Fertrell Blog

Depending on the season, nutrients may have varying availability to plants within the soil column. Typically, during the winter months, nutrients immobilize, and plants go dormant, driving carbohydrates and nutrients back into the roots.

During the growing season, factors such as drought or too much rain can lock up or flush nutrients out of the soil. Drought was a particularly tough problem in the spring throughout the northeastern United States this year. So, stressing the importance of soil testing is paramount during the off season to identify nutrient gaps and provide more nutrition at the start of the next season.

Elements such as potassium and boron are essential for large fruiting vegetables, while nitrogen may be of more importance to grasses. These nutrients' mobility, heavily depends on how much rainfall is received during the growing and off season.

Fertrell offers soil tests through Waypoint Analytics. These tests show the organic matter present, estimated nitrogen release, required macronutrient quantity, cation exchange capacity, pH, percent base saturation, and various micronutrients. Organic matter gives an idea of the nutrient retention and estimated nitrogen release. Macronutrients are nutrients required by the plant in large quantities.

Cation exchange capacity shows how much nutrients can be held in the soil. Think the larger the number, the bigger the gas tank. The pH indicates the amount of hydrogen present and relative acidity. Percent base saturation shows the calcium, magnesium, and potassium present. Finally, the micronutrients shown are required elements in smaller quantities.

The agronomy team reviews the soil tests and provides recommendations to improve soil chemistry and biology, provide nutrition to the crop, and ultimately make your businesses more productive and profitable. Whether your operation is a dairy looking to increase forage density in pastures or an orchard looking to increase fruit taste and size, our agronomy team is here to review your soil test and make recommendations to improve your operations.