Re: MILK FEVER ? Soil Science

[Guest guest]

I would be interested in people's experiences with testing soils. I want to

test our soils to see

what we should be doing but I feel so ignorant about it all. First I don't know

who to rely on

to do the test. I have heard stories about certain labs not being reliable and

then you have to

wonder if you really want the fertilizer companies to be taking care of this for

you. Then, if

you go through ative Extension and you get the results, now what? I don't

know how

to interpret the results and fix the problems. Again, I will be at the mercy of

the fertilizer

salesman.

I would like to hear who you are all comfortable working with.

Yany

[Guest guest]

Here are a few companies I have dealt with. These are considered

biological and will test for many more nutrients than the

university/extension or commercial fertilizer dealer. This is the best

way to find out how to grow balanced nutritious feed. They have a lot

of good info on their websites that can help get you started. All of

them have books in Acres USA catalog.

http://www.aglabs.com/ I have never bought any products from these

guys yet, but they do the reams test which is a good test of what's

available for the plant. Dan Skow also does feed tests. He has a

unique test in which he can test the brix of hay to find out if it's

any good or not. Very few samples make the cut.

http://www.midwesternbioag.com/homepage.html Bio Ag has a super

training program and has dealers in upper midwest that can give lots

of help. They use Midwest Labs, Inc. out of Omaha NE They have a full

line of fertilizers.

http://www.cropservicesintl.com/ Phil Wheeler can test for base

saturation which is like a mining report. How much total. He also can

do the Reams (LaMotte) to see what's available for the plant. I find

this very interesting as you may have good levels of nutrients but not

enough biological activity to utilize the nutrients. Phil also uses

many different products. Some he sells, others you can buy locally.

Arden has a book called Science in Agriculture. He sells

nothing, so if you want to really understand soils and not be afraid

of being oversold read this first.

Cheyenne

>

> I would be interested in people's experiences with testing soils. I

want to test our soils.