Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Record Soil Sampling Is Done

by C. RICHARD MAPLES

Extension Specialist

Agricultural Communications

Farmers are sending a record number of soil samples to the University of Arkansas for nutrient analysis, according to Dr. Stan Chapman, UA Cooperative Extension Service soils specialist.

"The Soil Testing Laboratory at Marianna analyzed a record 75,000 samples in 1996," says Chapman. "By mid-May of this year, the lab had already processed more than 50,000 samples, primarily because of the increased use of grid sampling.

"In the past, farmers might collect one soil sample to represent 5, 10 or even 40 acres of a field. Now, crop consultants and some farmers are collecting soil samples every 2.5 acres and developing a grid map of the field," he said.

The consultant or farmer used satellite technology -- a global positioning system held in the hand or mounted on a four-wheeler -- to pinpoint exactly where the sample was collected. The samples are then tested to determine nutrient needs at the designated locations on the grid. As the crop is being harvested, GPS equipment and an electronic yield monitor mounted on the combine identify yields at the same locations.

"The idea," said Chapman, "is to combine the soil sample grid map and the yield grid map so you can apply the right amount of fertilizer exactly where it's needed.

"There are some questions about how effective the system is, but we expect grid sampling to increase the number of soil samples sent to the University of Arkansas lab this year by 50 percent," he said.

Ideally, Chapman noted, grid samples would be collected during the fall, but wet weather last fall caused sampling to be postponed until this April and May. "The soil testing lab was deluged with samples during the past few weeks, but lab technicians were able to stay caught up.

"If you havent' sent in your samples, I suggest you do so now, before it gets too hot and dry," he continued. "You can expect your soil test report back within 10 days."

For more information about soil sampling and testing, contact your county office of the Cooperative Extension Service, University of Arkansas.