In this deep-dive episode of the Crop Cast, Sean Nettleton and agronomist Blake Hadley unpack the complex world of phosphorus in soil systems, exploring its chemical, biological, and physical dynamics. Blake discusses how his self-taught, data-driven approach led him to simplify soil science through visual frameworks that connect redox potential (Eh), pH, and biological activity. Together they challenge traditional thinking—like the fixation on the “perfect” soil pH or the outdated simplicity of Liebig’s Law of the Minimum—and instead advocate for a holistic, living-soil perspective.
Listeners learn how microbial processes, residue breakdown, and carbon-phosphorus ratios influence availability, why biological activity (and even rain) drives phosphorus mineralization, and how stratification, soil tests, and new extraction methods like Haney’s H3A are shifting how agronomists think about fertility.
The episode blends soil science with philosophy—urging growers to measure, question, and evolve their management instead of relying on outdated models.

In this Crop Cast episode, host Sean Nettleton leads a dynamic roundtable with Faith Pierson (Infinity Ag Solutions, Host of Farming with More than Faith), Kyle Olson (Creekside Agronomy, Co-host Dirt 2 Dollars), and Chase Perry (CMP Enterprises, Co-host Dirt 2 Dollars) to unpack how farmers are rethinking fertility, nitrogen management, and long-term soil health through BaselineRx. The group shares real-world examples showing how conventional high-nitrogen programs often create imbalance, weaken plant health, and drive disease pressure — while more measured, biologically-aware programs build stronger soils and more profitable yields. They discuss the philosophy that you can’t manage what you don’t measure, emphasizing continuous soil testing, real-time fertility adjustments, and the integration of tools like FertiCast™ to precisely time inputs. The conversation evolves into how managing carbon-to-nitrogen balance, rather than chasing yield with excess chemistry, is the next frontier for sustainable profitability. Together, they deliver a message of partnership, patience, and progress: fixing the soil fixes the farm — and fertility is the foundation of future success.

In this Crop Cast episode, Mason and the team sit down with Nate Ide of Lester Prairie, Minnesota, to explore how he transformed frustration into innovation through soil biology and data-driven farming. Nate recounts his early struggles trying every product on the market with no success—until he embraced BW Fusion’s biological system and the Agronomy365 framework. His breakthrough came when he realized poor calcium release was limiting yields, prompting his “One Field Challenge,” a practical approach where farmers compare high- and low-yielding zones to identify true biological limitations rather than just nutrient levels. Through perseverance and curiosity, Nate proves that feeding the microbes, not just the soil, can unlock fertility that traditional P&K numbers miss. His story shows how understanding carbon, calcium, and microbial life can transform yield, trust, and the way farmers think about “building” rather than just “growing” crops. It’s a powerful discussion about curiosity, grit, and how agronomy is evolving from chemistry to biology.