1. Soil sampling and testing is one of the farmer’s most important soil management tools It may also be one of the most neglected Soil sampling

2. Why do we sample our soil? • Soil chemistry or biology testing • Identify field variability • OM • pH • Texture Soil Sampling

3. How do we take a sample? • Sample fields indiviudally • Choose random locations in each field • Take uniform-sized sample from each location • Remove surface OM and plants • Sample 15-30 cm, depending on soil and field • Mix samples  Composite sample Soil Sampling

4. Where don’t we collect our samples from? • Anomalous/non-representative locations • Around trees • Field edges • Near manure or compost piles • Around standing water Soil Sampling

5. What do we do after samples have been taken? • Mix samples from each field together • Label samples Soil Sampling

6. Where do we send our samples? • Always to the same lab • Request list of methods use • Methods are all standardized • If new lab: • Confirm methods used and compare results to previous test Soil Sampling

7. When is a good time to be sampling our soil? • Close to time when it will be “used” Or Spring • Test for Nitrogen: mid- or late-season when soil is warmer • When soil not too wet or dry • Ideally test in the conditions in which plants will be growing Soil Sampling

8. What do we do with the results? • Develop amendment plan to increase nutrients that are lacking • Develop plan to address pH,OM, and CEC Soil Sampling

9. Collection Methods • Random Sampling • Random locations • Easy way to get arepresentative sample • Grid Sampling • Good for observingvariation in landscape • Does not take into consideration topography • Topography Sampling • Addresses variation in field topography or features Sampling methodologies

10. Variation in Fields – e.g., OM and pH Sampling methodologies

11. Composite Samples • Random and Grid Sampling • Consolidate and mix soil samples in equal parts • Take representative sample of composite for lab • Topography Sampling • Consolidate samples from each specific area • Take representative samples of composite for lab Sampling methodologies