Soil Tests

[bigzee]

I farmed in the “slum of the drought” this year. A big rain event of 7 tenths all year translated into crop I haven’t had in many years. SF3 7 tenths is a drought not 2.5 inches.
I soil test every yr, for the most part nutrient levels have been very low. But, after this drought I have never seen my soil so rich in nutrients. N levels are through the roof for the most part. Some fields have over 100 lbs actual available.
Phosphorus levels are lower but nothing to serious.
One has to ask if they are accurate? I would say they are plus or minus 10%. I’m getting Decisive to come and re check 8 quarters to varify what Cargill found in their results.
Question now is if they both have close to the same numbers, what cropping plans do I change? Pulses don’t like high N, canola would be the best option, but it’s so dry at this point. Or just grow the whole farm to durum.

[farmaholic]

Durum?...... AAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

[SASKFARMER3]

I hope my soil results are done and at home when i get back. Im curios to compare with last 10 years and see what happened this year.

I also am expecting more N available in ground and P well it gets that any way.

[farmaholic]

Don't hold your breath SF3..... you grew a decent crop. Just phone that fertilizer retailer before it's too late!

[SASKFARMER3]

second voice message must be big news. Darn customs next stop.

[Klause]

N is being so abused and over used in western Canada it's not even funny.


Drier years will show it.


Sf3 how much N did you use in 1985 when growing canola and what did it yield?



In wheat high N is screwing with disease problems like fuz and milling attributes.

[SASKFARMER3]

in 1985 we were probably at 70Lbs actual for N

[Klause]

in 1985 we were probably at 70Lbs actual for N

Sounds about right.


And yields were ballpark? More N depletes the soil ecosystem. Makes the ground harder. And thus as the soil doesn't regenerate as much it requires even more artificial N.

Vicious cycle.


N is good actually it's awesome. In moderation. Let the dirt do some of the work too. There's thousands of tonnes of living organism in every acre of soil.


Those high N levels are showing up everywhere itis connected to dryer weather somehow restarting soil microbes I believe...and it's going to become a real problem for pulses and beans...

In fact I think it's the cause of the poor nodulation in a lot of beans in this area. Waiting on some soil tests to come back.

[wmoebis]

In 1990 friend said he used 100lbs if he didn't he didn't grow anything. In 2000 he said he used 250lbs or didn't grow any thing last year 400lbs or wouldn't grow anything.
Those live organisms need to be fed like going to a smorgasbord.

[RichFarmer]

How much phos are you applying annually ? Is everything you soil tested around 19 PPM ?

[bigzee]

How much phos are you applying annually ? Is everything you soil tested around 19 PPM ?

That particular field is one of my higher ones. On avg likely had around 10 ppm, 20 actual. Most years I’m applying 35 actual P.

[WiltonRanch]

Used same n fertility forever. Phos too. Not a low rate really but nothing compared to what you guys are using. 60 to 70 n. 20p2o5 phos. I soil test occasionally but when they say a continuously manured field is deficient I am suspicious to its accuracy sometimes.

[SASKFARMER3]

we soil test every year each soil zone on our farm in a grid pattern for years.

Its fun to see the changes and the pig shit fields are so much fun.

New never seeded in years fields also fun to gauge and watch.

Its a tool in your tool box.

[SASKFARMER3]

But ill tell you one thing if the tests show i still have enough or good quantity on hand with the way grain prices are i might tweak with the rates.

We have about 14 different zones.

that get tested each year.

[GDR]

Used same n fertility forever. Phos too. Not a low rate really but nothing compared to what you guys are using. 60 to 70 n. 20p2o5 phos. I soil test occasionally but when they say a continuously manured field is deficient I am suspicious to its accuracy sometimes.

We test a few fields each year because I think it's good to see long term comparisons. Just got some results back today says low N and recommendation on N is 220lbs an acre with 8% organic matter. Always makes me wonder about validity too. 220lbs would be flat as can be.