Soil Health Cost-Share

Winnebago-Boone

Contact your local soil advisory/soil lab to learn more about the Haney Test.

Key Benefits of Soil Health Testing:

Optimizes input use (fertilizers, water) and reduces unnecessary expenses.
Improves yields by ensuring nutrients are available and accessible.
Supports long-term productivity through better soil structure and microbial activity.

Key Soil Health Indicators and ROI:

24-Hour CO₂ Respiration – Gauges microbial activity necessary for nutrient cycling, organic matter formation, disease suppression, and crop growth. Increased nutrient cycling will lower fertilizer costs. Healthier soil structure and microbial activity will enhance crop yields.

Water-Extractable Organic Carbon/Nitrogen (WEOC/WEN) – Indicates microbe food availability. Higher organic matter supports fertility and lowers input needs and runoff; improves water retention and reduces irrigation costs.

Aggregate Stability – Reflects soil’s resistance to erosion; higher stability improves water infiltration, root growth, and fertilizer efficiency. Increased stability prevents long-term nutrient loss due to soil erosion and reduces irrigation costs.

Soil Testing Types:

Fertility Testing measures nutrient levels for fertilization planning.
Soil Health Testing evaluates chemical, biological, and physical aspects of soil, offering a complete picture of productivity potential.

The “Soil Nutrient Bank” Concept:

Soil acts like a bank, with nutrients stored (“savings”) and available (“checking”).
Without testing, farmers risk depleting these reserves unknowingly.

Bottom Line:
Soil health testing that looks at the amount of plant available nutrients leads to lower input costs, higher yields, and better risk management. It is not only a sustainable choice but a smart financial investment for long-term farm profitability.

Farm Bureau

Apply here by August 24, 2026

Soil Sampling Protocol for 100 acres:

One sample covers 20 acres
Each sample is an aggregate of 10 probes
Take a total of 5 samples

An investment in soil health testing is a cost-effective and sustainable strategy for modern agriculture. Many farmers overlook the hidden costs of not testing, which can lead to over-fertilization, reduced soil resilience, poor water retention, and lower crop yields.