Soil Sampling

Sep 03, 2024


corn

As we head into fall and harvest begins, September is a great time to review the basics of soil sampling. When it comes to soil sampling, the phrase “you cannot manage what you do not measure” is all too accurate. Grid sampling is a great way to measure your soils’ pH and other basic nutrients – Phosphorous (P) and Potassium (K). The option for 2.5 and 5 acre samples are standard for soil sampling depending on how intense of management you are seeking. The results from grid sampling allow farmers and agronomists to make more precise fertilizer and lime applications using Variable Rate Technology (VRT). With profit margins narrowing in row-crop production, VRT will allow producers to be more efficient with their fertilizer applications by placing nutrients and lime in areas of the field that need it, and potentially skip areas of the field with above adequate nutrient and pH levels. In most scenarios, if a field requires a lime application, Variable Rate applying lime will recoup the cost of grid sampling due to the cost savings of lime on the areas of the field that lime is unneeded. 

Now is a great time to revisit your soil sample history. If you have not sampled in the past 3-4 years, the time is now to contact your agronomist and get soil sampling scheduled on your operation.
 

 

Brett Ruggeberg

Agronomist
 

 

Recent Posts

Jul 01, 2025
I hope everyone had the chance to enjoy the Independence Day holiday with family and friends. Thanks to all of you who called in your orders early and helped minimize the added pressure that the short work week brings. I’d also like to thank all of you who returned your propane contracts by the due date. With a short window of when contracts are mailed to when they are due back, we really appreciate your patience and support. If reading this reminded you that your contract is still sitting on the kitchen table, just pick up the phone and call the energy office nearest to you. Our friendly staff will be glad to take care of you. On behalf of our energy team and everyone at your cooperative, thank you for choosing us to serve your propane needs again this year.
Jun 30, 2025
I’m going to start with something most of you don’t want to hear. In 4 months, you will be firing up your furnace for the first time. In 6 months, you’ll be shoveling snow. I’m not suggesting that you should go out and buy that new snow thrower that you’ve had your eye on. However, now is a great time to buy propane for the winter.  
Jun 30, 2025
Did you know that Premier Cooperative is the largest Up North Plastics dealer in southwest Wisconsin?  Top producers know that the best way to preserve the quality of high-value forages is to store their feed in Up North silage bags.   Up North plastic has 2 to 3 times the puncture and tear resistance of foreign competitor’s products.  With the ever-increasing value of feed stuffs, why risk using anything but the strongest, most reliable, time-tested bag on the market?  Match that with Up North’s outstanding service record, and you have a combination that is unrivaled in the industry.  Trust the protection of your feed with Up North Plastics.