# Soil Sampling - Automated Planning

## 1 min Dynamic Tutorial

{% @arcade/embed flowId="N4EmVIU0tjzCm0ouL0sD" url="<https://app.arcade.software/share/N4EmVIU0tjzCm0ouL0sD>" %}

## Who it’s for

Farmers, Agronomists, Soil labs, Retailers, and Dealers who need consistent sampling workflows at scale (from a few fields to entire farms or growers).

## Soil Sampling Plans Examples

<div align="center" data-full-width="false"><figure><img src="/files/kr51INFS46Wst5VaK0hk" alt="Soil sampling on mobile app. Collect samples, mark points"><figcaption><p>Soil sampling on mobile app. Collect samples, mark points</p></figcaption></figure> <figure><img src="/files/C0xB4AaxqVuswTr9XPMQ" alt="Zonal Soil Sampling, Zone-By-Zone Option. Go to the next Zone only after finishing the previous one."><figcaption><p>Zonal Soil Sampling, Zone-By-Zone Option. Go to the next Zone only after finishing the previous one.</p></figcaption></figure> <figure><img src="/files/pAyxkSkkxnfKpBDGCeyK" alt="Zonal Soil Sampling, Zone-By-Zone Option, sample 2. Go to the next Zone only after finishing the previous one."><figcaption><p>Zonal Soil Sampling, Zone-By-Zone Option, ex. 2. Go to the next Zone only after finishing the previous one.</p></figcaption></figure> <figure><img src="/files/mhfVdpv9zxTAB5272h6E" alt="Zonal Soil Sampling, Smart optimum Path Option. GeoPard locates points according to several best practices, incl. path optimum, points distribution, buffer zones"><figcaption><p>Zonal Soil Sampling, Smart optimum Path Option. GeoPard locates points according to several best practices, incl. path optimum, points distribution, buffer zones</p></figcaption></figure></div>

## Features & Settings

<table data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th><th></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Zonal or Grid sampling</strong> types. Support of Core &#x26; Composite sampling types</td><td></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Multi‑field planning</strong>: create plans for one or many fields in a single run.</td><td></td></tr><tr><td><strong>AI-powered Point placement logics</strong>:</td><td><ul><li><em>Smart Recommendation</em> (adaptive to zone shape/variability)</li><li><em>Core Line</em> (skeleton of zones/polygons)</li><li><em>N/Z</em> (4 points per zone, zig‑zag)</li><li><em>W</em> (5 points per zone, W pattern)</li></ul></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Routing options &#x26; Points location</strong>: </td><td><ul><li><em>Smart Optimal Path</em> (fastest overall)</li><li><em>Zone-By-Zone.</em> Go to the next Zone only after finishing the previous one.</li></ul></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Sampling Plan configuration</strong></td><td><ul><li>Number of points per Zone / Grid</li><li>Grid Cell Size</li><li>Grid Rotation Angle</li><li>Soil agrochemical or Plant Analysis type</li><li>Sample Depth</li></ul></td></tr><tr><td><p>Optionally set:</p><ul><li><strong>Starting &#x26; End</strong> Points</li><li><strong>Sequence of Zones</strong> draw manually</li></ul></td><td></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Printing Labels</strong> for Laboratory and samplers: </p><ul><li>Define logic what to put on a soil probe</li><li>Download &#x26; Print pdf with labels</li><li>Print from web or mobile</li></ul></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Export Sampling Plan:</td><td><ul><li>KML (zones, path &#x26; points)</li><li>Shapefile (coming soon)</li></ul></td></tr><tr><td>Field execution with GeoPard Mobile App</td><td><ul><li>Use the <a href="https://docs.geopard.tech/geopard-tutorials/product-tour-mobile-app/installation"><strong>GeoPard Mobile App</strong> </a>to view plans in the field, add notes, and mark progress.</li><li>Offline mode</li><li>Navigation / Direction of movement tracking (like google maps)</li></ul></td></tr></tbody></table>

## Workflow

### 1. Start a new Plan

Open **Sampling Plans** in the left menu or open in a new browser tab <https://app.geopard.tech/#/sampling-plans>.

<figure><img src="/files/OHTUPbmDs6cC1l4G4eft" alt="Sampling Plan Module, how to start" width="241"><figcaption><p>Sampling Plan Module, how to start</p></figcaption></figure>

Select one or multiple fields. Optionally Copy Settings from an existing plan (to get a consistent Soil trend across years).

{% @arcade/embed flowId="ntB1lSZPFMdjBbTjMXSX" url="<https://app.arcade.software/share/ntB1lSZPFMdjBbTjMXSX>" %}

### 2. Pick Grid or Zonal, Core or Composite type Analysis Type

* **Grid‑based**: splits the field into equal cells; best for baselining or when historic data is limited.
* **Zone‑based**: uses management zones (imagery, yield, soil, etc.) to drive sampling where variability matters most.

<figure><img src="/files/QFP8tATC8Wsb0VS89C7t" alt="Choose Grid or Zonal based sampling plan type" width="375"><figcaption><p>Choose Grid or Zonal based sampling plan type</p></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="/files/2vOuFtCN390MW0PiChFK" alt="Choose Core or Composite based sampling plan type" width="375"><figcaption><p>Choose Grid or Zonal based sampling plan type</p></figcaption></figure>

* **Composite**: combine multiple cores into a single sample per zone or grid → cost‑efficient.
* **Core**: individual cores at each generated point → highest spatial resolution (more lab samples).

### 3. Configure Points & Path Placement Logic (Zonal‑based)

Among options:

* **Smart Recommendation**: adaptive algorithm balances coverage and travel effort.
* **Core Line**: places points along parallel lines (great with straight‑pass equipment).
* **N/Z** patters (4 pts) and **W** (5 pts) pattern: classic agronomy patterns for gradients and narrow strips.
* Set **# of points per zone** and **sample depth**.
* **Sample Depth**: Set the depth of soil samples.
* **Agrochemical Analysis Type**: Tailor to the type of soil test you need.

<figure><img src="/files/Qn1a8CYqkIek1raQyYaz" alt="Soil sampling Points &#x26; Path Placement Logic" width="563"><figcaption><p>Soil sampling Points &#x26; Path Placement Logic</p></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="/files/94e1TGQntmXAajbNLmvZ" alt=" Number of points per zone" width="375"><figcaption><p>Set the Number of points per zone</p></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="/files/FWhLjbvcPZnuy1C1mJ1t" alt="Select Agrochemical Analysis Type" width="375"><figcaption><p>Select Agrochemical Analysis Type</p></figcaption></figure>

### 4. Set Routing and Path options

* **Smart Optimal Path**: single efficient route across the field (may cross zones).&#x20;
  * It's great for automated soil samplers (like [Wintex](https://www.wintexagrousa.com/automatic-soil-samplers/), [Amity](https://www.amitytech.com/crop-management-tools/soil-samplers-2/), [Falcon](https://falconsoil.com/), [AutoProbe](https://agronomicinnovations.com/product/), [Dakota Fluid Power](https://www.dakotafluidpower.com/product/dfp-soil-probe), etc.)
* **Zone‑by‑Zone**: go to the next zone after you finish sampling in the current zone.&#x20;
  * Suits great for manual samplers
* Optionally draw a **custom zone sequence** to define driving order.

### 5. Labels for Laboratory & Printing **(6×6 cm, 5×7 cm, 10×10 cm, A4)**

* *Core sampling type*: stickers are generated for **points**.
* *Composite sampling plan*: stickers are generated for **zones**.

<table data-card-size="large" data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th><th data-hidden data-card-cover data-type="image">Cover image</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>For composite sampling, the Zone Label Template sets the zone names, which are then used for printing labels for each zone.</td><td><a href="/files/KnNoGOsw42fixZ6bdGQI">/files/KnNoGOsw42fixZ6bdGQI</a></td></tr><tr><td>For core sampling, the Point Label Template sets the point names, which are then used for printing labels for each point.</td><td><a href="/files/TuX7dTkEi34VHAWlIFVv">/files/TuX7dTkEi34VHAWlIFVv</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

### 6. Generate & Review

* Click **Generate Plan**. Inspect points, route, and zone sequence on the map.

{% @arcade/embed flowId="ih41U3dBN2cJHmjkQHeR" url="<https://app.arcade.software/share/ih41U3dBN2cJHmjkQHeR>" %}

### 7. Adjust Plan (Select zones, Start/End points, Move, Delete points, Sequence of zones)

Adjust settings and **Regenerate** if needed (no extra charge applied):

* **Select Zones map for each selected field:** By default, GeoPard automatically selects the most recent zones map or generates a grid based on your chosen parameters.

<figure><img src="/files/9YO2QJKPCFhZs8hjgwHj" alt="Select Zones based on which Sampling page is generated" width="563"><figcaption><p>Select Zones based on which Sampling page is generated</p></figcaption></figure>

* Edit Start/End points. GeoPard makes automated optimum path recalculation

{% @arcade/embed flowId="yaBTVfeRRSk0XQTBa6Ea" url="<https://app.arcade.software/share/yaBTVfeRRSk0XQTBa6Ea>" %}

* Move or delete points

{% @arcade/embed flowId="uUnusQqyIdaOGjWNBF2U" url="<https://app.arcade.software/share/uUnusQqyIdaOGjWNBF2U>" %}

### 8. Exports (for sampling in a 3rd party software)

* **Routes, Points and Polygons in one file**: export as KML for navigation apps.
* **Points/Polygons**: export as Shapefile/GeoJSON when needed (coming soon).

<figure><img src="/files/3E4fgRdrzIJhpY5gBEf0" alt="Export Soil Sampling zones, route and points as kml"><figcaption><p>Export Soil Sampling zones, route and points as kml</p></figcaption></figure>

#### KML export examples (zones, boundary, points and route) - all in one kml file

<div><figure><img src="/files/RRXv5MjmRnoXECftHarO" alt="Sampling KML export example" width="375"><figcaption><p>Sampling KML export example 1</p></figcaption></figure> <figure><img src="/files/ipgbWgNr1LvJInVPDhEf" alt="Sampling KML export example 2" width="375"><figcaption><p>Sampling KML export example 2</p></figcaption></figure></div>

### 9. Field execution with GeoPard Mobile App

Use the [**GeoPard Mobile App** ](/geopard-tutorials/product-tour-mobile-app/install-the-geopard-mobile-app.md)to view plans in the field, add notes, and mark progress.

* Navigation Mode (google maps like)
* Offline mode
* Print labels from mobile
* Mark points as executed

<figure><img src="/files/kr51INFS46Wst5VaK0hk" alt="Soil Sampling collection with the mobile application" width="375"><figcaption><p>Soil Sampling collection with GeoPard mobile application</p></figcaption></figure>

## Billing & Tracking

* All sampling activities appear in **Activity Log**, ensuring full traceability.

  <figure><img src="/files/0Hlmco7VTO6hHWLOx3Pp" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
* Creating a new plan is inlcuded in yearly subscription and triggers a one-time charge for pay-as-you-go plan (regeneration is free).

## Tips & best practices

* Use **Zone‑based + Smart Recommendation** on fields with strong variability (imagery/yield/topography).
* Prefer **Composite** to reduce lab costs; switch to **Core** for detailed diagnostics.
* Set **sample depth** to match lab protocol and crop needs.
* For straight rows, **Core Line** gives clean coverage; for strips and narrow zones, use **W**.
* When operators prefer structure over speed, go **Zone‑by‑Zone** and define a **manual zone sequence**.
* Re-use sampling plans across years to understand soil trends via consistent sampling locations

## FAQ

{% hint style="info" %}

* **Can I copy a plan’s settings to another field?** Yes, use **Copy settings** when starting a new plan.
* **Does Smart Optimal Path respect zone boundaries?** It prioritizes the shortest drive. Use Zone‑by‑Zone to keep visits grouped by zone.
* **How are labels generated?** By the selected Label Template (Point or Zone) when you choose Core vs Composite.
* **What’s included in a charge?**&#x20;
  * Pay-As-You-Go Plan: A single charge per **new** plan. Tweaks and regenerations are free.
  * Yearly subscription: the module is included in the price
    {% endhint %}

## Known limitations (current)

{% hint style="warning" %}

* Extremely irregular field shapes may require manual fine‑tuning of zone sequence.
* If a field has no zones and you choose Zone‑based, you’ll be prompted to create a Zones Map first.
  {% endhint %}

## Related docs

* [**Zones Maps and Analytics**](/geopard-tutorials/product-tour-web-app/zones-maps-and-analytics.md) (creating variability zones) - Basis for Zonal soil sampling
* [**Export / Download**](/geopard-tutorials/product-tour-web-app/export-download.md) (Shapefile, GeoTIFF/GeoJSON)
* [**Operations Log**](/geopard-tutorials/product-tour-web-app/operations-log-track-errors-imports-and-analytics.md) (traceability)
* [**Mobile App**](/geopard-tutorials/product-tour-mobile-app/working-in-the-field-scouting-zones-maps.md)**: Working in the field**

## Changelog

[**September 2025** — Initial release](/geopard-tutorials/changelog-and-product-releases/release-web-and-mobile-september-2025-automated-soil-sampling-zones-from-equations-billing-portal.md): multi‑field plans, grid/zone analysis, Core/Composite sampling, Smart/N‑Z/W/Core‑Line placement, Smart Optimal Path vs Zone‑by‑Zone routing, labels, Activity Log, billing per new plan.


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