Fayette Co. Soil, Water, Hay Testing Begins Oct. 9
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service of Fayette County is conducting a soil, water, and hay testing campaign from Oct. 9-30. This program is being held in conjunction with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service of Fayette County, Fayette County Commissioner’s Court, and the Fayette County Groundwater Conservation District.
Landowners, livestock, hay and field crop producers who wish to participate can pick up testing forms and soil sample bags or water sample bottles and forms at the following locations: Fayette County Extension Service Office, 255 Svoboda Ln, La Grange County Building, 312 Paulus, Schulenburg-Precinct 3 Office, 216 North Market, Flatonia Round Top State Bank, Round Top Fayette County Groundwater Conservation District, 255 Svoboda Ln, La Grange
Soil Testing
It is recommended for ag producers to test in advance to better plan and address short falls in fertility. Homeowners with lawns and gardens the timing is less ideal; however, an urban campaign will be offered in early 2025. Two types of soil tests for both ag producers will be offered at a reduced rate for this campaign. The routine analysis will cost $8 which will tell you the pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium and conductivity of the soil sample. The routine and micronutrient analysis will cost $15 per sample. This will give you a reading of the levels of zinc, iron, copper and manganese, in addition to the elements analyzed in the routine sample. Soil samples may be brought to the Extension Office starting October 9 through October 30 at 1:00 p.m. The samples will be analyzed by the TAMU Soil, Water, and Forage Testing Laboratory in College Station. Results will be mailed to your home address.
Water Testing
There will also be two types of water well tests which will be offered for this campaign for private water well owners/managers. The elemental analysis costs $28 per sample, which will tell you the conductivity, pH, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, sulfur, chlorine, boron, nitrate, hardness, zinc, iron, copper, manganese, and phosphorus of the water sample. The bacteriology analysis will cost $25 per sample, and will tell you if coliform bacteria is present in the water. The bacteriology water sample must be taken the morning of October 30 (this is a critical step and time sensitive); right before you bring it to the County Extension Office between the hours of 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. Please do not submit samples from public water suppliers in this campaign. These samples will be analyzed by TAMU Soil and Water Testing Laboratory in College Station and Aqua Water Supply in Bastrop.
Hay Testing
Lastly, if you have made or purchased hay this year, and are interested in knowing the quality, a hay test is being offered through this campaign. Understanding the nutritional value of feed stuffs is critical to managing costs and herd nutrition. Through the campaign this year, you have the opportunity to receive an analysis for protein, fiber, and TDN, and an estimate of digestibility, all for $5 per sample. Or, this year, you have the opportunity to receive an analysis for protein, fiber, TDN, and nitrates, all for $15 per sample.
Soil and hay testing probes are available at the Extension Office to assist with sample collections.
Deliver all samples to the Fayette County Agricultural Building Room 107 located at 255 Svoboda Ln, La Grange, Texas by 1 p.m. on Oct. 30. Payment is required (exact change or check) when you drop off your samples. No samples for this campaign will be accepted after 1 p.m. on Oct. 30. Please make checks payable to Fayette Beef Committee.