Sean and Andrew round out their conversations at Purdue University with five of the best and brightest agronomy graduate students. This episode is a look into the future of agronomy, as we hear about research currently being conducted at one of the top ag universities.

The crew discusses:

✅ Target site vs. non-target site weed resistance

✅ How adjuvants can make or break the success of an application

✅ International crop production challenges

✅ New research on fungicide and herbicide resistance

✅ Nutrient needs, row spacing and plant populations in short-stature corn

✅How collaboration with industry partners and other universities is moving research forward faster

🌱Meet the Guests:  

Grant Isaacs, originally from Illinois, is an M.S. student under Dr. Bryan Young. His research is mainly focused on weed science, specifically, the herbicide interaction between pyridate and HPPD-inhibiting herbicides.

Jessie Lewis, originally from Illinois,  is an M.S student under Dr. Bryan Young. Lewis's internship during her B.S. sparked her interest in weed science and inspired her to pursue research in Dr. Young's lab surrounding target sites and metabolic resistance. 

Anelise Brun, originally from Brazil,  is an M.S student under Dr. Shaun Casteel. Her graduate research is within the soybean extension, focusing on inoculation and sulfur treatments. 

Morgan Goodnight, originally from Oklahoma, is a Ph.D. student under Dr. Darcy Telenko. Her studies started in tar spot disease but have been expanded to white mold and red crown rot in soybeans. 

Erick Oliva Fuentes, originally from Honduras,  is a Ph.D. student under Dr. Dan Quinn. His research is based mainly on short-stature corn hybrid nutrient needs, population and row spacing. 

A Penney for Your Thoughts is hosted by Sean Blomgren, agronomist and owner of Blomgren Seed from Boone, Iowa, and Andrew Penney,  plant doctor and Preceon agronomy lead for Bayer Crop Science from Ames, Iowa. We cover all things agronomy and high-yield management, share what we're seeing in the field and bring in trusted voices from the industry to deliver timely, relevant insights that matter to your farm. It's ag talk that just makes cents. 

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Sean and Andrew are back with Purdue's Dr. Ignacio Ciampitti to learn how nitrogen management and digital innovations research can be translated into practical solutions for growers. 

The crew discusses:

✅ The reality of nitrogen management

✅ What most growers are doing wrong when it comes to nitrogen

✅ How growers can make more informed decisions

✅ Turning formal research into practical management decisions

✅ How digital innovations are changing the way we farm

Meet the Guests:

🌱 Dr. Ignacio Ciampitti, a digital ag-focused quantitative agronomist, is an agronomy professor and co-director of the Institute for Digital and Advanced Agricultural Systems at Purdue University. Ignacio’s research explores the integration of crop eco-physiology and plant nutrition with data science, remote sensing and crop modeling tools. His career is focused on developing both the science and scholars who will push the agriculture industry forward. Follow Ignacio on X and Instagram.

More episodes you might like: 

Science of Nitrogen with Dr. Ignacio Ciampitti from Kansas State University

Apple | Spotify

Management of Nitrogen with Dr. Ignacio Ciampitti from Kansas State University

Apple | Spotify

Residue Management and Crop Physiology with Dr. Connor Sible - University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

Apple |  Spotify 

A Penney for Your Thoughts is hosted by Sean Blomgren, agronomist and owner of Blomgren Seed from Boone, Iowa, and Andrew Penney,  plant doctor and Preceon agronomy lead for Bayer Crop Science from Ames, Iowa. We cover all things agronomy and high-yield management, share what we're seeing in the field and bring in trusted voices from the industry to deliver timely, relevant insights that matter to your farm. It's ag talk that just makes cents.

⭐️ Like what you hear? Leave us a review to help our podcast reach more growers and agronomists like you!

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You know ‘em, you love ‘em, and you’ve listened to ‘em for 99 episodes and counting. Sean and Andrew are sitting down for their 100th episode to reflect on the podcast they have built, the valuable insights they have gained, the professionals they have met along the way and to ask each other a few heartfelt questions. 

A Penney for Your Thoughts is hosted by Sean Blomgren, agronomist and owner of Blomgren Seed from Boone, Iowa, and Andrew Penney,  plant doctor and Preceon agronomy lead for Bayer Crop Science from Ames, Iowa. We cover all things agronomy and high-yield management, share what we're seeing in the field and bring in trusted voices from the industry to deliver timely, relevant insights that matter to your farm. By combining real-time updates from the field with expert insights from industry professionals, we help you achieve your highest yields yet. It's ag talk that just makes cents.

⭐️ Like what you hear? Leave us a review to help our podcast reach more growers and agronomists like you!

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Sean and Andrew are sitting down with Purdue’s Dr. Ignacio Ciampitti for a conversation about revolutions happening in the people, plants and processes involved in row crop systems. 

The crew discusses:

✅ The changing dynamic of agronomy professionals

✅ The ins and outs of nitrogen mineralization in corn and soybeans

✅ What makes successful ag innovations

✅ The transition from traditional agronomy to quantitative agronomy

✅ How NASA is advancing agronomic research

✅ The connections between technology, agronomy and physiology

🌱Meet the Guests: 

Dr. Ignacio Ciampitti, a digital ag-focused quantitative agronomist, is an agronomy professor and co-director of Institute for Digital and Advanced Agricultural Systems at Purdue University. Ignacio’s research explores the integration of crop eco-physiology and plant nutrition with data science, remote sensing and crop modeling tools. His career is focused on developing both the science and scholars who will push the agriculture industry forward. Follow Ignacio on X and Instagram.

A Penney for Your Thoughts is hosted by Sean Blomgren, agronomist and owner of Blomgren Seed from Boone, Iowa, and Andrew Penney,  plant doctor and Preceon agronomy lead for Bayer Crop Science from Ames, Iowa. We cover all things agronomy and high-yield management, share what we're seeing in the field and bring in trusted voices from the industry to deliver timely, relevant insights that matter to your farm. By combining real-time updates from the field with expert insights from industry professionals, we help you achieve your highest yields yet. It's ag talk that just makes cents.

⭐️ Like what you hear? Leave us a review to help our podcast reach more growers and agronomists like you!

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Sean and Andrew sit down with Purdue’s Dr. Tommy Butts to dig into the nitty-gritty of weed control in corn and soybeans. 

The crew discusses:

✅ The top weed control issues across the Corn Belt 

✅ The evolution of weed resistance

✅ Optimal herbicide formulations, application timing and method

✅ Recommendations for spray drone applications and adoption

✅ The impact of speed on herbicide and fungicide application effectiveness

✅ Additional tools for weed management

🌱 Meet the Guest:

Dr. Tommy Butts is a Clinical Assistant Professor, Extension Weed Scientist in Site-Specific Weed Management. Tommy originally hails from southern Wisconsin, where he grew up around dairy farms. He completed his Bachelor of Science in Agri-Business at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, Master of Science in Agronomy-Weed Science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Ph.D. in Agronomy-Weed Science from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Tommy’s research and extension efforts focus on identifying novel weed management strategies through diversified methods, including the use of precision agriculture and application technologies in a targeted, site-specific approach. His overall goal is to generate research-supported and effective weed management educational materials to be used by farmers and in the classroom to aid in battling complex weed problems. Connect with Tommy on LinkedIn or X.

A Penney for Your Thoughts is hosted by Sean Blomgren, agronomist and owner of Blomgren Seed from Boone, Iowa, and Andrew Penney,  plant doctor and Preceon agronomy lead for Bayer Crop Science from Ames, Iowa. We cover all things agronomy and high-yield management, share what we're seeing in the field and bring in trusted voices from the industry to deliver timely, relevant insights that matter to your farm. By combining real-time updates from the field with expert insights from industry professionals, we help you achieve your highest yields yet. It's ag talk that just makes cents.

⭐️ Like what you hear? Leave us a review to help our podcast reach more growers and agronomists like you!

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Sean and Andrew sit down with Purdue’s Dr. Tommy Butts to dig into the nitty-gritty of weed control in corn and soybeans. 

The crew discusses:

✅ Weather variability’s impact on weed management

✅ Overlapping residuals

✅ Planting soybeans before corn

✅ Weed resistance

✅ Ground vs. drone herbicide applications

🌱Meet the Guests:

Dr. Tommy Butts is a Clinical Assistant Professor, Extension Weed Scientist in Site-Specific Weed Management. Tommy originally hails from southern Wisconsin, where he grew up around dairy farms. He completed his Bachelor of Science in Agri-Business at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, Master of Science in Agronomy-Weed Science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Ph.D. in Agronomy-Weed Science from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Tommy’s research and extension efforts focus on identifying novel weed management strategies through diversified methods, including the use of precision agriculture and application technologies in a targeted, site-specific approach. His overall goal is to generate research-supported and effective weed management educational materials to be used by farmers and in the classroom to aid in battling complex weed problems. Connect with Tommy on LinkedIn or X.

A Penney for Your Thoughts is hosted by Sean Blomgren, agronomist and owner of Blomgren Seed from Boone, Iowa, and Andrew Penney,  plant doctor and Preceon agronomy lead for Bayer Crop Science from Ames, Iowa. We cover all things agronomy and high-yield management, share what we're seeing in the field and bring in trusted voices from the industry to deliver timely, relevant insights that matter to your farm. By combining real-time updates from the field with expert insights from industry professionals, we help you achieve your highest yields yet. It's ag talk that just makes cents.

⭐️ Like what you hear? Leave us a review to help our podcast reach more growers and agronomists like you!

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Sean and Andrew are back with Purdue University’s Dr. Daniel Quinn to discuss the importance of keeping the fundamentals as the foundation when growing high-yield corn.

The crew discusses:

✅ The importance of the fundamentals of growing corn

✅ Interactions between genetics, inputs and management practices

✅ Trends in nutrients and fertilizers

✅ How to keep plants healthy late into the season

✅ The impact that cover crops can have on weed control

✅ Common stressors that need to be taken more seriously

Meet the Guests:

🌱 Dr. Dan Quinn is the Extension Corn Specialist at Purdue University. He is originally from Michigan and earned his B.S and M.S in Crop and Soil Science at Michigan State. He then went on to earn his Ph.D. at the University of Kentucky in Plant and Soil Science, where he focused on soil fertility. Dan’s Purdue research and extension program works to improve the overall production, profitability and environmental performance of corn production. Follow Dan on X and Instagram and connect with him on LinkedIn. 

A Penney for Your Thoughts is hosted by Sean Blomgren, agronomist and owner of Blomgren Seed from Boone, Iowa, and Andrew Penney,  plant doctor and Preceon agronomy lead for Bayer Crop Science from Ames, Iowa. We cover all things agronomy and high-yield management, share what we're seeing in the field and bring in trusted voices from the industry to deliver timely, relevant insights that matter to your farm. By combining real-time updates from the field with expert insights from industry professionals, we help you achieve your highest yields yet. It's ag talk that just makes cents.

⭐️ Like what you hear? Leave us a review to help our podcast reach more growers and agronomists like you!

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Sean and Andrew sit down with Purdue University’s Dr. Daniel Quinn to talk about what takes corn from average to high-yielding.

The crew discusses:

✅ The diversity of Purdue’s corn research efforts

✅ Using variable rate technology for optimal corn planting depth

✅ How weather conditions impact young corn plants

✅ Pros and cons of cover crops

✅ The biggest factors for corn success 

✅ The importance of grain fill

Meet the Guests:

🌱 Dr. Dan Quinn is the Extension Corn Specialist at Purdue University. He is originally from Michigan and earned his B.S and M.S in Crop and Soil Science at Michigan State. He then went on to earn his Ph.D. at the University of Kentucky in Plant and Soil Science, where he focused on soil fertility. Dan’s Purdue research and extension program works to improve the overall production, profitability and environmental performance of corn production. Follow Dan on X and Instagram and connect with him on LinkedIn. 

A Penney for Your Thoughts is hosted by Sean Blomgren, agronomist and owner of Blomgren Seed from Boone, Iowa, and Andrew Penney,  plant doctor and Preceon agronomy lead for Bayer Crop Science from Ames, Iowa. We cover all things agronomy and high-yield management, share what we're seeing in the field and bring in trusted voices from the industry to deliver timely, relevant insights that matter to your farm. By combining real-time updates from the field with expert insights from industry professionals, we help you achieve your highest yields yet. It's ag talk that just makes cents.

⭐️ Like what you hear? Leave us a review to help our podcast reach more growers and agronomists like you!

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Sean and Andrew are back with another episode LIVE from Commodity Classic 2026, and this time, we’re talking with NCGA’s high-yield growers. In this edition of Our Two Cents, we’re exploring how these growers are pushing the limits of modern agriculture and advancing their yields.

The crew discusses:

✅ Reasons behind getting involved in yield contests

✅ The risk of over-fertilizing

✅ The balance between seed variety and management practices for influencing yields

✅ How to maximize sunlight capture

✅ Navigating farm management under government regulations

✅ The importance of root zone management

Meet the Guests:

🌱 Heath Cutrell farms in southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina. He is a national and state NCGA yield contest winner, taking home 1st and 2nd place in Virginia and 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in North Carolina this year. Follow Heath on X.

🌱 Kevin Kalb is a long-time high-yield grower in southern Indiana. This year, Kevin and his family took home 5 NCGA contest titles and achieved their highest-ever farm yield average of 314 bushels per acre. Follow Kevin on X.

🌱 Josiah Garber is a farmer owner of an ag retail business in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Josiah has been planting Preceon short corn since its start and brings one-of-a-kind perspectives to the podcast.

🌱 Temple Rhodes is a Maryland farmer and 2023 NCGA first-place state and national winner in conventional irrigated corn. Follow Temple on X

🌱 Chad Henderson farms in Madison, Alabama, where he brought home two first place and two second place state NCGA titles, along with 2nd place conventional irrigated corn in the national NCGA contest with a 404.3 BPA yield. Follow Chad on Instagram.

A Penney for Your Thoughts is hosted by Sean Blomgren, agronomist and owner of Blomgren Seed from Boone, Iowa, and Andrew Penney,  plant doctor and Preceon agronomy lead for Bayer Crop Science from Ames, Iowa. We cover all things agronomy and high-yield management, share what we're seeing in the field and bring in trusted voices from the industry to deliver timely, relevant insights that matter to your farm. By combining real-time updates from the field with expert insights from industry professionals, we help you achieve your highest yields yet. It's ag talk that just makes cents.

⭐️ Like what you hear? Leave us a review to help our podcast reach more growers and agronomists like you!

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Sean and Andrew are back with another episode LIVE from Commodity Classic 2026, and this time, we’re talking with NCGA’s high-yield growers. In this edition of Our Two Cents, we’re exploring how these growers are pushing the limits of modern agriculture and advancing their yields.

The crew discusses:

✅ The value of soil sampling and pH management

✅ Top-performing seed varieties

✅ A high-yield approach to nutrient management

✅ Irrigation’s role in corn production

✅ The reason behind participating in yield contests

✅ An update on corn policy

✅ Differences in management practices for Preceon corn

Meet the Guests:

🌱Corder and Curtis Hobbs farm in Elkmont, Alabama, where they took home first place in NCGA’s 2025 Yield Contest in the No-Till Irrigated division with a yield of 402.3 bushels per acre. 

🌱 Josh and Jabe Watson farm corn and soybeans in Sweetwater, Tennessee. Josh won first place in the Conventional Non-Irrigated division of NCGA’s Yield Contest with a 387.6 bushels-per-acre yield, and Jabe won the Strip, Min, Mulch, Ridge-Till Non-Irrigated division with 349.1 bushels per acre.

🌱 Kelly Nieuwenhuis is a northwest Iowa farmer and industry leader, serving on the National Corn board and Iowa RFIP board. Connect with Kelly on LinkedIn.

🌱 Matt Daniels is a farmer from Colbert, Georgia, and 2024 Asgrow soybean yield winner. Matt shares his experiences with Preceon corn this year. 

🌱 Jerry Seuntjens is a Kingsley, Iowa, farmer growing Preceon corn. Follow Jerry on X. 

A Penney for Your Thoughts is hosted by Sean Blomgren, agronomist and owner of Blomgren Seed from Boone, Iowa, and Andrew Penney,  plant doctor and Preceon agronomy lead for Bayer Crop Science from Ames, Iowa. We cover all things agronomy and high-yield management, share what we're seeing in the field and bring in trusted voices from the industry to deliver timely, relevant insights that matter to your farm. By combining real-time updates from the field with expert insights from industry professionals, we help you achieve your highest yields yet. It's ag talk that just makes cents.

⭐️ Like what you hear? Leave us a review to help our podcast reach more growers and agronomists like you!

📲 Follow us on social: 

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