Soil Biology Testing
How many growers today make blanket applications of fertilizer and lime?
In our world of precision agriculture today, we understand that there is tremendous variability in the soils we farm. Years ago, it was common to make blanket applications of one rate of lime and/or fertilizer on every acre. Today, we use technology like VRT to get precise amounts of lime and fertilizer where we need it. Without knowing the current status of your soil on grid points (nutrient and pH levels), you won't be able to lime and fertilize your soil in a cost-effective manner.
Similar to the variability in nutrient status and pH levels of soil, there is also significant variability of the soils microbial community on each farm. Management practices such as tillage, herbicide use, fungicide use, and more all greatly influence your soils microbiome. Considering the fact that the benefit of using a biological product is boosting the microbes in your soil, you need to know which microbes are at adequate levels, and which ones need some nurturing. The benefit of biological products is feeding and boosting the microbial populations, which in turn will provide your crops with more nutrients, antibiotics, growth hormones, and more. Our belief is that in order to make the best purchasing decisions regarding biological products, you need to know the current state of your soil's biology.
One of the biggest problems we see in the world of biological products is companies making uneducated blanket recommendations and product decisions. There are many different products on the market. Different carbon sources stimulate different microorganisms in the soil. We believe that analyzing those microbial communities is the first step in understanding which products would provide the most return on investment on your farm.
Our lab staff is certified in direct microscopy evaluation and classification techniques to ensure accurate results of your soil's microbiome.
When you send your samples to us, we will provide you with a copy of your results, as well as a detailed description of what we recommend to help stimulate and rebalance your microbial community.