Soil or product testing

The certification organisation may have strict rules about soil or product testing. Growers who convert prior to contact with these groups will often take their own nutrient and pesticide residue samples for testing. Knowledge of the base-line status of the soil could be important for deciding early actions and is useful as a later reference.

Nutrient tests for organic farms should be undertaken by an experienced laboratory and include information on pH, organic matter, carbon/nitrogen ratio, cation exchange capacity, cation balance, total soluble salt, available nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) and total N & P (estimate), calcium, potassium and sulfur and other nutrients.

Growers who do not experience any nutrient deficiency or apparent unexplained yield loss may feel that a soil test is not required.

Certification protocols require that pesticide residue samples be taken by an inspector or other independent authorized personnel, rather than by the grower.

TM Organics can help you with this process. For further information about how we can help you visit our consulting services section of this website.