Describes the use of postharvest soil nitrate testing as a tool for assessing nitrogen management in manured cropping systems west of the Cascades. The first section gives general information on the test and is designed for use by growers and dairy operators. The focus is on how to use the test to improve nutrient management. The second section is designed primarily for use by conservation planners and other agricultural professionals working with farmers to implement nutrient management plans, or for dairy operators who do their own soil sampling. It includes detailed suggestions for collecting, preserving, and analyzing soil samples, as well as for developing a long-term sampling plan.
