Sean and Andrew are back at Purdue University with soybean expert Shaun Casteel, talking about what makes the difference between traditional and high-yield soybean management, and how you can take your crop to the next level.

The crew discusses:

✅ Planting soybeans before corn

✅ The maturity-moisture connection

✅ The importance of fungicide seed treatment in timely planting

✅ Soybean planting depths and populations

✅ When variable rate planting makes sense for soybeans

✅ The role of sulfur in soybean production

✅ The impact of narrow rows on yield

✅ Limiting factors in high-yield soybean management

Meet the Guest:

🌱 Dr. Shaun Casteel was born and raised on the family farm in east-central Illinois. He earned his B.S. in Crop Sciences at the University of Illinois in 2001 while interning with many ag companies. In 2004, Shaun earned his M.S. in Crop Science at NC State University, working in cotton physiology, management, and Extension. Then, he was the agronomist for NC Department of Agriculture for the following two years. Shaun earned his Ph.D. in Soil Science (Nutrient Management) in 2009 at NC State University to round out his education as an agronomist. Shaun joined the Purdue Agronomy Department in May 2009 as the Extension Soybean and Small Grains Specialist. He addresses today's agronomic challenges of soybean and small grains through various Extension programs and applied research. Follow Shaun 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.

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Sean and Andrew are at Purdue University to talk to soybean expert Shaun Casteel about the science of soybean production from seed to harvest. 

The crew discusses:

✅ The research being conducted by Purdue’s applied soybean research team

✅ The viability of early planting dates

✅ Optimal soybean plant height and population

✅ Drills vs. planters, and why it might be time to invest

✅ What “going rank” really means

✅ Why soybean yields vary so much

✅ Insights to help fill grain and retain pods

Meet the Guest:

🌱 Dr. Shaun Casteel was born and raised on the family farm in east-central Illinois. He earned his B.S. in Crop Sciences at the University of Illinois in 2001 while interning with many ag companies. In 2004, Shaun earned his M.S. in Crop Science at NC State University, working in cotton physiology, management, and Extension. Then, he was the agronomist for NC Department of Agriculture for the following two years. Shaun earned his Ph.D. in Soil Science (Nutrient Management) in 2009 at NC State University to round out his education as an agronomist. Shaun joined the Purdue Agronomy Department in May 2009 as the Extension Soybean and Small Grains Specialist. He addresses today's agronomic challenges of soybean and small grains through various Extension programs and applied research. Follow Shaun 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!

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Sean and Andrew are back with Daren “Dr. Know-It-All” Mueller and Alison Robertson at Iowa State University to hear their two cents on the intense disease pressure we saw in corn and soybean fields this season. 

The crew discusses:

✅ Application timing for disease management

✅ A new mindset on ROI and yield 

✅ The realities of active ingredients in fungicides

✅ The rain/disease connection

✅ The geographic shift in southern rust

✅ Inside seed disease ratings

✅ The evolution of disease management

Meet the Guests:

🌱 Daren Mueller is a professor and extension plant pathologist at Iowa State University. He is also the coordinator of the Iowa State Integrated Pest Management program. Daren’s main research interests involve understanding the biology and management of field crop diseases. Daren is also a co-director of the North Central IPM Center and the Crop Protection Network. Learn more about Daren and follow him on X.

🌱 Alison Robertson is a professor at Iowa State University with a statewide responsibility for the management of diseases of field crops. She coordinates and provides leadership for corn and soybean disease diagnosis and management information and education programs for corn and soybean farmers and agribusiness professionals throughout Iowa. Learn more about Alison and follow her 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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Sean and Andrew sit down with Daren “Dr. Know-It-All” Mueller and Alison Robertson at Iowa State University to hear their two cents on disease pressure facing corn and soybean fields. 

The crew discusses:

✅ The research happening in ISU extension agronomy labs 

✅ The expanding potential of technology in agriculture

✅ A deep dive into southern rust and why it was so prevalent this season

✅ New thought processes behind tar spot

✅ Reminders about corn stunt disease

✅ Understanding crown rot and root rot

Meet the Guests:

🌱 Daren Mueller is a professor and extension plant pathologist at Iowa State University. He is also the coordinator of the Iowa State Integrated Pest Management program. Daren’s main research interests involve understanding the biology and management of field crop diseases. Daren is also a co-director of the North Central IPM Center and the Crop Protection Network. Learn more about Daren and follow him on X.

🌱 Alison Robertson is a professor at Iowa State University with a statewide responsibility for the management of diseases of field crops. She coordinates and provides leadership for corn and soybean disease diagnosis and management information and education programs for corn and soybean farmers and agribusiness professionals throughout Iowa. Learn more about Alison and follow her 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!

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Sean and Andrew are back with another episode from the University of Illinois' Crop Physiology Field Day. We've got the home team advantage with insights straight from the source. 

The crew discusses:

✅ Multi-season fertilizer application planning

✅ SAAM rating for root architecture

✅ The difference in corn and soybeans' response to fertilizer

✅ A year-round approach to strip tillage

✅ The purpose behind the Crop Physiology Field Day

✅ A deep dive into sulfur

Meet the Guests:

🌱 Sam Leskanich is a doctoral agronomy student at the University of Illinois, focused on root architecture research using the SAAM rating.

🌱 Jared Fender is a senior research specialist and master's student at the University of Illinois, focused on building equipment to facilitate agronomy research trials. 

🌱 Connor Sible is an assistant professor at the University of Illinois and the host of the Crop Physiology Field Day.

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 on-site in Champaign, Illinois at the annual Crop Physiology Field Day with Dr. Fred Below, Dr. Connor Sible and more agronomy experts! 🌱

Meet Our Guests

Lance Tarochione, host of Ask an agronomist, gives us insight into the Crop Physiology Field Day and the history of this amazing event!

Dr. Fred Below tells us how the 7 wonders of corn yield have led to the 6 secrets of soybean success.

Dr. Marcos Loman gives us insight on some of our biggest questions: Can we still add yield late in the reproductive soybean stages? How do soybeans respond to nutrient concentration and planting dates?

Ava Isaacs shares that biologicals are the “future of agriculture,” and helps us understand the challenging categories and how to think about incorporating them into our farms!

Sean Evans gives his insight into what’s happening in the western geography, the theme, and key takeaways from the field day, and encourages the audience to attend a future field day!

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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Sean and Andrew are back with Maira Duffeck to discuss how to manage corn stunt disease and protect your yields.

The crew discusses:

✅ Where corn stunt disease has been confirmed in the U.S.

✅ How corn stunt disease is transmitted to fields, and how to manage transmission

✅ The effectiveness of treatments for corn leafhoppers and corn stunt disease

✅ Limitations and questions surrounding corn stunt disease and its treatment

Learn more about managing corn stunt disease: https://extension.okstate.edu/e-pest-alerts/2024/corn-leafhopper-leads-to-corn-stunt-outbreak-across-oklahoma-aug-12-2024.html

Meet the Guest:

🌱 Maira Rodrigues Duffeck is originally from Brazil, where she earned her bachelor’s degree and Ph.D. in plant pathology. Her doctoral studies led her to Penn State University, where she spent two years as a visiting scholar studying Fusarium head blight of wheat. She then worked at The Ohio State University as a postdoctoral researcher studying serial pathogens and diseases in corn and wheat before starting her current position as an assistant professor at Oklahoma State University, where she balances her time between extension and research.

Learn more about Maira: https://experts.okstate.edu/mairodr

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: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/penneypodcast

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/PenneyPodcast

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PenneyPodcast

Sean and Andrew sit down with Maira Duffeck from Oklahoma State University to hear her two cents on the latest disease attacking corn fields. 

The crew discusses:

✅ How artificial intelligence will transform disease and pest management 

✅ The pathogens behind corn stunt disease, and how it’s closer to your fields than you might think

✅ How corn leafhoppers transmit corn stunt disease

✅ Tracking the progression of corn leafhoppers across the U.S. (follow along here → https://cropprotectionnetwork.org/maps/corn-leafhopper)

✅ The potential for overwintering of corn leafhoppers and corn stunt disease pathogens

✅ Symptoms of corn stunt disease and what to do if you notice them in your fields

Learn more about corn stunt disease: https://www.cropscience.bayer.us/articles/bayer/corn-stunt-spiroplasma-disease-and-red-stunt-disease-complex

Meet the Guest:

🌱 Maira Rodrigues Duffeck is originally from Brazil, where she earned her bachelor’s degree and Ph.D. in plant pathology. Her doctoral studies led her to Penn State University, where she spent two years as a visiting scholar studying Fusarium head blight of wheat. She then worked at The Ohio State University as a postdoctoral researcher studying serial pathogens and diseases in corn and wheat before starting her current position as an assistant professor at Oklahoma State University, where she balances her time between extension and research.

Learn more about Maira: https://experts.okstate.edu/mairodr

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: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/penneypodcast

Twitter/X: https://x.com/PenneyPodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/PenneyPodcast

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PenneyPodcast

Sean and Andrew are back with Matt Darr and Ben Covington from Iowa State University’s On-Site Precision Technology team in ISU’s new Digital Ag Innovation Lab to hear their two cents on how advancing the technology on your farm is simpler than you might expect.

The crew discusses:

✅ Why understanding ag technology is important for every grower

✅ The importance of education for adoption of ag tech

✅ Behind-the-scenes the Digital Ag Innovation Lab’s planter clinic

✅ The science behind downforce and planting depth

✅ How John Deere’s FurrowVision and See and Spray™ technology impacts farmers

✅ Tillage practices and soil compaction

✅ A new approach to planting soybeans

✅ The crop input you don’t want to cut corners on

Learn more about the Digital Ag Innovation Lab: https://www.isudigitalag.org/

Meet the Guests:

🌱 Matt Darr grew up on a grain and livestock farm in eastern Ohio. He attended college at the Ohio State University and the University of Kentucky before moving to Iowa with the goal of growing public/private partnerships. He now works at Iowa State University as a faculty member in their Agriculture and Biosystems Engineering department and director of the ISU Digital Ag Innovation Lab.

Learn more about Matt: https://www.isudigitalag.org/people/1/matt-darr

🌱 Ben Covington is originally from Maryland, but he was quickly drawn to the open fields of the “wild, wild West” of Iowa. His time with Iowa State University began in 2007, with the beginning of his pursuit of both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in agricultural systems technology. Ben works as an engineer specializing in row crop production systems for ISU’s Digital Ag Innovation Lab. 

Learn more about Ben: https://www.isudigitalag.org/people/1/benjamin-covington

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: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/penneypodcast

Twitter/X: https://x.com/PenneyPodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/PenneyPodcast

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PenneyPodcast

Sean and Andrew sit down with Matt Darr and Ryan Huffman from Iowa State University’s On-Site Precision Technology team in ISU’s new Digital Ag Innovation Lab to hear their two cents on the latest ag technology. 

The crew discusses:

✅ What Matt and Ryan are excited about in agriculture 

✅ The science of precision technology

✅ Understanding the ISU Digital Ag Innovation Lab

✅ Planters and row units

✅ Tilling and residue management

✅ John Deere’s Furrow Vision and See & Spray™ technology

✅ Future possibilities in autonomy and what Matt and Ryan want to research next

Learn more about the Digital Ag Innovation Lab: https://www.isudigitalag.org/

Meet the Guests:

🌱 Matt Darr grew up on a grain and livestock farm in eastern Ohio. He attended college at the Ohio State University and the University of Kentucky before moving to Iowa with the goal of growing public/private partnerships. He now works at Iowa State University as a faculty member in their Agriculture and Biosystems Engineering department and director of the ISU Digital Ag Innovation Lab.

Learn more about Matt: https://www.isudigitalag.org/people/1/matt-darr

🌱 Ryan Huffman was born and raised in central Iowa, where he continues to live and work today. Driven by a fascination for data, Ryan was led to agronomy, studying how to leverage data and technology to improve agricultural practices. He now works as the digital agronomy research manager for ISU’s Digital Ag Innovation Lab. 

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: 

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/penneypodcast

Twitter/X: https://x.com/PenneyPodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/PenneyPodcast

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PenneyPodcast