707 Test Smarter. Spend Less.
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Soil testing isn’t an expense—it’s an investment. In my latest Better Farming Prairies article, I share how a few dollars per acre in testing can save thousands in fertilizer costs and help you make smarter, better-timed decisions. Read “Test Smarter to Spend Less” to see how good data pays off in the field.
#RealisticRegenAg #SoilTesting #PrecisionAgriculture #FertilizerEfficiency #SustainableFarming #ClimateSmartAgriculture
Intro
This is the time of year that soil testing is in full swing. The sweet spot is just a few weeks before freeze up. Most microbial processes have stopped so you’ll have a fairly accurate read of what to expect to be available for the coming year. However, we can never know when freeze up will come and there are not enough soil sampling trucks or ATV’s available to do it all at once. In this edition I’ll cover the basics as I see it, and point you to an article I wrote, and one that a fellow agronomist wrote, on how to come up with your soil sampling strategy.
In case you’re new here, let me introduce myself. My name is Scott Gillespie and I’m an Alberta-based author, podcaster, and independent agronomy consultant that focuses on #RealisticRegenAg. I provide advice-only agronomic services to my farm clients —offering unbiased recommendations free from product sales. In this podcast I share science-based practices that that promote environmental stewardship and farm profitability.
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Test Smarter to Spend Less
In my latest article for Better Farming Prairies I explain how spending just a few dollars per acre on soil testing can save thousands in fertilizer costs. I’ve seen over the years that testing pays in two big ways: It helps prevent over- or under-application, and it lets you time fertilizer purchases when market prices line up in your favour.
When I read a soil test, I start with organic matter, electrical conductivity (salts), and pH. Together, they give a quick “report card” on how the soil has been managed or it’s inherit issues. From there, I look at nutrients like phosphorus, potassium, sulphur, and nitrate-nitrogen to see what’s available and what’s missing.
I’ve also followed the rise of soil health testing with interest, but I’m still cautious. While the idea is promising, most of these tests aren’t calibrated for Prairie conditions or tied to yield response yet. A few—like organic carbon, carbon mineralization potential, and aggregate stability—show potential, but we’ll need more time and research before they’re ready for everyday use.
As precision agriculture becomes more common, I’ve found that zone-based sampling using yield maps, topography, texture mapping, and satellite imagery is a great way to zero in on variability and make fertilizer dollars go further. To dive in deeper, please check out the original article at the link below.
https://www.betterfarming.com/flippingbook/better-farming-prairie/2025/september/18/index.html
Related Reading
Soil Sampling Strategies: What’s the right approach for you?
Here’s another take on soil sampling from a fellow agronomist and a guy I know from sitting on the Prairie Certified Crop Advisors Board alongside with. I’ve never been keen on grid sampling, but he mentions a use case I never thought of: When the variability is mostly human caused - for example previous field divisions or ownership - then the grid might find things that soil mapping does not.
https://www.betterfarming.com/flippingbook/better-farming-prairie/2025/october/46/index.html
005 Soil Health Tests: Are They Worth It?
Let’s go way back - to six years ago when I was just starting the podcast. I put together an episode on soil health tests (which later became a chapter in my book Practical Regeneration). My conclusion then was that they weren’t ready yet. I still feel that way, though if you read my Better Farming Prairies article you’ll find that I’m now seeing some tests that might make sense to use.
https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/podcast/005-soil-health-tests-are-they-worth-it
Precision 4R cuts farm greenhouse gas emissions
I’m all about finding things that are good for the farmer and good for the environment. In this case, following the 4R’s - the right fertilizer source, rate, time, and place - can also have benefits for the planet. If we over fertilize the lower/wetter areas they can release more nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas that is 273x worse than carbon dioxide.
The research in this article looked at zoning out the fields and tracking the emissions and the economics. Personally, I’ve found that mapping fields and applying by variable rate has lead to more even crops. This research furthers that there could be a win-win-win for producer, society, and the environment.
https://www.agcanada.com/2025/07/precision-4r-cuts-farm-greenhouse-gas-emissions
Closing remarks
Thanks for your attention! If something resonated let me know. I love to hear from you. Also, sharing this episode in your social networks, whether a post or to small group of your friends, colleagues, or clients, is very much appreciated. You can also support me by picking up a copy of my book, Practical Regeneration, or reaching out for agronomy support.
All the information can be found on my website:
www.plantsdigsoil.com
Here’s to growing more, believing less, and always digging a little deeper.
