05/22/2025
Good afternoon to all my farm fellows! I have been contacted by OSU Rural Scholars program and they are working on "determine soil nitrate concentrations beneath the root zone of croplands and pastures in southwest Oklahoma because the region has relatively high nitrate concentrations in groundwater".
I know that you are all full speed ahead this time a year, but I would appreciate some of you that would be willing to talk these fellows to take a few soil samples from you land around the county.
This is what we are looking for:
• Landowners who are willing to let us take small, minimally invasive soil samples from their irrigated cropland, non-irrigated cropland, or pasture
• We would ask them a few questions about the crop rotation, irrigation practices, and fertilizer applications on their field.
• 3 irrigated crop fields from Harmon county
• 3 non-irrigated crop fields from Harmon county
• 3 grazing pastures and/or plots of rangeland from Harmon county
How we take the samples:
• Using a hand auger and twisting it into the ground
• 8 feet is the maximum depth of our samples
• Sampling in two locations per field
What we will do with the data:
• Test the samples for soil nitrate concentration and soil moisture
• Keep the specific sampling locations and names of the cooperating farmers or landowners confidential
• Share the results with the cooperating farmers or landowners
• Develop a poster of summarized data and interpretations to present at the Rural Research Symposium
Please give us a call at the Extension Office 580-688-3484 and then I will forward the names up the chain and they will give you a call and set up a convenient time to make this happen.
Thanks to each of you for any help you can send our way!