There are a few options to complete CEMA 221 soil sampling. Please review the list below to find the tool that best suits you. All tools can complete CEMA 221, however the efficiency and cost of the tools vary. We present the tools from the lowest to highest cost.
| Option | Tool | Description | Land-use type | Approx cost per unit | Possible soil measurements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Front loader with coring rings | Expected time using the front loader tool is 60 min/hole, 6-9 holes, expected soil sampling time is 6-9 hours. Hand sampling 2-3 hours/hole, expected soil sampling time 12-18 hours. | Cropland: Easy Forested: Medium Ranchland: Medium | $785.00 | Bulk density, SOC, stratigraphy, soil horizon, Soil health testing (CEMA 216), Nutrient management (CEMA 217) |
| 2 | Farm Corer | QI has plans for a do-it-yourself steel core soil sampler, 6-9 holes, 75 min/hole, 7.5-11.25 hours; can also fabricate for cost | Cropland: Easy Forested: Difficult Ranchland: Difficult | $400.00 | Bulk density, SOC, Soil health testing (CEMA 216) |
| 3 | AMS Slide hammer, hand-auger | QI is recommended to work with another individual, or alone. 60 min/hole, 6-9 holes, 6-9 hours | Cropland: Easy Forested: Medium Ranchland: Medium | $3,458.00 | Bulk density, SOC, Soil health testing (CEMA 216) |
| 4 | AMS gas-powered corer, hang-auger | QI is recommended to work with another individual, or alone. 45 min/hole, 6-9 holes, 4.5-6.75 hours | Cropland: Easy Forested: Medium Ranchland: Medium | $6,119.00 | Bulk density, SOC, Soil health testing (CEMA 216) |
| 5 | AMS 9110 Ag-Probe, tooling package | QI is recommended to work with another individual, or alone. 30 min/hole, 6-9 holes, 3-6.5 hours | Cropland: Easy Forested: Easy Ranchland: Easy | $26,500* | Bulk density, SOC, Soil health testing (CEMA 216) |
Dig soil pit by hand
Lowest cost, Lowest efficiency: Expected time digging a hole is 2-3 hours/hole with an expected soil sampling time 12-18 hours.
Use: Can be used in Cropland, Forested, or Ranchland. Accurate sampling for bulk density, Soil Organic Carbon, Soil Health testing (CEMA 216) and Nutrient Management
Limitation: High disturbance. Likely cannot be used on NEPA, Conservation Easement or other land protection easements unless specific permission is given.
Cost: $200.00
Soil pit via front Loader with coring rings
Low cost, low efficiency: Expected time using the front loader tool is 60 min/hole, 6-9 holes, expected soil sampling time is 6-9 hours. If you do not have access to a front loader, then hand sampling takes 2-3 hours/hole with an expected soil sampling time 12-18 hours.
Use: Can be used in Cropland, Forested, or Rangeland. Accurate sampling for bulk density, Soil Organic Carbon, Soil health testing (CEMA 216) and Nutrient Management
Limitation: High disturbance and compaction. Likely cannot be used on NEPA, Conservation Easement, or other land protection easements unless specific permission is given, and requires ability/knowledge to operate heavy machinery.
Cost: $785.00
Farm Corer
Low cost, Medium efficiency: QI has plans for a do-it-yourself steel core soil sampler, 6-9 holes, 75 min/ hole, 7.5 – 11.25 hours; can also fabricate for cost.
Use: Can be used in Cropland, Forested, or Rangeland. Accurate sampling for bulk density, Soil Organic Carbon, Soil Health testing (CEMA 216) and Nutrient Management
Limitation: High labor intensity. The physical requirement for operating this tool is extraneous.
Cost: $400
AMS Slide hammer corer
Medium cost, Medium efficiency: QI is recommended to work with another individual, or alone. 60 min/ hole, 6-9 holes, 6 – 9 hours
Use: Can be used in Cropland, Forested, or Rangeland. Accurate sampling for bulk density, Soil Organic Carbon, Soil Health testing (CEMA 216) and Nutrient Management
Limitation: Medium labor intensity. The physical requirement for operating this tool is demanding.
Cost: $3,458.00
AMS Gas powered corer
High cost, High efficiency: QI is recommended to work with another individual, or alone. 45 min/ hole, 6-9 holes, 4.5 – 6.75 hours
Use: Can be used in Cropland, Forested, or Rangeland. Accurate sampling for bulk density, Soil Organic Carbon, Soil Health testing (CEMA 216) and Nutrient Management
Limitation: Low labor intensity. The gas-powered hammer is approximately 20lbs, to place the gas-powered tool on top of the corer requires lifting 20 lbs to chest or head height.
Cost: $6,119.00
AMS Truck mounted corer (AMS 9110 Ag-Probe)
Highest cost, High efficiency: QI is recommended to work with another individual, or alone. 30 min/ hole, 6-9 holes, 3 – 6.5 hours.
Use: Can be used in Cropland, Forested, or Rangeland. Accurate sampling for bulk density, Soil Organic Carbon, Soil Health testing (CEMA 216) and Nutrient Management
Limitation: High disturbance and compaction. Likely cannot be used on NEPA, Conservation Easement, or other land protection easements unless specific permission is given.
Cost: $26,500* Not including vehicle to mount to