The NCDA&CS Agronomic Services Division helps farmers and homeowners optimize growing conditions whether that is a crop, lawn or garden. Now is a great time of year for homeowners to submit their soil samples for quicker turnaround time. Some people may not know that our department does soil testing to help farmers and homeowners determine … Read more
— Following is a blog by Sandra Carpenter Aiello with the NCDA&CS Agronomic Services Division A homeowner was beyond surprised and happy to see a lush, green lawn in the fall of 2024. Just months earlier, during the summer, his lawn had poor grass growth with several bare patches. With the help of Jagathi Kamalakanthan … Read more
Summary: The time to implement peak season fees for soil testing is set to begin Nov. 27. Samples submitted before that date will be processed for free. Growers and landowners still have time to get samples in before the start of peak season. Commissioner Troxler and Southern Farm Network’s Mike Davis discuss peak season soil … Read more
Summary: The Agronomic Services lab peak-season fees will end March 31, making soil testing free again for state residents. Spring is a good time for homeowners to submit soil samples for testing to ensure they apply the proper nutrients for optimal growth for their lawns and gardens. Today’s Topic with Southern Farm Network’s Mike Davis … Read more
Summary: Our Agronomic Services lab can provide specific and scientifically supported advice on nutrient application. Fertilizer recommendations have changed in the past year, so as farmers look to manage costs, it is even more important for farmers to soil test AND to follow recommendations to avoid adding more than is needed. Summary: High input costs … Read more
Farmers and homeowners are reminded to submit soil samples now to the Agronomic Services lab to avoid peak-season fees. The fees are expected to take effect Dec. 1 this year. I like to try to remind growers and homeowners as we get closer to the peak time for soil sampling to get their samples in … Read more
“It’s not ideal, but it’s necessary.” That’s how Dr. Colleen Hudak-Wise describes the changes that have been made at labs in the Agronomic Services Division in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19. As the director of the division, Hudak-Wise explained the adjustments had to be made to follow the public health advice to … Read more
Each week we round up the latest N.C. agricultural headlines from news outlets across the state and country, as well as excerpts from the stories. “There’s a good chance your Thanksgiving turkey was raised on a North Carolina farm,” The News & Observer: North Carolina is a top producer of the most popular Thanksgiving protein. … Read more
Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler sits down each week with Southern Farm Network’s Rhonda Garrison to discuss “Today’s Topic.” It’s the right time of year to obtain soil tests for cool-season grasses, such as fescue and ryegrass. The NCDA&CS Agronomic Services Division’s soil testing lab can return the results quickly and provide useful information about fertilizer and lime. Having … Read more
Each week we round up the latest N.C. agricultural headlines from news outlets across the state and country, as well as excerpts from the stories. “Ban on poultry shows, sales lifted,” Jacksonville Daily News: Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler announced today that the suspension of live poultry shows and sales has been lifted, a week earlier … Read more
