Crop Performance, LLC
Soil Sampling Service
Sampling Methods
We only provide two sampling methods, GPS by soil type, and GPS by grid sampling. Although we recommend doing GPS by soil type, there are still a lot of farmers that like the grid sampling, so we still offer that as an
alternative sampling method to soil type sampling. As stated under precision agriculture, we use GPS soil sampling and management zones. This means we use a GPS device and pinpoint exactly where samples were taken in the field in each individual management zone. By having the GPS pinpoint where samples were taken, it provides a reference point to sample for the next time the field needs sampled again. In our sampling methods, we only do GPS sampling because it aligns with precision agriculture and you will receive the most accurate information about changes happening within your field. Another part of our sampling method is taking random samples. We do not drive through the field and take 6 samples around our vehicle and count that as a sample. This does not provide you with a good representation of your soil type or grid and can cost you major money loss for receiving inaccurate recommendations! We take RANDOM soil samples. This, again, provides you with accurate results. It may take us longer to take the soil sample this way, but it is the right way to do it. Giving you accurate information is our priority; as a result, you can make the best decisions for your field applications. Once we collect the soil samples from the field, we ship them off to Midwest Labs and wait for them to process the data. By the time the samples are shipped, received, and processed, it takes roughly a week to receive the data. This turnaround window is only an estimation. Turnaround time for the lab can vary depending on the time of season. Our process of sampling methods are outlined in the three steps below.
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You can either email us the shape files for the field boundaries, or we can collect the boundaries for you. You decide what type of soil sample you want, either by soil type or grid, and what sample size, in acres, you would like the fields divided.
Once the boundaries are collected, we will go to the fields and take 6 inch cores from each sample zone. We will then ship the samples to Midwest Labs for analysis. It is approximately a week turnaround to receive the soil data from the lab.
After we receive the soil data, we will make your personal mapbooks from the sampled fields. We will provide you with a consultation to go over your personal mapbooks and recommendations, if you so desire. We want you to have the best information possible to make informed decisions about your crops.
When you contact us...
If you are a farmer, you probably already have some type of sampling methods for your fields (at least we hope), whether you’re doing it yourself, using a co-op, or using an independent company. We highly recommend using an independent company for your soil sampling needs. We’ve seen too many times co-ops offering free sampling services, only to recommend higher fertilizer rates than what is needed, costing the farmer thousands of dollars that could have been prevented. We also recommend having a certified professional agronomist look at your field data to determine if the application recommendations are accurate so you are not throwing money into a field that already has balanced soils. Our goal is to give you, the farmer, accurate information so you have the knowledge to make appropriate decisions for your farm. So, if you are already having soil samples pulled from your fields, how often are they being sampled? What time of year are the fields being sampled? What type of sampling methods are you choosing? You should be sampling your field every one to three years. This will provide you with accurate nutrient results to give you a good idea of how your soil is being balanced. The best time to have your field samples is either in the Spring or Fall after harvest. Keep in mind that Spring is essentially “busy season” for the lab, so it will usually take a bit longer for us to receive the data for your fields from the lab. If you are getting samples pulled in the Spring, it can also be harder for you to plan for your applications before you start your planting season. It does take time to sample your field, get the results from the lab, and put your personal soil maps together. If you are worried about not getting your recommendations before planting season, it might be better for you to have your fields sampled in the Fall. After harvest is another option for getting your soil sampled. The lab is not getting swamped with other samples so the turnaround to receive the data is considerably quicker, therefore you will get your soil maps and recommendations quicker. Also, you will have much more time to figure out what you want to apply for next year’s planting season. If you are looking for an independent soil sampling company, feel free to email us to acquire a competitive price quote.
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Soil Sampling Made Easy!
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E-mail: cropperformance@gmail.com
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