Joseph Hudyncia of Apex is the new Section Chief of Field Services for the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Agronomic Services Division.
Topics Related to Agronomic Services
The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Nematode Assay Lab is warning North Carolina growers to expect turnaround times of 15 weeks or longer for routine (predictive) nematode samples submitted this year. Samples submitted for diagnostic testing, including molecular diagnosis of guava root-knot nematode species, will be given priority and those results should be available in around five working days. Currently, there are around 15,400 samples waiting analysis.
The busy season has begun for the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Agronomic soil testing lab and growers, gardeners and homeowners are reminded to submit their samples before Dec. 1 to ensure faster turnaround on results and avoid peak-season testing fees.The peak season is anticipated to run from Dec. 1 to March 31, 2023. During that time, there is a $4 fee per sample. Testing outside the peak season is free.
Spring brings our lawns and gardens alive from the winter. Spring is also an excellent time to submit your soil samples to the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services soil testing lab for lime and fertilizer recommendations.“Soil testing helps protect the environment by determining and advising users on what nutrients are needed to ensure optimal plant growth,” said Jagathi Kamalakanthan, NCDA&CS soil agronomist. “Plus, it can save people money especially since fertilizer costs have increased dramatically this year.”
Spring is a busy time on the farm with growers preparing equipment, working on lime and fertilizer applications, and making cropping decisions even as commodity prices are fluctuating daily. Fertilizer prices, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are through the roof this year, unprecedented since around 2008. Lime costs have also increased. Transportation and global supply chain concerns are all factors. How can farmers best manage high-cost nutrient inputs and maximize profitability this year?
Peak-season soil testing fees are set to take effect Dec. 1 through March 31, 2022, pending final approval by the N.C. Board of Agriculture at its Nov. 19 meeting. Submitting soil samples to the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Agronomic Services lab before that date will mean growers and homeowners can avoid the $4 per sample fee.
Commercial strawberry production requires intensive and precise fertilization. The best way to decide how much fertilizer to supply is to collect leaf and petiole samples and have them tested for nutrient levels. By monitoring nutrient levels and adjusting fertilization accordingly, growers can easily optimize crop growth, fruit quality and economic return.
Spring is in the air and many growers are already in the field preparing for the 2021 growing season. Similarly, gardeners are preparing beds either for planting vegetables or spring or summer landscape plants, which often includes applying lime to lower excessive soil acidity.By applying lime according to soil test recommendations, you achieve an optimum pH for your soil and provide balanced availability of plant essential nutrients. It also enhances the chemistry of the soil for roots and important soil organisms to flourish.
Successful production of tobacco transplants starts with good water quality and with getting the right nutrient levels in the float solution. Growers preparing for transplant production should begin by having their source water tested by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
As we head into cooler weather, fall is the best time to amend your lawns, especially fescue lawns and landscape areas, with lime and fertilizer and to start fall vegetable gardens. Homeowners, gardeners, community gardeners, golf course superintendents, and turf consultants are encouraged to submit samples now to the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Agronomic Services soil test to ensure faster turnaround time on results and avoid peak-season testing fees.