Sorry Ian, but we are operating on the same testing procedures--soil tests
when we are changing crops, but complete yearly evaluation of yield and
forage quality. I doubt there is any need for a competent farmer to test his
soil unless there is a major deviation from normal production.
Dick Conklin
Amity Farm
Ft.Ann,NY
----- Original Message -----
From: "ShortyB" <siesta@ihug.co.nz>
To: <graze-l@witt.ac.nz>
Sent: Monday, November 29, 2004 8:30 PM
Subject: [Graze-l] Soil / herbage tests
> Another list I am on has made much discussion on the importance and
> relevance of soil test results. It is a 50 / 50 call with many claiming
> that results are erratic from many soil test labs. I would be interested
> in hearing others views from our community. Do they have labs they can
> recommend for others to contact? Roy, I hope that is not spam and I get
> bounced!! 8>)
>
> Though my main reliance is on animal health and pasture composition and
> health to indicate soil fertility, we do have a regular soil / herbage
> testing programme. We test every second year. Having divided the farm up
> into four areas, with different soil types or characteristics, we have
> picked the poorest performing area from each block and these are the
> ones we test. We test in September as it is the end (hopefully) of
> winter and my thinking is that with our reliance on soil life to convert
> the minerals into plant available types, they will all be wrapped up out
> of the cold and wet and so not working so hard. So if a deficiency does
> not show up then, I feel that are mineral levels are adequate. We
> herbage test from the same fields as we soil test from. Not only do the
> herbage tests show trace element levels, but whether the plants are
> taking up the minerals from the soil and in what ratio. Herbage tests
> consist of both a mixed pasture and also just the white clover are
> analyzed. The clover being our only source of N. Having been testing the
> same fields, the same time of year, for many years we have a reasonably
> good picture of what is happening on our farm.
> The general consensus is that one test doesn't really mean a great deal.
> A regular test programme is important to get a true picture.
>
> Would be interested to hear of others programmes and perhaps labs used.
>
> Ian Buckingham
> Maungatawhiri
> New Zealand
>
>
>
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