| 1. |
Order
your soil test supplies (boxes and sample information sheets)
by calling 1-800-344-2697 ext. 2172 or via the internet at http://www.dairyone.com/Forage/OrderSupplies/ |
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| 2. |
Establish
a sampling schedule. |
|
a. |
Most
soils should be sampled every 2 - 3 years; more often for sandy
soils, high value crops or problem areas. To avoid seasonal
variation, try to sample around the same time every year for
a given field. |
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| 3. |
Use
the correct sampling tools to do the job. |
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a.
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Use tools
that are clean and free of rust. Avoid brass or galvanized
tools or containers that can contaminate samples with zinc
or copper. Stainless steel probes or augers are best because
they collect a continuous core through the entire sampling
depth with a minimum disturbance of the soil (see Figure 1.).
Avoid shovels or trowels.
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b.
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Collect
samples in a clean plastic bucket or plastic bag. Avoid collecting
or shipping wet samples in paper bags or boxes. Wet samples
can leach boron out of the paper and contaminate the sample.
Air dry samples prior to shipping or ship in a plastic bag.
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Figure 1. Use a stainless steel probe or auger for best
results. |
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| 4. |
Sample
at the proper depth based on tillage. |
|
a. |
Moldboard
plow – surface to tillage depth (usually 6-8 inches). |
|
b. |
Chisel
plow and offset disk – sample before tillage to ¾
of the tillage depth. |
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c. |
Reduced
tillage systems – No Till, Ridge till, Zone Till etc. Two
Samples may be required. |
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|
1. |
Sample
to a depth of 6 inches for pH and nutrient content. |
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2. |
A
second sample to a depth of 1 inch may be needed to determine
if surface applications of nitrogen fertilizer have resulted
in an acid surface layer that can reduce the effectiveness of
triazine herbicides. |
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Both
samples should be taken between rows to avoid disturbed soil
or fertilizer bands. |
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| 5. |
Identify
the sampling area. |
|
a. |
Take 15-20 plow depth core subsamples using a zig-zag pattern
in a management area representing < 20 acres (see Figure
2.). Avoid unusual areas such as dead furrows, old hedge rows,
fence lines, old manure piles, lime piles or burn piles. Avoid
wet areas or severely eroded areas. |
|
b. |
Take
separate samples from areas within the field that vary widely
from the rest of the field in color, slope, soil texture, drainage,
productivity or crop history. |
|
c. |
Sample each contour strip separately if it is > 5 acres. |
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d. |
Mix
the 15-20 subsamples completely in a clean plastic bag or plastic
bucket. |
|
e. |
Avoid sampling under extremely wet soil conditions. Wet samples
usually leak in transit and some nutrients in very wet soils
may undergo rapid biological transformations (also see 3b.). |
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Figure 2. Suggested sampling pattern. |
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| 6. |
Prepare
samples for shipment. |
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a. |
Spread
wet samples in a thin layer on a clean sheet of waxed paper
and dry at room temperature. Do not use heat but a fan is acceptable
to assist in drying. Remove large stones or sticks and break
up large lumps or clods before mixing the sample thoroughly.
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b. |
Complete
the required information on the sample box before assembling
and make sure that it matches the information on the sample
information sheet. Place about ¾ - 1 pint of the mixed
sample in the sample box then close it securely. |
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| 7. |
Fill
out the sample information sheet completely. |
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a. |
A
completed sheet must accompany each sample. Required information
includes; |
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|
i. |
Farm
name, address and contact information. |
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ii. |
Consultant
name, address and contact information. |
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iii. |
Method
of reporting results – fax, email or US Mail. |
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iv. |
Type
of report required – with or without recommendations.* |
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v. |
Method
of payment – account number, credit card information or
a check. |
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vi. |
Sample
information – sample identification, soil name, acres,
prior crop history, manure history, and crop name and yield
goal for up to 3 seasons. Recommendations will not be generated
if the information sheet is incomplete. |
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vii. |
KEEP
A RECORD OF ALL SAMPLES SHIPPED INCLUDING DATE SAMPLED, FARM
NAME, FIELD/SAMPLE ID, ANALYSIS REQUESTED, METHOD AND DATE OF
SHIPMENT (IE. UPS, FED EX, US MAIL ETC.). |
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| 8. |
Ship
your samples to: |
|
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Dairy
One
730 Warren Road, Ithaca NY 14850
Phone: 1-800-344-2697 ext. 2172
|
|
a. |
Samples
can be shipped via U.S. Mail, UPS, Fed Ex, DHL, etc. Selecting
these carriers will require additional packaging and will incur
additional shipping and handling costs. |
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b. |
In
some areas, samples can be left at milk pick-up points by prior
arrangement. Contact the Dairy One Customer Service Department
at 1-800-344-2697 ext. 2172 for information on pick-up point
locations and schedules. |
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| 9. |
Miscellaneous; |
|
a. |
Dried
ground samples will be stored at the lab for approximately 4
weeks to allow for additional test requests. Maintain records
of your soil test results to assist in monitoring changes in
soil fertility over time. This may be useful to adjust soil
management to meet crop demands without costly over or under
application of nutrients. |
