The Texas AgriLife Extension Service says, “Wow, what a difference a week can make, as significant rainfall has been received across South Texas and the Coastal Bend.”

Folks involved in agriculture are traditionally an optimistic group and with that in mind, the hopes are high that the historic drought witnessed this year will not be seen again in the near future and that continued rainfall will return with “El Nino” allowing the crop year of 2010 to produce much better growing conditions than have been seen the last two years. With that assumption, one needs to be sure that there are adequate soil nutrients available for next years crop.

As soils dry, producers can gear up for next year’s growing season by soil sampling now to determine the status of soil nutrients in their fields and pastures. The Nueces County Extension Office is coordinating a special Soil Testing Campaign now through Nov. 30, 2009. Soil samples may be turned in at the local County Extension Office for analysis at up to a 33% reduced testing fee.

Soil tests will be run by the Texas A&M University Soil Testing Laboratory for a reduced fee of $6 per sample for the routine analysis and $10 for routine/micronutrient analysis during this special campaign. This special soil testing campaign is for row crop farmers and ranchers with improved pastures.

Soil sample bags and test information sheets may be obtained in the County Extension Office. For more information call the Bee County Extension Office at 361-362-3280