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Dry fall conditions complicate soil sampling

The outreach agronomist with the Illinois Soybean Association says farmers in drought-stricken areas should delay fall soil testing.

Stephanie Porter tells Brownfield, “I’m getting some updates from crop consultants.”  She says, “They are trying to go to some areas that have gotten some rain, but there’s some areas that they are not soil testing just because it’s too dry.”

She says extremely dry soil can lead to some nutrient readings being incorrect.  

“One of the biggest ones we worry about is potassium.”  She says, “It just may show higher than normal and just not be correct at all.”

Porter says even getting a probe into the ground is a challenge in some areas, so she recommends holding off on any planned sampling until after adequate moisture returns to the soil profile.   

AUDIO: Stephanie Porter – Illinois Soybean Association