NRCS CEMA 216 TESTING
Now available through AgSource!
Don’t guess with soil fertility. Set your growing program up for success with a soil test.
Laboratory soil testing is a fundamental aspect in developing and implementing any soil fertility program. A soil test, which can range from a composite sample representing 80 acres, to intensive grid samples representing one acre, provides the clarity needed to accurately maximize yield with the proper amount of inputs.
Reach out to one of our soil experts for more information on our test packages and services.
Responsible Stewardship
Know your soil nutrients to make responsible fertility decisions (right source, right rate, right time, right place)
Cost Savings
Don’t spend money on inputs where you don’t have to! Uncover the true nutrient status of soil with an analysis
Automated Data Processing
API transfer allows clients to view data their way
Certified
AgSource Laboratories follows strict and rigorous testing standards
Soil Testing Options
Soil Analysis Reporting Options
How to Take a Soil Sample
Soil Testing and Analysis Resources
How to Read Soil Test Results
Soil Testing Locations
Explore packages offered by lab location
Soil Testing Packages
Basic: Potassium, Phosphorus, pH, Buffer pH, Organic Matter
Basic Plus: Basic Package + CEC
Basic Select: Basic Plus Package + Zinc, Sulfur
Complete: Basic Select + Copper, Iron, Manganese, Boron
Nitrate (NO3) Only: Nitrate (no fertility). Ammonium (NH4) can be added
Additional Tests
• Bray Phosphorus (Bray P1)
• Bray 2 Phosphorus (Bray P2)
• Olsen Phosphorus (Olsen P)
• Soluble Salts
• Wet K (Moist Soil Extracted K)
• Late Spring/Pre-Sidedress Nitrate
*Additional tests may be available upon request
Soil Testing Packages
Basic: Soil pH, Buffer Index, Soluble Salt, Excess Carbonate, Organic Matter, Sodium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Magnesium, Calcium, CEC, Percent Base Saturation, Fertilizer Recommendations
Routine: Basic Package + Nitrate, Sulfur, Zinc
Diagnostic: Routine Package + Manganese, Copper, Iron, Boron
Additional Tests
• Nitrate
• Traces
• Salinity
• Soluble Nutrients
• PSA
• Late Spring/Pre-Sidedress Nitrate
*Additional tests may be available upon request
Soil Testing Packages
Basic: pH, Buffer pH, Potassium, Phosphorus, Organic Matter
Routine: Basic Package + Calcium, Magnesium, CEC, Percent Base Saturation
Complete: Routine Package + Boron, Zinc, Sulfur, Manganese
Complete Plus: Complete Package + Copper, Iron, Lime and Fertilizer Recommendation
Additional Tests
• Ammonium Acetate
• Mehlich 3 P
• Olsen P
• Bray 2 P (strong bray)
• Chloride
• Molybdenum
• Soil Texture
• Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen
• Ammonium
• % Carbon
• Nematode (Soybean or Corn)
• Bulk Density
• Late Spring/Pre-Sidedress Nitrate
Tri-State Test Packages
Routine: pH, Buffer pH, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Na, OM, CEC, %Base & Recommendations
Complete: Includes Routine plus B, Zn, Mn, Fe, & Cu
Additional Tests
• Lead
• Saturated Pastes
• PSNT Nitrate
• Soluble Salt
*Additional tests may be available upon request
Turnaround time for soil analysis is two working days.
AgSource can provide a variety of reporting options customized to your specific needs, including transfer of data via API.
Popular options include:
Results are available in a variety of formats including Excel, PDF, CSV or XML files online, via email or standard mail as well as API/web service.
A good sample is the key to an accurate analysis. Consistency is the important to obtaining the most accurate soil test results for a soil fertility program. Follow our basic sampling reminders for best results.
AgSource Laboratories Soil Sampling Reminders:
- Most surface samples are taken from a depth of 0 – 6” up to 8” as this is where management of fertilizers and soil amendments occur. For mobile nutrients (nitrate, sulfate and chloride) an additional profile (6-36” up to 38”) should be collected in a separate bag with the sample depth labeled.
- A composite sample allows for a representative analysis. At least 15-20 cores are needed for conventional sampling, and a minimum of 10 cores are necessary for GRID soil sampling.
- Fill soil bag completely. The laboratory needs at least 8-16 oz. of material to perform all analyses.
- Consistency is key – the time of year you test (early fall vs. spring) can affect analytical results. Whatever time of year you decide to sample, it is best to stick to it annually.
- Soil is biologically active! It is important to collect a sample and ship no later than the next day. If storage is required three options are available: dry the soil with low heat (no greater than 120°F), store in a freezer, or refrigerate. This will slow down biological activity, preserving sample integrity periods.
What pH means
Soil pH indicates acidity or alkalinity, with values below 7.0 acidic and above 7.0 basic; most productive soils sit slightly acidic (6.4–6.9), typically in the 5.0–8.5 range overall. You can raise pH with lime or lower it with an acid-forming material
Organic matter (OM)
Organic matter is the stable byproduct of soil decomposition, and its percentage reflects the soil’s ability to supply nutrients, moisture, and structural benefits to plants. Productive soils range from 0.5% to 10% OM depending on texture and climate, with higher levels boosting nutrient- and water-holding capacity.
Macronutrients (N, P, K)
Nitrogen is highly mobile and shows what’s available at sampling time, not later in the season; phosphorus supports early root growth and energy transfer but its availability depends on soil pH, requiring different test methods (Bray, Olsen, Mehlich 3); and potassium, vital for water regulation and disease resistance, can be built up with fertilizer but leaches easily from sandy soils.
Micronutrients
Micronutrients like zinc, manganese, copper, iron, and boron are needed in small amounts but play outsized roles in enzyme activity, chlorophyll production, and carbohydrate metabolism, so shortfalls can quietly limit yield even when the major nutrients are in good shape. Because their availability shifts with soil pH, organic matter, and texture, regular testing helps catch deficiencies before they show up as visible crop stress.
Fertility recommendations
Your report’s fertilizer guidelines translate the lab’s test results into recommended application rates (in pounds per acre or per 1,000 square feet) for up to three crops you choose. These rates are tailored to the yield goals and crop selections you provide on the sample submission form, so the recommendations reflect your specific fields and production targets.
Soil samples are process in the Bonduel, WI, Stratford, WI, Ellsworth, IA, and Lincoln, NE labs. Each lab offers a broad spectrum of agronomic testing including soil, plant tissue, manure and water analysis.
Our agronomy laboratories serve clients across the nation and our Lincoln laboratory has appropriate permitting to receive international samples to serve our clients across the globe.
Frequently Asked Questions About Soil Testing
How often should I test my soil?
For most crop production systems, soil should be tested every two to four years. Fields with intensive production, changing crop rotations, or ongoing nutrient management programs may benefit from more frequent testing. Regular soil testing helps track nutrient levels over time and supports more informed fertilizer decisions.
When is the best time of year to collect a soil sample?
Soil samples can be collected at almost any time of year, provided soil conditions are suitable. Many growers choose to sample after harvest or before planting, so they have enough time to review results and make nutrient management decisions before the next growing season. For the most meaningful comparisons, sample at the same time each year.
Can one soil sample represent an entire field?
Not always. A single composite sample may be appropriate for uniform fields, but fields with varying soil types, slopes, drainage, or management history often require multiple samples or grid sampling to provide a more accurate picture of soil fertility.
What nutrients are typically included in a soil test?
A standard soil analysis typically measures soil pH, buffer pH, phosphorus, potassium, organic matter, and other essential nutrients. Depending on the testing package, analyses may also include secondary nutrients, micronutrients, soluble salts, cation exchange capacity (CEC), and additional soil health indicators.
What happens after AGSource receives my soil sample?
Once your sample arrives at the laboratory, it is logged, prepared, and analyzed using industry approved testing methods. Your results are then compiled into a report that includes nutrient measurements and, where applicable, fertility recommendations to help guide crop management decisions.
Why should I use a certified soil testing laboratory?
Certified laboratories follow established quality assurance procedures to produce accurate, consistent, and reliable results. Working with a certified laboratory helps ensure your soil fertility decisions are based on dependable data that can be compared over time.
Can soil testing help reduce fertilizer costs?
Yes. Soil testing identifies existing nutrient levels, so fertilizer applications can be matched to actual crop needs. This can help avoid unnecessary applications, improve nutrient use efficiency, and support responsible nutrient management without compromising productivity.
How do soil testing and plant tissue testing work together?
Soil testing measures the nutrients available in the soil before or during the growing season, while plant tissue testing evaluates the nutrients the crop is actually taking up. Using both tests together provides a more complete understanding of crop nutrition and can help identify nutrient deficiencies or imbalances that may not be evident from soil testing alone.
Soil Testing Companion Analysis
Plant Tissue Testing
Looking to fine-tune your fertilizer program throughout the growing season? We recommend using our summary plant tissue report which allows you to track and view past sample results of your crop
