Key Takeaways:
- The N.C. Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services' Agronomic Services Division has released a step-by-step guide to help farmers measure the nutrient value of their cover crops.
- The guide walks growers through collecting cover crop biomass samples, submitting them for analysis, and calculating nutrient value on a per-acre basis.
- Growers are directed to submit samples through the Waste and Compost Analysis service rather than the Plant Tissue Analysis service, as it reports nutrient concentrations on a per-acre basis.
- The resource is intended to help farmers adjust fertilizer plans ahead of cover crop termination each spring, potentially reducing input costs.
- The guide is available on the Agronomic Services website at www.ncagr.gov/Agronomic-Services under “Determining the Nutrient Value of Cover Crops.”
NCDA&CS Releases Practical Resource for Reducing Fertilizer Inputs
The N.C. Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services' (NCDA&CS) Agronomic Services Division has published a new guide designed to help growers determine the nutrient value of their cover crops ahead of termination each spring. The resource comes amid rising fertilizer costs and growing grower interest in soil health practices.
What the NCDA&CS Guide Covers
Sampling and Submission
The guide provides step-by-step instructions for collecting cover crop biomass samples, submitting them for laboratory analysis, and calculating the resulting nutrient value on a per-acre basis. It is designed to give growers clear, actionable steps they can apply directly in the field.
Choosing the Right Analysis Service
A key recommendation in the NCDA&CS guide directs growers to submit samples through the Waste and Compost Analysis service rather than the Plant Tissue Analysis service — a distinction that may not be immediately obvious.
