Soil testing

Mixing soil samples defeats the Precision purpose of testing. In our part of the world samples are taken with GPS coordinates. That way you know where what and how much chemicals to lay down.
 

In Arkansas it is a free service to residents . I would guess most states have some kind of program . Here is a link to the Arkansas program , which tells you everything you could want to know .

https://www.uaex.edu/environment-nature/soil/soil-test.aspx

https://www.uaex.edu/counties/miller/Soil Sample Collection.pdf
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Use the following procedure in collecting your soil sample:

1. Rake aside mulch or surface litter like leaves.

2. Take soil with a soil probe or shovel from at least 12 spots in each area to obtain a representative sample. A zigzag sampling pattern is preferred. Fertilizer and lime recommendations are no better than the sample taken.

3. Take samples in gardens, lawns, and around shrubs to a depth of about 4 inches and for mature fruit trees at a depth of 12 inches.

4. Mix soil thoroughly from a sample area. Keep different areas separate. Discard rocks, gravels and roots.

5. Allow the soil sample to air dry. Spread the sample on newspapers or large paper bags for a couple of days. Do not heat the sample in an oven to speed drying.

6. Remove one pint for the laboratory sample and place in a clean container or zip top bag. Label each sample with a name that you would recognize.

7. Bring sample(s) to your local County Extension office. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

For Arkansas Taxpayers, there is no fee for us to process and run your samples. Out of State samples will be charged $10.00 per sample. [/i:ee47645ff2]
 
So you get 1 sample per acre and fertilize each acre based on what that acre needs??

I would think 1 sample per acre over a 10 acre plot and then average the 10 samples by mixing would be just as good.
But then again I know nothing about modern row crop farming.
 
The precision part of precision farming has a weak link, like most processes. There is no reason to GPS locate soil samples unless you have a variable-rate fertilizer application method. If you are planning to go rent a buggy-type fertilizer sprayer and cover acreage with a steady rate, your method of mixing the samples is just fine.

The same can be said for all the harvest data many farmers gather- unless you respond to the data with varied rates of planting or fertility, the numbers are pretty much useful only in the coffee shop, where honesty goes to die.
 
The grid sampling will give a more efficient use of the fertilizer by putting more where needed and less where not. you don't use less fertilizer or lime just more efficient use of the money spent. Local fertilizer guys can spread it for you at a nomminal fee. Then you can spread more in following years yourself.
Around here most is done by the local guys for the soil test then spread by the farmer till the next soil test is done. This evens it up yet saves on the spreading cost.
 
TAMU does ours and that's what they recommend. I assume they are serving the "not so innovative farming public" whereby one doesn't have the equipment to mix and match at the distribution point.....at least I don't. You load up your spreader and go out and do the field till you run out.
 
2 1/2 acre grids are about as small as most guys go. Some use 5 or 10 acre grids. On one farm I rent I have used 10 acre grids because I don't want to spend much money on it and the soil type and topography is the same across the farm, meaning flat with no variation in soil type.

After a field is 'gridded' as we call it the grid map with the analysis is fed into a computer that runs the fertilizer spreader and the fertilizer is spread in heavier or lesser amounts as the spreader drives across the field. The spreader still covers the whole field like it always has only the rate coming out the back is variable. It's mainly done with commercial fertilizer. It can be done with manure spreading but manure analysis is so varied it's pretty tough to get it right. I have been fertilizing with manure that's not spread by GPS for the past few years but I still have to have the soil grid tested to comply with the manure management plan.
 
What are you growing? Corn and soybeans- 6 to 8 inches deep, wheat, oats, bare ground seeding alfalfa- 6 inches. If they are not using GPS application, we use soils maps to test which provides some interesting patterns in the field. Then the operator can pull a cart and apply some extra P or K to those areas and we apply an amount more general in needs. This works well for the young farmer who still has monetary and opinion help from father but wants to use the GPS program. It helps bring the partner into line with the young operator's belief.
 
Not sure if they specify maximum area per test or not. Lots of 10 acre fields around me now that I've been invaded by "Urbania". including a couple of mine.
 

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