The Real Cost in Skipping Soil Sampling
Fertilizer decisions for 2022 Aaron Young of Edd’s Supplies suggests taking a hard look at soil test results when making fertilizer decisions for 2022. With news of looming supply shortages and increased costs, farmers are trying to find ways to cut 2022 production costs. Low budget items like soil sampling, which costs an average of $0.50 to $8 per acre (or roughly $10-$16 per sample), are often the first things to be eliminated. However, since maintaining optimum soil health can actually save producer’s money on expensive inputs, soil testing is a worthwhile investment. “In years like this, soil sampling is a tool that can help you save on fertilizer bills and possibly be the difference between simply breaking even and turning a profit,” says Aaron Young, agronomist at Edd’s Supplies, Inc. It may be tempting to consider limiting, or eliminating, your fertilizer purchases for 2022, but before making those decisions, Young encourages producers to look through their soil test data and make informed decisions. Using soil tests to identify levels of P and K, helps farmers identify which fields can withstand lowered fertilizer rates while still maintaining yield levels. “I would strongly recommend looking through soil test
