A soil test can be a very effective tool in a producer’s toolbox. It can tell you the kind of nutrients that are available and the amounts that are present. Really, it is the foundation of any plan to improve the output of your pastures.
Knowing the amount of nutrients present can be beneficial when it comes to choosing what type of fertilizer to use. If correctly done, soil sampling and testing can indicate the types and amounts of fertilizer and lime that you should put out. With this knowledge, you can make the most economical decision.
Now you may be asking how it is that you can do a soil test properly. Well, here are some points that you may want to consider:
A good pasture is the foundation of any profitable livestock operation. It provides the forages needed not only to sustain but also to allow the livestock to grow. Having enough forages for all of the animals is essential to keep your feed costs down to a manageable level. However, keeping a pasture at this level can be complicated.
Performing a soil test is one of the most underutilized range management tools. Knowing your soil’s fertility and what nutrients are provided is crucial. Often, producers just put out the same fertilizer they always have and hope for the best.
Having to feed supplements is sometimes necessary for cattle operations. That being said, it is something other than what most ranchers like to do. Feed costs remain the single most considerable expense for any cattle producer. The amount really depends on different things, but it can easily be half of the total annual expenses.
A good pasture is the foundation of any profitable livestock operation. It provides the forages needed to not only sustain but also allow the livestock to grow. Having enough forages for all of the animals is important to keep your feed costs down to a manageable level. However, keeping a pasture at this level can be a little complicated.
Performing a soil test is one of the most underutilized range management tools. Knowing your soil’s fertility and what nutrients are provided is crucial. Often times producers just put out the same fertilizer they always have and hope for the best.
Having to feed supplements is necessary sometimes in cattle operations. That being said it is not something that most ranchers like to do. Feed costs remain the single largest expense for any cattle producer. The amount really depends on different things but it can easily be half of the total annual expenses.
Though the weather may not feel like it, still in the high 90s here, but the fall season is upon us. The soon to be changing weather reminds us of the changing season. Along with a new season comes a new need for supplementation for your pasture cattle.
Doing a soil test can be a very effective tool in a producer’s toolbox. It can tell you the kind of nutrients available as well as the amounts that are present.
As winter begins to wind down now is the time to consider getting your soil tested for the coming year. A soil analysis is a good management tool because it tells you what your soil may be lacking, saving you money on fertilizer. A soil test however is only as good as the samples that you collect to give to the testing lab. Here are some things to consider with soil sampling:
