Soil Testing Services

Packages range from the most basic look to a complete view of soil quality. In addition, we offer interpretive ranges and recommendations.

* Packages vary by location. For exact package details for your specific location, please contact one of our laboratory locations, email us or call the lab today.

Packages*

• Basic - Soil pH, Buffer pH, Soluble Salt, Excess Carbonate, Organic Matter, Sodium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Magnesium, Calcium, CEC, and Percent Base Saturation
• Routine - the Basic package plus: Nitrate, Sulfur and Zinc
• Diagnostic - the Routine package plus: Manganese, Copper, Iron and Boron
• Late Spring/Pre-sidedress Nitrogen Testing – Nitrate and Ammonium
• Soybean Cyst Nematode Testing
• Soil Health - select from three packages, Basic, Routine and Complete. To view details, click here.

Additional Analysis - can be added to a package or ordered separately.

• Traces (Zn, Mn, Cu, Fe)
• Nitrate
• Sulfur
• Zinc
• Boron
• Particle Size Analysis (PSA) / Soil Texture
• Salinity
• Bray II
• Molybdenum 
• Chloride
• Arsenic, Extractable
• Profile Nitrate
• Profile Chloride
• Soluble Nutrients
• Wet Potassium
• Total Nitrogen (TKN)
• Mineralizable Nitrogen

Soil sampling is the foundation for good nutrient management planning. Over time, soil test results become a valuable resource, helping develop a clear understanding of which factors have the greatest influence on yields.

Click to view sampling instructions:
  Soil Sampling Procedures for Ag
  Sampling Guide – Late Spring/Pre-Sidedress Nitrate
  Sampling Guide – Soybean Cyst Nematode 

Sample Submission Forms: To streamline processing and handling, always include a submission form. Visit your specific lab's webpage to download a soil submission form or select from the following:

• Bonduel, Wis. - Soil Submission Form
• Ellsworth, Iowa - Single/Grid Samples or Multiple Samples
• Lincoln, Neb. - Soil Submission Form
• Umatilla, Ore. - Soil Submission Form

Sampling Procedures
Your results are only as good as the sample taken! In order for a soil test to be an effective monitoring tool, sampling procedures need to be consistent. Maintain annual field histories to document your sampling routine.

• Sampling Depth: Most surface samples are taken from a depth of 0 to 6 inches or 0 to 8 inches. It's important to be consistent.
• When to Sample: The time of year (fall vs. spring) can affect the analytical results. For long-term monitoring of a fertility program it is recommended that samples be collected during the same season each year.
• Sample Handling: Proper sample handling is important to maintain its integrity. Ship the sample no later than the one day after sampling. See Soil Sampling Procedures PDF for storage options.

Sample turnaround is three to five working days. Results are available online, via email or standard mail. Choose from Excel, PDF or CSV files or one of the following soil report options:

         Triple Option Soil Report 
         Grid Soil Report
         Grid with Recommendations 
         Wisconsin – UW Recs Report 
         Pre-Sidedress/Late Spring Nitrate Report
         Soil Health – Complete Report

To learn more about your soil report, read the “Understanding a Soil Report” technical bulletin.

University Resources

• Iowa State University Extention - Crop Nutrient and Limestone Recommendations in Iowa (PM1688)

• University of Nebraska - Nutrient Management for Agronomic Crops (EC155)

• University of Wisconsin Extension – Sampling Soils for Testing (A2100)

• University of Wisconsin Extension - Nutrient Application Guidelines (A2809) 

Soybean Cyst Nematode Resources

• AgSource Laboratories' Soybean Cyst Nemtode Technical Bulletin

• Soybean Cyst Nematode Management Guide 5th edition PDF

• Purdue University webpage

• Iowa State University Extension "Interpreting Soybean Cyst Nemstode Samples"

• Iowa State University Extension "Soybean Cyst Nematode" PM879