Soil Testing
A representative soil sample is the starting point for any sound fertility management program.

• Lime (Ca), phosphate (P2O5), potash (K2O), and magnesium (Mg) requirements are best determined by soil testing.

• Soil test recommendations take into account the yield goal (potential) for the soil type, the fertility level of the specific soil, and projected crop nutrient removal.

• Nitrogen (N) fertilizer recommendations are based on the yield potential of the crop and the contribution of previous legume crops and soil organic matter.

• On manured fields and/or sods, sidedress nitrogen requirements for corn and several other crops can be estimated using the pre-sidedress nitrogen soil test (PSNT).

• Farm name and contact information.
• Consultant/Company name and contact information.
• Payment information.
• Sample information:
  • Field identification, county, acres, predominant soil name and soil map symbol, and date sampled.
  • Indicate latitude and longitude for GPS Grid Samples if needed for your own records.
  • Prior crop, tillage, manure history, crops to be grown including yield goal.
  • Analytical package requested.
    

To avoid confusion, make sure that the field identification on the sample sheet matches the field identification on the sample box. Keep a record of this information for future reference. Being consistent with field identification also makes year to year comparison of soil tests and trends on the same field much easier.

Analysis
Dairy One utilizes the following soil testing procedures:

* Morgan phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium equivalents are calculated using a conversion equation developed by Cornell University.

For more information, go to:
http://nmsp.css.cornell.edu/software/conversions/Morganequiv7.xls

Packages and Pricing
Below is a list of the services offered by the Dairy One Soils Lab.

Results
Soil test results will be available within 3-5 days after reception at the lab. Samples will be retained for a period of 2-4 weeks allowing you the option of requesting additional tests during that time frame.

Note: File your results. A grower or consultant can determine the effectiveness of an applied fertility program over time if they can reference past soil test results.

Recommendations
Nutrient recommendations are made in pounds per acre (ppm x 2). Lime is recommended in tons per acre of 100% calcium carbonate (CaCO3) equivalent with an assumed plow depth of 7 inches. Adjustments must be made for the CaCO3 equivalent and fineness of the applied lime. Dairy One recommendations are intended to provide adequate nutrients to produce the listed yield goal plus any additional nutrients needed to correct deficiencies or imbalances over a 3-5 year period of time. Comments pertaining to the specific crop(s) to be grown including credits for N contribution from prior crops, nutrient imbalances, or other relevant information will also be included in the report.

Recommendations are presented as general guidelines only. Consult with an agronomic professional with working knowledge of your farm and cropping history for specific recommendations.

Interpreting the results
The soil nutrient levels of your sample are listed in ppm (Mehlich 3) and pounds per acre (Morgan Equivalent) for phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, potassium and ppm for sulfur, boron, manganese, copper, iron, molybdenum, and zinc.

A low soil test rating indicates that the nutrient is probably deficient and it may limit crop growth and/or quality. There is a very high probability that there will be a positive response to additions of that nutrient and soil test levels should be monitored yearly to determine if the fertilizer program is building soils back to optimum levels.

A medium soil test has a moderate probability of improved crop performance from higher levels of the nutrient. A medium level may limit crop performance at the end of the season or when growing conditions are above average. Additional fertilizer or lime is often recommended to build soil test levels slightly or support additional yield in an exceptional year.

A high soil test rating indicates that the nutrient is at or very close to the "ideal" range to support plant growth and optimum yield. There is a very low probability of a response to additions of that nutrient. Additional fertilizer, if any, should only compensate for crop removal and may not be necessary if the soil is tested annually. A small amount of a starter fertilizer containing this nutrient may be all that is recommended.

A very high or excessive soil test rating indicates that the nutrient is present at a level higher than required to support crop growth. It is highly unlikely that there will be a positive response to additional input of this nutrient. Growth and yield could actually be inhibited in some cases due to this nutrient imbalance and possible interaction with other nutrients. Additional input will only increase costs and may actually decrease yield and quality.

Interpretation of the Dairy One Soil Test Report for Agronomic Crops

A high CEC is desirable because nutrients are less subject to leaching and adequate quantities of nutrient reserves can be maintained. Sandy soils, by nature, have a low CEC, and little can be done to change this characteristic.

CEC will vary with changes in soil pH, organic matter, and clay content. Soils with a pH >=7.3 may contain excessive carbonates which will inflate CEC values, a common occurrence on some of the Central New York lime ledge high pH soils.

The CEC of a soil may also be used to determine the appropriate rate of certain soil applied herbicides, i.e. triazine herbicides.

Table 1. CEC values for New York soils

Table 2. Base Saturation % Guidelines

Nutrient	Base Saturation			Comments
	Desired Range	Deficiency	Excessive
% K	2.0 - 3.3%	< 1%	> 5% may depress Mg uptake	3.5 - 5.0 is best for  alfalfa.
% Mg	5 - 15% 10 - 20% for pasture grasses.	3 - 5% may reduce quality < 3% may reduce yield and quality.	> 40% may  depress K and Ca uptake	Mg% should be two  times K%.  A dolomitic limestone  should be used to  supply magnesium if  Mg % saturation is  less  than 5%.
% Ca	60 - 80%	< 60% associated with low pH soils	-----	Desirable values  maintained by  keeping soil pH  between 6 and 7.

Conversions and Calculations
The following is a list of the common reporting units and the factors that can be used for conversions.

Glossary of Terms

Banding – applying fertilizer or other amendments into the soil in a thin narrow strip (band) beside or beneath a planted row of seeds or plants.

Base saturation percentage (base cation saturation) – the degree to which the adsorption complex of a soil is saturated with basic cations (cations other than hydrogen and aluminum), usually expressed in percentage.

Cation exchange – replacement by a cation in solution for another cation on the surface of any surface-active material, such as clay or organic matter.

Strength of adsorption of the different cations is in the following order: Al+++ > Ca++ > Mg++ > K+ = NH4+ > Na+

For example, K+ is less tightly held in acid soils where Al+++ and H+ are present than in neutral to alkaline soils where Mg+++ and Na+ are present. Hence in an acid soil, K+ is more readily available for plant absorption or leaching.

Cation exchange capacity (CEC) – the sum total of exchangeable cations that a soil can adsorb, expressed in milliequivalents per 100 grams of soil or centimoles per kg of soil or colloid.

Conservation tillage – The U.S. Natural Resource Conservation Service defines conservation tillage as any tillage system that leaves at least 30% of the surface covered by plant residues for control of erosion by water. For controlling erosion by wind, it means leaving at least 1000 lb/a (1120 kg/ha) of small-grained-straw-equivalent during the critical wind erosion period. The amount of residue needed depends on the crop and if the residue is standing or flat.

Humus – the more stable fraction of the soil organic matter remaining, usually amorphous and dark colored, after the major portion of added residues have decomposed.

Leaching – the downward movement and loss of materials in solution from the soil by percolating waters.

Micronutrient – a chemical element necessary in very small amounts (usually less than several parts per million) for the growth of plants. Examples: boron, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum and zinc.

Mineralization – the conversion of an element from an organic form to an inorganic state as a result of microbial decomposition.

Muck soil – A soil containing 20 - 50% organic matter or an organic soil in which the organic matter is well decomposed.

Nitrification – the biological oxidation of ammonium salts to nitrites and the further oxidation of nitrites to nitrates.

pH, soil – a numerical measure of the hydrogen ion activity of a soil. A pH of 7.0 is considered neutral, values < 7.0 are acidic and > 7.0 alkaline.

Secondary nutrient –the nutrients Ca, Mg, and S used in large amounts by plants but are less often deficient than the primary nutrients N, P, and K.

Separates, soil – One of the individual-sized groups of mineral soil particles including sand, silt, or clay.

Series, soil –a group of soils having horizons similar in differentiating characteristics and arrangement in the soil profile, except for texture of the surface, slope, gravel, stones, and erosion.

Soil horizon – a layer of soil or soil material, approximately parallel to the land surface and differing from adjacent related layers below or above it in physical, chemical, and biological properties or characteristics, such as color, structure, texture, consistency, amount of organic matter, and degree of acidity or alkalinity.

Soil survey – the systematic examination, description, classification, and mapping of soils of a defined area.

Soil test – chemical, physical, or microbiological analyses that estimate or measure a property of a soil.

Soil textural class – A grouping of soil textural units based on the relative proportions of the various soil separates including sand, loamy sand, sandy loam, loam, silt loam, silt, sandy clay loam, clay loam, silty clay loam, sandy clay, silty clay, and clay.

Soil texture – the relative proportions of the various soil size separates including sand, silt, and clay.