TMD July 16

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=90 BGCOLOR="#006699" TEXT="#080000" background="194fd5a3.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>Davis Feed & Fertilizer Incorporated     </B></FONT><B>    </B><B> |     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Davis Feed Fertilizer Incorporated "><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id20.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="2002"><U>2002</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id46.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="TMD Jan.1"><U>TMD Jan.1</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id47.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="TMD Jan 7"><U>TMD Jan 7</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id48.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="TMD Jan 15"><U>TMD Jan 15</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id49.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="TMD Jan 22"><U>TMD Jan 22</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id50.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="TMD Jan. 29"><U>TMD Jan. 29</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id66.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="TMD Feb. 5"><U>TMD Feb. 5</U></A>   |   <A 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July 16</I></div> <div> Can you help me read a soil sample?</div> <bR> <div> We regularly see two types of soil samples in our area.  Samples sent off to a local university like Texas A&M or Stephen F. Austin and samples sent off to private labs like A&L plains in Lubbock or the Texas Plant & Soil Lab in Edinburg.  Each one is a little different but once you know what you are looking for, they can make a little more sense.  </div> <div> The samples sent to university labs will usually come back with a pH reading along with nitrate, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, salinity, sodium, and sulfur.  These readings will tell if you are low, medium or high in these categories.  Below the readings you will see a suggested fertilizer rate in lbs/acre along with the number of cuttings to apply it and then a description of how to apply it.  The main thing to remember here is that fertilizer rates on this paper are "pounds of actual nutrients" per acre and the fertilizer bought at the stores are sold by percent of nutrients.  Now say that your sample calls for a 100-70-210 and below it says if the potassium is over 150 pounds, apply ½ in the spring and the rest with the second application of nitrogen.  Then apply an additional 100 pounds of nitrogen after each cutting.  If you go by this I would apply a 25-14-21 at 400 lbs/acre the first time.  Then go with a 25-00-21 or a 25-00-20 the second time at 400 lbs/acre.  Each time after that apply a 34-00-00 at 300 lbs/acre or 21-00-00 at 500 lbs/acre.</div> <div> Soils samples sent to A&L labs through Davis Feed will come back with readings showing organic matter, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, calcium, sodium, sulfur, zinc, manganese, iron, copper, boron and pH.  Along with the report will be a recommendation of what types of fertilizer to use.  For example, "Apply 400 lbs/acre of 18-4-18/5S/1mg/.05Zn/.05cu, Apply 400 lbs/acre for each additional cutting or 250 lbs/acre if you decide to graze.  These are a little easier to read and the thing a like about it is that you are putting out the three major nutrients for each cutting.  You are basically putting back into the soil what you are taking out and that will keep your grass around for a long time to come.</div> <div> Remember when you look at your sample to first see your pH to see if you need lime.  Then take a look at the nutrients in your soil and view the recommendation to see what kind of fertilizer you will need.  If you would like a little assistance, just bring it by the store and we can sit down and work it out.</div> <div> My quote of the week comes from Grace Murray Hopper.  It reads, "A ship in port is safe but that's not what ships are built for." </div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>