Soil Testing More Important Now

Soil Testing More Important Now

Maura Bennett
Maura Bennett

The connection between commodity prices and soil health.

As farm commodities remain low, farmers are being advised to invest in more regular soil testing.

Agronomist Dan Davidson writes in The Progressive Farmer that 4 year soil testing samples may not be enough anymore..he recommends 2 year samples.

"In broad acre crops like wheat, corn, soybeans, soil testing is a very important management strategy because fertilizer is expensive and you always want to have the highest quantity yeild you can. Analyzing your soil and correctly timing your fertilizer recommendations is very crucial.

As commodity prices tend to be low."

Davidson says routine and intense soil sampling is a significant and worthwhile investment. Take the time to review the data, and if you don't feel comfortable doing it yourself, reach out to an agronomist to do it for you. The results will pay dividends either in fertilizer savings, yield increases or recognizing and remediating a basic change in the soil that could have long-term effects on yield potential.

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