Soil sampling

[dfarms11]

How does everyone do their soil sampling? Do you do it yourself? Hire it out? If you do it yourself, what are your procedures? Contemplating doing it myself but never tried myself before.

[foragefarmer]

How does everyone do their soil sampling? Do you do it yourself? Hire it out? If you do it yourself, what are your procedures? Contemplating doing it myself but never tried myself before.

I did it myself, does takes a bit of time. I used a tubular soil sampler taking 8-10 samples throughout the field.

I took 6 inch samples this year. I'm not an expert but this is what I did.

[jazz]

Let Nutrien and SynergyAG do it for us. I hired both of them this year just to see if they find the same thing.

[seldomseen]

I have done my own for years. I just like knowing where the probe goes.

I use a tube probe and a quad and make 10 stops angling across a field. at each stop i will take two probes about 10 paces apart. Never do the bottoms of low spots or the top of hills.
For years did 0-12 inch but have switched 0-6 last few years because of the company I was working with.

[biglentil]

Cordless drill, 18 inch 1" augur bit, hole in a bowl. The more test holes the better, mix it all up for that piece of land.

[macdon02]

I used to do it for Cargill. Everything was gps referenced. Used an auger bit which is better then pulling cores, especially if it's dry. Just a 12 or 18" concrete bit. Cordless drill will do the job, and just sweep up the cuttings. I have a foot probe as well but it's a pita. The biggest thing is be consistent, you are benchmarking the levels year to year. I quit doing it and just used AGPHD fert removal app based on bushels removed, but i'll pull some this year just for reference.

[helmsdale]

If I can get it in I use a 12" step on probe, then split each core into 2 different pails, one 0-6, the other 6-12. Mix thoroughly, bag, and put in a fridge till i can get to the city.

All fields are gridded out and gps'd with about 30 holes per half section, or 15 spots with two holes at each location for 30 holes total on a quarter. I go back to the same spot every year, so results should be fairly consistent.

If ground is too dry or frozen, i pack a generator, 1/2" drill, and a 1"x16" ship boring bit and a pail lid with hole cut out in the center. Sink it to 6, pull the dirt off the bit, then sink it to 12. 16" let's you regrind the cutting surface a few times. When you catch a rock it gets your attention...

[Partners]

Independent where we buy are fert.
Does sampling for free..

[blackpowder]

My private agronomist does it for $150/ lab in.
Auger rig to 24" i believe. GPS referenced to same locations.
Nice to see the recent graduates at my independent dealer read and interpret the tests the way my agronomist does finally. Using same lab too.

Back checked with past tests, yields, and current test results.

[WiltonRanch]

Can’t afford what they tell me to put on but that said farmers edge recommended far less than I thought. I like them now lol. Not a super big fert user but general area puts down 60 to 80# n and makes 50 to 70 wheat and 35 to 45 canola. It’s hilly so moisture is more important than juice. Level ground get the kitchen sink thrown at it just saying.