Soil Testing

Nutrient Advantage analyses a wide range of analytes to establish the current nutrient status of the soil.

Why soil sample?

Soil analysis enables you to:

• Predict: check the soil's fertility or nutrient status, and predict nutrient requirements
• Monitor: assess the suitability of current management practices over time, adjusting existing fertiliser programs, if necessary, to ensure optimum yields are achieved.
• Diagnose: determine the reason for poor growth, or to check on accumulation of mineral elements toxic to plants
• The end result is a fertiliser recommendation tailored to the individual requirements of your production system.

Collecting a soil sample

The sampling guide below will assist you to obtain accurate representative samples, as well as recommend the most appropriate methods of handling and storing your soil samples. Employing these procedures will ensure that you get the most benefit out of our Nutrient Advantage service.

We are excited to announce our latest collaboration with Fertcare® – a joint Soil Sampling Infographic to guide you through those important soil sampling decisions.

As you know, soil sampling is one of the fundamental building blocks of evidence-based fertiliser recommendations. Complementing Fertcare’s Soil Sampling Guide, our new Infographic is a short summary of the important factors to consider when soil sampling, focusing on the most relevant aspects that will assist in achieving maximum impact for your soil.

Click here to access the Infographic and Fertcare Sampling Guide.

Getting the sample to the laboratory

Ensure that you have at least 500g of soil in each sample bag. Complete the relevant sample information on a Soil Submission Form, within the NA Pro program or the LabSTREAM sampling app. Check that the barcode number on the sample bag matches the recorded information, the customer number is correct, and a test code from the current Nutrient Advantage Price List or a provided customised test code is recorded. We recommend that any paperwork is placed in a  clear plastic pocket. Place the submission form and soil samples into a Freight satchel, seal and deliver to:

Attn: Sample Preparation
Nutrient Advantage Laboratory
8 South Road, 
Werribee, Victoria 3030