As we look out our windows this morning, there is too much snow for field work, but here in Northern NY, the whole next week is going to be about 30�F. If you did not get a chance to soil sample in the fall, spring can be a good time to sample as well. If the ground dries out fast enough, you can get samples in time to spring apply lime and evaluate manure and fertilizer applications. In order to make the best manure application recommendations, getting a manure sample before you start spreading this spring is also very helpful.

Soil Samples

There are lots of options for soil sampling. In general, soil samples should not represent more than 20 acres. One soil sample core should be taken per acre, mixed, and subsampled into the sample box. Also, working with your crop consultant and using protocols for grid sampling or sampling based on information from yield maps can be used to create prescription applications for fertilizer.

Once you have the samples, Agro-One has a variety of analytical packages to choose from based on where you live and what crops you are growing. Soil sampling boxes can be ordered from the website.

Manure Samples

Applying the right amount of manure for crop production needs will save money and reduce the risk of nutrient loss to the environment. Each manure source should be sampled at least once a year, and monitoring results over seasons or years will give you the best information about your manure.

Manure Sampling

The sample should be representative of the entire material being sampled. Storage areas should be sampled each time you are spreading. Daily spread operations should be sampled four or more times per year throughout the year to obtain a good average nutrient value. Where bedding is used, samples should include both bedding and manure. Sampling is best done from the spreader when manure is

being loaded from the barn or storage. This will provide the most representative sample of the nutrient content at time of spreading.

Liquid storage - Agitate and thoroughly mix before sampling. Make a dipper by fastening a plastic cup to a broomstick and take a sample or two from the tank spreader and place in a pail. Do this for multiple loads. Mix and take a subsample into a sample container. For larger liquid manure storages, it is a good practice to take samples at different levels of the pit or each time manure is spread. Nutrient concentrations in the manure will change as depth increases.

Solid manure storage - Sample while loading the spreader. Use a garden trowel and pail to collect a sample of manure from various spots in a load over multiple loads. A minimum of 5 loads should be taken and composited into a pail. Or spread part of 5 loads over a tarp and take a sample from the tarp for each load into a 5-gallon pail. Mix thoroughly and place a subsample into a sample container.

Daily spreading - Use a garden trowel and pail to collect a sample of manure from various spots of the spreader. Sample the load(s) for 2 to 3 consecutive days. Or place a 5-gallon bucket under the barn cleaner 4 or 5 times while loading the spreader. Mix the manure thoroughly in the bucket and take a subsample and place into the sample container.

For all sample types, be sure that the container is at least � full, but no more, to allow room for expansion. Wipe container to remove any manure that may have spilled down the sides. The outside of the container should be clean prior to shipping. Secure lid firmly. Tape if necessary to prevent spillage. If the sample is not being shipped immediately, freeze until shipping. Properly preparing the sample is very important to prevent ammonia loss.

An Agro-One manure analysis provides the following information to use as a basis for developing sound nutrient management plans or manure application rates: Total Nitrogen (N), Ammonia Nitrogen, Organic Nitrogen, Phosphorus (P), Phosphate Equivalent as P2O5, Potassium (K), Potash Equivalent as K2O, Total solids (dry matter), and Density. Results are reported as percentages, lbs./ton, and lbs./1000 gallons. Analysis is $35 per sample and results are generally available in 2 to 3 days. http://dairyone.com/analytical-services/agronomy-services/manure/