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Those of us who have had a chance to compare soil testing labs, please tell us who you think is best for giant pumpkins and why. What do you like about their reports/recommendations? Who has given recommendations that were really useful (and perhaps missed by other labs)?

I have used Kinsey Ag Services. Detailed recommendations have been very helpful (I have seen my results improve yearly) and I like the fact that they are in pounds per 1000 sq. ft. However, I am concerned that my % organic material has been dropping and he still recommends no organic matter additions. Also, turn-around time on reports has been ssssslllllooooowwwww.

Would love to see lots of responses on this thread!

Chris

8/24/2004 3:48:47 PM

Long Island,New York

I've used UMASS and Cornell and niether have given me a 1000lber

8/24/2004 7:31:42 PM

In the shade - PDX, OR

LOL G!

A&L here out west. They are fast depending on when you submit your sample.

Getting help with your soil test analysis & interpretation is pretty difficult.

My second year I had my soil tested but had no clue how to interpret - so didn't make any additions.

Third year I had the Ca, Mg, K target ratios from HTGWCGP III and shot for those. This is a great place to start.

For advanced help seek out a soil scientist that is in your area. Sometimes you have to listen to their recommendations then decide & act on your own. - similar to your current concerns of OM.

8/24/2004 7:51:17 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

There are several popular testing protocols in use. According to Clemson Uni. in their article regarding the comparing of labs:

"After the exchange samples are analyzed by the various laboratories, the results are grouped by the type of soil extractant used for a proper comparison (there are currently three used in the Southeast). Even the results from samples extracted by laboratories which use the same extractant solution will usually differ by a few pounds-per-acre due to differences in methodology. This is a normal and expected occurrence....."

Penn State was the first to wrestle with the varying analysis from the different labs. In conjunction with the USGA Greens Section, Penn State dove in head first & developed extraction processes that would yield accurate results for all the elements to which we're concerned. They found that by using specific chemical extraction reagents foe specific nutrients, they were able to get a truly accurate analysis.

But using this multi-reagent extraction process proved too costly even for them. So today, like vitually all of the commercial & public soil testing labs, even Penn State is back to using single acid extraction. These results are always wrong & certain elements are then subjected to mathematical expressions in an attempt to correct for the errors.

There are only 2 labs using the multi=reagent process today & both are commercial labs that charge a slightly larger than average fee for their work.

continued

8/24/2004 9:48:51 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

CLC Labs
325 Venture Drive
Westerville, OH 43081
Phone: (614)888-1663
(no website)

and

MDS Harris
Agronomic Services
624 Peach Street
Lincoln, NE 68502
Phone: (402) 476-2811
Fax: (402) 476-7598

http://turf.mdsharris.com/lab_accuracy/index.asp

CLC is no longer taking new customers but I can process soil tests through our business as time permits.

All opinions aside, these are the 2 best soil labs in the country. But even while Dr. George Hamilton of Hillsboro County New Hampshire fame readily admits that their lab results are tecnhically flawed, HE knows his counties soils so well & is so familiar with his labs work, that he can dial in a fertility program & get spot on results regardless.

Moral: Work with one person at one lab that knows the soils in your area & is familiar with the crop you're producing. And don't compare the paper results of two different labs without a decent soil scientist or agronomist present or you WILL get a headache! LOL

Steve

8/24/2004 9:49:03 PM

Western NY

i like the A&L labs, kinsey or umass the best from the results i've seen.

8/25/2004 11:22:33 AM

Springfield, MO

This is great information!

Tremor, when you say "slightly larger than average fee" how much are you talking about?

Thanks,
Chris

8/28/2004 3:53:44 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

WOW! I just looked up the most current prices & they're up more than I was aware.

Our prices to process through CLC:

Standard Test (Soil pH, Buffer pH, Phosphorous, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, % Base Saturation, Cation Exchange Capacity)....$15.95

Micros Test: Zinc, Manganese, Iron & Copper...$9.35

Organic Matter:....$7.60

So if the 3 most desitrable tests are administered = $32.90

8/28/2004 6:07:18 PM

Wichita, KS

LOL! I thought you were going to say $50-75!

9/13/2004 6:05:33 PM