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

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

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

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

5.  What do we do after samples have been taken?  Mix samples from each field together  Label samples

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

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

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

9.  Collection Methods  Random Sampling  Random locations  Easy way to get a representative sample  Grid Sampling  Good for observing variation in landscape  Does not take into consideration topography  Topography Sampling  Addresses variation in field topography or features

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

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