Soil Sampling
What
Soil sampling can refer to any kind of soil investigation or analysis. The most common (and the type required every 3 years by the VT Required Agricultural Practices) is a chemical fertility analysis. This soil test gives farmers field-based measurements of pH, organic matter, phosphorus, potassium, and several other key nutrients. The Cornell Soil Health Test is a more comprehensive and intensive option that measures the soil's biological and physical health in addition to chemical. Besides these two tests there are many other ways for farmers to understand their soils better - from bringing out an NRCS or UVM Extension Soils Scientist to simply digging around to observe more on their own.
Why
Soil sampling helps a farmer understand how the soil's current chemistry, biology, and structure align with the needs of their crops. Soil sampling can:
Improve water quality: Fields that have a high level of phosphorus need to be managed to keep that phosphorus in the field, make it available to crops, and prevent further phosphorus build-up.
Improve crop yields & soil health: Soil sampling gives farmers a road map for how to meet the immediate and long-term needs of their soil and their crops. Soil test results guide field amendments to adjust pH, provide macronutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, or boost particular micronutrients. Farmers can also understand how their soil's organic matter content - which is important for both water holding capacity and nutrient availability. Low organic matter levels might lead a farmer to grow a high-biomass cover crop and till it in, or make other significant management changes.
Save money by using manure and fertilizer effectively: Fertilizer is expensive, and it's often expensive to transport manure to where it's needed most. Regular soil sampling helps farmers invest in exactly how much fertilizer they need to optimize their crop's growth.
Meet a requirement of VT's Required Agricultural Practices: In 2016 VT required all farms to create and maintain an updated Nutrient Management Plan (NMP). As part of the NMP, farms are required to take soil samples every three years for all fields where manure or fertilizer is mechanically spread.
How
It's easy to take your own soil tests. If you wish, contact your local Conservation District or UVM Extension office and they can typically at least lend you a soil probe, if not come out in the field to help. If you need a Nutrient Management Plan or help updating your Nutrient Management Plan, definitely contact your Conservation District or Extension staff - they'll be glad to help and may be able to give you a discount on your GoCrop renewal.
Check out the adjacent flyer from UVM's Agricultural and Environmental Testing Laboratory on how to take a soil sample.
Follow the nutrient recommendations on soil test results, and take samples again in three years. Try to take your samples at roughly the same time of year each year.
Costs
The lab fee for a basic fertility analysis at UVM's lab costs $17 per sample. For Nutrient Management Plans, each sample can represent no more than 20 acres and should represent either a single field or fields that are nearby and managed the same way.
how-to-take-a-soil-sample-2.pdf