Midwest Laboratories Soil Health Assessment
The soil health assessment is done on a 0-6 inch sample.
The soil health assessment is comprised of three components. The first piece of the soil health
assessment is an in-depth soil analysis that will address the chemical aspects of the soil. This test
package will include available phosphorus, exchangeable potassium, magnesium, calcium, and
hydrogen, soil pH, cation exchange capacity, percent base saturation, organic matter, soluble salts,
nitrate, and micronutrients. This part of the report will also include recommendations for application
rates based on the chemical analysis of the soil, intended crop to be grown, and the target yield.
The second component of the soil health assessment is the Solvita 1-day CO2C test. The Solvita soil
respiration test measures the carbon dioxide being released by the soil microbes over a 24 hr period.
This test is one of the most important numbers in the soil health assessment and is a measure of the
microbial activity in the soil and is highly related to the fertility of your soil. In most cases, the higher
the number, the more fertile the soil. Microbes exist in soil in great abundance. They are highly
adaptable to their environment. Their composition, adaptability, and structure are a result of the
environment they inhabit. They have adapted to the temperature, moisture levels, soil structure, crop
and management inputs, as well as soil nutrient content in which they find themselves. In short, they
are a product of their environment. They are highly adaptive and a dependable indicator of soil health.
Since they are motivated by their need to reproduce and are driven by this need for acquiring carbon,
nitrogen and phosphate in a ratio of 100:10:1 (C: N: P), it is clear that carbon is the driver of the soil
nutrient-microbial recycling system. This consistent need sets the stage for a standardized measurement
of their activity which is practically universal. Since soil microbes take in oxygen and release CO2, we
can couple this mechanism to their activity. It follows that soil microbial activity is a response to the
level of soil quality/fertility they find themselves in.
The third component of the soil health assessment is commonly called the Haney test. This set of tests
were developed by Rick Haney. The testing methods use green chemistry, in that water is used as a
natural extractant. A H3A extract was developed by Haney that mimics organic acids produced by
living plant roots. From this data a soil health calculation is generated. This number is calculated as
1-day CO2C divided by the organic C:N ratio plus water extractable organic carbon/100 + water
extractable organic nitrogen/10 to include a weighted contribution of water extractable organic carbon
and organic nitrogen. It represents the overall health of your soil system. It combines 5 independent
measurements of your soil’s biological properties. The calculation looks at the balance of soil carbon
and nitrogen and their relationship to microbial activity. A soil health calculation number can vary from
0 to over 50. We like to see this number increase over time. This number is about where your soil is
now and what it needs to reach its highest sustainable state. Keeping track of this number will allow
you to gauge the effects of your management practices over the years.
Based on these three components we are able to determine additional nitrogen that is available in your
soil that may be credited towards your fertility program.
Attached is an example of the report. The soil is from a field that has never been tilled in native prairie grass.
189
REPORT NUMBER
14-351-0652
COMPLETED DATE
ACCOUNT
2159
Dec 19, 2014
RECEIVED DATE
Dec 17, 2014
Midwest
Laboratories Inc.®
PAGE 1/1
TODAY'S DATE
Dec 24, 2014
13611 “B” Street x Omaha, Nebraska 68144-3693 x (402) 334-7770 x FAX (402 334-9121
3rd COPY TO
www.midwestlabs.com
13500 MASTER IN-HOUSE ACCOUNT
IDENTIFICATION
STUKENHOLTZ
MIDWEST LABS
13611 B St
NE
FIRST FORM
ANALYTICAL LABORATORY FINDINGS
SAMPLE IDENTIFICATION
LABORATORY NUMBER
ANALYTE
UNITS
ORGANIC MATTER
%
EST N RELEASE
lbs/A
NITRATE-N
ppm
APPLICATION GUIDELINES
INTENDED CROP
YIELD GOAL
PREVIOUS CROP
GUILLIAT 1
27690744
RESULTS
LOW
MEDIUM OPTIMUM
V. HIGH
FERTILITY ELEMENT
SOYBEANS - bu
CORN - bu
50.0
175.0
CORN - bu
SOYBEANS - bu
SUGGESTED FERTILITY GUIDELINES (lbs/Acre)
CROP REMOVAL
MIDWEST SUGGESTS
CROP REMOVAL
MIDWEST SUGGESTS
3.5
NITROGEN (N)
14
CARRYOVER N
21
38
PHOSPHATE (P2O5)
61
70
45
50
POTASH (K2O)
MAGNESIUM (Mg)
SULFUR (S)
ZINC (Zn)
MANGANESE (Mn)
IRON (Fe)
COPPER (Cu)
BORON (B)
43
17.5
12.3
0.5
--9
3.7
2.1
--1.2
70
11.2
9.0
0.2
--8
2.7
1.8
--0.7
175
206
145
CROP REMOVAL
MIDWEST SUGGESTS
--
(25) lbs
(25) lbs
SUB-SOIL NO3-N 1 ppm
SUB-SOIL NO3-N 2 ppm
P1 PHOSPHORUS
ppm
P2 PHOSPHORUS
ppm
BICARB-P
ppm
POTASSIUM
ppm
MAGNESIUM
ppm
SULFUR
ppm
ZINC
ppm
MANGANESE
ppm
IRON
ppm
COPPER
ppm
BORON
ppm
CALCIUM
ppm
SODIUM
ppm
SOLUBLE SALTS
271
471
16
1.1
8
47
1.2
0.5
2953
24
0.3
L
6.2
6.7
22.2
PERCENT BASE SATURATION
mmhos/
cm
EXCESS LIME RATE
pH
BUFFER INDEX
C.E.C.
Y
O
U
R
S
O
I
L
meq/
100g
K
Mg
Ca
H
Na
3.1
17.7
66.5
12.2
0.5
%
%
%
%
%
O
P
T
I
M
U
M
AMENDMENT
LIME POUNDS CaCO3
LIME TON
SUGGESTED AMENDMENT GUIDELINES
MIDWEST SUGGESTS
MIDWEST SUGGESTS
90%
ECCE
2700
2700
1.5
1.5
ELEMENTAL SULFUR
GYPSUM TONS
COMMENTS
K
Mg
Ca
H
Na
2 - 5%
12 - 18%
65 - 75%
0-12%
< 1.5%
Surface Nitrate Depth: 0-6
The above analytical results apply only to the sample(s) submitted.
Samples are retained a maximum of 30 days.
Our reports and letters are for the exclusive and confidential use of our clients and may not be reproduced in whole or in part, nor may any reference be made
to the work, the results, or the company in any advertising, news release, or other public announcements without obtaining our prior written authorization.
MIDWEST SUGGESTS
REPORT NUMBER
14-351-0652
PAGE 1/1
COMPLETED DATE
ACCOUNT
Dec 19, 2014
2159
TODAY'S DATE
Dec 24, 2014
®
RECEIVED DATE
Dec 17, 2014
13611 “B” Street • Omaha, Nebraska 68144-3693 • (402) 334-7770 • FAX (402) 334-9121
www.midwestlabs.com
IDENTIFICATION
STUKENHOLTZ
MIDWEST LABS
13611 B St
NE
3rd COPY TO
13500
Soil B.R.A.N. Test
Biological Quality Result*
Value:
4.37
Biological Respiration And Nitrification
2
1
MASTER IN-HOUSE ACCOUNT
Labnum:
Sample ID:
Organic Matter:
3
4
27690744
GUILLIAT 1
3.5%
5
0-1: Very Low Soil
Microbial Activity
1-2.5: Low Soil
Microbial Activity
2.5-3.5: Medium Soil
Microbial Activity
3.5-4: Ideal Soil
Microbial Activity
> 4: Unusually High
Soil Microbial Activity
Associated with dry sandy
soils and little to no organic
matter.
Soil is marginal in terms of biological
activity and organic matter.
Soil is in moderately balanced
condition.
Soil is well supplied with
organic matter and has
an active population of
microorganisms.
Soil has very high level of microbial activity.
May have excessive organic matter
CO2-C Result*
Value: 94.13 ppm
10
0-5: Little
Biological
Activity: Soil is
30
20
40
50
60
70
80
90
6-30: Moderate to Low:
31-60: Moderate Level:
61-100: Moderate to High: Ideal balance of biological
Low in organic matter and
microbial activity
Soil is approaching ideal levels,
applications of active organic matter
still recommended
activity and adequate organic matter level
depleted of organic
matter Biomass < 100 ppm
100
> 100: High
N Potential
Soil: Soil is well
supplied with
organic matter
Approximate Quantity of Nitrogen (N) Release per Year (average climate)*
Value:
75.3 lbs/A
10
20
*Methods: Microbial Activity- Solvita Soil Biomass
30
Organic Matter- Loss on Ignition
40
N Release-Calculation based on CO2-C Result
The above analytical results apply only to the sample(s) submitted. Samples are retained a maximum of 30 days.
Our reports and letters are for the exclusive and confidential use of our clients and may not be reproduced in whole or in part, nor may any reference be made
to the work, the results, or the company in any advertising, news release, or other public announcements without obtaining our prior written authorization.
50
REPORT NUMBER
14-351-0652
PAGE 1/1
COMPLETED DATE
ACCOUNT
Dec 19, 2014
2159
TODAY'S DATE
Dec 24, 2014
®
RECEIVED DATE
Dec 17, 2014
13611 “B” Street • Omaha, Nebraska 68144-3693 • (402) 334-7770 • FAX (402) 334-9121
www.midwestlabs.com
IDENTIFICATION
STUKENHOLTZ
MIDWEST LABS
13611 B St
NE
3rd COPY TO
13500
MASTER IN-HOUSE ACCOUNT
SOIL HEALTH ASSESSMENT
SAMPLE IDENTIFICATION
LABORATORY NUMBER
ANALYTE
H3A EXTRACTION
NITRATE-N
AMMONIACAL-N
ORTHOPHOSPHATE-P
PHOSPHORUS
POTASSIUM
MAGNESSIUM
CALCIUM
SODIUM
IRON
ALUMINUM
SOIL HEALTH CALCULATION
ANALYTICAL LABORATORY FINDINGS
GUILLIAT 1
27690744
UNITS
RESULTS
ppm
ppm
ppm
ppm
ppm
ppm
ppm
ppm
ppm
ppm
8.0
2.3
9.4
14
47
63
174
14
59
114
ppm
ppm
13
3.2
1.6
195.0
14.0
LOW
MEDIUM
OPTIMUM
8.2
VERY HIGH
WATER SOLUBLE
NITRATE-N
AMMONIACAL-N
ORTHOPHOSPHATE-P
CARBON
TKN
ppm
ppm
ppm
1 DAY CO2C BURST
ORGANIC CARBON
ORGANIC NITROGEN
ORGANIC C/N RATIO
94.13
ppm
ppm
195.0
10.8
18.1
ADDITIONAL NITROGEN CREDIT IDENTIFIED VIA HANEY TEST: 19 lbs/A
NITROGEN RECOMMENDATIONS MAY INCLUDE ADDITIONAL NITROGEN CREDITS BASED ON
PREVIOUS CROPS AND NITROGEN MINERALIZATION RATES.
The above analytical results apply only to the sample(s) submitted. Samples are retained a maximum of 30 days.
0
50
The H3A Soil Extractant was developed by Haney*. This extract is designed to mimic
organic acids produced by living plant root systems. These organic acids
increase nutrient availability in the root zone.
The Water Soluble Extract provides a snapshot of nutrients that are immediately
available to the plants.
The CO2 Burst test is very good indicator of soil health. This test measures the
amount of CO2 naturally released from the soil due to the activity of the soil microbes
through microbial respiration. This test is very dependant on the amount of carbon
that is available to the soil microbes and the form that the carbon is in. As the
available carbon increases in your soil the Microbial respiration will increase.
Organic Carbon is the available total water extractable organic carbon from your soil.
This pool of carbon is roughly 80 times smaller than the Soil Organic Matter. The
organic carbon pool reflects the energy/food source that is driving the soil microbes.
The Organic Nitrogen pool is replenished by fresh plant residues, manure, composts,
and dying soil microbes.
The Organic C/N ratio is a critical component of the nutrient cycle. A soil C/N ratio
above 20 generally indicates that Nitrogen will be tied up and not available to
plants. The ideal range for the Organic C/N ratio will be from 8:1 to 15:1.
The Soil Health Calculation uses the CO2 Burst, Organic Carbon, Organic Nitrogen, and
the C/N ratio to generate the soil health number. This calculation looks at the balance
of soil carbon and nitrogen and their relationship to microbial activity. This number
represents the overall health of your system. Soil values will range from
0 to 50. A soil with a value below 7 would be considered low. You want to see this
number increase as you make changes and adjustments. Keeping track of this
number will allow you to gauge the effects of your management practices over time.
*Modifications to the New Soil Extractant H3A-1: A Multinutrient Extractant
R.L. Haney (a); E.B. Haney (b); L.R. Hossner (c); J.G. Arnold (a)
Our reports and letters are for the exclusive and confidential use of our clients and may not be reproduced in whole or in part, nor may any reference be made
to the work, the results, or the company in any advertising, news release, or other public announcements without obtaining our prior written authorization.