WildAg Podcast: Productive Plains — The Secret is in the Soil

November 18, 2025

Young corn seedlings emerging through a thick layer of cereal rye residue in a no-till field, highlighting soil cover and early-season growth.
Why are Nebraska’s soils so good? A soil scientist explains the long story beneath our feet.

In the November episode of the WildAg Podcast, Nate and Andy sit down with renowned soil scientist Dr. Ray Ward for a deep, wide-ranging conversation on the geological history that shaped Great Plains soils, how practices like no-till and crop diversity influence long-term productivity, and why stewardship matters for future generations. From glaciers and volcanic ash to modern-day erosion, soil testing, and precision ag, Dr. Ward shares decades of practical insight — plus a few surprising stories — to help producers better understand the land beneath their feet.

Follow the links below to listen to this episode on your favorite platform:

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WildAg Contact Information

WildAg is part of the Natural Resources University, a podcast network focused on delivering science-based information for natural resource management. Funding for this project comes from the Renewable Resources Extension Act.