The wording in the source

Timing

• unless the soil has been tested within the previous 3 years in accordance with Schedule 3.

  s. 25(1)

Method

• Soil testing and sampling must be conducted according to the most recent edition of the Manual on Soil Sampling and Methods of Analysis, published by the Canadian Society of Soil Science.

  Schedule 3, Soil Testing

Depth

• (a) extractable nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N) from a soil depth of 0 – 60 cm; (b) soil salinity based on Electrical Conductivity (E.C.) from a soil depth of 0 – 15 cm; (c) soil texture; one-time analysis from a soil depth of 0 – 15 cm and 15 – 30 cm.

  Schedule 3, Soil Analysis (a) to (c)

Who it applies to

• Subject to subsection (2), a person must not apply manure, organic materials or compost to soil unless the soil has been tested within the previous 3 years in accordance with Schedule 3.

  s. 25(1)

Outside the rule

• Subsection (1) does not apply to a person who applies less than a total of 500 tonnes of manure, organic materials or compost annually.

  s. 25(2)

• Despite sections 24 and 25, an approval officer or an inspector may permit a person to apply manure, organic materials or compost to land in accordance with a nutrient management plan proposed by the person if the approval officer or inspector approves of the nutrient management plan on the basis that implementing the nutrient management plan will provide equal or greater protection to the water and soil than would be achieved by complying with sections 24 and 25.

  s. 26

Laboratory and analysis

• Standard laboratory procedures must be used for the soil analysis and this information should be reflected and referenced in the records kept and soil testing must include the following:

  Schedule 3, Soil Analysis

• (a) extractable nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N) from a soil depth of 0 – 60 cm; (b) soil salinity based on Electrical Conductivity (E.C.) from a soil depth of 0 – 15 cm; (c) soil texture; one-time analysis from a soil depth of 0 – 15 cm and 15 – 30 cm.

  Schedule 3, Soil Analysis (a) to (c)

Field identifiers

• Where a total of 500 tonnes or more of manure, organic materials or compost is applied to land in a year, the person who has control of that land must keep the following records: (a) the legal land description of the land to which the manure, organic materials or compost are applied;

  s. 28(5)(a)

• (f) the soil test results, by area the manure, organic materials, or compost is to be applied to, for the nutrients specified in Schedule 3.

  s. 28(5)(f)

• A person who is required to keep a record under subsections (2) to (5) must keep it for 5 years.

  s. 28(7)

The wording in the source

Timing

• Ideally, all fields should be sampled and tested annually, but this may not always be practical.

  Sampling Frequency

• If spring sampling is not possible, sample in the previous fall after soil temperatures drop below 5 to 7°C.

  Fall Sampling

• For spring-sown annual crops collect samples early in spring as soon as the soil has thawed or in the fall once soil temperatures have dropped below 5 to 7 °C

  Timing of Sampling

• In fields with established perennials, sample annually in the spring before active growth begins.

  Timing of Sampling

• Fields could also be sampled every other year, with estimates used in years between samplings to make fertility decisions.

  Sampling Frequency

Area per sample

• This strategy is most appropriate for fields less than 30 ha (80 ac), that have been uniformly cropped in the recent past and have little natural variation.

  Random Composite Sampling

Method

• Random composite sampling involves taking samples in a random pattern across a field, while avoiding unusual or problem soil areas

  Random Composite Sampling

• Sub-divide the field into management zones based on unique characteristics.

  Directed Random Sampling

• For grid sampling, a field is divided into small areas or blocks.

  Grid Sampling

Depth

• Each core will be segmented into lengths that represent depths of 0 to 15 cm, 15 to 30 cm and 30 to 60 cm.

  General Soil Sampling Guidelines

• Therefore, N and S fertility recommendations should be based on extractable … contents in a 0 to 60 cm deep soil sample.

  Sampling for Nitrate and Sulphate

• Phosphorus and K recommendations are based on the amounts of crop available P and K contained in the 0 to 15 cm depth sample.

  Sampling for Phosphorus and Potassium

Cores

• Take 15 to 20 cores for each representative bulk sample.

  General Soil Sampling Guidelines

The wording in the source

Timing

• a phosphorus test must be conducted at least once every 3 years.

  s. 53(1)(c)

Method

• A phosphorus test must (a) measure the amount of available phosphorus in soil, and (b) be conducted using a representative sample.

  s. 55(1)

Who it applies to

• Subject to subsection (2), a person who applies nutrient sources to land must have the soil in each field tested as follows:

  s. 53(1)

• This Division applies to a person who applies nutrient sources for the purposes of an agricultural operation.

  s. 48

• "nutrient source" means any of the following things that are a source of nitrogen or phosphorus: (a) commercial fertilizers and soil conditioners; (b) agricultural by-products; (c) mixtures produced using agricultural composting processes;

  s. 1, definition of nutrient source

• on an agricultural land base that is not zoned for residential purposes, and

  s. 2(2)(a)

• "agricultural by-product" (a) includes, subject to paragraph (b), … (ii) manure,

  s. 1, definition of agricultural by-product

Outside the rule

• Subsection (1) does not apply if the land to which nutrient sources are being applied (a) is part of an agricultural operation having an agricultural land base totalling less than 2 ha, (b) is used to grow crops that are intentionally flooded for harvest, or (c) is composed of organic soils commonly referred to as peat or muck soils.

  s. 53(2)

Laboratory and analysis

• If phosphorus test results are obtained using a method other than that commonly referred to as the "Kelowna method", the results must be converted to a value that is equivalent to the results that would have been obtained if the Kelowna method had been used.

  s. 55(2)

Field identifiers

• A person who applies nutrient sources to land, other than land that is part of an agricultural operation having an agricultural land base totalling less than 2 ha, must make and keep records of all of the following in respect of each field to which the nutrient sources are applied: (a) the location and size of the field;

  s. 51(2)(a)

• (h) the results of testing conducted under section 53

  s. 51(2)(h)

The wording in the source

Timing

• if the result of a nitrate test for the field is 100 kg N/ha or more, a nitrate test must be conducted again for that field the following year;

  s. 53(1)(a)

• if paragraph (a) does not apply, a nitrate test must be conducted at least once every 3 years;

  s. 53(1)(b)

• after the last harvest of the growing season but before the autumn rains typically begin;

  s. 54(a)(ii)

Method

• a post-harvest nitrate test that measures the amount of nitrate-nitrogen left in soil and not used by the most recently harvested crop must be conducted (i) using a representative sample, and

  s. 54(a)(i)

• a test equivalent to a post-harvest nitrate test that will produce results representative of the amount of nitrate-nitrogen left in soil and not used by the most recently harvested crop.

  s. 54(b)

Who it applies to

• Subject to subsection (2), a person who applies nutrient sources to land must have the soil in each field tested as follows:

  s. 53(1)

• This Division applies to a person who applies nutrient sources for the purposes of an agricultural operation.

  s. 48

• "nutrient source" means any of the following things that are a source of nitrogen or phosphorus: (a) commercial fertilizers and soil conditioners; (b) agricultural by-products; (c) mixtures produced using agricultural composting processes;

  s. 1, definition of nutrient source

• on an agricultural land base that is not zoned for residential purposes, and

  s. 2(2)(a)

• "agricultural by-product" (a) includes, subject to paragraph (b), … (ii) manure,

  s. 1, definition of agricultural by-product

Outside the rule

• Subsection (1) does not apply if the land to which nutrient sources are being applied (a) is part of an agricultural operation having an agricultural land base totalling less than 2 ha, (b) is used to grow crops that are intentionally flooded for harvest, or (c) is composed of organic soils commonly referred to as peat or muck soils.

  s. 53(2)

Laboratory and analysis

• a post-harvest nitrate test that measures the amount of nitrate-nitrogen left in soil and not used by the most recently harvested crop

  s. 54(a)

Field identifiers

• A person who applies nutrient sources to land, other than land that is part of an agricultural operation having an agricultural land base totalling less than 2 ha, must make and keep records of all of the following in respect of each field to which the nutrient sources are applied: (a) the location and size of the field;

  s. 51(2)(a)

• (h) the results of testing conducted under section 53

  s. 51(2)(h)

The wording in the source

Timing

• A basic soil fertility test should be completed every one to three years before planting or before the growing season begins in spring.

  Sample timing and depth, Basic soil fertility test

• In regions of B.C. where soil conditions prevent timely sampling and analysis of soil before planting, then sampling and analysis may be completed in the fall.

  Sample timing and depth

Area per sample

• Sampling zones for the basic soil fertility test should be limited to a 10-hectare (25-acre) size.

  Soil sampling methods and tools, sampling zones

Method

• Fields and production areas should be divided or grouped into sampling zones that have the same soils, cropping systems, and management. Each sampling zone should be sampled independently to create a composite soil sample that will be representative of the entire sampling zone.

  Soil sampling methods and tools

Depth

• Soil samples should be taken from the surface to 15-cm depth for basic soil fertility testing.

  Sample timing and depth

• Basic soil fertility test measures the pH and concentrations of phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and other plant nutrients in the upper 15 cm (6 in) of the soil.

  Soil sampling guidelines

Cores

• If nitrogen (N) is broadcast applied, take 15-20 soil samples at random locations throughout the field. If N is banded and the band location is known, take 15-20 samples at random locations throughout the field while avoiding the band. If the band location is unknown, take 30-40 samples at random locations throughout the field.

  Soil sampling methods and tools, General

Field identifiers

• Assign a unique identifier to each sampling zone, such as a name or number, to keep track of each year’s sampling areas.

  Soil sampling methods and tools

The wording in the source

Timing

• Coarser soils (sand, loamy sand, and sandy loam) should be sampled before 75 mm of cumulative precipitation, while finer soils (loams, clay loam, and clay) should be sampled before 125 mm of cumulative precipitation. September 1 is the starting point for calculating cumulative fall precipitation.

  Sample timing and depth, PHNT

• Complete a post-harvest nitrate test after harvest but before autumn rain leaches nitrate out of the upper portion of the soil sampling zone.

  Post-harvest nitrate testing

Method

• Sampling zones measuring nitrate are not limited to a size when no other differences in soils, cropping system, or management exist.

  Soil sampling methods and tools, sampling zones

• Each sampling zone should be sampled independently to create a composite soil sample that will be representative of the entire sampling zone.

  Soil sampling methods and tools

Depth

• Producers should complete a PHNT to a 30-cm depth after harvest but before fall precipitation leaches nitrate out of the soil sampling zone.

  Sample timing and depth, PHNT

• If soils are not sampled before the dates noted in the tables above, samples should be taken to a 60-cm (24-in) depth to capture post-harvest nitrate, which has moved lower into the soil profile.

  Sample timing and depth, What if sampling is not completed in time?

Cores

• If nitrogen (N) is broadcast applied, take 15-20 soil samples at random locations throughout the field. If N is banded and the band location is known, take 15-20 samples at random locations throughout the field while avoiding the band. If the band location is unknown, take 30-40 samples at random locations throughout the field.

  Soil sampling methods and tools, General

The wording in the source

Method

• For the purpose of subsection (1.4), soil sampling is to be conducted in accordance with guidelines published or approved by the Department of Agriculture and residual nitrate limits are to be determined in accordance with those guidelines.

  s. 12(1.4.1)

Depth

• the soil nutrient analysis reports submitted with the manure management plan are based on soil samples taken to a depth of less than 0.6 m (2 feet)

  s. 13(5)(d), grounds to refuse registration

• Where soil test phosphorus levels within the top 0.15 m (6 inches) of soil, as determined using the Olsen procedure at any place in the application area, are

  s. 12.1(2)

Who it applies to

• No person shall store, handle or dispose of livestock manure, or apply livestock manure to land, except in accordance with a manure management plan registered with the director in accordance with subsection (4).

  s. 13(1)

• Before applying livestock manure to land as part of the fertilization program for a growing season, an operator shall submit a manure management plan for the growing season to the director for registration.

  s. 13(4)

• The director may register a manure management plan submitted under subsection (4), or may refuse to register the plan if

  s. 13(5)

Outside the rule

• Subsection (1) does not apply to the operator of or a person employed in an agricultural operation that has fewer than 300 animal units, unless

  s. 13(3.1)

• the operation is expanded after the day this subsection comes into force and the expansion results in the number of animal units in the expanded operation being 300 or more

  s. 13(3.1)(a)

• notifies the operator in writing that subsection (1) applies to the agricultural operation for the period specified in the notice.

  s. 13(3.1)(b)(ii)

Laboratory and analysis

• the soil nutrient analysis reports submitted with the manure management plan are not based on analytical procedures acceptable to the director.

  s. 13(5)(e)

• "Olsen procedure" means the sodium bicarbonate extractant method of determining soil test phosphorus

  s. 1, definitions

• "soil test phosphorus level" means the concentration of phosphorus within the top 0.15 m (6 in.) of soil as determined using the sodium bicarbonate extractant soil test procedure

  M.R. 62/2008, s. 8(1)

The wording in the source

Timing

• An effective on-farm soil testing program is one in which every field is properly sampled and tested every year.

  Fertilizer Recommendation Guidelines, opening

• Samples should be taken prior to seeding in spring, or in the preceding fall after soil temperatures drop.

  Soil sampling and sample processing

Method

• 15-20 cores are randomly taken throughout a field, thoroughly mixed, subsampled and sent to the lab as a single sample.

  Sampling Patterns, Traditional Composite Random Sampling

• The field is divided into small areas or blocks.

  Sampling Patterns, Grid Soil Sampling

• This technique (Figure 7) is used when major areas within fields have distinctly different soil properties, such as texture or landscape features.

  Sampling Patterns, Landscape Directed or Zone Soil Sampling

Depth

• Samples should be taken to the full 24" depth to get a proper and complete measure of the amounts of nutrients (particularly nitrogen and sulphur) available.

  Soil sampling and sample processing

• "Olsen" (sodium bicarbonate) technique measures extractable P in the top 6" depth

  Proper soil analysis techniques, Phosphorus

• The "Ammonium Acetate Exchange" technique measures exchangeable K in the top 6" depth.

  Proper soil analysis techniques, Potassium

• Diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) extractable in the top 6" depth.

  Proper soil analysis techniques, Copper, Zinc, Iron, Manganese

Cores

• 15-20 cores are randomly taken throughout a field, thoroughly mixed, subsampled and sent to the lab as a single sample.

  Traditional Composite Random Sampling

Laboratory and analysis

• Water soluble nitrate-nitrogen measured to the 24" depth.

  Proper soil analysis techniques, Nitrogen

• The "Ammonium Acetate Exchange" technique measures exchangeable K in the top 6" depth.

  Proper soil analysis techniques, Potassium

• Water soluble sulphate-sulphur measured to the 24" depth.

  Proper soil analysis techniques, Sulphur

The wording in the source

Timing

• As a rule, test soils every year for a field that is on crop rotation, or every 2 years when growing the same crop.

  Soil Sampling Guide, page 1

• Soil sampling can be done at any time, but remember the following:

  When to Sample

• Fall sampling assures you that your results are returned in time for your next planting and allows for appropriate planning

  When to Sample

• Early fall sampling allows you to receive results for fall liming

  When to Sample

Area per sample

• Walk a “W” pattern and take ten (10) individual samples from each field 5 hectares or less (submit one sample per 5 hectares).

  Taking Samples, page 2

Method

• Walk a “W” pattern and take ten (10) individual samples from each field 5 hectares or less (submit one sample per 5 hectares).

  Taking Samples, page 2

• Samples should be taken from each field that appears uniform.

  Taking Samples, page 2

Depth

• Take a slice down one side of the hole to a depth of 20 cm. Six (6) cm is suitable for sod crops.

  Taking Samples, shovel directions

Cores

• Take 10 such samples and mix them thoroughly to make a representative, or composite, field sample.

  Taking Samples, page 2

Field identifiers

• ensure a number is assigned to each field. Use the same field numbers as used in previous soil test submissions.

  Taking Samples, page 1

The wording in the source

Timing

• Soil tests should be completed every 2-3 years for most crops.

  When should a soil sample be taken?

• Soil samples can be taken at anytime of the year. Many producers prefer to take samples in the fall directly after the crop is harvested

  When should a soil sample be taken?

• it is best to sample at the same time each year.

  When should a soil sample be taken?

Method

• Collect one composite sample per field or block.

  Before soil sampling, step 2

• Field Crop – The samples should be randomly taken in a zig-zag pattern throughout the field to ensure uniform distribution (Figure 2).

  Soil sampling, step 1

• For a more detailed nutrient profile of your field, grid sampling (splitting a field into multiple plots and sampling each plot separately) can be used.

  Special considerations

Depth

• In a ploughed field, a soil sample should be taken at a 15cm depth, whereas in a pasture, a soil sample should be taken at an 8cm depth because the soil is not being mixed.

  Soil depth note

• however, other sampling depths may be used depending on the crop or your sampling goals.

  Soil sampling, step 1

Cores

• Take at least 15-20 soil samples per field using a shovel, a probe, or an auger.

  Soil sampling, step 1

Laboratory and analysis

• For fertility purposes, each sample should be, at a minimum, analyzed for pH, micronutrients, macronutrients, base saturation, cation exchange capacity, and organic matter levels in the soil (coded as an S1 soil sample).

  What sample analysis should you request

Field identifiers

• Map out the fields from which you will take a soil sample and keep this map as a record (Figure 1). Give each field or block a unique ID which can be carried forward.

  Before soil sampling, step 2

The wording in the source

Timing

• must collect a representative soil sample from each field (or section of field) as part of developing the nutrient management plan, and then at least once during each five-year period for subsequent NMP.

  Sampling and Analysis Protocol, 1.3.1.1 Soils receiving nutrients

• a nutrient management plan ceases to be in force for an agricultural operation carried out on a farm unit on the fifth anniversary of,

  O. Reg. 267/03, s. 26 (1)

• The soil must have been sampled and tested for sodium bicarbonate extractable phosphorus content and pH within the five years immediately prior to applying the nutrients to land.

  Sampling and Analysis Protocol, 1.3.1.1

Area per sample

• Normally, the largest area that can be represented by a single sample is ten hectares (25 acres).

  Sampling and Analysis Protocol, 2.1.4 Maximum field size

• A single representative composite sample for fields larger than 10 hectares, up to a maximum of 20 hectares (50 acres), may be permitted where there is evidence to show that the nutrient content of the field is uniform (within 15% of the mean value), and that the management of the field is uniform.

  Sampling and Analysis Protocol, 2.1.4

Method

• The pattern of sub-sample collection must provide a representative sample of the entire area.

  Sampling and Analysis Protocol, 2.1.1

• The best way to ensure a representative sample of the field is to traverse the field in a zig-zag pattern, collecting grab or sub-samples (e.g., cores) randomly from the entire field area. Take separate samples for analysis from any parts of the field that differ markedly in appearance of the soil or the crop.

  Sampling and Analysis Protocol, 2.1.5 Sample collection

Depth

• The sub-samples must include the depth of soil that would normally be tilled. For most nutrients and other regulated parameters this depth is approximately 15 centimeters (6 inches). This depth is appropriate even where no tillage is used

  Sampling and Analysis Protocol, 2.1.1

• The exception to this are the soil nitrate samples, which are collected at a depth of 30 cm (12 inches)

  Sampling and Analysis Protocol, 2.1.1

Cores

• In small fields (less than 5 hectares, 12.5 acres) collect a minimum of twenty sub-samples (about 50 – 75 cm3 each), and mix them together thoroughly to produce the composite sample that is to be submitted for analysis. In larger fields (more than 5 hectares, 12.5 acres), at least two additional cores must be taken for each additional hectare (2.5 acres).

  Sampling and Analysis Protocol, 2.1.2 Number of sub-samples

Who it applies to

• Each person who is required to have a nutrient management plan for an agricultural operation, in the course of which manure or anaerobic digestion output that falls within the definition of agricultural source material is applied to land, that is not the first such plan for the operation, shall, as part of preparing the plan, collect at least one sample from the soil of the land or, if the plan deals with land in parts under subsection 24 (3), from each part of the land

  O. Reg. 267/03, s. 91 (2)

• must comply with this Regulation, the Nutrient Management Protocol and the Sampling and Analysis Protocol

  O. Reg. 267/03, s. 24 (1) (b)

Outside the rule

• that is the first such plan for the operation, shall, as part of preparing the plan,

  O. Reg. 267/03, s. 91 (1)

• for the purpose of subsection 92 (1), use the following concentrations to calculate the maximum application rate to land: (i) 101 milligrams per litre of plant available phosphorus in the soil of the land. (ii) 251 milligrams per litre of plant available potassium in the soil of the land.

  O. Reg. 267/03, s. 91 (1) (b)

Laboratory and analysis

• The analysis mentioned in subsection (1) or (2) shall be performed by a laboratory that is accredited by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs for that purpose.

  O. Reg. 267/03, s. 91 (4)

• Soils must be analyzed for soil pH and, if the soil has a pH below 6.0, for buffer pH. They must also be analyzed for available phosphorus (using the sodium bicarbonate extractant) and available potassium (using the ammonium acetate extractant).

  Sampling and Analysis Protocol, 1.3.1.1

The wording in the source

Timing

• For most farms, sampling once every three years is adequate.

  Sample frequency

• More frequent sampling is necessary on coarse-textured soils or where crops that remove large quantities of potassium are grown

  Sample frequency

Area per sample

• The maximum area included in a single sample should be 10 ha (25 ac).

  Sampling area

Method

• The most efficient way to achieve random sampling is to follow a zig-zag pattern around the field.

  Sample collection

• Precision, site specific or grid sampling is allowed but not required for nutrient management.

  Sampling area

Depth

• The normal sampling depth for nutrients is about 15 cm (6 in.).

  Sample depth

• When sampling for soil nitrates, sample down to a depth of 30 cm (1 ft).

  Sample depth

• Sample depth is not changed in a no-till system, even though the nutrients are no longer being mechanically mixed into the soil

  Sample depth, no-till

• For pH samples, collect a shallow sample (5 cm or 2 in.) to check for acidification in the surface layer if nitrogen is being surface applied. Do not use these samples for nutrient analysis

  Sample depth, no-till

Cores

• Collect at least 20 cores to produce the composite sample and one additional core per 0.4 ha (1 acre) for fields larger than 8 ha (20 acres).

  Sample collection

Laboratory and analysis

• Samples for a nutrient management plan must be analyzed at an OMAFA-accredited lab, using OMAFA-accredited tests.

  Sample analysis

The wording in the source

Timing

• Fall soil testing should begin once soil temperatures have dropped below 10 C to minimize nitrogen mineralization and provide more representative results.

  Soil Testing for this Fall, paragraph 4

Method

• soil samples should be collected from multiple locations throughout the field, typically 15 to 20 cores per management zone

  paragraph 4

• Avoid unusual areas such as sloughs, hilltops, shelterbelts and old yard sites unless they are being sampled separately.

  paragraph 4

Depth

• taken to a depth of six to 12 inches

  paragraph 4

Cores

• typically 15 to 20 cores per management zone

  paragraph 4