Soil Testing

skybhoy121

Hello All,
Just looking for some help regarding anyone who in the past has had to get soil tested, apologies if there are threads on this before now.
I'm aware that teagasc do some testing, althought I'm not sure what detail test to? or what time frame they might take?(on a time constraint)
Is there is any other companies people would recommend to test soil?
Thanks to any responses your help is appreciated!

TheClubMan

skybhoy121 wrote: »

Hello All,
Just looking for some help regarding anyone who in the past has had to get soil tested, apologies if there are threads on this before now.
I'm aware that teagasc do some testing, althought I'm not sure what detail test to? or what time frame they might take?(on a time constraint)
Is there is any other companies people would recommend to test soil?
Thanks to any responses your help is appreciated!

Johnstown Castle is your best bet although they provide a good service they are fairly pricey.

knockmulliner

IAS in Bagnalstown Carlow

nashmach

FBA in Dungarvan.

Midfield9

Through your local co-op also. They then sent them to IAS i think for us anyway

farmersfriend

Midfield9 wrote: »

Through your local co-op also. They then sent them to IAS i think for us anyway

Taking 3 weeks to get results at present

RaggyDays

Busy time of year for all the labs as a lot of tillage men are sending in samples now.
I used IAS in carlow, took the samples myself and posted them off. i got the results about 3 weeks later
www.iaslabs.ie

milkprofit

skybhoy121 wrote: »

Hello All,
Just looking for some help regarding anyone who in the past has had to get soil tested, apologies if there are threads on this before now.
I'm aware that teagasc do some testing, althought I'm not sure what detail test to? or what time frame they might take?(on a time constraint)
Is there is any other companies people would recommend to test soil?
Thanks to any responses your help is appreciated!

Ias will do p k and ph 12.50
Full trac elements extra

Sami23

knockmulliner wrote: »

IAS in Bagnalstown Carlow

+1

skybhoy121

Thanks for the replies! Ye say the general turn around for results is 3 weeks mostly?
Has anyone any idea on prices? and the level of analysis?

F.D

From 12 euro up to 25 for ones with trace elements, which you might need if you are planting a crop, or think the ground is lacking in somthing other than P&K

skybhoy121

Pay by credit,laser or cheque I presume/?
does the soil definitely have to be cored from the ground

ABlur

skybhoy121 wrote: »

Pay by credit,laser or cheque I presume/?
does the soil definitely have to be cored from the ground

Cheque here. Walk across your plot in a 'W' pattern use a shovel take skelps of 3 to 5 inches depth. Mix them up and store in the house for a few days to dry ouy. Wet soil is expensive to post!
Check with lab what weight sample they need.

kk09

What is the difference between the standard test and trace testing. Also is there enough information withnthe test to decide what fertilizer to use after? Or would one have to talk to someone for a recommendation? Maybe if I post the results here you people could make a suggestion?

onyerbikepat

I ring FBA in Waterford last week and the SR2 Test which is PH and P, K cost €12.50 per sample. A 'Mug Full' size sample they said to send.

Just a question,why does it have to be a 'W' pattern and how far apart should the samples be taken?

munkus

onyerbikepat wrote: »

I ring FBA in Waterford last week and the SR2 Test which is PH and P, K cost €12.50 per sample. A 'Mug Full' size sample they said to send.

Just a question,why does it have to be a 'W' pattern and how far apart should the samples be taken?

W pattern to get a good variety of samples from all parts of the field. The W should be about 20 samples and cover the whole field.

onyerbikepat

munkus wrote: »

W pattern to get a good variety of samples from all parts of the field. The W should be about 20 samples and cover the whole field.

That makes sense. Thanks.

moy83

onyerbikepat wrote: »

I ring FBA in Waterford last week and the SR2 Test which is PH and P, K cost €12.50 per sample. A 'Mug Full' size sample they said to send.

Just a question,why does it have to be a 'W' pattern and how far apart should the samples be taken?

I presume the w pattern is just to get an even spread of samples from different parts of the field you are sampling .
Not sure how far apart you need to leave between samples but it can be a fair bit from what I can remember . I think the advisor said one cup sized sample could be enough for 15 acres

onyerbikepat

I'd say there will be lorry loads of lime queuing outside the place. It's been a while since it got lime last.

moy83

onyerbikepat wrote: »

I'd say there will be lorry loads of lime queuing outside the place. It's been a while since it got lime last.

I dont know where my results are but a couple of years ago we needed tonnes of the stuff . Still didnt get it bar a few bags of granlime !
The bossman is on about getting that phisolith now instead

kk09

kk09 wrote: »

What is the difference between the standard test and trace testing. Also is there enough information withnthe test to decide what fertilizer to use after? Or would one have to talk to someone for a recommendation? Maybe if I post the results here you people could make a suggestion?

Anyone?

munkus

kk09 wrote: »

Anyone?

A basic test for around 15 quid is P, K and Lime requirement. This is sufficient in most cases.

A more detailed analysis is where they test for mineral deficiency such as copper, etc.

I'm reseeding two fields this year and getting both kinds of tests ran on each field as a once off, costing 120 quid. For some reason the detailed test doesn't analyse the P, K and lime.

We have an issue on our land with a lack of copper, so this might shed some light.

post up your results when you get them and we'll have a stab at it.

john p mc g

How long and how much fert does it taketo get a index one in p and k up to index 3 on grazing ground

milkprofit

kk09 wrote: »

What is the difference between the standard test and trace testing. Also is there enough information withnthe test to decide what fertilizer to use after? Or would one have to talk to someone for a recommendation? Maybe if I post the results here you people could make a suggestion?

No stop messing
Lab will give u recommendations

grange mac

john p mc g wrote: »

How long and how much fert does it taketo get a index one in p and k up to index 3 on grazing ground

I found out had index 1 (no wonder grass was poor) silage ground so getting pig slurry 3000g/ac to boost it. Watch your lime requirements as fert won't be utilised properly if lime is required.

It depends on your actual results but in my grazing ground also getting pig slurry & 2* 0 7 30 per acre. If no slurry you could need anything up to 4 bags of 0 7 30 / acre.

AnFeirmeoir

Got soil test results back. Besides needing a sh1t load of lime, the main thing that stands out in every field is low Magnesium (ppm). It says " index 3 Treatment recommended" . Average result is around 51 ppm with a target of 175 ppm. How important is Magnesium when it comes to growing grass for grazing ? How do i increase Mg?