability is not a serious issue.
Take several soil cores in a zigzag pattern across each quadrant, then properly mix and bag so the cores can be analyzed by the soils laboratory.
This method will provide an overall average picture of the area sampled, which includes a specific measurement or value for:
Each soil nutrient
Average pH
Organic matter (OM)
Cation exchange capacity (CEC) of the field
These particular measurements help to understand the availability of nutrients to plants.
Keep in mind that if soil variability is an issue in your field, this type of sampling can lead to inefficiencies in your fertility applications (which means you wind up applying nutrients where nutrient levels are already adequate, or not applying enough of the needed nutrients in deficient areas).
This method works well as long as there are only two or three soil types within a field, and the field can also then be fertilized in the same way — by soil type.
This type of sampling also provides measurements on pH, OM and CEC and will help you to take note of differences in pH, OM and CEC within the field.
This method can help you to determine why some areas yield more or less than others. You should collect several soil cores from areas of the field that you know (or expect) differ in yield.
Adjusting pH may be needed to change the availability of present nutrients, as opposed to adding more nutrients to the low-yielding area, and this method can help you to determine how best to address those areas.
This usually means acquiring samples from bottom areas of field as well as tops of hills and sides of hills.
With this method, you should also sample in the same way you would ultimately apply fertilizer across the field, based on the topography, and what the soil analysis reveals would be needed for each sample area.
With this method, the field is divided into a checkerboard design. Each square of the field is marked by a GPS location.
Typically five soil cores are collected from each grid, and each square or sample should be from a uniform-size area. The grid size can vary from 1 to 4 acres each, but the most common size is 2.5 acres.
Grid samples are generally done commercially due to the special equipment needed to conduct them. Grid sampling also typically leads to the most efficient method to apply nutrients, but can come with an increased cost due to increased analysis and labor, and because a variable rate fertilizer spreader is also required.
To stretch out this cost, grid samples are normally done every 3 to 4 years, based on cropping and nutrient plans made for that timeframe. In theory, fertilizer is only placed where it is needed by plants, and will bring the entire field to equal nutrient values at the end of the program. The same grid is then resampled to check on the progress of nutrient availability within each grid.
Keep in mind that a combination of any of these methods of soil sampling works, too.
Pick the method and specific timing following harvest that best fits your situation. By collecting soil samples at a similar time of year, you can collect a consistent, reliable history from each field.
Comparing your yearly soil analyses can also help you to determine if your current fertilizer programs are sufficient enough for your yield goals. You don’t want to over-apply nutrients your crops won’t use, but keeping the right amount of nutrients in the soil will help to control pressures from weeds, pests and diseases.
Maintaining fertile soil also demonstrates good land management and stewardship.
Whatever method or combination of methods you choose for soil sampling, you will need the following equipment to collect your soil samples:
A common chrome plated soil probe
A plastic or stainless steel bucket
Soil sample bags that are provided by your soils laboratory
Each soil sample should not represent more than 40 acres, which means you should take a minimum of 20 cores.
Take soil at a depth of either 6 or 8 inches
Maintain a consistent depth of each and every core you collect
Mix your cores thoroughly before bagging and labeling the sample
Keep your soil samples dry and cool
Deliver your soil samples to the lab as soon as possible, especially if you have included a nitrate (NO3) test
Even adding a single core from an unusual location can skew the laboratory results and render them useless. Sample contamination issues can be caused by galvanized buckets or dirty buckets.
Be sure to remove any crop residue or foreign material before collecting and bagging your samples.
Other field areas to avoid when soil sampling can include:
Blank areas
Fence rows
Turn rows
Windbreaks
Terrace bottoms
Old farm sites
A field where banded fertilizer was applied (if possible, do not gather a soil core from the band itself)
Soil sampling is a great investment that you can make today for more efficient fertility planning for next year’s crop, but you’ll likely see the return on that investment for years to come.
FBN Direct has a comprehensive selection of crop nutrition products to maximize every crop’s yield and quality potential.
Our solutions span the entire growing season and include starter fertilizers, in-season foliar micronutrients and soil amendments, including prebiotics and probiotics to support plant health. Mix and match products to meet your crop’s unique nutritional demands.
With 24/7 digital shopping access, direct-to-farm delivery, transparent pricing and savings opportunities, and detailed label information for each product, FBN offers the information and crop nutrition products you need to maximize your crop’s potential this season.
© 2014 - 2023 Farmer's Business Network, Inc. All rights Reserved. The sprout logo, “Farmers Business Network”, “FBN”, “FBN Direct” are trademarks or registered trademarks of Farmer's Business Network, Inc.
FBN Direct products and services and other products distributed by FBN Direct are offered by FBN Inputs, LLC and are available only in states where FBN Inputs, LLC is licensed and where those products are registered for sale or use, if applicable. If applicable, please check with your local extension service to ensure registration status. Nothing contained on this page, including the prices listed should be construed as an offer for sale, or a sale of products. All products and prices are subject to change at any time and without notice and excludes CA mills tax and MN ACRRA fees. Terms and conditions apply.
ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW LABEL DIRECTIONS. It is a violation of federal and state law to use any pesticide product other than in accordance with its label. The distribution, sale and use of an unregistered pesticide is a violation of federal and/or state law and is strictly prohibited. We do not guarantee the accuracy of any information provided on this page or which is provided by us in any form. It is your responsibility to confirm prior to purchase and use that a product is labeled for your specific purposes, including, but not limited to, your target crop or pest and its compatibility with other products in a tank mix and that the usage of a product is otherwise consistent with federal, state and local laws. We reserve the right to restrict sales on a geographic basis in our sole discretion. You must have a valid applicator license to use restricted use pesticides. Please consult your state department of agriculture for complete rules and regulations on the use of restricted use pesticides, as some products require specific record-keeping requirements
All product recommendations and other information provided is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for consulting the product label or for specific agronomic, business,or professional advice. Where specific advice is necessary or appropriate, consult with a qualified advisor. Neither Farmer's Business Network Inc. nor any of its affiliates makes any representations or warranties, express or implied, as to the accuracy or completeness of the statements or any information contained in the material and any liability therefore is expressly disclaimed.