MSU Soil Test Lab

Joel Sanderson · Dec 14, 2020

Has anyone had a problem with Michigan State's soil test lab giving inaccurate results? Last spring I pulled soil tests from a field, mixed them and divided them in half. My dad sent one half to MSU, and I sent the other half to Dairyland Lab (based in Wisconsin). My dad just gave me his soil tests, so I compared them. The results look like different soils! It's ridiculous. MSU shows half again as much P, less than half the Mn, and 2 3/4 as much Zn as Dairyland did. The only thing they agree on is the pH. (I know it's possible one of us didn't label the sample right.)

We've had a lot of ridiculous, meaningless and just plain stupid results from MSU's animal lab over the last 30 years--to the point where we won't use them--but I haven't heard much about their soil lab. Actually, I don't know of anyone other than my dad who uses them. Maybe there's a reason. Any opinions out there?

What's a good lab, and what one do you use?

Thanks.

Joel

Absent Minded Farmer · Dec 15, 2020

I've been happy with Rock River Labs & UW Madison. Timely & thorough. Rock River is a little faster, that's why I go that route these days. Never thought to split a sample & send it out to the two of them. Will have to try that come Spring.

Mike

coonie minnie · Dec 16, 2020

Soil analysis methods vary across the country. I can't say if the methodology from MI is different than WI, but I do know WI and IL use different methods.

Remember a soil test does NOT measure the total amount of say, P, in a soil sample, it measures what is available to a plant.

I'd ask both labs which methods they use before comparing them, and ask them to explain the differences. Don't be surprised if they blame the way the samples were split, though.

That said, Dairyland is a very good lab. I live very near one mentioned in a post below, and can't recommend them for a number of reasons.

Absent Minded Farmer · Dec 16, 2020

You live close to Rock River Labs? If there's something wrong with their setup, I'm all ears. I do like accuracy & will send my samples to Madison if RRL does not do a good job.

Mike

coonie minnie · Dec 17, 2020

I don't use RR any more. I won't disclose more here... if you'd like you can email me.

Joel Sanderson · Dec 17, 2020

I like your suggestion of asking each lab how they test and explaining why there would be differences. The differences are extreme and consistent between two fields. I thought at first that it was just one field, but I noticed a second one that my dad had tested from dirt I had pulled (and split), and the same pattern was there too, quite extreme.

Absent Minded Farmer · Dec 17, 2020

Fair enough. If you post your email in the box between the name & subject, it will give me the option on my end to send one out to you. If you know that already & my statement is redundant, my apologies.

Mike

coonie minnie · Dec 17, 2020

TRy this...

coonie minnie · Dec 17, 2020

Hmmm... that disn't work. I'm sorry. here you go.... [email protected]

Absent Minded Farmer · Dec 17, 2020

Yep, that worked ok. Sent the initial message.

Mike

coonie minnie · Dec 19, 2020

I did not get an email... not sure what happened?

Absent Minded Farmer · Dec 20, 2020

Currently locked out of my email. It was suggested that I dump my history, due to the fact that a couple sights were hanging up &/or not displaying right. Didn't uncheck "Clear Passwords". I've changed my password so many times, this is going to take a minute. Doesn't help that I rely on auto fill. Once I figure out what it was, I will get a hold of you.

Mike

MSU Soil Test Lab

Joel Sanderson

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Absent Minded Farmer

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coonie minnie

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Absent Minded Farmer

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coonie minnie

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Joel Sanderson

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Absent Minded Farmer

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coonie minnie

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coonie minnie

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Absent Minded Farmer

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coonie minnie

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Absent Minded Farmer

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