GPS Soil Sampling and GPS Nutrient Mapping

"Soil sampling is only as good as the samples taken.
Poor soil sampling gives poor data...Good sampling gives valuable data....."

GPS soil sampling provides the farmer with more detailed information about the variability of soils within each field or fields, for the elements analysed whether soil type or specific nutrient availability or pH. GPS is differentially corrected (dGPS) to precisely locate soil sampling points or areas within field. See Case study on GPS soil sampling in Suffolk.

Why choose GPS Soil Sampling?

Soil samples collected with GPS data, that is GPS soil sampling, can help you make more informed decisions on nutrient management. Fertiliser required is established so exact amounts can be bought rather than a ready mixed compound. Areas requiring more phosphorus or potash can be supplied with extra compared to the average needs of the field.

Benefits of GPS soil sampling versus conventional W soil sampling:

• Fertilizer use can be better optimised. Money spent on fertilizers and lime can be tailored to the amount actually needed to supply nutrients in soil for cropping.
• Reasons for variable crop growth may be explained by variations in soil fertility. Areas of low fertility may have been limiting crop yield.
• Farmer can better justify their fertilizer useage on field.
• Fertilizer use can be tailored to areas and quantities needed on various parts of fields. Nutrients are better managed.

What is the procedure in GPS Soil Sampling?

• Field boundary is GPS Mapped by driving an ATV with GPS data logger around field boundary. Location is recorded every 5 seconds, so creating a field shape.
• A grid is superimposed onto the field outline. Grid size is normally 1ha but can be adjusted to other sizes as needed, such as 2ha or 0.5ha.
• Soil sample cores are collected from each grid area. The numbers of soils collected depends on the analysis the farmer required. Cores from within each grid area are amalgamated for a single soil analysis.
• Locations of grid and sampling points are recorded using differentially corrected GPS.
• Soil Samples or plant samples are analysed at an independent laboratory GLP laboratory. Standard soil analysis is for pH, P, K, Mg. But additional nutrients can be added to this analysis.
• Willington Crop Services maps the soil sampling results to see nutrient variation across the field.
• GPS nutrient maps are created. Plus fertilizer recommendations.
• Results of soil sampling are normally returned within 14 days for standard soil analysis. Format of data is as farmer  specifies, in digital format to suit farm mapping software &/or paper as required.
• Price for GPS soil sampling and soil analysis varies according to exact needs, such as acreage to be sampled, numbers of fields, accessibility of fields, exact laboratory analysis. Quotes on application dependent on exact needs.

Summary of GPS Soil Sampling and GPS nutrient mapping

GPS Soil Sampling geo references the location of soil samples. Available from Willington Crop Services in Suffolk, Essex, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire in the UK.