# What Your Standard Soil Test Isn't Telling You

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-dirt-an-ekonomics-podkast-5221394/what-your-standard-soil-test-isn-t-telling-you
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-dirt-an-ekonomics-podkast-5221394/what-your-standard-soil-test-isn-t-telling-you.md
Podcast: [The Dirt: an eKonomics podKast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-dirt-an-ekonomics-podkast-5221394)
Published: 2026-04-14T13:47:00+00:00
Episode link: https://nutrien-ekonomics.com/
Audio file: https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/dd789797-1682-4fd6-88e6-c7b1938f3f03/The_Dirt_Season_5_Episode_7_FINAL_MIX_15m28s_04-013-2026.mp3?dest-id=3336188
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Duration seconds: 929

## Resource

You're applying the nutrients your crops need, but is your soil actually able to deliver them? Your standard soil test might not be giving you the full picture of what's actually happening beneath the surface. In this episode, Mike Howell sits down with Dr. Elizabeth French, Soil Biology Manager at Waypoint Analytical, to explore what traditional soil tests may be missing, and how biological soil testing can help answer questions around nutrient availability and cycling, soil health and overall crop performance. Together, they explore how biological soil testing is helping us better understand soil biology and what's in the soil, what these tests can reveal about a soil's microbial activity and productivity and how this insight can lead to stronger agronomic decisions. Tune in to learn how biological soil testing works and how it can help you evaluate and support soil health and fertility across fields. Looking for the latest in crop nutrition research? Visit nutrien-ekonomics.com Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@NutrieneKonomics

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## Transcript

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