Market Farming

[Art Petrzelka <art AT complum.com>]

Refractometers are inexpensive enough that I plan on getting one.
Although I can't give you any first-hand use information, I can share
what I've found so far. Investigate these yourself.

I'm looking at a handheld refractometer, 0-32 Brix with automatic
temperature compensation (between 60-84 degrees F?, can't find the
reference right now). The better ones have temperature compensation to
100 degrees. The best ones are digital and expensive, so I scratched
those off my list. I just need a ballpark figure so I can monitor
changes.

That should give me a tool for pasture analysis, vegetable and fruit
ripeness, and some IPM capability.

Pike Agri-Lab has a broad range of tools, but I can't find a price list.
I think I have to call or email them for it.
http://www.pikeagri.com/

A cheaper version of an automatic temperature compensated refractometer.
http://www.specmeters.com/IPM_and_Plant_Health_Tools/Refractometer.html

A better version of an automatic temperature compensated refractometer.
http://www.QAsupplies.com/2006044.html

And, of course, Peaceful Valley Farm Supply
http://www.groworganic.com/a/item_TM301_RefractometerATC.html

Peaceful Valley is the only company that I've bought from before. Pike
has enough references from other places that I'm comfortable with them.
The others are recommended by Google. :-)

Soil penetrometers are carried at Pike and at Gemplers.

On Fri, 2003-08-15 at 06:55, Paul A. Bock wrote:
> Hello everyone,
>   I am curious if anyone out there uses refractometers to analyze plant sap
> to determine plant health?  refractometers are used to measure sugar
> concentrations in a water solution.  They are used for measuring maple syrup
> concentration, as well as sap concentration.  I have heard that they can be
> used on the sap of any plant, specifically to test when the best nutrient
> density is achieved in hay before it would be cut, or before a green manure
> would be cut down.
> 
>   Also I have heard of a device called a soil penetrometer, which indicates
> soil density, more specifically it is used to determine hardpan conditions.

-- 
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Art Petrzelka
Amana, Iowa, USA