October 7, 2020

QUIZ – Cost/benefit of soil sampling

Five questions on the mathematics of soil sampling and analysis of results.

Hydraulic soil sampling probe. Photo credit: Brendon Friesen

1. Roughly how much will it cost per field to (1) hire someone to collect a composite sample in two parts (0-6" and 6-24") and (2) get a lab analysis on that two-part soil sample?
2. The Saskatchewan Crop Planning Guide for 2020 has estimates for input costs. For the Black Soil Zone, the guide uses a base canola yield of 53.8 bu./ac. and estimates fertilizer costs per acre based on nutrient removal for that crop. What does the guide suggest will be the total fertilizer cost per acre for this canola yield?
3. A soil test recommends 120 lb./ac. of actual nitrogen. How much anhydrous ammonia (NH3) would this be?
4. A soil test recommends 120 lb./ac. of actual nitrogen. How much urea would this be?
5. A soil test recommends 120 lb./ac. of actual nitrogen. How much UAN would this be?

 

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