Reimagining Fertility: Soil Health, Zone Management, and the Power of the Indicator Test with Jason Schley

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 uptakeHow the Indicator Test was developed and why it provides a more accurate picture of nutrient availabilityWhy grid sampling misses key physical and biological field variabilityHow the “Baseline” zone management approach identifies limiting factors—especially water-holding capacityThe critical role of Water Extractable Organic Carbon (WEOC) and how over-reliance on synthetics can suppress soil biologyResources & Links Mentioned:Next Level Ag LabsAgronomy 365 / BW FusionFollow Faith on X @FaithLois12After You Listen:Subscribe to RhizoMetRx to stay updated on new episodesShare this episode with fellow growers, consultants, or agronomy professionalsJoin the conversation—send your questions, field observations, or feedback to [email protected].