A common concern we hear from growers is about potential crop damage during early-in-crop (EIC) soil sampling. This is a valid consideration that we take very seriously. However, research and field experience have shown that early-season sampling, when done correctly, poses minimal risk to your growing crop.

Timing is everything in agriculture, especially for soil sampling, and Early-in-crop (EIC) soil sampling offers growers a unique window of opportunity to gain crucial insights into their soil’s nutrient status with clear benefits.

The Science & Testing Behind Early-Season Crop Resilience

Crop biology works in favor of EIC because during early corn growth stages (before V4-V5), the growing point of the crop remains either below or just barely emerged above the soil surface. Above-ground disturbance during these early stages has minimal impact on final yield outcomes. This gives us a clear, science-based window for safe sampling, as detailed in an Agvise Labs presentation in conjunction with the University of Minnesota (see slides 8 through 13) that outlines the results of their heavy hose drag experiments across fields and the minimal impact that resulted until later crop growth stages.

For soybeans the same holds true, with the footprint and clearance of our equipment our samplers have a large window of time to drive between the rows without even contacting the crop. Turning carefully in the end rows disturbs very few individual plants, and at the VC-V6 growth stages those bounce back with no measurable affect to yield. Sampling can continue safely until the canopy becomes too tall and wide to navigate. By prioritizing narrow-row, drilled, or contour cropped fields first there are very few fields that are not a good candidate for EIC sampling.

With the timing of EIC sampling, and the fact that the equipment used is much less intrusive than the dragline used in this experiment, it is clear that there is no risk of yield loss due to crop damage.

You can be assured that our soil samplers are trained to carefully assess each field’s conditions and crop growth stage before entering and sampling. We can gather the valuable soil data needed while still protecting growing crops.

EIC Sampling: Right Time, Right Decision

Early sampling heads off fall tillage and soil disturbance issues, and is also an excellent time of the year to take care of your Manure Management Plan sampling needs. This timing allows for precise nutrient management decisions that can directly impact your current crop’s performance.

Soybean and continuous corn acres are prime candidates for EIC sampling. For soybeans, this timing works perfectly because we can sample while the crop is small, and get results back in plenty of time to plan fall fertilizer for next year’s corn crop. In continuous corn fields, where growing corn year after year, EIC sampling helps you stay ahead of the busy fall season. Getting soil test results early lets you plan your fall fertilizer program with confidence, well before the harvest rush begins.