Help Deciphering Soil Samples

Thomasc19

5 year old buck +
I just used 2 Whitetail Institute soil sample kits I had laying around for this year's fall foodplots

My browse pressure is really high as these are the only 2 foodplots within miles of me so the mix I'm planting is going to be:

Screenshot 2025-08-22 at 10.07.31 AM.png


Soil Results for Back Field:

Screenshot 2025-08-22 at 10.08.27 AM.png


Soil Results for Horse Field:

Screenshot 2025-08-22 at 10.09.04 AM.png


Both plots have been in clover, and neither test recommended nitrogen so I believe they should be good for that

Any recommendations on how much 0-20-20 and lyme or anything else I should do?
 
Definitely need lime. Clemson has a handy calculator.

For a target pH of 6.5 @5" depth/tillage, assuming 100% calcium carbonate equivalent (CCE)
725 lbs/acre for the horse field
880 for the back field

To be safe, I'd go about 1000 lbs/acre. Fertilizer will lower pH.
 
Definitely need lime. Clemson has a handy calculator.

For a target pH of 6.5 @5" depth/tillage, assuming 100% calcium carbonate equivalent (CCE)
725 lbs/acre for the horse field
880 for the back field

To be safe, I'd go about 1000 lbs/acre. Fertilizer will lower pH.
Yep.

Half ton rate/acre of calcitic lime, and throw in 200 lbs/ac of gypsum. That blend doesn't need any P or K.
 
Awesome thank you for the advice
 
FYI, you can feed soil samples into AI (I use grok) and it will give recommendations.
 
Just do the lime and re-test if you aren't happy with the food plot.
 
Do you guys have any recommendations on finding someone who spreads lime? There's a company near me that sells lime but only pelletized which would be 130 50lb bags worth. Couldn't find anything online for bulk lime spreading services
 
Do you guys have any recommendations on finding someone who spreads lime? There's a company near me that sells lime but only pelletized which would be 130 50lb bags worth. Couldn't find anything online for bulk lime spreading services
What are the closest cities/towns?
 
Do you guys have any recommendations on finding someone who spreads lime? There's a company near me that sells lime but only pelletized which would be 130 50lb bags worth. Couldn't find anything online for bulk lime spreading services
Are there no farmers in the area that you can pay to spread lime? They would just need a PTO driven spreader or a pull behind spreader.

I would look at getting a super sack of pelletized lime instead of buying it by the 50 lb bag if you are determined to spread that much lime. I would also stick to about 200-250 lb per acre with the pelletized lime first and then retest a field. Your pH isn't that low and the low cost of a soil test compared to the effort and cost of the lime is negligible.
 
What are the closest cities/towns?
In Northeast PA - Scranton would be closest

Are there no farmers in the area that you can pay to spread lime? They would just need a PTO driven spreader or a pull behind spreader.

I would look at getting a super sack of pelletized lime instead of buying it by the 50 lb bag if you are determined to spread that much lime. I would also stick to about 200-250 lb per acre with the pelletized lime first and then retest a field. Your pH isn't that low and the low cost of a soil test compared to the effort and cost of the lime is negligible.
I'll take a look for a super sack - thanks!
 
In Northeast PA - Scranton would be closest
You'll have to call around and see who can deliver and spread ag lime. Check with stone and quarry companies. They may know who can spread it. I'd call the following near you. There's probably a minimum. Make sure you get dry lime, not wet (high mag). What kind of spreader do you have? It will be powdered.

Ransom quarry
New Enterprise Stone and lime
Wilcox Farm supply - Tunkhannock, PA
 
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