In this engaging episode, we sit down with Lester Jones, the Vice President of Analytics and Chief Economist for the National Beer Wholesalers Association. We dive into the fascinating world of beer and alcohol, exploring the evolution of consumer preferences and the impact on the industry. Lester shares insights on the history of beer consumption, the rise of craft breweries, and the changing landscape of alcohol choices. From the economics of distribution to the cultural significance of beer, ...
Jun 30, 2025•1 hr 30 min•Season 5Ep. 11
Please join us on this week’s Agronomists Happy Hour as we sit down with Dan Sem, General Manager of Dakota Agronomy Partners. With decades of hands‑on experience in grain marketing and fertilizer management, Dan brings a rare blend of big‑picture strategy and field‑level know‑how. He’s seen the industry evolve from slow‑turn elevators to today’s high‑speed, data‑driven operations, and he’s here to share what’s working—and what isn’t—as farmers contend with shifting global supply chains, unpredi...
May 19, 2025•1 hr 47 min•Season 5Ep. 10
In this Agronomists Happy Hour, Joseph Atha (which Jason and Kyle butcher the pronunciation of Atha many times this episode) shares his journey from Indiana to Minnesota, where he now runs North Point Agronomy. He discusses the unique challenges and opportunities in managing diverse crops like perennial ryegrass, the importance of community and networking in the agronomy field, and the balance between work and family life in rural Minnesota. Joseph also reflects on his experiences in the Boundar...
May 05, 2025•1 hr 15 min•Season 5Ep. 9
Kyle and Jason welcome back Gary Lezak, the owner of Weather 2020 to happy hour. Gary shares his journey from a TV meteorologist to the founder of Weather 2020, discussing the evolution of weather prediction technology and the development of the Global Predictor app. The conversation highlights the importance of accurate weather forecasting for agriculture, the impact of weather patterns on farming, and the role of technology in enhancing prediction accuracy. Listeners gain insights into the cha...
Mar 31, 2025•1 hr 27 min•Season 5Ep. 8
For happy hour we meet up with Bryn & Allison from Farm TRX, an ag tech business based out of Ottawa with roots in the prairies of Saskatchewan. Farm TRX offers a simple and yet very effective DIY style yield and moisture monitoring system that really makes collecting yield data on any combine very easy. Come listen along for their story and the places that making a yield monitor system has taken them.
Mar 17, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Season 5Ep. 7
In this conversation, Leo Bortolon shares his journey from Brazil to North Dakota, discussing his extensive background in agriculture, particularly in soil fertility and sustainable farming practices. He highlights his research on cover crops, biostimulants, and the importance of adapting agricultural practices to local conditions. Leo emphasizes the need for better data and legislation to support farmers in adopting innovative practices and improving soil health. In this conversation, the speak...
Mar 03, 2025•1 hr 28 min•Season 5Ep. 6
In this conversation, Nathan Faleide shares his unique insights into the world of Ag Tech, discussing his upbringing in agriculture, the evolution of technology in farming, and the challenges of adoption among farmers. He emphasizes the disconnect between tech developers and the practical needs of farmers, highlighting the importance of understanding the end-user experience. The discussion also touches on the corporate landscape of Ag Tech, the complexities of software development, and the reali...
Feb 10, 2025•1 hr 23 min•Season 5Ep. 5
Jason and Kyle go on a little riff for happy hour and have a conversation on a hot button issue (no over the top dicamba in 2025 for soybeans).
Jan 27, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Season 5Ep. 4
This weeks happy hour is with Reggie Strickland, who farms in eastern North Carolina near the town of Mt. Olive (yes the same Mt. Olive you see on the pickle jar in your fridge). Reggie shares about the lasting impacts of hurricanes to farming and surrounding communities. As we go further into conversation we get to learn more about their farm of corn, soybeans, pickling cucumbers, sweet potatoes, tobacco, swine, and turkeys.
Jan 06, 2025•1 hr 17 min•Season 5Ep. 3
In this episode, guests Kelsey and Paisley VanOverbeke discuss their experiences in agriculture, particularly focusing on forages and alfalfa management. They explore the dynamics of family farming, the challenges faced in the industry, and the importance of teamwork in managing large-scale operations. The conversation delves into the growth of dairy farming in their area, the intricacies of crop management, pest identification, and the significance of irrigation and cutting schedules for alfalf...
Dec 23, 2024•1 hr 23 min•Season 5Ep. 2
We start out Season 5 of the Agronomists Happy Hour with Ag With Emma. We have a good BS session with her as we learn just some of her story; from harvest crews, to working on the farm, to now some work in agronomy.
Dec 09, 2024•1 hr 30 min•Season 5Ep. 1
The conversation revolves around the experiences of the Jason, Kyle and the rest of the Montana Mafia with their soil sampling pickups. They discuss the unique features and challenges of their vehicles, including the placement of the hydraulic cylinder, the comfort of the seats, and the condition of the air conditioning. They also touch on the different regulations and practices for soil sampling in different states. Everyone shares their personal experiences and offer advice for setting up a so...
Sep 30, 2024•2 hr 2 min•Season 4Ep. 38
In this conversation, Sam Markell and Wade Webster from NDSU Extension discuss the shift in soybean diseases over the years and the importance of disease management. They highlight the emergence of diseases like soybean cyst nematode (SCN), sudden death syndrome (SDS), and frog eye leaf spot. They explain the biology of these diseases and how they interact with each other. The conversation also touches on the impact of weather conditions, the importance of scouting, and the need for resistant va...
Aug 26, 2024•1 hr 24 min•Season 4Ep. 37
This week we have Kevin Gillespie on for happy hour, Kevin is the ND/SD regional rep for Redekop and we get the chance to discuss their straw and weed management units for combines and their importance
Aug 19, 2024•1 hr 26 min•Season 4Ep. 36
In this conversation, Kyle and Jason discuss the ongoing challenges and planning involved in agriculture. They talk about the importance of soil sampling, residue management, rotation planning, and the need to make informed decisions for the next cropping year. They also touch on topics like weed control, fertility management, and the potential impact of weather conditions on crop yields. The conversation emphasizes the need for comprehensive planning and attention to detail in order to maximize...
Aug 12, 2024•41 min•Season 4Ep. 35
This week Cory Palm stops over for happy hour and we talk about his business Pro Ag Solutions and how drones play into his business. Lots of great info in this for anyone looking to own and operate a drone for ag spraying.
Aug 05, 2024•1 hr 39 min•Season 4Ep. 34
If you are a farmer, retailer, or consultant who helps make decisions on crops affected by white mold (Soybean & Dry Beans in particular), buckle up! Because this episode Michael Wunsch, plant pathologist stationed at the NDSU Carrington research extension station provides a great level of context that accompanies the loads of data available from his group on the topic. This is surely an episode you'll not want to miss. If you want to find data from Michael's applied research, click the link...
Jul 08, 2024•1 hr 27 min•Season 4Ep. 33
The conversation this week covers a wide range of topics related to agronomy so buckle up! Topics include scouting, agronomist consulting, field agronomy, crop consulting, soil types, crop coverage, rainfall impact, pre-emergence application, nutrient deficiencies, and crop growth transitions. Discussion on the challenges and observations related to crop management, soil conditions, and the impact of weather on crop development.
Jun 03, 2024•1 hr 53 min•Season 4Ep. 32
More on NAGC testing for Kochia: https://genotypingcenter.com/product/kochia/ In this conversation, Kyle & Jason interview Joe Ikley and Zach Bateson about herbicide resistance testing in weeds. They discuss the work being done at the National Agricultural Genotyping Center (NAGC) in Fargo, North Dakota, and the importance of collaboration between different entities in the agricultural industry. They also talk about the process of testing for herbicide resistance, including target site mutat...
May 20, 2024•1 hr 38 min•Season 4Ep. 31
Key Takeaways From Our Discussion With Joe Mycorrhizal fungi play a crucial role in plant development and nutrient uptake, and inoculating crops with mycorrhizae can potentially enhance yield and nutrient efficiency. Trichoderma fungi have the ability to combat fusarium diseases and increase the heat in hot peppers, offering potential benefits in crop production. Measuring microbial populations in the soil is challenging, but tests like PLFA and B-Crop can provide insights into the presence and ...
May 13, 2024•1 hr 36 min•Season 4Ep. 30
In this episode, the Holy Pokers discuss the essentials for scouting crops, including clothing, tools, and snacks. They share their personal experiences and preferences for staying comfortable and protected while in the field.
May 06, 2024•1 hr 37 min•Season 4Ep. 29
The National Wheat Foundation is a non-profit organization that supports and strengthens the wheat industry in the U.S. They focus on research, education, and outreach, and their biggest program is the Wheat Yield Contest. The contest has different categories based on winter or spring wheat, dryland or irrigated, and there is also a new pilot category for digital yield measurement. The contest encourages farmers to improve their yields and learn from each other. It also highlights the importance...
Apr 29, 2024•1 hr 16 min•Season 4Ep. 28
Carrie Miranda, an assistant professor at NDSU specializing in soybean breeding and genetics, discusses her journey into agriculture and her work in soybean breeding. She explains the importance of soybean maturity and the challenges of breeding for North Dakota's unique environment. Carrie also highlights the need for new germplasm and the potential for improving soybean yields in the state. In this part of the conversation, Carrie Miranda discusses the influence of genetics and the environment...
Apr 22, 2024•1 hr 33 min•Season 4Ep. 27
Kyle & Jason have new friends Matt Pfarr and Chase Austvold from Lallemand on for Happy Hour, a brand known for its inoculant business in the agriculture industry. They discuss their backgrounds and how they got into the field of agriculture. The conversation also touches on their experiences in college, including their involvement in wrestling and their connection to St. John's University. They also talk about the importance of family dynamics and how it shaped their lives. The episode conc...
Apr 15, 2024•1 hr 21 min•Season 4Ep. 26
Spring is officially here, with the first annual weeds starting to grow. Farmers are preparing for the planting season, with some already starting to seed their fields. The weather is predicted to be dry and warm, which will impact the tillage practices. Adjuvants will be crucial for effective burndown of weeds, especially with the dusty conditions. Crop choices for the season include lentils, chickpeas, barley, canola, and soybeans. Sunflower and quinoa cultivation is limited due to market pric...
Apr 08, 2024•38 min•Season 4Ep. 25
In this episode, Cody Lee, a technical specialist for CHS, joins the hosts to discuss the importance of adjuvants in agriculture. Everyone shares their personal experiences and stories from the field, highlighting the role of adjuvants in weed control and the challenges faced in different environmental conditions. They emphasize the need for personalized recommendations based on specific weed spectra and environmental factors. The conversation also touches on the impact of dry years on adjuvant ...
Apr 01, 2024•1 hr 19 min•Season 4Ep. 24
In this episode, Naeem Kalwar, an extension soil health specialist, discusses his background and work in soil science. He shares his journey from Pakistan to Canada and eventually joining NDSU. Naeem also provides insights into agriculture in Pakistan, including the different provinces and crops grown. The conversation highlights the importance of sampling depth in soil fertility and the impact of salinity on crop growth. Naeem emphasizes the need to focus on the top six inches of soil and share...
Mar 25, 2024•1 hr 43 min•Season 4Ep. 23
This weeks happy hour takes us to The Shack in North Fargo with Andrew Green and Mory Rugg. Our conversation delves into Andrew's journey in wheat breeding, influenced by his background and experiences, and discusses the agricultural tasks undertaken in the off-season to enhance wheat characteristics through his breeding efforts.
Mar 18, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Season 4Ep. 22
This week for happy hour, Mory Rugg, a wheat breeder, discusses his background and career in wheat breeding. He also talks about the challenges and advancements in hybrid wheat breeding. The conversation transitions to his current role at Arthur Companies and the opportunities for vertical integration and IP programs. The importance of variety selection and regional adaptation is highlighted, along with a discussion on wheat stem sawfly. Overall, the episode provides insights into the world of w...
Mar 11, 2024•1 hr 17 min•Season 4Ep. 21
Angie Johnson, the Farm and Ranch Safety Coordinator for NDSU Extension, is our guest on this week’s happy hour. Angie discusses the importance of farm safety education and her role in promoting it. She shares her background and journey to her current position, as well as the focus groups she works with, including youth farm safety programs. Angie emphasizes the value of hands-on learning and practical skills, such as teaching kids how to use a tourniquet and proper hand signals. She also highli...
Feb 19, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Season 4Ep. 20
