FOCUS on Agriculture

In this episode, Preston and Jason discuss the fascinating history of yellow dent corn, beginning with the cultivation of teosinte by Native Americans in what is now southern Mexico.  For those interested in more trivia surrounding the history of corn, follow Jason on Twitter and check out #HistoryOfCorn.  To learn more about plant breeding, check out our 3 part series published early in 2020:

Episode 16: Tom Floyd - The History of Plant Breeding Part I

Episode 17: Tom Floyd - The History of Plant Breeding Part II

Episode 18: Devin Nichols - The History of Plant Breeding Part III

Follow us on Twitter: @Focus_on_Ag

Megan Baskerville is Illinois ag program director for The Nature Conservancy,  the largest conservation organization in the world.  In this episode, we discuss their mission, and how they partner with farmers to protect natural resources.  You can follow TNC on Twitter @nature_org.  Growers interested in improving sustainability in their operations should check out the Illinois Sustainable Ag Partnership.

Seed treatments are applied to the vast majority of seeds that farmers plant each growing season.  These treatments help protect the vulnerable seeds from the army of pests waiting in the soil to attack them.  Typically the treatments protect against fungi, insects, and nematodes, but modern treatments often also include beneficial microbes that help get the plants off to a strong start.  In this episode, Dr. Nick Tinsley, seed growth agronomist with Bayer Crop Science, explains their important role in maintaining our safe and robust food supply.

Each year, farmers across the US compete in the National Corn Grower's Association National Corn Yield Contest.  Jeff Brown is a central Illinois grower who regularly competes and is the Illinois state record holder at 350 bushels/acre.  In this conversation, we discuss the things that growers do to increase yield and profitability.  You can also follow Jeff on Twitter at @JeffMBrown1 to learn more about his operation.

Eric Ifft is a customer business advisor for Bayer Crop Science.  He has been involved in agriculture his entire life, having grown up on a central Illinois farm.  In this episode, we discuss the reasons behind the use of crop protection products in agriculture and how fungicides help to protect the food supply.  You can follow Eric on Twitter @eric_ifft or email him directly: [email protected].  Eric is also chairman of the Illinois Certified Crop Adviser board.  You can learn more about the CCA program at: certifiedcropadviser.org

In this episode, we visited with Dr. Jamie Ellis about the role of honey bees in agriculture and the challenges that are facing beekeepers.  Dr. Ellis is the head of the University of Florida Honey Bee Research and Extension Lab, where in addition to extensive research they produce instructional materials in a variety of formats.  Traditional classes offered are available not only to University of Florida students, but also online to students from other universities and even non-students.  Additionally, Dr. Ellis is co-host of Two Bees in a Podcast and somehow finds time to answer beekeeping questions in his column, The Classroom, in the American Bee Journal.  Follow the UF Bee Lab on Twitter and Instagram @UFhoneybeelab.

You probably know that soybeans are used for animal and human consumption, but did you know that they are used for many other things, including asphalt and running shoes?  In this episode Polly Ruhland, CEO of the United Soybean Board, joined us to discuss exciting new uses that are being explored for this renewable commodity.    You can also learn more about the uses of soybeans at https://www.unitedsoybean.org/ and follow USB on Twitter (@unitedsoy),  Facebook (@UnitedSoybeanBoard), or YouTube.

Today we chatted with legendary broadcaster Max Armstrong, who has been called "The Voice of American Agriculture."  Max began his career with Illinois Farm Bureau before moving to WGN in Chicago, where he has been heard for decades.  Currently, Max co-hosts 'This Week in Agribusiness' on RFD-TV and 'The Morning Show with Orion and Max' on Saturday mornings on WGN radio.  Follow Max on Twitter (@maxarmstrong) or Instagram (@broadcastermaxarmstrong).

Happy 1st year anniversary to the Focus on Agriculture Podcast. We took a break from interviewing amazing guests to take some time and give you updates on our lives, work and focus. 

Follow us on twitter @prestoschrader and @NWILTDR

and be sure to tweet at us with ideas for future podcast guests!

Dr. Joshua Vonk is a central Illinois farmer who recently completed his PhD research on Irrigation and Nitrogen Management of Soybean in Highly Productive Soils at the University of Illinois.  In this episode, we discuss his research and its relevance to growers.  You can access research results from the University of Illinois at ideals.illinois.edu.