▶ Wisconsin Soil Test Results Summary
Andrew Stammer reviews soil test data collected from DATCP-certified Wisconsin soil testing laboratories between 2020 and 2024.
Soils, Nutrient Management & Soil Health
Extension specialists and educators provide timely resources and information to help Wisconsin crop producers and their agricultural consultants manage crops efficiently and profitably.
Articles
▶ Phosphorus Fertilizer Enhancement Products: Real Value or Just Extra Cost?
Rianne Wagner discusses phosphorus fertilizer enhancement products and whether they add value or just cost.
▶ Evaluating Nutrient Removal in Wisconsin Alfalfa Fields
Chris Bandura shares early results from a statewide project evaluating nutrient uptake and removal in alfalfa fields across Wisconsin, with a focus on improving fertilizer recommendations and potassium management.
What Your Plant Tissue Samples are Trying to Tell You
Every year, across Wisconsin and the Midwest, thousands of plant tissue samples are pulled from corn and soybean fields. They are bagged, labeled and shipped to the lab, and then a report comes back with results. And too often, that is where the story ends. Plant tissue testing is not just about measuring nutrients. It is about making decisions.
2025 Nitrogen Optimization Pilot Program Annual Report
Explore 2025 Nitrogen Optimization Pilot Program activities, projects, and program details.
▶ Can Clover Cover Crops Provide Nitrogen Credits to Corn?
Chris Bandura explores Wisconsin research on berseem clover and other legume cover crops, how nitrogen credits are calculated, and what farmers should consider when using cover crops to support crop nutrition and improve nitrogen use efficiency.
▶ Updates to A2809: 2026 Wisconsin N, P, and K Recommendations for Corn and Soybeans
Dr. Matt Ruark discusses what’s changing in Wisconsin nutrient management guidelines for corn and soybeans.
▶From Soil Sensors to Nitrogen Decisions: New Technologies for Wisconsin Agriculture
Dr. Jingyi Huang explores emerging sensor technologies that measure soil nitrate, moisture, and temperature to help farmers better understand nitrogen availability, nutrient losses, and crop needs throughout the growing season.
▶Determining In-Season Nitrogen Availability: Indicators of Nitrogen Need
Dr. Natasha Rayne shares UW–Madison research exploring manure nitrogen availability, soil nitrate testing, crop sensing technologies, and environmental factors that influence in‑season nitrogen decisions.
When Is the Best Time to Sample Manure? Research Proven Answers for Farmers
Manure is valuable but applying it accurately is tricky because it does not have a guaranteed analysis like commercial fertilizers. Sampling and testing will maximize the economic value of your manure. But, when is the best time to sample manure?
▶ Soil Health: What is it, and how do you impact it on your farm?
This video covers simple in‑field observations to assess soil structure, compaction, water movement, and soil life, along with practical management practices such as reduced tillage, cover crops, mulches, and soil cover to improve soil function over time.
Four Ways to Efficiently Manage Nitrogen When Costs are High
In April 2026, commercial nitrogen fertilizer prices increased approximately 30% since fall 2025. Fortunately, there are nutrient management choices farmers can make to minimize financial impacts of this sudden price increase.