Nebraska Lab Expansion Brings Advanced Soil Testing Closer to Midwest Potato Growers
Waypoint Analytical, North America’s largest agricultural laboratory network, has expanded its footprint with the opening of a new facility in Grand Island, Nebraska. The investment is aimed at providing faster, regionally tailored soil health insights to farmers across the Midwest, including Nebraska’s potato growers.
The Grand Island laboratory, which was inaugurated during an open house on July 17, promises to accelerate turnaround times for critical agronomic data, enabling growers to make timely, data-driven decisions in the heart of the growing season.
“Soil or tissue sampling provides a window into crop health,” said Lizzie French, Soil Biology Manager at Waypoint Analytical. “By bringing advanced testing closer to farmers, we’re helping them understand what’s happening beneath the surface – so they can make confident, timely decisions that support yield and long-term soil vitality today, and for years to come.”
Potato production, which is highly dependent on precise soil fertility and water management, could benefit from the new laboratory’s advanced testing capabilities. Waypoint’s services include soil testing for pH, organic matter and nutrient availability, plant tissue analysis to monitor in-season nutrient status, and water testing for irrigation systems.
Of particular interest to potato growers is Waypoint’s new soil biology test, piloted at select locations. This next-generation analysis measures the genes microbes use to cycle nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, offering a more precise understanding of microbial activity that underpins soil function and biofertility.
Waypoint now operates eight agricultural labs across North America, including facilities in Tennessee, Iowa, Illinois, North Carolina, Virginia, Pennsylvania and California. This nationwide network allows the company to provide consistent scientific quality while delivering recommendations tailored to regional cropping systems.
For potato farmers in Nebraska and neighboring states, the Grand Island lab marks a significant step in supporting efforts to optimize input use, protect soil health and sustain yields in a challenging production environment.
