In this episode of the Agronomy Answers podcast, host Zach Hefty is joined by Brian Hefty to talk about another lesson from dad: "School is just learning how to learn." They dive into how this lesson has shaped their approach to time management, prioritizing what's worth learning, and staying ahead in an industry that's constantly changing with new technology, hybrids, and practices. They also discuss why trial and error, lifelong learning, and celebrating small wins along the way matter just as much as the big goals. This lesson comes from Brian's book, $100 an Hour Jobs: Lessons from Dad.

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In this episode of the Agronomy Answers podcast, host Zach Hefty is joined by Darren Hefty to answer a question every corn grower has wondered: How early is too early to plant? They dive into the origin story of 40 Series corn, explain how early vigor, disease tolerance, seed treatment, and cold germination testing all work together to make early planting possible, and discuss why testing at 40 degrees — not the industry-standard 50 — changed the game. If you've wondered whether pushing your planting date earlier is worth the risk, this episode breaks down what it takes to do it right.

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In this episode of the Agronomy Answers podcast, host Zach Hefty is joined by Hefty Naturals brand manager Matt Thompson to answer a question every grower has asked: Can you actually protect crops from heat, drought, and other weather stresses? They dive into the science behind abiotic stress, explain how products like plant growth regulators, amino acids, and biologicals work, and discuss why timing is everything when trying to preserve yield. If you've wondered whether these products are worth the investment, this episode breaks down what they can — and can't — do in the field.

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In this episode of the Agronomy Answers podcast, host Zach Hefty sits down with Hefty Naturals brand manager Matt Thompson to dig into one of the most overlooked variables on any farming operation — water. They break down how your water source, whether it's a well or rural water supply, can directly impact the effectiveness of your herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, and biologicals. From hard water ion tie-up to pH half-life, this one will change the way you think about what's going into your spray tank.

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In this episode of the Agronomy Answers podcast, host Zach Hefty sits down with his dad to unpack one of the most powerful lessons from the book Lessons From Dad — keep pushing. They dive into why comparing yourself to others is a trap, how to focus on your own gifts, and why every minute of every day is an opportunity to get better. Whether you farm, run a business, or just want to level up, this one hits home.

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In this episode of the Agronomy Answers podcast, host Zach Hefty debates his uncle Darren about the Top 3 tools that are must-haves when you're heading to the field to scouting your crops. What do you always take with you to your back 40?

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In this episode of the Agronomy Answers podcast, host Zach Hefty is joined by Darren Hefty for a behind-the-scenes look at how Hefty Seed Company trains its agronomists. They discuss the balance between book knowledge and real-world field experience, why even veteran agronomists need ongoing training every season, and how unexpected challenges like southern rust or new insect pressure keep everyone learning. They also cover what it really means to be a sales agronomist — prioritizing the farmer's best interests — and why building strong relationships and listening well are just as important as knowing your products.

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In this episode of the Agronomy Answers podcast, host Zach Hefty is joined by Matt Thompson to discuss how agronomy research is conducted and why large scale data matters for making better decisions. They explain how combining independent trials, internal testing, and real on farm strip trials helps validate results across different environments. They also highlight how collecting more data reduces variability and leads to more reliable recommendations that can improve yield outcomes.

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In this episode of the Agronomy Answers podcast, host Zach Hefty is joined by John Wiese, a research agronomist covering Minnesota and Iowa for Hefty Seed Company. They discuss John's unconventional path into agronomy — from diesel mechanics to the warehouse floor to the research team — and how years of hands-on experience shaped his expertise in seed and soil fertility. They also dig into evolving challenges like increasing disease pressure from tar spot and southern rust, the growing importance of seed treatments for early-planted soybeans, and how to evaluate new products that often combine older active ingredients in new formulations. John wraps up with advice for anyone entering agriculture: find your niche and dig into it hard. New episodes out weekly!

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In this episode of the Agronomy Answers podcast, host Zach Hefty is joined by his dad Brian Hefty for another "Lessons from Dad" segment. They break down the idea that working more hours is a double win — you earn more while naturally spending less. Brian shares how he balanced long work hours with family priorities by making intentional trade-offs, cutting hobbies and social time rather than family time. They also discuss the importance of doing things in moderation, planning your time intentionally, and why staying busy tends to lead to greater contentment and financial success.New episodes out weekly!Follow us on social media:Facebook: @heftyseedInstagram: @heftyseedTikTok: @heftyseedX: @heftyseedYouTube: @heftyseedTo learn more about Hefty Seed Company, visit www.heftyseed.com