Why doesn't Bio Logic give OM % in their soil tests?

[BJE80]

Just curious why they don't give that info? Don't they think it is important?

 

[wiscwhip]

Because it costs extra money to do that test when you send it to the state lab, so most likely to keep costs down. I would imagine that to most Elmer Fudd's, they just want to know how much lime and 10-10-10 to add to their plots and wouldn't be willing to spend the extra to know the OM.

 

[BJE80]

I wish I would of known that. I sent it in and got back the results and was disappointed. Bummer. Maybe I’ll send it to Daily land next year.

 

[wiscwhip]

Given you're in WI, I would just send them to Bucky. A bit more expensive, but you know you will get accuracy in your test results.

http://uwlab.soils.wisc.edu/fees/

 

[bueller]

Whitetail Institute uses the same lab as Biologic but they include OM and CEC. Cost is a couple bucks more.

 

[Terrific_tom]

I get my soil tests done at Agsource. They will mail you the kit for soil test. They have locations all over. I use the Bonduel location.
http://agsource.crinet.com/page488/OrderWildlifePlotKits

 

[wildfire]

I used A & L Great Lakes Labs on a suggestion from Doug Galloway, very good information. More expensive than Biolgic or Whitetail Institute, contacting them before sending in samples, find out cost and info on samples.

 

[dipper]

Like it's been said, it costs more, and most people are too ignorant to know any better

 

[SD51555]

I bet it's the cost. To measure OM, they have to put a sample of dirt into an extremely high temp oven and burn off the OM, and then reweigh it. I sent mine to AgLab Express in Sioux Falls. I got my N/P/K, soil Ph, buffer Ph, and OM for $20 along with recommendations for the crop and method I was using.

 

[dipper]

What does biologic charge for a soil test

 

[bueller]

What does biologic charge for a soil test

$7.50. I put a small amount of soil in a ziploc bag and mailed it in an envelope with 3 stamps on it. Under $9 and received results via email within a week of mailing.

 

[wiscwhip]

$7.50. I put a small amount of soil in a ziploc bag and mailed it in an envelope with 3 stamps on it. Under $9 and received results via email within a week of mailing.

If you use the UW state lab and tell them it is an ag field and not a food plot, you could have had OM included in the test for 50 cents extra.

 

[bueller]

If you use the UW state lab and tell them it is an ag field and not a food plot, you could have had OM included in the test for 50 cents extra.

Hmm, I would have liked to get OM

 

[dipper]

Yup, just multiple your actual plot size by 10 to keep the math simple and make you look more important. If they give you slack about it being a food plot tell them your an organic farmer. The Uwextension raised there prices too, and I pay enough in taxes, so a little white lie doesn't hurt anyone besides Scott walkers reelection campaign.

 

[BJE80]

The other places just seem like a PITA. Gotta lie about the plot size because they either don't want to test your soil or they want to gouge you because you are a food plotter. It is BS IMO.

 

[SD51555]

The guy i dealt with at Aglab Express in Sioux Falls was great. He gave me a tour of his lab and showed me how a soil test was conducted from start to finish. I told him I was no-tilling a food plot and he still treated me like the governor. I couldn't get him to quit talking. He even offered to help me get in touch with a cover crop specialist at SDSU for the additional questions I had.