IT’S SIMPLE: GROWERS WITH HIGHER YIELDS, SOIL TEST MORE OFTEN BY SOIL SAMPLING.

One of your most valuable assets is the soil in which your crops grow. That means it’s essential to know which nutrients are available if you’re looking to grow a higher-yielding crop. With fertilizer prices making a bigger impact on the expense side of the ledger this season, current and accurate soil testing is key to profitability – and your P&H agrologist can help.

Soil Test Often and Focus on the 4R Principles

A soil test isn’t just about gauging nitrogen levels. A soil test can provide other beneficial information such as soil acidity, sodium and soluble salts, organic matter, cation exchange capacity, and Ph.

In the 4Rs of nutrient stewardship, the goal is to apply the right source, at the right rate, at the right time, and in the right place. See our Fertilizer Use Efficiency page for an in-depth look at the 4R strategy.

Find the Gold Within Five Broad Categories

The most valuable information from a soil test will likely come by measuring these five broad groups:

• Organic Matter (H4) – Carbon-based compounds in the soil which often serve as a reserve for nutrients.
• Soil pH (H4) – The acidity or alkalinity of the soil, which can affect nutrient availability.
• Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) (H4) – An inherent soil characteristic that is difficult to alter significantly and influences the soil’s ability to hold onto essential nutrients.
• Nitrate-N (H4) – The water-soluble form of nitrogen that is readily available for plant uptake.
• Extractable macro and micronutrients (H4) – The essential nutrients that are available to the plant and needed by the crop to produce maximum economic yield.

Use a Professional Agrologist to Interpret the Results

Your P&H expert can turn a lab-generated report into customized recommendations, especially important in pinpointing the greatest limiting factor in your soil. Addressing that deficiency is often your biggest opportunity.