In this episode of RhizoMetRx, host Faith is joined by Nebraska natives Kyle Olson and Chase Perry to dismantle the "grid sampling" status quo. Together, they explore the shift to zone management through the Baseline protocol and share real-world examples of "ground truthing" soil data.

Listeners will gain insights into why nature doesn't grow in perfect squares, how to interpret advanced soil metrics like WEOC and PSAT, and practical strategies for improving nitrogen efficiency and farm profitability.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

The Grid Sampling Disconnect: Why traditional grid sampling fails to capture biological and physical reality compared to zone management based on water-holding capacity and elevation.

Ground Truthing the Data: How visual field indicators—such as weed pressure lines, cover crop establishment, and corn stalk diameter—consistently confirm zone boundaries.

Indicator Test Metrics: The difference between H3A (plant-available) and standard PPM, and how to use Phosphorus Saturation (PSAT) scores to decide between banding, broadcasting, or cutting starter fertilizer.

Carbon-Nitrogen Balance: The critical role of Water Extractable Organic Carbon (WEOC) and why overloading nitrogen on low-carbon soils can lead to late-season disease and poor stalk quality.

Efficiency Over Yield Chasing: Strategies to identify where you can cut unnecessary inputs without sacrificing yield, allowing you to reallocate dollars to the zones that need them most.

Resources & Links Mentioned:

Dirt2Dollars: Kyle and Chase’s educational video channel

Creekside Agronomy (Kyle Olson)

CMP Enterprises (Chase Perry)

After You Listen:

• Subscribe to RhizoMetRx to stay updated on new episodes
• Share this episode with fellow growers, consultants, or agronomy professionals
• Join the conversation—send your questions, field observations, or feedback to infinityagsolutions@gmail.com.

In this episode of RhizoMetRx, host Faith sits down with agronomist and Next Level Ag Labs part-owner Jason Schley to explore why traditional fertility models often fall short—and what growers can do instead. Together, they dive into the development of the Indicator Test, the value of zone-based management, and how understanding soil biology can unlock yield potential.
Listeners will gain insights into modern soil health metrics, nutrient release dynamics, and practical strategies for improving both crop performance and farm profitability.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why traditional soil test PPM values often fail to correlate with actual plant uptake
• How the Indicator Test was developed and why it provides a more accurate picture of nutrient availability
• Why grid sampling misses key physical and biological field variability
• How the “Baseline” zone management approach identifies limiting factors—especially water-holding capacity
• The critical role of Water Extractable Organic Carbon (WEOC) and how over-reliance on synthetics can suppress soil biology

Resources & Links Mentioned:

• Next Level Ag Labs
• Agronomy 365 / BW Fusion
• Follow Faith on X @FaithLois12

After You Listen:

• Subscribe to RhizoMetRx to stay updated on new episodes
• Share this episode with fellow growers, consultants, or agronomy professionals
• Join the conversation—send your questions, field observations, or feedback to infinityagsolutions@gmail.com.

Welcome to the launch of RhizoMetRx, the podcast where agronomy meets actionable insights. In this episode, host Faith—farmer’s daughter, farm wife, entrepreneur, and agronomist—shares her journey from growing up on a dairy farm in Wisconsin to running a seed and agronomy business in Northeast Illinois.

Faith explains what inspired her passion for understanding soil fertility, plant nutrition, and crop performance beyond traditional checklists. She dives into her experiences with soil testing, tissue sampling, and field trials, revealing the “aha moments” that changed the way she approaches agronomy—and how these lessons can help growers make data-driven decisions for better yields and farm profitability.

If you’re ready to stop guessing and start using root-zone metrics to improve your operation, this episode is your starting point.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Faith’s journey from farm life to agronomy and entrepreneurship
• Why traditional soil tests don’t always tell the full story
• The importance of tissue testing, field trials, and understanding nutrient interactions
• How actionable agronomy can transform crop performance and profitability
• The story behind RhizoMetRx and what “turning roots into revenue” really means

Resources & Links Mentioned:

• Agronomy 365: https://www.agronomy365.com
  
  
• Follow Faith on X @FaithLois12

Calls to Action:

• Subscribe to RhizoMetRx so you never miss an episode
• Share this podcast with fellow growers, agronomists, or anyone curious about better crop performance
• Join the conversation! Email or comment with your agronomy questions, experiences, or debates: infinityagsolutions@gmail.com