How Smarter Soil Sampling Pays Off

absoluteagronomyne
Aug 10
2 min read

Across Seward and York counties, we’ve been seeing the same trend in 2025 samples: nutrient tie-ups, missed uptake, and input dollars being left on the table. In a year like this, with markets under pressure, it’s more important than ever to fertilize with precision… not habit.

We’re helping growers apply only what’s needed, where it’s needed, and based on what the crop can actually use. That starts with soil and tissue sampling that pays for itself.

What 2025 Samples Are Telling Us

Tissue tests this season are consistently showing low potassium in the plant, even when soil K levels are high. That means K is present, but not always plant-available.

We’re now recommending SOP (sulfate of potash) in certain cases, which offers greater availability than potash where tie-ups are an issue. This is exactly why cookie-cutter fertility plans aren’t cutting it anymore.

Why a 3-Year Grid Soil Sampling Cycle Pays

Getting into a routine of sampling every 2.5–3 years is one of the smartest moves you can make. It’s not about the lab report, it’s about what that data unlocks.

Growers following a consistent sampling cadence are:

Applying less and seeing stronger yield response
Saving money by avoiding blanket over-application
Catching problem areas early — before they show up in yield

What to Prioritize (and What Not to Skip)

The five core nutrients — pH, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), sulfur (S) — should always come first. But that doesn’t mean you can ignore micronutrients.

Zinc (Zn) is one to watch, and even slight deficiencies can impact availability and uptake of other nutrients. S and Zn are two of the most frequently overlooked, especially in no-till and low-organic-matter fields.*

How We’re Different

When it comes to dry application, accuracy isn’t optional. It’s ROI. Here’s how we deliver:

16-section swath control and 4-bin variable blending for hyper-targeted spread
Fast turnaround on both soil and tissue sampling
Custom recs — built from your farm’s data, not someone else’s average
A boots-on-the-ground mindset: We walk fields. We scout. We solve.