Understanding your Soil Test Report

You’ve taken your agent’s advice and taken a soil sample on time.  Now you have a report, and it is time to make some decisions, but first, what does this report mean?  Let’s take a look at what’s reported on a North Carolina soil report.

First, it is important to understand what a soil test does.  A soil test extracts and measures elements essential for plant growth.  In North Carolina, soil testing can be done through NCDA&CS for free from April through about November.  During peak testing dates, December through March, there is a $4 per sample fee.  Other states offer similar services and testing can also be performed by private labs, but this article will focus on the NCDA&CS test.

After the test has been performed on a pasture sample, you will receive a report that will look similar to this:

This is an actual report from Lee County, NC.  This grower sampled an established fescue pasture to receive recommendations on maintenance fertility applications.  In some cases, you may see comments from the agronomist, but most often the first part of the report will show the recommendations.  Recommendations are made for lime, nitrogen, phosphate, potash, magnesium, sulfur, manganese, zinc, copper, and boron.  You may also have a link to more information.  In this case, note 12 is linked, which is a publication with more information on fertilization of pasture crops.   Let’s go through each of these recommendations and what they mean for you, as well as how they relate to the numbers given in the test results section of the report.

Lime

The lime recommendation is given for pastures in units of tons per acre.  This value is calculated using soil pH, exchangeable acidity (Ac), target pH, and residual lime credit.  The lowest rate recommended will be 0.3 tons/acre.  Soil pH and exchangeable acidity are both reported in your results.  The soil pH is a measure of active acidity in the soil solution.  Exchangeable acidity represents the portion of the CEC which is occupied by hydrogen or aluminum ions which must be neutralized to raise soil pH.  Each of these numbers are required to accurately determine liming needs.  The CEC is reported and represents the nutrient holding capacity of the soil.  This value will be lower in sandy soil and higher in clay or organic soils.  The base saturation (BS%) is reported and represents the portion of CEC occupied by bases, mostly calcium, magnesium, and potassium, which are all essential plant nutrients.  Target pH depends on the plant being grown and the soil classification.  Soil classification is also reported in your results and will be either mineral, mineral-organic, or organic.  This is determined by the humic matter (HM%), which represents soluble soil organic matter, and the weight/volume ratio (W/V).  For maintenance of fescue on a mineral soil, the target pH is 6.0.  Remember, the proper soil pH is critical for plant growth and development as it directly relates to nutrient availability.

Nitrogen (N)

The NCDA&CS soil test does not test for nitrogen in a standard predictive soil test.  This test in only done in certain situations because nitrogen does not persist long in soils, and in general the amount in soil at the time of testing is not representative of the actual amount in the field.  Recommended nitrogen rates are based on field research studies, and the recommended rate represents the total nitrogen that should be applied in a year.  In general, nitrogen will be split into several applications and rates may vary depending on your pasture management practices.  Talk with you agent to determine the proper application rates for your situation. 

Phosphate (P₂O₂) and Potash (K₂O)

These recommendations are based on an index determined by your soil report, the P-I or K-I respectively.  These indexes represent the amount of available phosphorus or potassium in the soil.  An index value of 0-10 is very low, 11-25 is low, 26-50 is medium, 51-100 is high, and 100+ is very high.  Recommendations are given in pounds per acre.  Phosphorus is relatively immobile in soils, and an application can be made at once to correct low phosphorus levels.  Potassium will leach, so a split application can be beneficial in sandy soils.  Phosphorus and potassium can be applied to fescue in early fall or early spring.

Magnesium (Mg)

Magnesium recommendations are based on the percent of CEC occupied by Mg, expressed as Mg %.  If your soil is below critical level, 25 pounds per acre of Mg will be recommended.  If lime is needed, the use of dolomitic limestone will supply the required Mg.

Sulfur (S)

Sulfur is recommended when the sulfur index (S-I) is below 25.  Sulfur leaches rapidly, so applications should be split in sandy soils.  Sulfur is required by the plant in order to properly utilize nitrogen. 

Manganese (Mn)

The manganese availability index (Mn-Al) is calculated based on the soil test manganese index (Mn-I).  Mn availability is closely correlated to soil pH.  For crops such as pastures, where data determining the response to added Mn is limited, you may see a $ in the recommendation line if levels are low.  This will link to a note with more information about Mn rates.  If pH is high enough to affect Mn availability, you may see either pH$ or $pH in the recommendation line.  These again will link to notes with more information.

Zinc (Zn) and Copper (Cu)

Zinc or coper are generally recommended when either the zinc availability index (Zn-AI) or copper index (Cu-I) are below 25.  Zinc is generally recommended at a rate of 6 pounds per acre if the crop is known to respond, regardless of soil type.  Copper rates are recommended based on the crop and soil type.  However, with pastures, there is generally less data on crop response, so instead of a recommendation you may see a $ which will link you to a note with more information.  In some situations in North Carolina, you may have an area with excess zinc or copper.  If you see a Z on the zinc recommendation line, or a C on the copper recommendation line, this indicates that the Zn-AI or Cu-I is above 2000.  If you see either of these situations, refer to the agronomist comments section of the report for more information. 

Boron (B)

Boron is recommended for crops with a known response.  The only forage crop with a known response to boron which will have a recommendation is alfalfa. 

Your sample also reports sodium (Na), exchangeable sodium percent (ESP), soluble salt index (SS-I), and nitrate nitrogen (NO₃-N).  Sodium is evaluated for all samples.  Levels below 0.4 are considered inconsequential to plant nutrition, but higher can cause root injury or interfere with plant growth.  ESP represents the total amount of sodium on the CEC.  Values below 15% are considered acceptable.  SS-I or NO₃-N will only be given on certain reports, and will only be reported for a pasture sample if it is submitted as a problem diagnostic sample.  You agent will be able to work with you if a problem sample is submitted and either of these values are a contributing problem.  

I hope this can be used as a guide to help you understand your soil test report.  If you would like more information about understanding you soil test, please see the NCDA&CS document “Understanding the Soil Test Report” at http://www.ncagr.gov/agronomi/uyrst.htm.  Remember, each situation is unique, so your county extension agent is your best resource for determining your forage fertility needs. 

Horse Trailer Maintenance and Safety

Photo taken by: Virginia State Parks

Whether you show, trail ride, or simply take your horses to the vet for their annual Coggins test, horse owners need a trailer.  As horse folks, we often talk about travel safety (stopping every 100 miles, making sure all doors are secure, no sudden stops or turns, ect) and trailering horses.  These are important topics, however, how much thought do we give to maintaining and inspecting our trailers?

Regular maintenance checks should be preformed on a horse trailer every time it is used.  Routine items include:

• Tires - tread should be 1/4" or more, and tires should be properly inflated with no signs of dry rot.  Don't forget to check the spare tire too!
• Make sure jacks and safety triangle are in working condition in case of breakdown.
• Check for any loose screws, bolts or nails.
• All lights (marker, tail, brake, directional and interior) should be in working condition and bright.
• Hitch ball should be greased as needed.
• Safety chains and snaps should be in place and in good working condition.
• Replace any rotting or broken floorboards.  To increase the lifespan of your trailer floor, mats should be lifted after use and the floor swept.  Yearly applications of a weather sealer is also helpful.

Photo credit to Joanna; video on how to replace your floorboards HERE

Yearly maintenance checks include:

• Inspection of frame for cracks, and wires for loose connections and frayed covering.
• Repair or replacement for rotted or rusted metal.
• Inspection of ramp hinges and springs for weakness and cracks.
• Wheels should be pulled and bearings checked and repacked.
• Inspection of brakes and emergency break-away cable, pin and control box.

Another good tip is to plan ahead.  Don't wait till the day of to inspect your trailer, do it the a day or two before when things are a little less hectic.  And always remember, keeping your trailer in working condition is an important first step in keeping your equine pals safe on any road trip.  Happy trails!

Wellness Exams

Checking Vitals

Wellness exams are essential to keeping your horse healthy and can catch small problems before they become major health concerns. Horse experts recommend that you have your horse examined annually by a trusted veterinarian and more often than once a year for older horses.

During these wellness exams, it is always important to review the animal’s health history, making sure that you point out anything and everything that has changed since the last exam.    A good physical assessment should also take place and should include body temperature, respiration rate, heart rate, body condition score, a good look inside their mouth, listening to their GI tract, heart and lungs.  A fecal sample should be collected at this time to be evaluated for internal parasites.  Fecal egg counts indicate the parasite load inside the animal and help your veterinarian determine the best wormer rotation for your animal.  On the flip side, if the parasite load is low, the fecal sample indicates that you are already controlling parasites on your property.  Either way, this is information that owners need to know.  

Worming

 Blood work and vaccinations may also be conducted during wellness exams.  According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, horses should receive annual core vaccinations.  These core vaccinations are Eastern/Western Equine Encephalitis, Tetanus, Rabies and West Nile Virus.  Depending on your location, there may be other vaccinations that your vet will recommend to you.  Certain blood tests will give the doctor an inside look at what is going on internally and could detect irregularities so that they may be addressed quickly and efficiently.  

 

Drawing Blood

Winter is right around the corner so Fall is the perfect time to have your vet check your horse’s gait for changes or signs of lameness that can progress quickly during harsh winter weather.  Lameness exams should definitely be conducted on horses with arthritis to evaluate whether or not they will require additional treatment or care throughout the winter.

Wellness exams are a time for owners to discuss nutrition, diet changes and exercise routines along with anything else that you might have questions about.  Before the exam, make a list of all the questions that you have for your veterinarian so that you can be sure you won’t forget to ask them while they are there.  Don’t wait!  Go ahead and schedule your Equine Wellness Exam as soon as possible because healthy horses are happy horses and happy horses make happy owners.

Equine Dental Video

The change of seasons is always a good time for a check-up for our equine pals!  Don't forget to include a dental in your horses' regular health care plan. Check out this video of Dr Lisa Kivett, owner of Foundation Equine in Southern Pines, doing a complete dental in just over 2 minutes!

Benefits of Massage Therapy

You probably know how beneficial massage and bodywork can be to a person, but you may not realize these treatments can also benefit your horse.  I sometimes liken it to piggy-back rides.  If you were to take a toddler and carry that toddler around on your back for half an hour, bouncing around and even just sitting still, don’t you think your back would feel it? So does your horse.

Any athlete can tell you about the benefits of massage.  It helps loosen muscles that are tight, release adhesions or “knots” and also increases blood flow.  

There are various types of massage and bodywork and each horse is different in their pressure comfort.  Some horses prefer a trigger point therapy, such as Equissage.   This consists of lighter pressure that brings focus onto a certain area.  Some horses prefer a deep tissue type of massage which puts more pressure on a larger area.  Some prefer lighter, gentler strokes, such as used in a myofascial release.  Each type of massage is different and can be used in conjunction with each other.

You may have a horse that continues to hollow out and refuses to use itself.  Maybe he won’t pick up a lead or isn’t as flexible.  Perhaps he bucks under saddle. You both may have been involved in a fall or accident and now something just “isn’t quite right.” Perhaps your horse isn’t stubborn or untrainable, but he’s in pain and has no way to tell you.

Like human massage, many ailments will not be relieved in one session.  Many of your horse’s ailments have been built up over years.  Repetition of the same motion without relief can cause the muscles to tighten and adhere.  Normally it takes two to four sessions, depending on the severity, and then at minimum, monthly maintenance should be performed creating a horse that is not only happier, but more able.  Massage therapists are able to feel what is going on with your horse’s muscles.  The horse and rider will continue to work as a team after bodywork is performed.

Yes, some think massage is just a bunch of holistic mumbo jumbo.  But until you try it and see the benefits not only to your horse but to you as well, it is definitely something to consider.

Genny Thompson, LMBT, CESMT

Horse Hound Human Massage Therapy

Posted by Eileen Coite, Sampson County Cooperative Extension

Converting Pastures to a Novel Endophyte Fescue

There are thousands of acres across North Carolina and the Southeast that are producing Fescue forage.  The majority of those pastures and hay fields are Kentucky 31 Fescue.  This variety of Fescue has been around since the early 1800’s and was introduced as a forage variety back in the 1940’s. For decades K-31 has been the premier cool-season forage.  It is tough, very productive, can be good quality, and stands last a long time. 

Over time, folks noticed that there were some animal health problems that could develop if livestock and horses grazed fescue stands or were fed fescue hay.  Cattle had rough hair coats, didn’t gain as they should, and sometimes developed “fescue foot”.  Horse owners noticed that foals had thicker membranes to fight through at birth, to name some of the problems that developed.

The endophyte fungus was discovered in the plant, and was determined to be the cause of the animal problems that developed when feeding or grazing fescue.  After a LOT of research, endophyte-free fescue varieties were introduced.  Farmers tried these, and found that the grass just didn’t last more than three or four years.  Who would have guessed that there was a symbiotic relationship between fescue grass and endophyte fungus?  This relationship was what made K-31 Fescue such a good productive grass that stays productive for a long time without having to be reseeded.

After more research, some “novel” endophyte fescue varieties have been introduced.  The endophyte in these varieties is known as novel since this endophyte has been found to be non-toxic to livestock and horses.  It would seem like all one has to do to get rid of the toxic, or what is called “dirty” endophyte, is to overseed with one of the new varieties.  Unfortunately, it’s not that easy.  The K-31 Fescue will still out-compete the newer varieties over time.  More drastic measures are needed to establish a novel endophyte variety of fescue.

To establish a novel endophyte fescue, get ready to spray the field next spring after the grass starts growing with glyphosate.  Wait six weeks or so and make another glyphosate application.  Let the field sit fallow through the summer or plant a summer annual, harvest the summer annual, and make another glyphosate application if needed in early September.  Follow that application up by using a no-till seeder to plant a novel endophyte variety.  By the way – make sure that the pH is in the optimum range and there is adequate soil fertility for growth.

A glyphosate application can also be made this fall for those who don’t want to wait until spring.  Follow the glyphosate application by planting a winter annual, followed by another glyphosate application after the winter annual harvest.  Plant a summer annual, harvest it, apply glyphosate one more time, and plan to seed the novel endophyte fescue variety next fall.

If glyphosate is not used, then till up the field, and keep making tillage passes as needed.  Get a seedbed prepared and plant winter and summer annuals for a while – until there are no clumps of fescue growing.  This process may take two or three years.  During that time, though, the annual forages will provide some great forage for grazing and hay during the transition period.  Follow these treatments up by no-till seeding some novel endophyte fescue.

Let the new seedlings get firmly established before putting horses on the newly seeded pasture.  Horses can be tough on seedlings, so letting a root system develop will help give the stand some longevity.  Some folks recommend allowing the new stand of novel endophyte fescue to grow for a full year before starting to use it for grazing. 

Converting to a novel endophyte fescue is not an easy or short process.  It will be up to the horse owner to decide if the risks, economics, forage needs, and other factors will make it worthwhile to make the transition.  Contact your local NC Cooperative Extension Agent with forages responsibilities for more specific recommendations on establishing novel endophyte fescue in pastures in your area.

Rain/Mud Management

We have been seeing rain and expecting more with the developing hurricanes and tropical storms. Rain and associated factors, like mud can cause problems in horses. 

Rain can cause rain rot. Rain rot, also called rain scald, is a skin condition that is caused by bacteria that live in the outer lay of the skin. The bacteria multiply in damp, humid conditions. Rain rot can cause painful, crusty scabs that when removed pulls clumps of hairs away from the skin, leaving bald spots on the hips, face, back, and other areas of the horse.  

Below are tips to avoid rain rot and the possibility of spreading rain rot:

• Don’t share tack, equipment, or blanket between horses you suspect may have rain rot
• Keep infected horses isolated
• Minimize exposure to bugs and bacteria
• After treating infected horse, wash hands thoroughly
• Have a covered area for your horses

• Keep coat clean especially for horses turned out more than others

Muddy conditions can cause problems, like thrush, hoof abscesses, hoof cracks, and pastern dermatitis. Thrush is a bacterial and fungal infection of the soft tissues of the foot that results in the degeneration of the frog, left untreated it will penetrate the sensitive layers of the foot and cause lameness. Hooves will absorb water and become very soft in wet and muddy conditions. If the feet dry out quickly, the hoof may contract rapidly, resulting in hoof wall or sole cracks. Hoof infection and subsequent abscesses may occur when bacteria in the environment penetrate the cracks. The soles of horse’s feet contract and expand, as does the hoof wall, but the sole periodically exfoliates. Persistent muddy conditions and wet-dry cycles may cause some horses to lose more sole than is normal, resulting in thin, sensitive soles. Overgrown hooves are at greater risk for cracking and infection.  

Below are tips to avoid hoof-related problems:

• Clean horses’ legs regularly and keep the hair around the fetlocks trimmed 
• Clean the feet often and provide regular, balanced trimming
• Remove soiled bedding materials, manure, and leftover hay. Removal of waste material will decrease surface water contamination, reduce harmful bacteria, and provide a healthier environment for the horse to rest in.
• Rubber mats or large wood chips maybe used to prevent muddy conditions

 

Sources:
http://www.msuextension.org/BSSA/Articles/2013/Spring2013/HorsesandtheMudSeason.pdf