The NextGen Podcast

What if corn could help fertilize itself?  In Episode One of the NextGen Fertilizers × Pivot Bio podcast series, we dive into the origin story of Pivot Bio — from breakthrough microbial science to real-world nitrogen replacement in the field. We unpack the skepticism, the research behind gene-edited microbes, and what growers are seeing when biological nitrogen becomes part of the fertility program.  If you're curious about improving nitrogen efficiency and reducing synthetic reliance, this episode lays the groundwork.  Listen now — and see more information at nextgenfertilizers.com.

After the breakthrough science behind Pivot Bio’s nitrogen-fixing microbes, what came next?  

In Episode Two of the NextGen Fertilizers × Pivot Bio podcast series, we explore how the technology has evolved since the first commercial product launched in 2018.   We discuss how these microbes work alongside crop roots, how application methods have expanded, and what growers are learning as biological nitrogen becomes a bigger part of modern fertility programs.  

Listen now — and learn more at nextgenfertilizers.com.

For decades, farmers in the High Plains were told there was enough water for generations. Today, that story is changing.  

In the first episode of the NextGen Fertilizers Podcast, Paul sits down with Rod Lenz, President of the Republican River Water Conservation District, to talk about the future of water in the Republican River Basin. 

They break down interstate water battles, why thousands of acres are being retired, and what farmers can do to keep agriculture alive in communities that depend on irrigation.  It’s a real conversation about water, agriculture, and what it will take to farm smarter in the years ahead.

Paul sits down with a commercial agronomist whose path into agronomy started at K-State and eventually led him to Pivot Bio — but not before plenty of skepticism.  

This episode dives into what changed his mind after seeing biological nitrogen perform firsthand in on-farm trials across western Kansas. They talk through where Pivot Bio products fit, where they can fall short, and why agronomics, timing, placement, and other limiting nutrients all matter when evaluating performance.  

From corn to wheat, this is a practical conversation about how growers can think through biological nitrogen in the real world — with honesty about both the wins and the challenges.

In this episode, we break down the fundamentals of soil testing and how to actually use those numbers to make smarter, more profitable decisions on the farm. 

From proper sampling techniques to understanding pH, CEC, base saturation, and organic matter, we walk through what matters most—and what often gets overlooked.  We also dig into consistency in testing, differences in extraction methods, and how your soil’s natural biology contributes to nutrient availability. The goal? Help you stop guessing and start building a fertility program based on real data and ROI.  

Whether you’re pulling your own samples or working with an agronomist, this episode will help you better understand what your soil is telling you—and how to use it to your advantage.

When it comes to consistency and ROI, silage is quickly becoming one of the strongest use cases for Pivot Bio.  

In Episode Six of the Nextgen Fertilizers × Pivot Bio podcast series, we take a deep dive into multi-year, real-world field data showing how biological nitrogen is driving major gains in silage production.  From small plot trials to large-scale field comparisons, growers are seeing repeatable increases in biomass — often around one ton per acre — without sacrificing feed quality. 

We break down what’s happening inside the plant, how nitrogen is being utilized differently, and why this translates into strong returns even when adding an extra input.  If you're growing silage or forage crops, this episode highlights one of the most consistent opportunities in modern fertility programs.  

Listen now — and learn more at nextgenfertilizers.com.

In part two of our soil testing series, we go deeper into real-world soil sample interpretation and how to turn those numbers into actionable fertility recommendations. 

We break down a Mehlich-3 soil test, discuss variability across zones, and explain how factors like pH, CEC, organic matter, and base saturation influence nutrient availability and crop performance.  

We also dive into phosphorus variability, variable-rate strategies, and how extraction methods impact what your soil test is really telling you. Plus, we shift the conversation beyond N-P-K — highlighting the role of secondary and micronutrients like zinc, manganese, and iron, and how they influence ROI and yield potential.  

Spring planting is here, but so are cold snaps, fluctuating soil temps, and tough early-season decisions. 

In this episode, we break down how to manage risk and maximize emergence when conditions aren’t ideal.   We start with one of the most overlooked tools in your toolbox: the cold germination test. 

Learn how this simple, low-cost step can help determine planting order, protect stand counts, and avoid costly early-season mistakes.   

Nitrogen is one of the most trusted — and overapplied — inputs in modern farming. But are you getting the most return from every pound? 

 In this episode, we dive into real-world results from more than 250 field trials to break down where biological nitrogen like Pivot Bio actually fits into your program — and where it doesn’t.

From humic acids to plant growth regulators, today’s market is packed with products promising bigger yields and better ROI — but how much of it actually works?  

In this episode, we break down the real science (and the sales tactics) behind some of the most talked-about inputs being applied at planting. We dive into what humic and fulvic acids actually do in the soil, where they can improve nitrogen efficiency, and why some common claims don’t hold up in real-world conditions.

From amino acids and biological food sources to planter box treatments and in-furrow nutrition, the planter pass conversation keeps getting deeper — and more complicated.  

In Part 2 of our planter products series, we break down how amino acids, sugars, humics, fulvics, and biological stimulants actually function in real-world field conditions — especially in cold soils, low organic matter environments, and high-stress acres across the Great Plains. We also dive into why placement matters, how seed treatments and planter box products are evolving, and what separates products that truly improve stand establishment from those that are mostly marketing.