Increased Interest In Soil Sampling Expected This Fall

Aug 27, 2021

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.

Click here to see more...

Video: How farmers are protecting the soil and our food security | DW Documentary

For a long time, soil was all but ignored. But for years, the valuable humus layer has been thinning. Farmers in Brandenburg are clearly feeling the effects of this on their sandy fields. Many are now taking steps to prepare their farms for the future.

Years of drought, record rainfall and failed harvests: we are becoming increasingly aware of how sensitively our environment reacts to extreme weather conditions. Farmers' livelihoods are at stake. So is the ability of consumers to afford food.

For a few years now, agriculture that focuses solely on maximum yields has been regarded with increasing skepticism. It is becoming more and more clear just how dependent we are on healthy soils.

Brandenburg is the federal state with the worst soil quality in Germany. The already thin, fertile humus layer has been shrinking for decades. Researchers and farmers who are keen to experiment are combating these developments and looking for solutions. Priority is being given to building up the humus layer, which consists of microorganisms and fungi, as well as springtails, small worms and centipedes.

For Lena and Philipp Adler, two young vegetable farmers, the tiny soil creatures are invaluable helpers. On their three-hectare organic farm, they rely on simple, mechanical weed control, fallow areas where the soil can recover, and diversity. Conventional farmer Mark Dümichen also does everything he can to protect soil life on his land. For years, he has not tilled the soil after the harvest and sows directly into the field. His yields have stabilized since he began to work this way.

Isabella Krause from Regionalwert AG Berlin-Brandenburg is convinced after the experiences of the last hot summers that new crops will thrive on Brandenburg's fields in the long term. She has founded a network of farmers who are promoting the cultivation of chickpeas with support from the scientific community.