Soil test results can help farmers be more strategic with input investments, agronomists stress

Farmers are expecting another year of tight profits, and it is why agronomists stress the importance of soil testing and viewing the results from a wide lens.

“It’s not individual nutrients that we’re looking at. We need to take the test as a whole. Many of these nutrients interact with each other. There are ratios that we keep in mind. We think that the law of minimum crop production can only be as good as the limiting factor. And with so many metrics on a soil test, it’s important to understand how we balance those things out. So again, understanding the soil test as a whole, sitting down with your local agronomist, it’s a great opportunity this time of year to set yourself up for success out in the field in 2025,” said Nick Frederking.

Agronomists are well aware some farmers are looking at trimming fertilizer costs this year. They say it is possible, but you need to make sure you are not sacrificing yield.

Related Stories
The thief pleaded guilty and received an eight-year sentence.
“Cow goggles” are helping farmers experience cattle vision in real time, offering new tools to reduce stress, improve movement, and enhance livestock management.
Fewer interruptions could translate to improved efficiency—and fewer costly delays when timing matters most.
Faster approvals could speed projects, but may face scrutiny.
New wage rules improve accuracy but may still raise labor costs.
This Final Rule adopts the changes introduced in the Interim Final Rule, consolidating seven agency-specific NEPA regulations into a single, department-wide framework, reducing the overall volume of regulations by 66 percent.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Sen. Roger Marshall joins us in honor of National Ag Day to share legislative updates, highlight key policy victories, and initiatives supporting farmers and rural communities he is championing in Washington.
Carol Anderson joined us to highlight the importance of rural mental health, introduce a new resilience program, and share resources available to the ag community.
During opening remarks, Rollins emphasized the strength and perseverance of the agricultural community, while teasing that a new policy announcement is expected later this week.
RealAg Radio host Shaun Haney explains how conflict in the Middle East is affecting spring planting as farmers navigate the evolving situation.
The Mosaic Company’s Keith Byerly shares smart input investment strategies, fertilizer considerations, and ways growers can manage risk heading into the 2026 growing season.
NCGA Chief Economist Krista Swanson discusses the evolving role of ethanol in the current energy crisis, opportunities for expanding corn discusses the evolving role of ethanol in the current marketdemand, and the industry’s outlook moving forward.