OMEX want to let you know all about their soil sampling service, which is free for OMEX customers. Soil sampling is one of the many services offered by OMEX, and we want to answer any questions you may have about this service:
Why is Soil Sampling so important?
In order to gain the best from your crop it's vital to know the nutritional status of the soil, only possible after regular, quality soil sampling. Soil sampling can earn money by indicating the correct fertiliser analyses required for crops and identifying yield-limiting deficiencies.
Fertile, well maintained soils are more productive than those with marginal soil indicies and the crops grown use nitrogen efficiently, reducing the risk of environmental pollution.
Soil sampling saves money by indicating where nutrients are not required, particularly phosphate, potash and sodium
What Does A Routine Soil Sample Analysis Include?
Phosphate, potash, magnesium and pH. It is also possible to include boron, sodium, sulphur, copper and zinc analysis. Soil nitrogen testing is also available from OMEX by prior arrangement.
How Are The Results Reported?
The index system developed by Defra is used by all laboratories when they report results. In order to show whether a result is near the top or bottom of an index, OMEX report to one decimal place.
The soil nutrient status is displayed as colour coded easy-to-interpret horizontal bar graphs. Results are available as printed copies, emailed files or as data for uploading into farm recording software.
What Does It Cost?
There is no charge for soil sampling from OMEX, unless there is no purchase of fertiliser following the testing.
How Often Should I Have Soil Sampling Carried Out?
Well managed fields usually only require sampling every four to five years.
