The SDSU Soil Testing Laboratory's purpose is to evaluate the fertility status of South Dakota soils. It provides unbiased analysis and nutrient recommendations for South Dakota producers and homeowners.
Typical clients are farmers, ranchers, homeowners, and private and government organizations.
The laboratory processed and analyzed 20,028 producer samples representing about 12,000 fields during 1999. Over 77,000 separate analyses were made from these samples. A routine analysis package that includes nitrate-N, P, K, pH, and salts is run on most field samples. Many samples also include organic matter, zinc, and sulfur analyses. The lab also processed and analyzed 1,936 soil samples for research personnel and 1,125 plant samples during the year.