Benefits & Tips to Fall Soil Sampling

Get a headstart on your 2022 season and start planning- a good place to focus your efforts is revisiting your nutrient management program. While the season is still fresh in your mind, think about what you’ll need to do ensure that your crops have what they need to thrive next year. Soil sampling is essential for developing an effective fertility plan for your operation. Take advantage of these benefits of fall soil sampling to help your fields thrive in 2022. 

More time for planning.
Sampling in the fall means that you'll have test results well before spring planting begins. That extra time will help allow you to consult with us to plan and secure the fertilizers you will need before things get hectic in the spring. You may even be able to apply nutrients, such as phosphorus and potassium, in the fall to spread out the workload and ensure they are available in the spring.

Understand fertility removal in your fields.
By sampling your fields after harvest, you're able to better understand where nutrients were removed. This gives you the ability to compare yield to your soil and make the proper adjustments based on yield zones.

Flexibility in fertilizer purchases.
Purchasing fertilizer in the fall or winter could potentially lead to cost savings compared to the spring, when crop nutrients tend to be in the highest demand. Having sampling data this fall gives you greater flexibility in deciding when to purchase the nutrients your fields need. 

Here are some other tips to fine-tune your nutrient management plan.?

1. Consider your crop plan: As you develop a nutrient management strategy, you’ll need to revisit your crop plan. Ask your agronomist for fertilization recommendations as you make your seed decisions.
2. Sample your soil and your plants: sampling your soil AND plants can help build the foundation for an effective fertility plan.
3. Stabilize your nitrogen: fall can be a great time to apply nitrogen in Minnesota. But, not all nitrogen stabilizers work in the same way, so chat with us to find the best option based on your preferred application method and whether you apply nitrogen in the fall, spring or in-season.

Adequate plant nutrition is a requirement to meet a crop’s yield potential. Contact your Central Counties Advisor this fall to help plan your sampling strategy and get a head start on fertilization for next season.