How to Submit Soil Samples for Testing

The easiest way to have your samples submitted is to have them taken along with routine nutrient sampling. There is no extra fee for having SCN test pulled in conjunction with nutrient samples taken by Ag View FS. If you do not have them taken during this period, you may submit your own samples whenever you like. Below is a list of guidelines to follow when collecting soil samples for SCN analysis.

SCN Egg Counts:

• Timing: Samples can be taken anytime between harvest in the fall and planting time the next spring. SCN numbers have been proven to remain constant during this time period. Fall is usually the best time in general to take samples. Whether you choose to have samples tested before a bean crop or after is a matter of personal preference, just so long as individual fields are consistently done at the same time of the year.
• Taking Individual Samples: Samples should be composed of several cores from the represented area. If a soil probe is not available, a spade or shovel may be used, and a slice of soil 6"-7" deep may be used in place of a soil core. Samples should represent no more than 20 acres of a field. Samples should be taken using a common grid pattern, making sure to include known hot spots of a field (usually low areas, areas that exhibit washing from other fields, and field entrances). Dump soil cores for each sample into a bucket, mix thoroughly, and fill a quart-sized Ziploc bag, making sure to mark each sample with the field name and sample number. Clean the bucket the best you can, and proceed  to take cores for the next sample.

• Storage and Shipment: Try to minimize any storage time that is necessary. If you must, keep samples in a cool place out of the sun; do not leave them in truck cabs for any length of time! Package samples securely in a cardboard box along with a sample submission sheet, and ship the the address provided. Expedite shipping if done in the warmer months.

SCN Type Tests:

• Timing:  Samples for this test can be taken at any time of the year, during any crop. But preferably, samples should be taken during a current soybean crop, or after. With higher levels of SCN in the submitted samples, there is a better chance of the test being completed in a shorter amount of time. Low levels of SCN require extra time for the test to be completed.

• Taking Samples:  For this test, there will technically be only one sample required per field. When taking samples, you can pull cores with a soil probe or use a spade or shovel. Try to get soil from all areas of the field, making sure to obtain soil from known hot pockets. Two, one gallon sized Ziploc bags are preferred to ensure enough SCN are found to do a test. These two bags will be treated as one sample, unless otherwise noted on the submission sheet.

• Storage and Shipment:  Try to minimize any storage time that is necessary. If you must, keep samples in a cool place out of the sun; do not leave them in truck cabs for any length of time! These nematodes MUST be kept alive in order to perform the test. Package samples securely in a cardboard box along with a sample submission sheet, and ship to the address provided. Expedite shipping if done in the warmer months.

Ship samples to:         Ag View FS, Inc.
                            C/O Jim Donnelly
                            22069 US Hwy 34
                            Princeton, IL 61356