Critical Issues Facing Agriculture in Somerset County

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Do Maryland Nutrient Management regulations
require soil testing for pastures?
YES
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• What is a pasture?

Pasture contains 75 forage species
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Open-Grazed Pastures

• -Some areas are devoid of vegetation and have
  accumulations of manure on the soil surface
• -Samples from forage production areas and avoid
  other areas

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Non-Pasture Areas

• If an area is not a pasture, must a soil sample
  be collected?

NO. Soil tests are not required for holding lots,
sacrifice areas, and other such places where
animals are kept UNLESS the operator intends to
apply fertilizer.
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How does soil sampling benefit my pasture?

• Nutrient Recommendations
• pH (lime) Recommendations
• Increased Forage

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• The nutrient recommendations for a field can be
  no better than the quality of the soil sample
  prepared for that field.

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Soil Sampling Guidelines

• Identify management units
• Collect 15-20 samples 8 deep in a random pattern
  throughout the field
• Avoid unusual areas
• Break up soil, mix well
• Sub-sample about 1 pint of soil
• Send to lab

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Essential Soil Test Information

• pH
• Texture
• Magnesium (mg)
• Phosphorous (p)
• Potassium (k)
• Calcium (Ca)
• Organic Matter (OM)

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How often must soil samples be collected?
Soil samples for fertility evaluation should be
collected at least every three years.
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Discuss your nutrient recommendations and liming
rates with your nutrient management consultant or
your county agent.