Soil Sampling

Homestead Acres Ag: Sustainable hay, crops and livestock done naturally

Tue, 27 May 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Homestead Acres Ag is a part of the Lerwicks' management transition process.

Harnessing the benefits of manure in forage production

mdeharo@uidaho.edu — Tue, 22 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0400

The proper management of nutrients is fundamental to effectively use manure and reach the highest cost-benefit.

Forensic files: Soil edition

scott_fleming@rockriverlab.com — Fri, 16 Feb 2024 00:00:00 -0500

There is a new testing method in town. It is far different than any other form of agronomic testing taking place over the last century. Instead of looking at a soil's chemical properties, we catch a glimpse into the soil's DNA.

A first in soil testing

dustin_sawyer@rockriverlab.com — Mon, 08 Jan 2024 00:00:00 -0500

With funding from the USDA NRCS, ARS and NIFA, along with OCP North America, the soil fertility community has undertaken the immense task of finding and collecting the data that underpin the existing soil testing paradigm in the U.S.

Four soil test myths to watch for

crosen@umn.edu — Mon, 26 Dec 2022 00:00:00 -0500

It’s clear that there's a lot of farmers that consider soil science to be an intimidating or highly technical topic, and it can be. And I think we realize that for most farmers.

Getting Ready for Spring

Mon, 19 Sep 2022 00:00:00 -0400

Taking advantage of planning opportunities now will set your forage/grazing operation up for success come spring.

Reading your forage analysis report

Mon, 28 Feb 2022 14:00:01 -0500

Over the last 25 years, animal production has improved significantly to have more milk and meat production per animal. To support our ability to feed and manage modern animals, technology to better analyze feed ingredients has also changed to keep up with production.

Building soil organic matter key to healthy, productive crops

Mon, 01 Nov 2021 16:42:53 -0400

With current market incentives to increase crop yields and doing whatever it takes to boost those yields, building soil organic matter can sometimes takes a backseat on farms.

A representative soil sample makes all the difference

scott_fleming@rockriverlab.com — Wed, 06 Oct 2021 18:51:38 -0400

A representative soil sample accurately captures the traits of the soil in that area.

Only as good as the sample you submit

tatev@missouri.edu — Fri, 02 Apr 2021 16:26:50 -0400

Soil fertility testing is a valuable tool to optimize forage production. Applying too much fertilizer is not an economically or environmentally sound practice, and inadequate fertility or improper soil pH can limit forage production.

4 questions to ask your agronomist before soil sampling

scott_fleming@rockriverlab.com — Tue, 02 Mar 2021 18:36:45 -0500

Spring soil sampling is right around the corner, and soil samples that will be pulled in 2021 will be providing useful data through the 2025 growing season. Soil sampling is a major investment and carries tremendous value.

Planning for the growing season ahead

hdaljoe@noble.org — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 17:07:09 -0500

The year 2019 is here. Although it is the middle of winter and very little forage is growing, producers still need to be thinking about their forage production and pastures.

Precision nutrient management in forage systems

b.arnall@okstate.edu — Tue, 30 Aug 2016 23:06:10 -0400

First, let’s agree the term “precision” is relative. Forage is a diverse system with an even more diverse set of management strategies. Regardless, every manager should be constantly striving to improve the precision in which nutrients are managed.