Waypoint Analytical opens new soil testing lab in Nebraska

Waypoint Analytical, the largest agricultural laboratory network in North America, has opened a new facility in Grand Island, Nebraska, expanding its reach in the U.S. Midwest. The company says the lab will enhance service delivery to row crop farmers by providing faster and more localized soil health insights.

The Grand Island lab, officially launched with an open house on July 17, is expected to shorten turnaround times for soil, water, and plant tissue analysis, and improve the accuracy of agronomic recommendations for local conditions. The lab’s services are intended to support nutrient management, optimize input use, and maintain long-term soil vitality.

Waypoint’s services include soil testing for pH, organic matter, and nutrients; in-season plant tissue monitoring; water analysis for irrigation and spray use; and plant pathology diagnostics. The company is also piloting a new soil biology test, designed to measure microbial gene activity linked to nutrient cycling, offering farmers a more detailed view of soil function and biofertility.

With the addition of the Grand Island lab, Waypoint now operates eight agricultural laboratories across the U.S., including in Tennessee, Iowa, Illinois, North Carolina, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and California. While two facilities specialize in plant pathology, samples can be sent to any location and routed for appropriate analysis.

The expanded lab network allows Waypoint to deliver regionally tailored testing services while maintaining consistent quality and scientific rigor, the company said.