Walk Your Fields, Don’t Just Watch Them
The value in 'Boots on the Ground' data
There’s a lot of data that can be gleaned from a yield monitor, drone imagery, soil and plant tissue samples, but there is extreme value in the ‘boots on the ground’ data that comes from walking fields and scouting for insect, weed, or disease pressure or checking stand counts. Whether you’re a grower yourself or a consultant, scouting provides valuable insights that can lead to yield saving applications, finding trends for future management or a combination of both.
Why to scout?
- Early detection: Checking fields early and often allows you to have more control over the season and make a remedy treatment if needed.
- Better decisions: Scouting gives you the confidence to know what is actually going on, instead of making just in case passes with the sprayer. It also all you to have more targeted, more cost-effective management strategies.
- Increased environmental stewardship: Scouting allows you to only apply what you need, where you need it. Reducing those just in case inputs and increasing stewardship and sustainability.
What to look for?
Scouting doesn’t have to be complicated or costly. Look for signs of insects, diseases, weeds, and crop growth.
- Insects: Look for signs that they have been feasting on the plant leaves. Chewed leaves, droppings, or damaged silks are all signs of an insect pest presence. Don’t be afraid to dig some roots as well to take a peak at what kind of insect pressure is happening below the surface. Oftentimes, early insect damage is happening below the surface on the baby roots or seed.
- Diseases: Looks for lesions, discoloration, spots, wilting, anything that doesn’t look quite right. Diseases often start small and will explode with the right weather conditions. Early detection allows you time to get a remedy application put on, before the disease takes over and robs the yield.
- Weeds: Monitoring for weeds is essential. Even though there may have been a pre- and post-emerge herbicide application, some weeds still find their way through to rob the cash crop of space, water, nutrients, and sunlight. A few weeds may not seem like a big deal, but small problems become profit thieves in the fall. A Michigan State University study suggests that waiting to control weeds until the V1 stage in soybeans, could lead to a 0.5 bushel per acre per day loss, which equates to greater than $38 per acre loss at the end of the season. Click below to read the full article.
- https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/protecting-crop-yields-starts-with-early-season-weed-control
- Crop growth: It’s also important to examine overall growth, health, and uniformity. This can be done throughout the season, but should definitely be done in the early part of the season to get an idea of how well and uniformly the crop emerged. It has been proved, time and time again, that uniform emergence leads to the most successful crops. Monitoring for growth and health also allows for detection of nutrient deficiencies that could be corrected with a foliar application, if it’s feasible to do so.
- Environmental factors: Scouting for environmental stressors is valuable to understand how different hybrids and varieties respond to water stress (whether not enough or too much) or things like hail and wind damage. Knowing how the variety or hybrid responds to certain environmental stressors allows you to take note on which varieties or hybrids to plant, or not plant, in the future.
How do you scout?
- Timing: Ideally, every 7-10 days because problems can arise quickly and become detrimental quickly as well. However, as a farmer or crop consultant, you may not have that kind of time on your hands. Therefore, scouting in the early, middle, and end of the growing season is probably more feasible and will give you good data and insight on any remedies to make in-season and how to improve for the seasons to come.
- Pattern: Using a ‘W’ or zig-zag pattern will allow you to check on the crop in a randomized fashion that will cross many rows and sampling zones. You could also scout by sample or yield zone to get a glimpse of how different management zones respond to different stressors. Either way, it is important to take note of the pattern you use and use the same pattern each time you scout within that season.
- Stop and smell the roses every once in a while: Don’t rush through your scouting. Be sure to stop, dig roots, pull back leaves, check inside whorl, etc. every once in a while to get a deeper look at what the crop is experiencing and you might be able to predict a problem before the symptoms of that yield-thief come to head.
- Take notes: Document what you see and where, whether that’s with pen and paper or electronically. Keeping track of the potential problems and the location will help aid in future decisions and allow you to track trends over time. There are pros and cons to scouting both ways. Technology tends to have faster delivery options, but carrying an iPad throughout a field can be cumbersome and if the sun is too bright, it’s too hot, or it starts to rain, the iPad’s efficiency dwindles. Having both available is a good standard, just in case one fails.
- Determine if action is needed: It is important to figure in the damage threshold. Is the damage enough that a remedy treatment will save yield and have a positive ROI? Is it the right time? For example, if a corn field is scouted at R5 and is covered in tar spot, a fungicide application is not going to save the yield, it’s already gone, and that application will be a waste of money. Whereas if that same corn field is scout at tasseling and tar spot is just starting, and the past weather and future forecast are looking conducive to tar spot expansion, it’s a good time to call the retailer and get a fungicide application on to protect the yield.
Over time, scouting allows you to learn your fields better. Patterns will start to emerge, such as, low spots usually have a deficiency, which hybrids handle stress better, or fields that consistently have greater disease pressure. Knowing your fields beyond the yield monitor will pay dividends year after year.
Scouting gives you the “why,” but good data helps you confirm the “what.” That’s where Brookside Labs, the Amplify Network, and the AIPro system come in.
Brookside Labs is trusted by hundreds of Amplify consultants and thousands of farmers across millions of acres for high-quality, reliable testing. Amplify consultants bring that same level of precision and accountability into every field—they live by the mindset, “If my services don’t make you money, I’ll fire myself.”
And with AIPro, the Amplify data management system, consultants can seamlessly submit samples to Brookside Labs, turn scouting observations into actionable recommendations, and keep the entire process—from field to lab to plan—organized and efficient.
Field scouting might start with a walk, but it ends with better data, smarter decisions, and more profitable acres.
Samantha Scranton
Amplify Consultant
Grizzly Ridge
Heather Rindler, CCA
Research Agronomist
Brookside Labs | Amplify Network
Putting What We're Learning to Work
Nitrogen is one of the most important nutrients for corn production, but determining whether a crop received the right amount can be challenging. Corn Stalk Nitrate Testing (CSNT) provides a valuable post-season "report card" on nitrogen utilization, helping growers and consultants assess whether nitrogen rates were too low, adequate, or excessive. When used alongside the Pre-Sidedress Nitrate Test (PSNT) and/or N-Min testing, Corn Stalk Nitrate Testing can provide a more complete picture of nitrogen dynamics throughout the growing season. Together, these tools help consultants make informed recommendations that optimize nitrogen use, improve profitability, and enhance environmental stewardship. Why Use Corn Stalk Nitrate Testing? Unlike in-season nitrogen tests, Corn Stalk Nitrate Testing is a post-mortem assessment of nitrogen utilization. The results help identify whether the crop had excess nitrogen available late in the season or whether nitrogen may have been limiting yield potential. By evaluating fields after harvest, growers and consultants can refine future nitrogen management strategies and make more informed fertility decisions for upcoming seasons. When Should Samples Be Collected? Corn stalk samples can be collected from two weeks prior to black layer through three weeks after black layer . Sampling during this window provides the most accurate assessment of nitrogen availability late in the growing season. How to Collect Corn Stalk Samples Follow these steps to ensure accurate and representative results: Select representative plants from the field. Avoid sampling: Unusually stunted plants Insect-damaged plants Diseased plants Plants without an ear Any other abnormal plants that do not represent the field From each plant, cut an 8-inch stalk segment beginning 6 inches above the soil surface . Remove all leaves and leaf sheaths from the stalk segment. Collect 15 stalk segments per sample . Proper Sample Handling Place each group of 15 stalk segments into a paper bag . Paper bags are preferred because they: Minimize mold development Allow moisture to escape Facilitate proper drying during shipment and storage Do not use plastic bags, as they can trap moisture and negatively impact sample quality. Using Results to Improve Nitrogen Management Corn Stalk Nitrate Testing is most powerful when used as part of a comprehensive nitrogen management program. Combining CSNT results with PSNT and N-Min testing allows consultants to evaluate nitrogen availability before, during, and after the growing season, leading to more precise fertilizer recommendations and improved nitrogen use efficiency. Want to Learn More? For more information about Corn Stalk Nitrate Testing or to develop a nitrogen management strategy for your operation, contact your local Amplify Consultant. Find a consultant here: https://www.blinc.com/become-a-consultant . You can also contact Brookside Laboratories directly at: Phone: 419-977-2766 Email: info@blinc.com Heather Rindler , CCA Brookside Labs | Amplify Network | American Ag Laboratory Interested in joining our email list to stay up to date on all things Brookside Labs, the Amplify Network, and American Ag Labs? Join HERE !
Soil health testing is an important tool for understanding how soils function and how management practices may influence those functions over time. Brookside Labs offers the soil health testing capabilities needed to support testing under the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Conservation Evaluation and Monitoring Activity 216 (CEMA 216). For producers, conservation professionals, crop consultants, and other agricultural professionals working with NRCS programs, understanding what CEMA 216 requires, and what a laboratory can provide, is an important first step. What Is CEMA 216? CEMA 216, or Conservation Evaluation and Monitoring Activity – Soil Health Testing , is an NRCS activity that provides a framework for quantitatively evaluating the biological, chemical, and physical characteristics of soil using approved laboratory methods. The activity can be used across land uses and is designed to help evaluate soil health in relation to conservation objectives. CEMA 216 establishes requirements for soil sampling, laboratory testing, documentation, interpretation, and reporting. The current April 2026 version of CEMA 216 identifies five soil processes and characteristics that must be assessed when evaluating the status of the soil ecosystem: Soil aggregation Soil carbon cycling Microbial activity Carbon food source for microorganisms Nitrogen food source for organisms Soil pH and texture are also measured to help interpret the soil health indicators. What Does CEMA 216 Require? For each of the five soil processes, CEMA 216 identifies a preferred laboratory method as well as an approved alternate method. NRCS also provides approved alternate methods for several of these indicators, including calculated SOC from loss-on-ignition organic matter, 96-hour incubation for respiration, water-extractable organic carbon, and water-extractable organic nitrogen. This flexibility allows participants and their Qualified Individuals to select appropriate laboratory methods while maintaining consistency with the CEMA 216 requirements. Brookside Labs' Soil Health Testing Options Brookside Labs offers all five of the soil processes/characteristics outlined in Table 1 of the CEMA 216 NRCS document. This includes testing for: Wet aggregate stability | Test code: S273 Soil organic carbon | Test code: S139 Soil respiration | Test code: S113 Labile carbon/POXC | Test code: S241 ACE Protein | Test code: S242 Brookside also offers soil pH and soil texture testing to support interpretation of soil health indicators. Beyond a Single Soil Health Number One of the important concepts behind CEMA 216 is that soil health is not represented by a single test. Different indicators provide information about different soil functions. Wet aggregate stability provides information about the physical soil environment and is related to water infiltration, carbon and nutrient storage, biological activity, and erosion. Soil organic carbon is related to soil structure and fertility and provides food for soil microbes. Soil respiration provides an indication of microbial activity, while labile carbon measures carbon that is readily available to microorganisms. ACE Protein provides information related to protein readily available to microbes. Looking at multiple indicators together can provide a more complete picture of how a soil is functioning. Consistency Is Key CEMA 216 can also be used to monitor the effects of conservation practices over multiple years. When monitoring changes over time, NRCS recommends consistency in several areas, including: Using the same georeferenced sampling locations Using the same sampling strategy Collecting soil under similar soil conditions Sampling at the same time of year Using the same laboratory, tests, and methods Maintaining consistency helps make changes in soil health indicators more meaningful from one sampling period to the next. Sampling Matters The laboratory test is only one part of a successful soil health assessment. CEMA 216 provides specific guidance for developing a sampling strategy and collecting samples. NRCS recommends contacting the laboratory before going to the field to obtain laboratory-specific recommendations for soil temperature, soil moisture, storage, shipping times, and other requirements for the indicators being analyzed. CEMA 216 generally calls for at least three representative sampling locations within the planning land unit, with each composite sample consisting of at least five subsamples. The CEMA 216 document also provides guidance on sampling depth, equipment, sample handling, and conditions to avoid when collecting samples. For soil health testing, proper sampling and handling are just as important as selecting the appropriate laboratory analysis. What Brookside Labs Provides—and What the QI Provides It is important to understand the distinction between laboratory testing and the overall CEMA 216 activity. CEMA 216 requires a Qualified Individual (QI) to perform and document the broader work associated with the activity. This includes developing the sampling strategy, documenting the work, interpreting results, and preparing the required deliverables for the participant and NRCS. Brookside Labs provides the laboratory testing component. The NRCS CEMA 216 document also specifies laboratory certification requirements and requires laboratories to maintain current certification through an accepted proficiency or accreditation program. Brookside Labs meets the laboratory requirements for CEMA 216 testing and offers the required soil health analyses to support the activity. Soil Health Testing Through Brookside Labs Whether you are completing a full soil health assessment, monitoring a conservation practice, or looking at an individual soil health indicator, Brookside Labs offers a range of testing options to help generate meaningful soil health data. Our goal is to provide reliable laboratory results that can be used by producers, crop consultants, conservation professionals, and NRCS partners as part of a broader soil health assessment and management process. Questions about CEMA 216 testing or which Brookside Labs test is right for your project? Call the Brookside Labs soil testing laboratory and ask for Heather : 419-977-2766 Or email Heather directly: hrindler@blinc.com We can help answer questions about available soil health analyses, sample requirements, and which Brookside Labs' testing options may fit your CEMA 216 project. Note: CEMA 216 is an NRCS conservation activity with requirements beyond laboratory testing. Producers and conservation professionals should coordinate with their Qualified Individual and local NRCS office to ensure that sampling, testing, documentation, interpretation, and deliverables meet the requirements of the specific CEMA 216 activity. Heather Rindler , CCA Brookside Labs | Amplify Network | American Agricultural Laboratory
We are excited to share some big news: Brookside Labs has acquired American Ag Labs in McCook, Nebraska. This is an important step forward for Brookside Labs, our team, our customers, and the agricultural community we are blessed to serve. For many years, American Ag Labs has built a strong reputation for serving growers, consultants, and agricultural businesses across the western Corn Belt and High Plains region. We are honored to continue building on that foundation. For Brookside Labs, this acquisition represents more than growth. It represents an opportunity to expand our reach westward, serve more people, and continue investing in the kind of agricultural testing and support that helps farmers, consultants, and businesses make better decisions. As we take this next step, our core values will continue to guide us. Servant Leadership reminds us that our first responsibility is to serve others well. Integrity-Founded keeps us grounded in doing the right thing, even when no one is watching. Cohesive Teamwork reminds us that the best outcomes happen when people work together. Being Solution Engineers challenges us to keep thinking differently, solving problems, and improving. Service Oriented keeps the customer at the center of what we do. Future Alert pushes us to prepare for what is ahead. Extreme Ownership reminds us to take responsibility. Our Go-Giver mentality reflects our belief that creating value for others is the best path to long-term success. And The Power of Together reminds us that we are better as a group than as individuals. Those values are not just words on a wall. They shape how we work in the lab, how we interact with customers, how we support one another, and how we approach opportunities like this one. We also want to recognize the American Ag Labs team. A laboratory is not just equipment, methods, and buildings. It is people. It is the care taken with every sample, the conversations with customers, the knowledge built over time, and the trust earned year after year. We are grateful for the work they have done and excited to move forward together. As with any transition, we will take time to listen, learn, and understand what has made American Ag Labs successful. We are not interested in change for the sake of change. Our goal is to observe, support, and thoughtfully improve where it makes sense. This acquisition allows Brookside Labs to better serve the agricultural community by increasing our regional presence, strengthening relationships, and continuing to provide reliable laboratory analysis backed by service, experience, and practical insight. We are thankful for the opportunity, excited for the future, and committed to honoring the trust placed in us by customers, consultants, employees, and shareholders. We are especially excited to begin serving American Ag Labs’ customers and to continue building on the relationships they have trusted for many years. Our goal is to work side by side with the American Ag Labs team, listen well, learn quickly, and serve customers with the same care and commitment they have come to expect. We look forward to interacting with many of you soon, learning more about your operations, and finding ways we can continue to support the important work you do in agriculture. There is a lot of work ahead, but we believe the best chapters are built together. Welcome, American Ag Labs. We are excited to grow forward with you. Luke Baker , PhD CEO/President Brookside Labs | Amplify | American Agricultural Laboratory
As we look ahead to an exciting season of learning, networking, and innovation, Brookside Labs and the Amplify Network are proud to announce two upcoming events that you won't want to miss. 3rd Annual Farm Forum December 17, 2026 Brookside Labs is excited to host the 3rd Annual Farm Forum in conjunction with Edison State Community College and Apple Farm Service. This free event is open to the public and designed to provide valuable education and insights for farmers, crop consultants, and agribusiness professionals. Attendees will spend the day exploring key topics and issues impacting agriculture today, learning from industry experts, and connecting with fellow agricultural professionals. Whether you're involved in crop production, agronomy, farm management, or agribusiness, the Farm Forum offers practical information to help you stay informed and prepared for the future. Admission is free, and all are welcome to attend. For event updates, speaker announcements, and additional details, be sure to follow Brookside Labs and the Amplify Network on Facebook and check Brookside Labs' event page . 75th Annual Amplify Conference January 17–20, 2027 | Nashville, Tennessee Brookside Labs and the Amplify Network are also gearing up for a milestone event—the 75th Annual Amplify Conference in Nashville. This year's conference theme, "Rooted in Tradition. Growing Through Innovation." , celebrates the rich history of agriculture while embracing the advancements shaping its future. The conference will feature industry-leading speakers, educational sessions, networking opportunities, and discussions focused on helping agricultural businesses thrive in a rapidly evolving landscape. Registration Opens Today! Registration for the 75th Annual Amplify Conference is now open. Secure your spot today through the official registration site: Register for the 2027 Amplify Conference Take advantage of early registration savings and register by September 25, 2026, to receive $100 off your conference registration. Join agricultural leaders, innovators, and professionals from across the country as we celebrate 75 years of learning, collaboration, and progress. We look forward to seeing you at both events as we continue working together to strengthen and advance agriculture for generations to come. Heather Rindler , CCA Brookside Labs | Amplify Network
Soil Sampling is a Profit Strategy
From Early-Season Nutrition to Post-Harvest Performance
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Providing another layer of insight into your soil.
Soil testing is one of the foundational steps in building an effective fertility program. When soils test within the proper balance, you can be reasonably confident they’ll produce near their potential. But soil fertility isn’t only about what’s present in the soil, it's also about what the plant can actually use. Believe it or not, nutrients can be in the soil in good supply and still fail to show up in the plant. Why? Because nutrient uptake is influenced by balance, timing, interactions, environment, and crop health. That’s where plant tissue analysis becomes the companion tool every grower should consider. Limitations of Only Soil Testing A soil test gives us the best estimate of how much nutrition is available in the soil at sampling time. It's the backbone of fertilizer decision-making. However, nutrients don’t move straight from the soil into yield. One nutrient taken up in excess—or not taken up at all—can prevent the plant from using others efficiently. Yield loss can happen even in soils that look “perfect” on paper. What Plant Tissue Analysis Tells Us Unlike soil testing, plant analysis measures the nutrients inside the growing crop, offering a real-time picture of nutritional balance. It helps: Detect nutrient deficiencies before they show symptoms Reveal nutrient interactions; both positive and negative Evaluate fertilizer and management practices Fine-tune a fertility program beyond what a soil test alone can show If you soil test regularly, apply recommended fertilizer rates, yet yield plateaus or disappoints, tissue testing is your next diagnostic tool. It’s a way to ‘look inside’ the plant and see what’s going right or wrong. Before You Pull Samples, Check the Basics Plant analysis won’t help if the crop is limited by something other than soil nutrients. Ask yourself: Am I planting proven varieties on time? Are populations and seeding rates aligned with yield goals? Are weeds, insects, and diseases controlled? Is tillage or soil structure providing a healthy root environment? If yes, and yields are still flat, it’s time to pull tissue samples. Understanding Variability in Plant Nutrients Plant nutrient concentrations are not static. They vary based on: Genetics: hybrids and varieties uptake nutrients differently Growth stage: younger plants contain higher nutrient concentrations Plant part: newly developed leaves hold the richest nutrient levels Environmental stress: drought, heat, cold, compaction, insects Nutrient interactions: excess of one element can suppress others Mineral mobility: some nutrients move internally, others don’t Because of this variability, correct sampling is crucial. Right crop, right tissue, right growth stage. Sampling Guidelines Avoid sampling: Dead, diseased, or insect-injured plants Plants stressed by drought, heat, cold, or saturation Plants heavily dusted with soil or crop protectants Leaves covered in fertilizer or foliar nutrients Crops far into the reproductive stage First thing in the morning or on dark, cloudy days (nitrate can spike artificially) Best practices: Place samples in paper bags, not plastic (plastic can induce molding much quicker) Air-dry wet tissue for at least 24 hours Provide correct crop, variety, growth stage, and plant part on the lab submittal worksheet When uncertain, sample the most recently matured leaf Submit separate “good vs. bad” samples when diagnosing a problem Fill the bag, more tissue is better than not enough One of the trickiest decisions you may face is whether a plant is nutrient-deficient, or simply diseased. For example, a soybean plant with stem or root rot will almost always test mineral-deficient, even if soil fertility is excellent. Diseased tissue clouds the results, leading to misleading conclusions. Soil Testing + Plant Analysis = Confidence Soil tests estimate what nutrients should be available. Plant analysis verifies what is actually getting into the crop. Together, they provide the clearest road map to: Diagnose nutrient problems Avoid unnecessary fertilizer spending Capture genetic yield potential Build long-term soil health and productivity If your goal is truly optimized productivity and profitability, not just ‘good enough’, pair soil testing with tissue sampling. Your crop will show you what it needs when you know how to listen. Heather Rindler , CCA Research Agronomist Brookside Labs | Amplify Network