Book overview
Understanding Soil Testing and Building Better Crops Through Balanced Nutrition
Healthy crops begin with healthy soils, and healthy soils begin with understanding what they're truly telling you.
In Hands-On Agronomy, renowned agronomist Neal Kinsey transforms the often-confusing world of soil testing into practical knowledge that farmers, consultants, and growers can use immediately. Building on the principles of the Albrecht soil fertility philosophy, Kinsey provides a step-by-step approach to interpreting soil tests and making informed decisions that improve crop performance, soil function, and profitability.
Combining decades of field experience with straightforward explanations, this book shows readers how to move beyond guesswork and implement soil test interpretation, balanced soil fertility, and practical agronomy practices that produce healthier crops and more efficient farming systems. Kinsey explains how nutrients interact, why mineral balance matters, and how to create fertility programs tailored to individual fields.
Whether you're managing row crops, pastures, specialty crops, or advising clients, this practical guide provides the tools needed to build resilient soils and maximize productivity through regenerative soil management and nutrient balancing.
For anyone seeking to understand the "why" behind soil recommendations and turn laboratory data into field results, Hands-On Agronomy remains one of the most trusted resources available.
Who This Book Is For
- Farmers wanting to better understand their soil test reports
- Crop consultants and agronomists developing fertility recommendations
- Regenerative agriculture practitioners focused on nutrient balance
- Livestock producers improving pasture fertility
- Students studying agronomy and soil science
- Growers seeking practical, science-based fertility guidance
Topics Included
- How to interpret soil test reports
- The principles of balanced soil fertility
- Calcium, magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus relationships
- Calculating nutrient requirements
- Developing fertility recommendations
- Understanding cation exchange capacity (CEC)
- Improving crop performance through mineral balance
- Practical agronomy strategies for real-world farming
- Applying the Albrecht approach to soil management
- Building long-term soil productivity
