There are many approaches to measuring soil health, all with different advantages and limitations. No matter what approach is chosen, one thing remains the same; farmers care about the land.
Jamie Patton, outreach specialist for the UW- Nutrient and Pest Management Program, says different soil health tests can be used for different results depending on what you are looking to test. It is important to know which test best fits your farm management practices.
“Oftentimes when I’m talking with farmers about soil health, I talk about using our senses first,” explains Patton. “Use a shovel to dig a scoop of your field up and look for earthworms, how the roots are growing, how it feels and smells, and observe how the soil interacts with rainfall events.”
When choosing the best soil health test for your operation, Patton suggests first identifying your goal with testing. Once you have that goal, strategically identify the properties you want measured and move forward from there.
There are also limitations to be aware of when measuring your soil health. Different parts within a single field can be highly variable so it is important to be specific on where you pull the tests from and have a way to monitor it so you come back to the same spot every time you sample.
Patton adds, “You also need to understand that different geographical areas across the state will also vary. Soil health test numbers in the central sands area won’t mean the same thing as those same possible numbers in the driftless areas as the soil and environment variability affects the results differently.”
It’s important to talk with your local extension or labs to know when they are taking samples. Patton says it is best to get your soil sample to the lab as soon as possible after collecting it to prevent any changes to the sample.
“People are really excited to put numbers into focus but it’s important to remember to not compare your results with the neighbors,” says Patton. “Their soil may be completely different and your management practices should focus on your results versus what they are doing.”
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