Best time to soil test

saranac1

Hi guys just wondering at what point during the year is it best to do some soil test/sampling on your land???

With 2012 been a washout and not a great start in 2013 weather wise, will this affect soil tests and would it be wise to hold off for the moment?????

delaval

You can do now if you have spread no slurry and I doubt if you've fert out
Avoid gaps ,drinkers or any damaged areas
Probably the best value for money available

bob charles

saturated soils will give really skewed results so not much point doing until soil dries out. To get any benefit out of soil result (small anyway) they would have to be done around the same time each year you do them.

delaval

bob charles wrote: »

saturated soils will give really skewed results so not much point doing until soil dries out. To get any benefit out of soil result (small anyway) they would have to be done around the same time each year you do them.

Didn't know wet made a difference but I suppose when you think of it......

grange mac

How would wet soil make a difference...take shovel n sample, leave to dry then send off??

If ground is leached it is leached...or am i missing something here?

bob charles

for one it would completely screw up the calcium readings

tim04750

Who would you recommend for analysis and advice ?

Timmaay

I had arranged for my teagasc adviser to come out and take the soil samples this morning ha...

Needless to say we didn't bother!

F.D

Took the samples on tuesday ground was reasonably dry on top, sent them off throught the local merchant, will hopefully have the results in the next two weeks and can make a plan what to spread then

case885

Would just after cutting silage be ok?

towzer2010

case885 wrote: »

Would just after cutting silage be ok?

Code of Practice for Soil Sampling (Teagasc)
• As a guideline, take one sample to represent 2 ha. If area is not uniform, reduce the area presented by one sample. If the area is very uniform, a sample may be taken to represent 4 ha

• Map out discrete areas of the farm that are uniform in soil type, slope, drainage, cropping history, etc

• Take a composite sample of 20 cores in each designated area

• Cores should be taken to a depth of 10cm (4”)

• Cores should be taken in a zigzag pattern across the sampling area

• Avoid unusual spots like old fences, ditches, feeding areas and gateways

• Avoid dung and urine patches and areas where fertilizers were stored or spilled

• Do not sample for P or K for 4-6 months after last fertilizer application and two years after liming. Sample at the same time of year on each occasion

• Sample every three years in intensive farming

• Sample every 4-5 years in more extensive farming