Now Is The Time For Soil Sampling

 

 

Fall is historically the time of year when we find time to pull soil samples. A soil test will not only give you the fertility level of a field, but most labs also provide crop specific recommendations for Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K), Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg) and sometimes micronutrients. Additionally, a soil test measures pH. Annual applications of N fertilizers and manure increases soil acidity (lowers pH). For example, 7 pounds of lime are needed to neutralize the acidity created by 1 pound of ammonium sulfate. In acidic soils, the natural availability of many plant essential nutrients is reduced; while the availability of undesirable elements such as Aluminum (Al) will be increased. Limestone has carbonates which remove the acidity from the soil, and also supply the essential elements of Ca and Mg.

 

A soil test should be taken every three years, and whenever you make a significant change to your cropping system. A soil test sample should be taken to “plow depth” or rooting depth in no-till fields. Be sure to take about 15- 20 core samples in representative areas of each field. Avoid or separately sample problem areas. The desired pH varies somewhat by crop but should be between 6.5 and 7.0.

 

Two additional reasons for soil testing are to monitor change in soil fertility and to get an indication of your soil quality. By monitoring soil tests over several years, we can make cultural changes to maintain soil nutrients near the “optimum” level. An important measure of soil quality is the Organic Matter (OM) content. An OM test (which must be requested) along with the CEC (cation exchange capacity) reported on your soil test can indicate improving soil quality and productivity. Both of these will change very slowly, but have been shown to increase in many long term no-till systems.

 

No-Tillers Note: It’s not uncommon for the surface pH of no-till fields to be significantly lower than the rest of the soil profile. This low pH can have an especially yield robbing effect on plant growth and can also reduce herbicide effectiveness. If your standard soil test does not call for lime but you are a no-tiller, then a separate shallow sample (no more than 2” deep) should be taken to measure the surface pH. Samples can be sent to the lab separately, or for a faster and less costly method, use a field pH kit. If the surface acidity is below 6.2, apply one ton of lime (2,000 lb. calcium carbonate equivalent). Limestone applications, especially no-till (unincorporated) applications, should be done several months before the crop is planted to allow for rainfall incorporation and activation.

 

Video: From Conventional to Regenerative: Will Groeneveld’s Journey Back to the Land

"You realize you've got a pretty finite number of years to do this. If you ever want to try something new, you better do it."

That mindset helped Will Groeneveld take a bold turn on his Alberta grain farm. A lifelong farmer, Will had never heard of regenerative agriculture until 2018, when he attended a seminar by Kevin Elmy that shifted his worldview. What began as curiosity quickly turned into a deep exploration of how biology—not just chemistry—shapes the health of our soils, crops and ecosystems.

In this video, Will candidly reflects on his family’s farming history, how the operation evolved from a traditional mixed farm to grain-only, and how the desire to improve the land pushed him to invite livestock back into the rotation—without owning a single cow.

Today, through creative partnerships and a commitment to the five principles of regenerative agriculture, Will is reintroducing diversity, building soil health and extending living roots in the ground for as much of the year as possible. Whether it’s through intercropping, zero tillage (which he’s practiced since the 1980s) or managing forage for visiting cattle, Will’s approach is a testament to continuous learning and a willingness to challenge old norms.

Will is a participant in the Regenerative Agriculture Lab (RAL), a social innovation process bringing together producers, researchers, retailers and others to co-create a resilient regenerative agriculture system in Alberta. His story highlights both the potential and humility required to farm with nature, not against it.