Deep soil testing can slash fertilizer costs

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension researchers found that deep soil testing can offset some high crop production expenses, a gift for producers struggling with rising fertilizer costs.
LOWERING COSTS Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service agronomy team members take deep soil samples in stubble before starting the new planting season. AgriLife Extension researchers recently published a study suggesting that deep soil testing may be able to help farmers reduce fertilizer costs. | JOURDAN BELL/TEXAS A&M AGRILIFE
LOWERING COSTS Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service agronomy team members take deep soil samples in stubble before starting the new planting season. AgriLife Extension researchers recently published a study suggesting that deep soil testing may be able to help farmers reduce fertilizer costs. | JOURDAN BELL/TEXAS A&M AGRILIFE

What if you could save more than $26,000 on fertilizer costs on 1,000 acres of irrigated farmland? A new study on deep soil testing published by a team of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension economists and agronomists suggests those savings are possible.

“Our results show that taking advantage of even relatively low levels of residual nitrogen can make a big difference to the bottom line,” said DeDe J…