Increased Interest In Soil Sampling Expected This Fall

Farmers and agronomists will be eagerly awaiting results from their fall soil sampling this season.

That from John Heard, crop nutrition specialist with Manitoba Agriculture & Resource Development.

"If there is a silver lining in the dry conditions we had this year, I hate to suggest that, but one is that if yields were reduced substantially because of lack of moisture and things, very good chance that we're going to see that resulting in higher soil nitrogen carry-over in those crops. That's real incentive, that the dry conditions, lower yields, higher fertilizer prices are all going to drive increased interest in getting soil testing done this fall."

Heard says after harvest and before tillage is the best time to get a good representative soil sample.

"Our depth is not compromised by tillage and we can also better spot those problem areas that we might want to sample separately," he commented.

The recommended soil sample depth is about two feet deep.

Heard advises farmers to contact their crop advisor early and schedule some fields in for sampling, as demand for the service is expected to be high this fall.

Early results are indicating high levels of nitrogen carry-over.