The Importance of Soil Testing for Commodity Crops
March 1, 2025 Soil testing is a critical component of modern agriculture, providing farmers and agronomists with essential data to optimize crop yields, improve soil health, and enhance sustainability. Advances in soil testing technologies have introduced innovative methods that go beyond traditional nutrient analysis, offering deeper insights into soil structure, biology, and chemistry.
Point sampling is the standard method most widely used throughout the U.S., noted Dave Swain, President and Owner of Vision Technology Management.
While most farmers in commodity ag conduct annual soil tests, additional soil testing is sometimes conducted if transitioning between different crops. Crop rotation can impact soil test results, as different crops have varying nutrient requirements and affect soil microbial communities. Testing soil before and after rotation cycles helps farmers adjust fertilization and amendment strategies accordingly.
EarthOptics: Precision Soil Data Mapping
EarthOptics has mapped over one million acres of farmland and ranchland using ground-based sensors, machine learning, and remote sensing, which results in highly detailed soil property maps. The map offer real-time insights into soil compaction, moisture levels, and organic matter distribution. While traditional soil sampling methods are labor-intensive and provide only point-specific data, the company’s SoilMapper and C-Mapper technologies offer efficient solutions with fewer samples, reducing time and labor involved in soil analysis.
Regen Ag Lab, LLC: Haney Test for Soil Health Analysis
Regen Ag Lab, LLC offers both conventional soil testing and biological soil health testing, according to Lance Gunderson, founding member and President of the company. A variety of soil tests are available to the farmer and consultant clients, including the Haney test, the phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) test, and test that measure soil enzymes, aggregate stability, and water holding capacity.
Unlike traditional soil tests that focus solely on nutrient levels, the Haney test measures soil respiration, microbial activity, and water-soluble carbon, and nitrogen levels. This holistic approach provides a more accurate picture of soil fertility and biological health, helping farmers adopt regenerative practices that enhance long-term soil sustainability.
Veris Technologies: EC Testing for Soil Variability
Veris Technologies specializes in electrical conductivity (EC) testing, which measures soil texture variability across fields. By mapping EC levels, farmers gain valuable information about soil composition, including clay, sand, and silt distribution. This data helps optimize variable rate application of inputs, ensuring that fertilizers and soil amendments are applied where they are needed most.
Trace Genomics: Metagenomics for Soil Microbial Analysis
Trace Genomics employs metagenomics, a cutting-edge technique that analyzes soil microbial communities at the genetic level. By identifying beneficial and harmful microbes, Trace Genomics provides insights into soil biology that influence nutrient cycling, disease suppression, and overall soil health. This technology enables farmers to make informed decisions about crop rotation, cover cropping, and biological amendments.
Biome Makers: BeCrop Soil Testing for Microbial Insights
Biome Makers offers BeCrop, an advanced soil testing product that focuses on analyzing the soil microbiome. By using DNA sequencing and proprietary machine learning algorithms, BeCrop identifies microbial communities and their functions within the soil. This information helps farmers understand soil health beyond chemical composition, allowing them to adopt practices that improve microbial diversity, enhance nutrient availability, and promote sustainable farming.
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