NM -- 2 -- How to Collect Soil
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height="0.10416666666666667in"}

Why Soil Tests are Important

### ![](media/image2.wmf){width="4.106944444444444in" height="2.7840277777777778in"}

### [Why Sample]{.underline}

Soil testing is the key to nutrient management. Without a preplant soil
test, fertilizing is a

guess at best. Most soil testing is very cost effective. Many times
growers put on fertilizer

as "insurance" instead of testing the soil to see if fertilizer is
needed. People could save as

much as \$100/ac by spending \$20 on a soil test. NMSU has guidelines
for soil sampling

(Guide A-114), <http://cahe.nmsu.edu/pubs/_a/a-114.html>, and
interpretations (Guide A-122),

<http://cahe.nmsu.edu/pubs/_a/a-122.html>. NRCS Agronomy Technical Note
58,

<http://www.nm.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/tech-notes/agro/ag58.pdf> ,
provides instructions

for use of NMSU Fertilization Interpretation Software (NRCS 590 Job
sheet),

<http://www.nm.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/tech-notes/agro.html>, once the
user has

obtained a proper soil test.

When and How to Take Soil Samples

1.  The best time to sample is before spring fertilization or after
    harvest from uniform sampling areas with similar management.

2.  Use any of the tools shown below to take sample. Sample to the plow
    depth (Usually 8-12").

Each sample should represent a uniform area. Size up the area and
observe these variations:

> > *Differences in texture (sand, silt, clay), color, slope, degree of
> > erosion, drainage, past management (fertilization, manure
> > application, rotation, irrigation type, etc.).*

1.  Take 15 to 20 subsamples from each uniform area. Mix thoroughly in a
    plastic container and fill a plastic bag with a pint of soil. This
    is the composite sample, which represents the field or area. Label
    each container with your name and address and the field or sample
    identification (ID) corresponding to the ID on the information
    sheet.

2.  Avoid (or sample separately, if of interest) such areas as: Dead or
    back furrows, old straw piles, waterways, terraces, fence rows, and
    unusual or difficult spots.

3.  Repeat the sampling procedure outlined on each uniform area you want
    tested.

4.  Air dry the samples before mailing. Do not use heat for drying. Wet
    samples will delay analyses up to one week.

Where to Send Soil Samples for Analysis: Following NRCS 590 Nutrient
Management Standard and NMSU Fertilization Interpretation software, soil
test analyses shall be performed by laboratories that are accepted in
the North American Proficiency Testing Program or those laboratories
whose tests are accepted by the NMSU (partial list of labs below).

**[Partial Listing of Soil Testing Laboratories]{.underline}**

> **Agricultural Testing and Research Lab NMSU SWAT Testing Lab**
>
> P.O. Drawer 1318 MSC 3Q, Box 30003
>
> Farmington, NM 87499 Dept. of Agronomy and Horticulture
>
> 505/326-2730 Las Cruces, NM 88003
>
> 505/646-4422
>
> **Servi-Tech Labs Ward Laboratories**
>
> P.O. Box 1397 4007 Cherry Ave
>
> 1816 E. Wyatt Earp Kearney, NE 68848-0788
>
> Dodge City, KS 67801 402/476-2811
>
> 308/234-2418 [www.wardlab.com](http://www.wardlab.com/)
>
> [www.servi-techinc.com](http://www.servi-techinc.com/)
>
> **Inter Ag Services, Inc. MDS Harris**
>
> **IAS Laboratories** 621 Rose St.
>
> 2515 E. University Dr. P.O. Box 80837
>
> Phoenix, AZ 85034 Lincoln, NE 68501
>
> 602/273-7248 [www.mdsharris.com](http://www.mdsharris.com/)

.

**(listing of North American Proficiency Testing participating
laboratories available at <http://www.naptprogram.org/pap/>)**

> **[NMSU Land Grant University Soil Testing Information
> Sheet:]{.underline}**
>
> **IMPORTANT**

If your sample is to be tested for available zinc and iron, rusty tools
will contaminate the sample with iron, and galvanized or brass
containers will contaminate it with zinc. The resultant soil analysis
could indicate a sufficiency of these elements when actually a
deficiency exists. **Use plastic container when possible.**

**ALL EQUIPMENT MUST BE ABSOLUTELY CLEAN**

**SOIL TESTS AVAILABLE**

+--------------------------+-----------------------------------+-------+
| **TEST**                 | **PURPOSE**                       | *     |
|                          |                                   | *COST |
|                          |                                   | PER   |
|                          |                                   | SAM   |
|                          |                                   | PLE** |
+--------------------------+-----------------------------------+-------+
| **Standard:**            | Basic evaluation for              | \$    |
|                          | characterizing the soil fertility | 19.00 |
| pH, total soluble salts, | status for growing crops. A       |       |
| sodium adsorption ratio, | fertilizer recommendation is      |       |
| organic matter           | given with sufficient             |       |
| nitrate-nitrogen (water  | information. Normally this test   |       |
| extractable), phosphorus | is sufficient unless a special    |       |
| (bicarb) method, and     | problem is suspected.             |       |
| water soluble potassium. |                                   |       |
+--------------------------+-----------------------------------+-------+
| **Subsoil Nitrate:**     | Evaluation of nitrate supply      | \     |
|                          | below the plow depth. Fertilizer  | $5.00 |
|                          | nitrogen recommendation based on  |       |
|                          | routine soil test of surface soil |       |
|                          | is adjusted if subsoil nitrate is |       |
|                          | high.                             |       |
+--------------------------+-----------------------------------+-------+
| **Iron and Zinc:**       | Information on the micronutrients | \     |
|                          | Iron and Zinc. Zinc is usually    | $6.00 |
|                          | deficient in New Mexico soil.     |       |
|                          | Carbonates interfere with iron    |       |
|                          | and zinc uptake.                  |       |
+--------------------------+-----------------------------------+-------+
| **Manganese and          | Information on the micronutrients | \     |
| Copper:**                | Manganese and Copper.             | $6.00 |
+--------------------------+-----------------------------------+-------+

Checks or Money Orders are made payable to New Mexico State University.
Always verify prices by contacting the lab or visiting their website at
<http://swatlab.nmsu.edu/> . Click on soil for a price list. Water
samples can also be tested at this laboratory.

Information on additional tests (soil, water, and plant) is available
from the Soil, Water, and Agricultural Testing Laboratory. Expected
turn-around time is one week in lab. If a delay is expected, you will be
notified by phone.

> USPS Address: Physical Address:
>
> New Mexico State University New Mexico State University
>
> SWAT LAB SWAT LAB
>
> Box 30003, Dept. 3Q 2290 Knox Street, PGEL West
>
> Agronomy and Hort Dept. Las Cruces, NM 88003
>
> Las Cruces, New Mexico 88003

<table style="width:100%;">
<colgroup>
<col style="width: 4%" />
<col style="width: 1%" />
<col style="width: 1%" />
<col style="width: 5%" />
<col style="width: 1%" />
<col style="width: 2%" />
<col style="width: 2%" />
<col style="width: 4%" />
<col style="width: 4%" />
<col style="width: 9%" />
<col style="width: 21%" />
<col style="width: 20%" />
<col style="width: 19%" />
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="4"><p><strong>Attachment 1</strong></p>
<p>Sampling Date:</p></td>
<td colspan="6"></td>
<td rowspan="5"><p>SOIL SAMPLE INFORMATION SHEET</p>
<p>NEW MEXICO STATE UNIVERSITY</p>
<p><strong>SWAT LABORATORY</strong></p></td>
<td colspan="2">CHECK DESIRED ANALYSIS</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2">Name</td>
<td colspan="8"></td>
<td>Standard</td>
<td>$19.00 </td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="3">Address</td>
<td colspan="7"></td>
<td>Subsoil Nitrate</td>
<td>$5.00 </td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td>City</td>
<td colspan="4"></td>
<td colspan="2"><h1 id="state">State</h1></td>
<td></td>
<td>Zip</td>
<td></td>
<td>Iron &amp; Zinc</td>
<td>$6.00 </td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="6">Phone Number</td>
<td colspan="4">( )</td>
<td>Manganese &amp; Copper</td>
<td>$6.00 </td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="6">Email address:</td>
<td colspan="4"></td>
<td>Received Date:</td>
<td colspan="2">Verify Prices at: <a
href="http://swatlab.nmsu.edu/soilist.html">http://swatlab.nmsu.edu/soilist.html</a></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="6">Sample is for:</td>
<td colspan="4">Farm Home Orchard</td>
<td>Farm Home Orchard</td>
<td>Farm Home Orchard</td>
<td>Farm Home Orchard</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="6">Lab ID Number</td>
<td colspan="4"></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="6">Field ID</td>
<td colspan="4"></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="6">Geographic Location (TRS, X, Y, Lat/Long)</td>
<td colspan="4"></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="6">Acres or Square Feet</td>
<td colspan="4"></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="6">Sampling Depth (circle one)</td>
<td colspan="4">0-2 0-4 0-6 0-8 0-12 12-24</td>
<td>0-2 0-4 0-6 0-8 0-12 12-24</td>
<td>0-2 0-4 0-6 0-8 0-12 12-24</td>
<td><p>0-2 0-4 0-6 0-8 0-12</p>
<p>12-24</p></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="6">Last years crop</td>
<td colspan="4"></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="6">This years crop</td>
<td colspan="4"></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="6">Yield Goal</td>
<td colspan="4"></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="6">Orchard or Vineyard?</td>
<td colspan="4"></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="6">Establishment year &amp; number per acre</td>
<td colspan="4"></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="6">Organic Amendments</td>
<td colspan="4">Enter Quantity of Each</td>
<td>Enter Quantity of Each</td>
<td>Enter Quantity of Each</td>
<td>Enter Quantity of Each</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="6">Solids</td>
<td colspan="4"></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="6">Liquids</td>
<td colspan="4"></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="6">Irrigation System</td>
<td colspan="4">Drip Flood Sprinkler</td>
<td>Drip Flood Sprinkler</td>
<td>Drip Flood Sprinkler</td>
<td>Drip Flood Sprinkler</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="6">Depth to Groundwater</td>
<td colspan="4">&lt;6’ 6-12’ &gt;12’</td>
<td>&lt;6’ 6-12’ &gt;12’</td>
<td>&lt;6’ 6-12’ &gt;12’</td>
<td>&lt;6’ 6-12’ &gt;12’</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="6">Water Nitrate-N Credit</td>
<td colspan="4">mg/l (ppm)</td>
<td>mg/l (ppm)</td>
<td>mg/l (ppm)</td>
<td>mg/l (ppm)</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="6">Person taking sample:</td>
<td colspan="4"></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="6"><strong>COMMENTS:</strong></td>
<td colspan="4"></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

Please remove any rocks from the sample. Submit a minimum of 2 cups of
soil that has been air dried. Avoid using rusty tools or containers. See
back for sampling instructions and analysis description.