Soil Sampling

Duane Siegenthaler

Josh Voelker

Soil Sampling Services

• A map of the field/farm

• Sample location identified on the map

• Lab analysis of the soil sample performed by Midwest Labs at Omaha, NE

• The analysis will include package S1A and S3

• Soil amendment and fertilizer recommendations

• VRT prescription rates and maps

• Detail report via electronic file

Non-Grid Sampling

a. Non-grid samples can

comprise of any size area for composite samples

b. Non-grid samples can be used for site specific areas identified by field boundaries, soil types, yield maps, etc.

c. VRT prescriptions can be formulated for management zones of non-grid samples. The management zones will be defined by GPS.

a. Lower cost per acre

b. Less data to manage

c. Quicker general assessment

$35 per sample. Minimum Charge of

$140.

Grid Sampling

a. Grid squares will consist of approximately 2.5 acres each

b. We recommend a sample area of at least 20 contiguous acres for grid sampling.

c. Grid sampling is generally not recommended for contour strips and other small irregular shaped areas.

d. Grid Sampling can be used for VRT applications by sample area or grouping samples into site specific areas.

a. Flexibility

b. Accuracy

c. Create management zones without physical boundaries

d. Analyze data a. Fertility

b. Soil type

c. Yield

$22.50 per sample. Minimum Charge of

$180

SMS Software

• SMS™ Basic is a powerful desktop

software that helps you to take data from

your field and turn into smart management

decisions, using information gathered from

planting through harvest.

Soil Sampling tools

• Create and manage soil sampling points, grids, and

regions.

• Easily sync lab soil test results with sample locations in

the field. Then map the sample sites for

recommendations, analysis or use in reports and printing.

Making Recommendations

• Soil Correction – Minerals added to the soil in order to “fix” the soil

– Bring balance to the soil nutrient levels

– Reduce limiting factors

• Crop Fertilizers – Nutrients applied each year to feed a crop

– Supply a balance of all the nutrients needed for optimum plant growth, yield, and feed quality

– In addition to NPK it will include calcium, sulfur, trace minerals, plus some carbon and sugar to feed the soil microbes and make nutrients more available to the plant

– Maximize yield potential

Prescriptions

• Equation – formula based

– Most commonly used on fields that have been grid

sampled

– Soil sample results are imported into the SMS

program. Analysis is run to generate a prescription

for a soil correction

– The program interpolates the areas in between the

sample points to cover the entire field.

Prescriptions

• Manual

– Most commonly used for non-grid samples

– Site Specific

• Field boundaries

• Type of crop

Prescriptions

• Simple

– Can be used for grid or non-grid soil samples

– Generated based on a range of values

• Nutrient Level

• Yield Data

– Example – P2=25-35 gets 500 lbs of Rock Phos

– P2=35-45 gets 400 lbs of Rock Phos

– P2=45-55 gets 300 lbs of Rock Phos

– P2=55-65 gets 200 lbs of Rock Phos

Questions