By Scout Nelson
Manitoba is slower to adopt precision soil sampling compared to other regions like South Dakota, Minnesota, and Saskatchewan, where about 80 percent of soil samples feed into precision systems. In contrast, only around 50 percent of samples in North Dakota and Manitoba are being used for precision agriculture.
According to John Brecker, a soil scientist at Agvise Laboratories in North Dakota, even this number overstates the true adoption. He estimates about 20 percent of Manitoba’s fields benefit from precision soil sampling. Areas like Roblin see up to 86 percent precision sampling, while other regions have far less, especially eastern Manitoba, where it is nearly non-existent.
Topography plays a major role in these disparities. Western areas with varied landscapes make it easier to see the benefits of precision soil sampling. However, even in flatter regions like the Red River Valley, yield monitor data reveals significant field variation, supporting the need for zone sampling.
Weather also impacts soil nutrients. The drought of 2021 resulted in unusually high residual nitrogen levels, which shifted in 2022 due to changing weather patterns. These environmental variables make soil testing crucial every fall, especially in a zone system, to better manage field inputs based on reliable data.
Precision soil sampling continues to grow, but Manitoba still lags other regions in fully embracing this essential farming technology.
Photo Credit:gettyimages-dmytro-diedov
Categories: North Dakota, General, Weather