Provision Partners Cooperative is our source for custom soil sampling to maximize yields to best suit your needs

ProVision Partners Cooperative can offer custom soil sampling and provide suggestions to maximize your yields to best suit your needs. We offer conventional and grid sampling to get suitable representation of how your field is laid out and use prescription mapping to aid in applying needed nutrients.

To get the most out of your soil samples our agronomists take the time to ensure quality sampling by using the right tools, sampling at the right time, in the right areas, at the correct depth and carefully packaging and labeling each sample.

At ProVision Partners we offer grid sampling using GPS equipment to measure field size. Our agronomists can analyze the soil types present in your field and recommend the best ways in providing plant food and manure application to get consistent yields on your fields. Grid sampling also provides results of soil fertility, field variability in pH values and nutrient differences and what we can do to make your field more productive.

Helpful Tips:

Tools

• Always use clean equipment to prevent contamination of your sample
• Tools that are utilized for soil sampling are probes, augers, spades or shovels when using a spade or shovel dig a V shape hole to sample depth then use a thin slice
• Mix soil samples in a clean plastic bucket to create uniformity across samples
• Only use tools that are stainless steel or chrome plated. Do not use brass, bronze or galvanized tools; this will deter your sample results

Time

• Do not take a sample if the soil is extremely wet
• Take samples a few months ahead of any new planting
• Collect samples during the same time as previous samplings
• Sample your field every 3-4 years to monitor soil fertility or as needed
• Do not lime, fertilize, or do any manure application before a soil sampling
• If there is unusual growth or discoloration in plants, take a sample right away

Area

• 1 field sample per 5 acres
• Samples should be evenly spaced out to give representation of the entire field

Depth

• Make sure to be consistent on sample depth for unbiased results
• Optimal sample depth for no-till operations is 4 inches, conventional till is 6 inches or to tillage depth

Packaging

• Samples should be shipped in a box as to prevent damage
• Put samples in sample bags or medium sized zip-lock bags
• Make sure to label each bag and use a pen or waterproof marker to label
• Informational sheets should be attached to the outside of the bag or put with sample box