Soil Health:
The Key To Your Long Term Success

Nurturing Wisconsin's Soils For Future Generations

At Country Visions Cooperative, we are honored to be your dedicated partner in championing the health of your precious soils. We recognize that sustaining the vitality of your land is vital for the continuity of farming through generations. Our team of experts brings a wealth of knowledge and a diverse range of services tailored to elevate your agricultural endeavors. Together, let’s embark on a journey to make the smartest and most profitable decisions for your farm, ensuring its prosperity for years to come. 

Soil Sampling – The Basics

Geo-located Soil Sampling:

Find out the basics of your soil: P, K, pH, CEC, and micronutrients.  The GPS location of each soil sample is documented to enable resampling of the same location in subsequent years.  This allows you to track changes in different parts of the field over time.  Samples are typically collected on a 5 or 2.5-acre grid, however this can be customized for your farm.  Soil samples and field boundaries are exportable to other programs and can be used to create variable rate fertilizer recommendations.



 

Nitrogen Testing:

Pre-Plant Nitrogen Testing: This testing is done before planting corn and measures the amount of nitrate-N in the crop root zone that “carried over” from the previous growing season. Residual nitrate that is present in the spring is available to crops for the subsequent growing season.

Pre-Sidedress Nitrogen Testing (PSNT): The PSNT measures the amount of N released from previous legume crops, manure applications, and soil organic matter in addition to a portion of the N carried-over from the previous growing season. Corn sidedress N applications can be adjusted based on the test results, potentially saving you fertilizer costs.

Soil Health:

We’re just starting to understand relationships between microbial activity and healthy soils.  Traditional soil testing provides insight into chemical and physical soil properties.  This test combines that information with biological assessments of microbial activity to provide a measure of overall soil quality.

Nematode Testing:

You can’t see nematodes, but they can cause significant damage to your crops, especially soybean cyst nematode.  While there are no rescue treatments for nematodes, this knowledge can help you prepare for the next season’s crop.

 

soil-sample-machine

Go Beyond Soil Sampling Basics with Nutrient Management Planning

How can soil testing, economics, and environmental stewardship be connected effectively? The answer lies in a comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (NMP) developed by Country Visions Cooperative. Our team of Certified Crop Advisors (CCAs) will work closely with you to create a tailored plan that complies with regulatory requirements and meets the unique needs of your farm. 

We stay informed about the ever-changing regulations so you can focus on what matters most. Additionally, some of our staff are designated NRCS Technical Service Providers (TSP), ready to assist with cost-shared projects that can enhance your farm’s efficiency and sustainability. Our NMP-related services include:

 

  • 590 Nutrient Management Plans – to meet cost share requirements or for farmland preservation tax credits
  • WPDES (CAFO) Permits and Plans – for larger farms that need a DNR Permit
  • LIVE! Manure Maps - See where you are in the field in relation to manure application restriction areas. 

Partner with Country Visions Cooperative to optimize your farm’s productivity while promoting environmental stewardship.