Make Smarter Farm Decisions with Soil Testing
Of the tasks undertaken by farm operators each year, soil testing is a very important one, and one that is sometimes not well understood. Some farmers who have done soil testing have come away from the experience feeling as though they haven’t learned anything they didn’t already know or unsure of what to do with the information going forward.
At Co-op, we believe in the benefits of soil testing. It’s just one of the tools we use in our GROWN WITH PURPOSE™ Program, a forward-thinking agronomic program that assesses your farm’s planning, use of crop inputs and safe work practices.
Why Soil Testing is Important
Soil testing is important to farm success because the report helps establish the right rate of fertilizer to apply for a given crop. Soil testing helps estimate the availability of nutrients in your soil, informing fertilizer decisions and applications. Jack Payne, Fertilizer Manager with South Country Co-op, likens it to checking the fuel gauge in a vehicle.
“If I need to drive from Red Deer to Calgary and I see my truck’s tank is three-quarters full, I know I don’t need to add any fuel,” Payne said. “If it’s less than a quarter, I would have to add some to get there safely. The same is true for determining how much fertilizer to apply to a field for a given crop at a given target yield.”
Soil testing can also assess soil quality factors and let you know if your current management practices have impacted physical and chemical properties of your soil.
How The Grow Team Can Help
When the time comes to interpret the results of your soil test, a Grow Team member is always available to help.
“We can assist growers in developing the appropriate fertilizer recommendations for their farm, taking into account their equipment and crop plans. We can also provide them with the crop-protection products they will need for the growing season,” said Payne.
All Grow Team members are knowledgeable about 4R Nutrient Stewardship. They can also help diagnose micronutrient deficiencies and, though rare, assess your need for micronutrient applications.
With rising fertilizer and commodity pricing this year, you want to ensure you are getting the best possible yields and the highest returns on your fertilizer investment.
“Soil testing ensures you’re not under or over fertilizing your crops,” explained Payne. “Fertilizer is one of the highest variable costs when it comes to producing a crop, so soil testing can end up being one of the biggest ROI boosters on your farm.”