FREEPORT, Ill. — It is that time of year again, when the combines are rolling and the bins are filling. We are not even done with harvest and yet we are already planning for the 2019 growing season. As fields are being cleared, producers will be considering many fall farm operations: herbicide burndown, additional tillage passes, manure applications, etc. With all of the action going on, it can be easy to forget that the fall is a great time to take a soil test. Soil testing in the fall will provide important information earlier, enabling more efficient decision making before the snow falls, or early in the spring.
Soil testing is not as simple as it once was. With advancements in soil microbial understanding and soil testing procedures, there are now more options than ever when it comes to soil testing. Various soil tests which are now available include: routine N-P-K, Haney, PLFA, Solvita, and Cornell. Each of these testing procedures provide useful information regarding soil chemical and biological properties, but finding the right combination of analyses can help keep your farm productive by optimizing inputs. In addition to the type of test to take, there is much to consider when taking soil tests: Where should I sample? How deep do I sample? How much soil do I need? How much will it cost? How often should I test? The answers to these questions will determine optimal sampling techniques and will vary significantly from field to field and in some cases, within the field.
Regardless of the challenges in soil testing, increasing the efficiency of current testing methods is a simple way to increase farm productivity while keeping costs down. Interested in learning more about various soil test types and testing strategies? University of Illinois Extension Commercial Agriculture Educator Phillip Alberti will be hosting an free program entitled Soil Testing for Crop Production. Topics include: advancements in soil health understanding, soil sampling strategies, soil testing types, and associated costs.
Soil Testing for Crop Production will be held on Thursday, November 8, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Freeport Public Library, 100 E Douglas Street, Freeport. There is no charge to attend but pre-registration is required by calling the University of Illinois Extension at (815) 235-4125 or on line at http://web.extension.illinois.edu/jsw. For additional questions and resources regarding soil testing, contact Phillip Alberti, at palberti@illinois.edu, 815-599-3644 or on Twitter (@NorthernILCrops).
— Illinois Extension
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