Soil Testing

Midwest Laboratories is beginning to see the number of soil samples increase dramatically with the warmer/drier conditions. More information can be found on their news site.

Soil Testing - Best Value

Soil Testing is the best value. As this article states fertilizer costs can be up to 25% of a crop return. Somewhere, costs have to be controlled. With a good thorough soil test, these values can be found and savings on P (Phosphorus) & K (Potassium) can occur. Midwest Laboratories offers a basic package and many people take advantage not only of their price, but their 3-day turnaround.

Source: Identifying the Source of a Soil Test - http://www.jg-tc.com/articles/2008/11/05/features/farm/doc491120ffade48471789677.txt

S1A (Basic): Organic Matter, Available Phosphorus (P1 Weak Bray and P2 Strong Bray) Exchangeable Potassium, Magnesium, Calcium and Hydrogen, Soil pH, Buffer Index, Cation Exchange Capacity, Percent Base Saturation of Cation Elements
With Recommendations: $10.00
Without Recommendations: $8.80

Source: Midwest Laboratories Website http://www.midwestlabs.com

soil testing

Soil Testing season is just around the corner with fields being harvested. Soil Testing is the best investment, dollar for dollar. Midwest Laboratories offers a great soil testing program. You have the opportunite to get free soil bags at their eStore. Also, by opening up an account, growers are entitled to purchase other supplies like boxes, shipping labels, soil bags, (free) and prboes. In addition, growers can save on soil mapping programs offered through Agri-Data. The Midwest Labs Sitealso has a Library Section for instructions in sampling and interpreting soil reports. Soil Testing turnaround is three to four days. Check out more information online at http://www.midwestlabs.com/

Soil Testing

Here is some informaiton which can affect results obtained from soil testing.

"Factors Effecting Irregularities in Soil Analysis"

1. Varied depth of sampling (Sample at tillage depth).
2. Combining unlike soil areas into one composite sample.
3. Combining soil areas with different past liming, fertilizer, or cropping histories into one composite sample.
4. Combining an insufficient number of sub-samples into composite from extremely varied or land-leveled fields.
5. Attempting to use singgle composite sample for too large an acre.
6. Varying amounts of organic matter or undercomposed organic matter in sample.
7. Soft rocks in sample.
8. Forded drying of soil sample at high heat.
9. Soils that have been sampled, dried, or processed in contaminated containers.
10. Improper packaging of samples, allowing contaminants to become part of sample.
11. Mixing sample identity.
12. Improper sampling equipment (Do not use galvanized or cadmium based equipment. Do not lubricate with other than food oil).
13. Poor distribution of manure applications.

Check out more Midwest Laboratory Memos at http://www.midwestlabs.com/

Also check out current information about soil testing at their store site, http://midwestlabtest.com/