Dr. Rob Mikkelsen, Yara's Director of Agronomic Services, helps us understand the interdependence of water, soil and nutrients. Can a better management of these three components improve water use efficiency in a time of drought? We refer to an article he wrote in September 2012 for the International Plant Nutrition Institute called, "What about Water?" Dr. Mikkelsen explains that an important step towards improving water use efficiency is to encourage healthy plant roots. Maintaining proper soil...
Sep 28, 2021•22 min
Nitrogen is a very important nutrient for growing crops and can be one of the most expensive inputs. Using this valuable input efficiently can help with overall crop health and environmental sustainability. Dr. Rob Mikkelsen , Yara North America's Director of Agronomic Services, helps us understand The concept of nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) The difference between maximizing and optimizing NUE How to measure NUE Some practical measures that can be done to monitor NUE How an individual grower ca...
Sep 14, 2021•21 min
There is a connection between microbiomes, soil health/structure, and drought resilience. Dr. Karl Wyant, VP of Ag Science at Heliae Agriculture helps us understand how to build healthier soils that can mitigate drought stress improve water holding capacity improve erosion resistance improve nutrient use sequester carbon reduce externalities improve profits Find out more about soil health at the Soil Health Institute Article on drought-resilient crop production Dr. Wyant's previous episodes on s...
Aug 31, 2021•35 min•Ep. 5
Everywhere you turn, you bump into talk about carbon market, carbon footprint, carbon credits, etc. What does all this mean and why is it important to us in agriculture? Carbon footprint is the total greenhouse gas emissions caused by an individual, event, organization, service, place or product, expressed as carbon dioxide equivalent. Agriculture is responsible for 10% of the greenhouse gas emissions Yara recently created the Agoro Carbon Alliance to take action on a global scale to reverse the...
Aug 03, 2021•28 min
The Pacific Northwest and many other areas are experiencing record high temperatures. How does heat stress and water stress affect plants? What can we do to manage these plants through these stressful times? Jimmy Ridgeway and Kacey Kiehn , Regional Sales Managers, help us grow our knowledge. Learn more from this recent article, "Heat Stress: Let Calcium Help" Download and use Yara's Farm Water Advisor FREE! In less than 1 minute you can have your first field set up and calculating an optimal ir...
Jul 06, 2021•19 min
The days of limitless water are far behind us. Dr. Sebastian Braum joins Yara's Dr. Rob Mikkelsen to discuss how water is the number one driver of growth and yield. Dr. Braum talks about the improvement in the irrigation equipment being installed and that we now need to improve how we use this equipment. He also looks into his crystal ball of what farming might look like in 15-20 years. Dr. Braum is the Director of Agronomy at Farm(x) and a soil scientist. He is experienced in nutrient managemen...
Jun 29, 2021•42 min
Dr. Tim Ellsworth is a professor at West Hills College in California. He has many years experience working as a soil scientist with the USDA and over 30 years of teaching experience in agriculture. He has expertise in soil science, geology and irrigation. Tim joins us to talk about how irrigation can improve plant health and yield, what effects the drought might have on crops and some golden nuggets that might be implemented if you are dealing with a deficit of water. You can reach Tim at timoth...
Jun 22, 2021•44 min•Ep. 3
Soil structure and health is critical growers to improve crop productivity and sustainability. Dr. Karl Wyant, VP of Ag Science at Heliae Agriculture helps us understand the importance of soil health and quality in a two part series: Our first episode from Feb 23, 2021, “Don’t Treat Your Soil Like Dirt” delt with the physical and chemical components of soil This episode we talk about biological components Karl shares five strategies that you may implement to improve your soil health which will l...
Jun 15, 2021•42 min
Richard Kreps and Robert Smith , UltraGro , both consult with growers in California but are also growers themselves. They help uncover some great strategies for the areas that are most affected by the drought and shortage of surface water delivered and ground water. How are you creating your irrigation schedules this year? Yara's Farm Water Advisor calculates your field specific plant water use for the next week and then advises you how long and frequent to irrigate. And it's FREE! Download it h...
Jun 08, 2021•36 min
2021 looks like it might be a continuation of one of the worst geographical droughts in the last 20 years. 80% of the Western U.S. in drought and nearly 1/2 in "extreme" or Exceptional" drought. This series of episodes will be focused on the drought, the challenges and some strategies that might help advisors and grower manage through the drought. In this episode, William Bourdeau joins us to help us understand the severity of the drought in California. William is a grower (EVP at Harris Farms )...
Jun 02, 2021•38 min•Season 2Ep. 1
Climate change and weather are dynamic. How can we adjust our inputs, specifically irrigation and nutrition, to be more successful with these changes? Our guest, Matt Yost develops land management practices that promote resiliency to weather variations and changing climate. Precise management of the 4 R practices and relationships with irrigation to improve soil health, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and maintain profitability. Matt discusses the grant that he received from the 4R Research Fund...
May 11, 2021•27 min
What is the difference in total calcium, soluble calcium, and exchangeable calcium? All calcium sources need to be considered and know how it is behaving in the soil in order to get the plants to use it. Dr. Jim Walworth, Professor of Soil Science Extension Specialist st the University of Arizona, joins Dr. Rob Mikkelsen, Yara Director of Agronomic Services to discuss these topics with a bonus conversation on pecans!
Apr 27, 2021•26 min
Spring flush for citrus is a critical growth stage. John Martzen , agronomist with GAR Bennett , joins Vanessa Dominguez (Vicencio) to talk about some of the nutritional concerns and strategies. Zinc and Manganese are important to maximize growth and fruit development during this time. Read Vanessa's article we mentioned and sign up for the Citrus Newsletter HERE To find out more go to Y ara.us or YaraCanada.ca...
Apr 20, 2021•33 min
Wouldn't it be nice if we could see how the roots of a plant respond to treatments? Dr. Isaac Madsen , Extension Agronomist at Washington State University , teaches us about the innovative work he as been doing with scanner technology and root observation. What is the advantage of looking at roots instead of at the shoots? What crops can we do this with? What do we learn from these observations? Are there other forms of nitrate-based fertilizers that eliminate the NH4-induced root damage? What i...
Apr 13, 2021•29 min
Spring is here and our turf is transitioning out of dormancy, depending on where you live. What knowledge do turf managers need to make smart choices for feeding their turf as we go from winter to spring and then to summer? Our two guests, Dr. Brian Unruh and Dr. Marcos Schiavon compliment our own Turf & Ornamental Crop Manager, Neil Mayberry with some things to look out for and some golden nuggets for an amazing summer. They explain some of the key regional differences and key indicators fo...
Apr 06, 2021•45 min
As wine grapes come out of winter dormancy and begin bud break, proper balanced nutrition is critical for quality and yield goals. Paul Crout, CCA/PCA , Product Manager/Agronomist, for Helena Agri-Enterprises teach us more about this important stage of the wine grape life cycle. Wine grapes may be the highest value fruit crop in the US with nearly 1 million acres of grape-bearing land. Understanding a complete and balanced nutrition plan can help achieve the yield and quality goals of the vineya...
Mar 30, 2021•37 min
For the last ten years, The Fertilizer Institute has designated five growers and their retailer as advocates of the 4Rs of nutrient stewardship. Each pair that are selected play a crucial role in showcasing the real-world economic and environmental benefits of implementing 4R Nutrient Stewardship principles. Myron Johnson, with Double J Farms, a 4th generation farmer in Alabama and his retail advisor, Drew Schrimsher with GreenPoint Ag join Christy Hicks, Yara Sales Agronomist, to help us unders...
Mar 02, 2021•28 min
Soil structure and health is critical growers to improve crop productivity and sustainability. Dr. Karl Wyant, VP of Ag Science at Heliae Agriculture helps us understand the importance of soil health and quality. Our new Director of Agronomic Services, Dr. Rob Mikkelsen also joins to add insight to the discussion. In this part 1 discussion we are going to look at the physical and chemical connection to soil health. In Part 2, we will discuss the Biological component. We refer to Karl's article i...
Feb 23, 2021•38 min
2020 was a challenge for all of us but there were many silver linings and lessons learned. Tim Kreger , Executive Director of the Carolinas Golf Course Superintendents Association , joins with Yara Sales Agronomists Brian Grill (#turfbeard) and Cole McNally to discuss the challenges that faced the Turf Grass industry and how our professional managers turned these into lemons. Tim is also a co-host with Allen Knight of the popular Pullin' Weeds Podcast. For more information about Yara's Optimum T...
Feb 02, 2021•37 min
Part 2 Last week we discussed the importance of calcium and that you cannot rely on soil tests to identify difficiencies in Ca. This week we talk about how to make Ca an important part of your overall nutrition plan. We unfold the four R's of Nutrient Stewardship with Ca. If applied properly, your overall input costs can be reduced while improving quality and yield in a sustainable way.
Jan 26, 2021•29 min
Part 1 of 2: Calcium levels that are shown on soil reports can mislead you to believe that you don't need supplemental applications. This could prove to short and long-term catastrophe. Join Dr. Steve Petrie and Devin Clarke as we discuss this major nutrient, its importance and how to know how much to supplement.
Jan 19, 2021•23 min
A good consistent agronomic plan is key to success with permanent crops. In this episode, we talk about citrus: What are the economic impacts to the US economy? What are some of the challenges with citrus today? What are some strategies that can improve sustainability and maximize on-farm profits Learn more about Yara's Complete Citrus suggestions here. Take a look at Yara's "Field Talk Friday" video series we mentioned....
Jan 12, 2021•41 min
We did a short podcast back in October about the discovery of synthetic fertilizer and mentioned the book, "The Alchemy of Air: A Jewish Genius, a Doomed Tycoon, and the Scientific Discovery That Fed the World but Fueled the Rise of Hitler". After the publication of that episode, we were introduced to the Author, Thomas Hager, who generously agreed to come on the podcast. Thomas recounts stories about two chemists, Fritz Haber and Carl Bosch, who together discovered a way to create synthetic fer...
Dec 22, 2020•54 min
This is the final of three episodes dedicated to Yara's incubator farms in North America. Through collaborative efforts with customers, partners, and various technology providers, Yara plans to utilize these farms to study and advance insights into all aspects of the cropping system. The Saskatoon incubator farm is 80-acres of row crops that feature Western Canada's cropping system including canola, wheat, barley, peas, lentils, etc. To find out more about the Saskatoon field click HERE To find ...
Nov 25, 2020•29 min
This is the second of three episodes dedicated to Yara's incubator farms in North America. Through collaborative efforts with Auburn University, as well as customers, partners, and various technology providers, Yara plans to utilize these farms to study and advance insights into all aspects of the cropping system. The Auburn incubator farm is a multi-acre plot of row crops including corn, cotton and soybeans on 80 acres. To find out more about the Auburn field click HERE To find out more about t...
Nov 17, 2020•25 min
In the next two episodes, we will introduce you to the three incubator farms that Yara is directing in North America. Through collaborative efforts with customers, partners, and various technology providers, Yara plans to utilize these farms to study and advance insights into all aspects of the cropping system. Modesto, California is the site of nearly 80 acres of almonds and walnuts. Devin Clarke discusses what we are accomplishing in this multi-year, production scale farm. To find out more abo...
Nov 10, 2020•30 min
If you don't know who Norman Borlaug is, you are not alone BUT need to listen to this episode. Norman has been responsible for saving billions of lives based on his research and revolutionary breeding. Early on he was responsible for helping Mexico, India and Pakistan become self-sustaining in their wheat production during a time of possible famine! This is the 50th anniversary of Dr. Borlaug receiving the Nobel Prize for Peace. You will want to share this episode with your friends, family, cust...
Nov 03, 2020•31 min
Recently on October 13, we celebrated Global Fertilizer Day. Mineral fertilizer is the world's most life-saving innovation. How did this innovation evolve? Yara's Dr. Bill Easterwood, Dr. Trey Cutts, Markus Braaten tell this amazing story - one that began with a dire problem and solved through collaboration between many individuals and companies. The Book, The Alchemy of Air , can be beneficial homework for you post podcast degree :-)...
Oct 27, 2020•25 min
One of the key decisions a grower and advisor has to make is how to plan for the future and how resources can be most effectively used. This year the nut industry is expected to have record crop yields. Almonds, for example, will be an all-time record. In contrast, the market price for almonds is looking to be near break-even rates. So what do we do? Devin Clarke, Yara's Permanent Crop Manager, helps us understand the long-term consequences of short-term decisions. If you would like to learn mor...
Sep 01, 2020•36 min
An avocado grower sees dramatic increases in his fruit set and quality when he switches from traditional forms of Nitrogen to Calcium Nitrate this year. Join Yara Regional Sales Manager, Patricia Dingus and Sales Agronomist, Eddie Muro and our retail partner Sunny Brucker PCA CCA, AgRx , as we discuss this 80-acre field trial. Even if you don't grow avocados, there are some great golden nuggets that you might be able to transfer into your advising and growing. Find out more about avocado nutriti...
Aug 26, 2020•42 min
