Taking soil samples during the fall of the year allows the farmer time to have the fertilizer applied well before grasses start to grow in the spring. Most pasture fields should be sampled every three to four years. If you use a field strictly for cutting hay from or for annual row crops, and nutrients get removed and not added back, you should soil test annually.

When taking soil samples your local extension office should have a soil probe you can borrow, but if it’s not available you can use an auger, garden trowel, spade, or a knife to collect the soil. When collecting samples from a pasture, the soil core depth should be collected at 3-4 inches deep. You will also need a clean, dry, plastic bucket to collect and mix the sample cores. Soil sample boxes or bags and information forms are available at all county extension offices.

When collecting samples, the “more is better” expression is generally applicable. An individual field of 20 acres should consist of at least 3-10 soil core samples. If the terrain varies greatly in a field, take separate samples from each area to address the different needs from each location. When in a larger area (>20 acres) take up to 30 soil cores for more accurate results. Take samples randomly throughout the field and place them in a bucket. However, do not sample: back furrows, old fencerows, areas used for manure or hay storage, livestock feeding areas, or where lime has been piled in the past.

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