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Precision Soil Sampling: A Comprehensive Guide

A man utilizing an Amity Technology Soil Sampler mounted on a Utility Task Vehicle.

Whether you're a seasoned agronomist or a farmer new to precision agriculture, understanding soil sampling is crucial for making informed decisions that enhance crop productivity and soil health. Fortunately, technology is making this task easier and more precise. Today we’re covering the nuts and bolts of soil sampling and how digital tools like FarmQA can help make the process more efficient. Let’s dig in (pun intended).

What to Soil Sample

Determining what to sample involves identifying key areas in your fields that can provide a representative picture of soil health and nutrient availability. Soil sampling can target various soil properties, including:

Tools for Soil Sampling

The tools required for soil sampling include:

Soil Sampling vs. Soil Testing

Soil Sampling is the process of collecting soil from different areas of the field to get a representative sample. Soil Testing involves analyzing these samples in a lab to determine the soil's nutrient content, pH, organic matter, and other properties.

Basic Steps of Soil Sampling

  1. Planning: Define the objectives of soil sampling and create a sampling plan. Use tools like FarmQA to upload data sets, zones, and composite sample layers to set up sampling zones or grids. Define the locations you want to sample.
  2. Collection: Use a soil probe to collect samples from various depths, typically from 0-6 inches and 6-12 inches. Ensure samples are taken from multiple locations within the defined zones or grids. Using FarmQA, you can associate your sample results to a geolocation with our barcode scanner, ensuring lab test results are associated with the sample point. And you can collect data whether online or off.
  3. Labeling and Storage: Place samples in labeled bags to avoid mix-ups. Using the bar code ensures samples are geo tagged to reduce confusion.
  4. Submission: Send the samples to a lab for analysis.
A screenshot of FarmQA Analytics Metrics Explorer dashboard.
Gain valuable insights into soil conditions, nutrient levels, and overall soil health with FarmQA Analytics.

Using Soil Sampling Results

Once you receive soil testing results, you can:

  1. Analyze Data: Use FarmQA to import and visualize the data. The FarmQA platform allows for easy mapping and tracking of soil health metrics over time.
  2. Make Informed Decisions: Adjust fertilizer applications based on nutrient deficiencies or excesses detected in the soil tests.
  3. Implement Variable Rate Applications: Use FarmQA's analytics tools and imagery sources to help create precise management zones and variable rate application maps, ensuring optimal use of inputs like fertilizers and lime, tailored to the specific needs of different field zones.
  4. Track Soil Health: Continuously monitor changes in soil properties and nutrient levels to track improvements or detect emerging issues.

FarmQA and Soil Sampling

FarmQA enhances the soil sampling process with its robust platform that integrates soil sampling, data import, and analytics:

Learn More

Soil health insights are key to boosting crop productivity and sustainability.

Watch our free webinar “Gear Up for Soil Sampling Season” to see how FarmQA can be your trusted companion for spring and fall soil sampling.


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