Agronomy Answers Podcast

In this episode of the Agronomy Answers podcast, Zach Hefty sits down with Heidi Arneson, a Registered Seed Technologist who runs the Hefty Seed testing lab, to break down the difference between warm and cold germination scores. They cover why the warm germ on your seed tag reflects ideal 77-degree conditions, why Hefty runs its cold test at 40 degrees instead of the industry-standard 50, and what a variety needs to score to earn the 40 Series label. If you’ve ever wondered what’s really behind the numbers on a seed tag, or why cold germ scores matter so much for early planting in the North, this episode is packed with practical insights.

New episodes out weekly!

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To learn more about Hefty Seed Company, visit www.heftyseed.com

In this episode of the Agronomy Answers podcast, Zach Hefty is joined by Hefty Naturals brand manager Matt Thompson to dig into corn residue: what it’s made of, why there’s more of it than ever, and how to break it down faster. They cover how lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose work together, why fall nitrogen on stalks may not be doing what you think, and why applying a living biological to frozen ground sets you up for failure. Matt also explains how Decomp combines fungi, bacteria, and enzymes to speed up breakdown, and what growers should realistically expect from residue management products. If you’re battling heavy residue and wondering what actually works, this episode is packed with practical insights.

New episodes out weekly!

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To learn more about Hefty Seed Company, visit www.heftyseed.com

In this episode of the Agronomy Answers podcast, Matt Thompson turns the tables and puts host Zach Hefty in the hot seat for a discussion on biologicals. They break down which products have earned their trust, why years of on-farm testing matter, and the differences between living biologicals, fulvic acids, plant growth regulators, and other emerging technologies. If you've wondered which biologicals are worth trying—and why not every new product belongs on every acre—this episode is packed with practical insights.

New episodes out weekly!

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To learn more about Hefty Seed Company, visit www.heftyseed.com

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.

New episodes out weekly!

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To learn more about Hefty Seed Company, visit www.heftyseed.com

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.

New episodes out weekly!

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To learn more about Hefty Seed Company, visit www.heftyseed.com

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.

New episodes out weekly!

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To learn more about Hefty Seed Company, visit www.heftyseed.com

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.

New episodes out weekly!

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To learn more about Hefty Seed Company, visit www.heftyseed.com

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.

New episodes out weekly!

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To learn more about Hefty Seed Company, visit www.heftyseed.com

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?

New episodes out weekly!

Follow us on social media:

Facebook: @heftyseed

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To learn more about Hefty Seed Company, visit www.heftyseed.com

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.

New episodes out weekly!

Follow us on social media:

Facebook: @heftyseed

Instagram: @heftyseed

TikTok: @heftyseed

X: @heftyseed

YouTube: @heftyseed

To learn more about Hefty Seed Company, visit www.heftyseed.com