The objective of this study was to evaluate the perceived importance and role of Cooperative Extension in soil testing in Pennsylvania, and to look at the reported impact of extension recommendations on producer practices.

Soil Testing: Perceptions of Importance, Impact and Role of Cooperative ExtensionSoil Testing: Perceptions of Importance, Impact and Role of Cooperative Extension

Jack Watson1, Ann M. Wolf2, Douglas B. Beegle3, and Nancy Ellen Kiernan4

1 Cooperative Extension, 2 Agricultural Analytical Services Lab, 3 Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, 4Cooperative ExtensionCollege of Agricultural Sciences, Penn State University, University Park, PA

Soil Testing: Perceptions of Importance, Impact and Role of Cooperative ExtensionSoil Testing: Perceptions of Importance, Impact and Role of Cooperative Extension

Jack Watson1, Ann M. Wolf2, Douglas B. Beegle3, and Nancy Ellen Kiernan4

1 Cooperative Extension, 2 Agricultural Analytical Services Lab, 3 Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, 4Cooperative ExtensionCollege of Agricultural Sciences, Penn State University, University Park, PA

A random subset of 550 laboratory users was selected from the total listing of those who had used the laboratory for soil analyses in the past 3 years. A survey with cover letter was sent to the sample of users, followed by a reminder postcard. For those not responding within 2 weeks, a second letter and survey were mailed, followed by another reminder postcard. The return rate was approximately 75%. The survey was comprised of 23 questions in areas focused on 1) testing process and quality of services, 2) use and importance of soil testing in Pennsylvania and 3) the role of extension in soil testing. The strength of the Pennsylvania Analytical laboratory appears to be due in part to it’s strong connection with the Extension Soils program and local extension offices.

Introduction

Methods

72% of respondents considered it important that local extension educators be able to assist with soil testing.

Role and importance of Cooperative Extension

Summary

Use - Value and Impact of Soil Tests

*The authors extend their appreciation to Jenn Wasson, Jamie Klaue, and Patricia Murnyack for their assistance with this project.

How likely are you to use the Penn State Soil Testing Lab in the next 5 years? N=407

2% 5% 9%

84%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

Not too likely Somewhat likely Moderately Very likely

Were the recommendations understandable, sensible and easy to implement? N=372 to 375

1% 0% 0%15% 20%

34%

84% 80%66%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Understandable Sensible Easy toImplement

Hardly ever Sometimes Almost always

Barriers to soil testing and likelihood for future testing

To what extent did each reason below, keep you from soil testing? N=319 to 338

68% 76%

42%52%

27% 20%

45%40%

5% 4%13% 8%

0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

100%

Too Expensive Results notuseful

Too time-consuming

Difficult tocollect samples

Not much Somewhat A lot

If you had NOT soil tested in the past 5 years, how would you have applied fertilizer?

N=377

41%

23%28%

9%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

Applied more Applied less Applied sameamount

Didn't applyfertilizer

How important were the following in influencing you to perform a soil test in the past 5 years? N=344 to 377

50% 49% 49%58%

42%

87%

47%

18% 20% 12%

20%

21%

7%

28%

17% 15%17%

14%

21%

5%

19%15% 16% 22%

7%16%

1% 6%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Not Imp Somewhat Imp Mod Imp Very Imp

The biggest barrier to soil testing was considered to be the time required. In spite of that, most respondents said they were likely to use the lab again within the next 5 years.

The survey indicated about 55% of the respondents reported receiving their kits from an extension office (data not shown). Traditionally, soil testing has been a key to extension programs in Pennsylvania, as well as in many other parts of the US. Cooperative Extension impacts laboratory use, and lab use supports extension programs to create impact. A couple results demonstrating this include: the perceived reduction in nutrients applied as a result of using extension recommendations contained in soils reports, the likelihood of future testing, and the importance of having local extension educators available to help with soil test interpretations. The close connection between the laboratory and extension programs seem to help keep both strong.

We asked questions to determine if the soil test results were valued, and what impact on producer practices resulted from our Cooperative Extension soils program that is so integrally tied to the lab recommendations. Some of the questions asked included:

Rate the value of the soil test relative to the cost. N=405

0%4%

19%

55%

22%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Not TerriblyValuable

SomewhatValuable

ModeratelyValuable

VeryValuable

ExtremelyValuable

28%

72%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

Not Important Important

How important is it to you that Cooperative Extension can provide soil testing assistance?

(N=387)

Local extension staff were the most frequentlyidentified individuals ininfluencing people to perform a soil test, followed closely byfertilizer dealers,consultants, conservationdistrict personnel, and agricultural publications. WEBSITES were not considered important.

41%

23%

72%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

More FertilizerAppied

More ManureApplied

Yields Reduced

What (do you think) would have happened if you had NOT soil tested? (N=377)