# Have a soil sample taken

Knowing what is in your soil starts with a good sample. We come to your fields, take the soil samples and have them analysed in a laboratory.


## What a soil sample tells you

A soil analysis shows the condition of your soil. For example, you can see the acidity, the organic matter content and how much phosphate, potassium and other nutrients are available. With these figures you can fertilise and lime in a more targeted way.

If you want to know how much nitrogen is in the soil, a separate nitrogen measurement can tell you. You can read more about this on the page about [nitrogen](https://monsternemer.nl/en/nitrogen/).

## What the laboratory can measure

Which values you receive depends on the analysis you choose. Frequently requested are:

- **Acidity**: The pH of the soil
- **Organic matter**: The humus content
- **Phosphate**: The reserve and what is available
- **Potassium**: For growth and quality
- **Nitrogen**: Mineral nitrogen, also known as Nmin
- **Trace elements**: Such as magnesium and sulphur

## How we take the sample

1. **Agree on the fields**: We agree on which fields we will sample. A map or field numbers help with this.
2. **Sampling at many spots**: On each field, we use a soil auger to take a small amount of soil at many spots.
3. **One sample per field**: We mix that soil into one sample. This way the sample gives a good picture of the whole field.
4. **To the laboratory**: We take the samples to the laboratory as quickly as possible.

## How deep and when

How deep we sample depends on how the field is used and on the analysis. On grassland, this is usually the top layer of about 10 centimetres. On arable land, we go deeper. For a nitrogen measurement, we take the soil in layers.

You can have soil sampled for most of the year. We do not sample frozen or very wet soil, because the sample would not give a reliable picture.

## Questions about soil samples

### How often should I have my soil tested?

For fertilisation, once every few years per field is usual. If you manage your nitrogen closely, a measurement each season can be useful. We are happy to help you decide.

### Do I need to be present?

No, that is not necessary. If we know which fields are involved and whether we can access the land, we take the samples ourselves.

### Can I also use these samples for legal requirements?

Samples required by law, such as soil testing for the phosphate class of a field, are subject to their own rules. Contact us and we will find out what is possible in your situation.

### What does it cost?

That depends on the type of sample, the analysis and the distance to your farm. You always receive a quote in advance.

## From list to lab, without manual work

Every list, every field and every sample bag is in our own app, from the first phone call to the courier. As a result, less goes wrong, it takes fewer hours and more information goes to the laboratory with each sample.

- Call script with the questions from the protocol
- Walking route and zigzag across the field, with GPS
- Labels from the printer, every sample bag scanned twice
- Farmers' data in one secure place

[All about the app](https://monsternemer.nl/en/app/)

**Need a soil sample taken?** Request sampling. You will receive a quote in advance and a proposed time. [Request sampling](https://monsternemer.nl/en/request/?soort=Soil)

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Source: https://monsternemer.nl/en/services/soil-sample/