Soil Testing - There's Still Time

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact information:
Kerry Goodrich, (801) 524-4568

Conservation officials want farmers to know that there’s still time to have their soil tested before planting. “Many farmers soil test their fields in the fall so they have plenty of time to analyze results and plan for spring work,” says Kerry Goodrich, Conservation Agronomist with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Salt Lake City, UT.

“However, there are advantages to testing soil in the early spring,” says Goodrich.  One of the key nutrients in a soil test, the availability of nitrogen to plants, is most accurately measured in a spring sample.” A spring soil sample would take into account any losses and contributions of nitrogen due to organic matter breakdown in the early spring.”  The closer a sample is taken to planting, the less chance there is for changes to occur.

Anyone can get guidance for performing soil tests from their local Cooperative Extension Service Agent, ag retailers or crop consultants, and local conservation district or NRCS staff. Guidelines and recommendations can be found on the internet at Utah State University’s Analytical Laboratory web page: http://www.usual.usu.edu/

“Another key reason for farmers to perform soil sampling this spring is the record keeping requirement of the new Conservation Security Program,” says Goodrich. “Statewide, we have many conservation-minded farmers who perform stewardship practices that improve soil quality. CSP rewards those farmers and ranchers who are meeting the highest standards of conservation and environmental management on their operations.”

To qualify for incentives through the Conservation Security Program (CSP), operators must have soil test information and nutrient application records for the two crop years prior to program sign up. “This year, only farmers in the Little Bear-Logan, San Pitch (Manti), and Montezuma (Monticello) Watersheds are eligible for CSP. However, the rest of Utah farmers should be thinking about how their operation meets the eligibility criteria,” Goodrich says. “Performing soil tests now could help ensure their eligibility for CSP in future sign ups.”

In the CSP self-assessment process, producers will answer a series of questions in regard to soil and manure testing and nutrient applications. The workbook, along with other information about the new program, is available electronically on the Utah NRCS Web site at: http://www.ut.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/csp. A limited number of books are available through local USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service offices, listed in the phone book under U.S. Department of Agriculture.

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