Soil sampling tasks require the Tasks add-on. See Tasks — FarmQA to learn more.
A soil sampling task is the container for the work your team does in the field it defines where to sample, which lab the results go to, and who collects them. Completing the task is also what triggers automatic submission to your lab, if one is connected.
You define your sampling locations two ways: drop points manually or apply a grid. A grid lets you sample the same locations year after year for consistent comparison. This article covers both, plus completing the task in the field.
Create the task
1. Open the Fields tab and check the box next to the field you want to sample.
2. Select Schedule task at the top of the screen.
3. In the Create tasks window, select the field to define sampling locations for it.
Define sampling locations
In the Define sampling locations window, you can add points manually or apply a grid. If the field has management zones, you can turn one on under the Management zone header to sample within it.
To apply a grid:
1. Select Apply grid.
2. Set how many acres each sample represents. The default is one sample per acre; set it to 2 for one sample per two acres.
3. Use the Pause button to switch between rotating the grid's orientation and moving the map.
4. Optionally, note how many samples you want collected.
5. Select Accept next to the Apply grid header.
To adjust points: Select and drag any point to move it — useful when a point lands on a field border. To remove a point, select it and select Delete.
When your points are set, select Save to return to the Create tasks window.
Finish setting up the task
Select Next in the Create tasks window, then complete the task details:
1. Lab — Choose which connected lab these samples go to. The lab must already be set up in Soil → Labs; this just routes the task to it. See Adding a soil lab to your account or Setting up and working with an AgVise Laboratories integration.
2. Sample depth — Select Add depth for each depth to collect at. Use the Select packages dropdown beside each depth to choose a soil test package, if any.
3. Marker types — Choose the marker layer your collected sample locations load into.
4. Start after and Finish by — Set the date window for collection.
5. Priority — Set the task's priority.
6. Assigned to — Choose who collects the samples.
7. Instructions — Add any notes for the person completing the task.
Select Create to finish. The task appears in your team's work list.
Related articles