Special Soil Test Campaign Implemented

With the dry soils producers can gear up for next year's growing season by soil sampling now to determine the status of soil nutrients in their fields and pastures.  A year with below normal rainfall resulted in some crops not performing to their fertilized potential, thus some nutrients remain in the soil for the next crop.  Moreover fertilizer prices remain a significant input cost, all the more reason to soil sample now to determine what actual soil nutrients will be needed for the coming crop season.
    The Coastal Bend Soil Testing Campaign, coordinated by local offices of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service, for farms in Aransas, Bee, Jim Wells, Kleberg/Kennedy, Live Oak, Refugio, Nueces, and San Patricio Counties is underway now through  October 31, 2011. Soil samples may be turned in at your local County Extension Office for analysis at up to a 33% reduced testing fee.  Soil tests will be run by the Texas A&M University Soil Testing Laboratory for a reduced fee of $7 per sample for the Routine Analysis and $14 for Routine /Micronutrient Analysis during this special campaign. This special soil testing campaign is for row crop farmers and ranchers with improved pastures.   Soil sample bags and test information sheets may be obtained in the County Extension Office.   For more information call the Nueces County Extension Office at 361-767-5223.