Every farm has unique service needs. I work with clients to develop a custom service package including soil mapping, soil testing, tissue testing, feed analysis, environmental testing (pesticides and residues), and disease testing.
Soil Testing
Every field has variations in soil type and elevation which results in different nutrient levels. I use overhead imagery and in-field observations to define management zones of similar soil type and elevation. I take enough soil samples to provide a good overall picture of soil fertility in the field. The standard mineral soil test includes major and minor nutrient cations (calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, iron, copper, manganese and zinc), anions (phosphorus, sulfur, and boron) as well as Total Exchange Capacity, pH, and Organic Matter. A separate test is available for available nitrogen.
Also, a detailed Soil Health test is available that measures microbial respiration using the Solvita test, as well as organic and inorganic carbon and nitrogen. Turf and soil-less media tests are also available.
Environmental Testing
Some of the available environmental tests are:
- Drinking Water Analysis
- Wastewater/Groundwater Analysis
- Microbiology Analysis
- Sludge/Solids Analysis
- Pesticide Analysis
- Mycotoxin Analysis
- Hops/Barley Analysis
- Plant Hormones Analysis
- Soil Microbial Community Analysis
- Hydraulic Fracturing Analysis
- Underground Storage Tank Monitoring
Tissue and Feed Analysis
A variety of plant and tissue analyses are available. They include:
- Feed testing in accordance with the US National Forage Testing Association
- Compost and manure analysis with moisture
- Organic matter and mineral content
- Irrigation and fertigation water analysis
- Fertilizer and lime analysis
- Fruit and tissue composition
Nematode and Disease Testing
I can provide nematode counts for many species of nematodes, as well as DNA testing for confirming the presence of diseases and pathogens.
Please contact Dan if you would like more information.
Dan Roberts Consulting 