Soil and Herbage Testing: Is It Essential for Productive Farming...?
Healthy soils is the foundation of every successful farm —
and, healthy plants are the proof that things are working above and below ground.
Healthy soil is the foundation of every successful farm—and healthy plants are the proof that things are working above and below ground. Whether you're growing crops, managing pastures, or fine-tuning animal nutrition, understanding what’s happening in your soil and plants is critical for making smart, profitable decisions.
That’s where soil and herbage testing come in. Together, they give you a full picture of what’s available in your soil, what your plants are actually taking up, and what you need to do next.
In this blog, we’ll explore the key reasons why combining soil and herbage testing is one of the most powerful tools a farmer can use to improve productivity, reduce costs, and build long-term soil and plant health.
1. Smarter Nutrient Management
Soil testing tells you what’s available to plants, while herbage testing shows what’s actually been taken up. This two-part view helps you:
Apply fertiliser based on actual need, not guesswork
Avoid over-fertilising or nutrient imbalances
Identify hidden deficiencies that aren’t obvious in soil tests alone
Improve fertiliser efficiency and ROI
Example: Your soil might show high potassium levels, but if herbage levels are still low, it could point to lock-up, imbalance, or poor root function.
→ Tailored nutrition = healthier plants + better returns.
2. Optimise pH for Maximum Nutrient Uptake
Soil pH has a huge impact on nutrient availability. Even if your soil is rich in nutrients, plants won’t absorb them efficiently if the pH is off.
Most pasture and crop species perform best in the 6.0–6.5 pH range
Soil testing identifies when to apply lime or elemental sulphur
Herbage testing can highlight when pH is affecting nutrient uptake (e.g., low calcium or magnesium in the plant despite soil levels being fine)
→ Fine-tuning pH boosts both productivity and fertiliser efficiency.
3. Build and Maintain Soil Health
A comprehensive soil test reveals more than nutrients. It gives insight into:
Organic matter levels – crucial for soil structure and water retention
Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) – your soil’s ability to hold nutrients
Microbial activity indicators – the life in your soil that supports plant health
With this information, you can take steps to:
Add compost, seaweed, humates, or biochar
Reduce compaction through grazing and machinery management
Introduce multi-species cover crops to build biology
→ Healthy soil equals healthy plants, animals, and profits.
4. Early Detection of Imbalances and Issues
Soil and herbage testing can highlight:
Hidden deficiencies (e.g., copper, selenium, boron)
Nutrient lock-up due to antagonistic ratios
Imbalances that affect animal health and productivity
Fungal pathogens or nematodes (via advanced soil analysis)
Instead of guessing, you can take targeted action:
Precision nutrient applications
Trace element supplementation
Adjusting fertiliser timing and source
→ Early intervention reduces losses and boosts resilience.
5. Improve Animal Performance with Better Pasture
If you’re in livestock farming, herbage testing is one of the best ways to ensure your pasture is providing the nutrients your animals need to thrive.
Benefits include:
Balanced mineral levels in forage = better animal health
Identification of excesses (e.g., potassium driving down magnesium uptake → grass tetany risk)
Strategic mineral supplementation only when needed
Better-conditioned, more productive animals
→ Better pasture = healthier livestock = more profit.
6. Protect the Environment
By applying only what’s truly needed:
You reduce the risk of nutrient leaching and runoff into waterways
Avoid the overuse of N or P, which can cause environmental harm
Improve your farm’s environmental credentials and compliance
→ Good stewardship is good business.
When and How to Test
Getting useful results starts with smart sampling:
✅ Best timing: Spring or Autumn when soils aren’t too dry or wet
❌ Avoid: Freshly grazed paddocks, recently fertilised areas, or just after liming
📌 Soil testing: every 1–3 years, depending on system intensity
📌 Herbage testing: seasonal or strategic sampling, especially during key growth or risk periods
✅ Trusted Labs
We work with a range of reliable laboratories to give you accurate and actionable insights:
Eurofins NZ – trusted soil testing local lab with fast turnaround and consistent results
Hill Laboratories (NZ) – a well-established New Zealand lab offering comprehensive herbage testing with advanced trace element analysis
Brookside Laboratories (Ohio, USA) – internationally recognized and preferred for detailed soil audits at competitive prices (slightly longer turnaround)
Each lab provides unique strengths, and we’ll help you choose the right option based on your farming system, soil type, and goals.
✅ Herbage Testing
In-depth plant tissue analysis
Interpretation of results with context (not just numbers on a page)
✅ Independent Agronomic Advice
We don’t sell fertiliser—we sell clarity. Our recommendations are based solely on what’s best for your farm system.
🌿 Adjusting Plant Nutrition with Custom Liquid Fertiliser Mixes
Once your soil and herbage test results are in, it’s not just about knowing what’s wrong—it’s about taking targeted action. That’s where custom liquid fertiliser mixes can help.
Using your test data, we can create bespoke liquid fertiliser blends that:
Correct specific nutrient deficiencies (e.g., boron, magnesium, molybdenum)
Adjust nutrient ratios to improve uptake
Include biological stimulants like seaweed, TM, humates, Fish, and amino acids for improved resilience
Deliver trace elements directly through foliar or fertigation application for faster results
Liquid nutrition can be fine-tuned and fast-acting, especially during key growth stages or stress events.
→ It’s precision nutrition designed for your farm, not the average.