In this episode of the Rooted in Seed podcast, Shannon Kubik interviews Zach Martin, a seasoned professional in the agriculture industry. Zach shares his journey from growing up on a family farm in Indiana to leading sales at Sound Agriculture, a company focused on nutrient use efficiency. He discusses the importance of relationships in agriculture, lessons learned from his experiences in the seed industry, and his leadership philosophy. The conversation also touches on the challenges and opportunities in the agricultural sector and the need for differentiation in the seed market. Zach emphasizes the importance of mentorship and helping others succeed, while also expressing optimism for the future of agriculture.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Zach's journey in agriculture began with a family farm.
• Relationships are crucial in agriculture and sales.
• The seed industry needs more differentiation.
• Zach's leadership philosophy is based on 'linked arms' leadership.
• He emphasizes the importance of mentorship in career development.
• Zach believes in the potential of technology to feed the world sustainably.
• Networking is essential for success in agriculture.
• Zach's passion for helping others win is a driving force in his career.
• The future of agriculture lies in nutrient use efficiency and sustainability.

In this episode of the Rooted in Seed podcast, host Shannon Kubik engages in a deep conversation with Corey Chicoine, a sixth-generation farmer from South Dakota. They discuss Corey's farming heritage, his journey through the seed industry, and the importance of civic engagement in local communities. Corey shares insights from his career path, including valuable internships and mentorship experiences that shaped his approach to sales and farming. The conversation also touches on the challenges of farming near the Big Sioux River, the impact of flooding, and the exploration of innovative crop management practices. As they look to the future, Corey emphasizes the importance of sustainability and the legacy he hopes to leave for future generations in agriculture.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Corey is a sixth-generation farmer with a rich family history in agriculture.
• Civic engagement is crucial for the future of local communities.
• Internships provide valuable experiences that shape career paths in agriculture.
• Mentorship plays a significant role in professional development.
• The seed industry is built on personal relationships and trust.
• Every farming operation faces unique challenges based on location and conditions.
• Innovative practices like cover cropping can enhance sustainability.
• The future of agriculture requires adaptability and openness to new ideas.
• Financial security is essential for the longevity of family farms.
• Corey aims to ensure the farm can be passed down to future generations. 

In this episode, we dive into a discussion about fall planting season and how a dealer approaches planning for another growing season. The guest, Trent Kubik, discusses the various fall products available at Elevate Agronomics, focusing on winter wheat varieties, forage options, seed treatments, and crop protection strategies. Trent also provides updates on crop progress and livestock products for the fall season, emphasizing the importance of planning for the next year's crops.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Fall is a crucial time for planting and preparing for the next growing season.
• Winter wheat varieties like Westbred 4422 and Wolverine are highlighted for their yield and disease resistance.
• Forage wheat and triticale are becoming popular for livestock feed in the fall.
• Seed treatments are essential for protecting crops from diseases and pests.
• Crop progress in South Dakota shows resilience despite dry conditions.
• Livestock products are important for managing stress during weaning and transitioning to winter feed.
• Planning for next year's crops starts now, with a focus on wheat in rotations.
• Fall applied chemicals can reduce spring weed management costs.
• The importance of moisture and weather conditions for crop success is emphasized.
• Communication with suppliers is key for timely planting and treatment decisions.

In this episode of the Rooted in Seed podcast, Shannon Kubik interviews Nick Urish, a seasoned professional in the seed and crop protection industry. Nick shares his journey from growing up on a diversified farm in Illinois to his various roles in the agricultural sector, including his experiences with Monsanto, AgReliant, and Advanced Agrilytics. The conversation delves into the challenges and changes in the industry, the importance of leadership and relationships, and the evolving role of technology and AI in agriculture. Nick emphasizes the significance of mentorship, community involvement, and the need for simplicity in the seed business.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Nick Urish has a diverse background in agriculture, growing up on a family farm in Illinois.
• He transitioned from livestock to crop protection during his college years.
• Nick's leadership experiences in college helped shape his career in agriculture.
• He faced significant challenges during the 2012 drought as a seed DSM.
• Account management and dealer relationships are crucial in the seed industry.
• Nick's move to crop protection required a different style of account management.
• He enjoyed building a new brand at AgReliant and leading a team.
• AI and technology are changing the landscape of agriculture, but relationships remain vital.
• Nick hopes to leave a legacy of helping others succeed in their agricultural careers.

In this episode, Shannon Kubik reflects on her conversations with industry professionals in the seed sector, discussing key themes such as the impact of technology, the importance of customer choice, and the willingness of the next generation to innovate in agriculture. She also highlights the legacy of Norman Borlaug and delves into the ongoing debate surrounding high fructose corn syrup versus cane sugar, emphasizing the need for accountability in food choices and the future of the agricultural industry. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Technology is a significant topic in the seed industry.
• Customers prefer to research before making purchases.
• Choice is essential for customers in the seed industry.
• The next generation is open to trying new agricultural methods.
• Norman Borlaug is a highly regarded figure in agriculture.
• High fructose corn syrup is derived from corn, a U.S. crop.
• Cane sugar is also a U.S. crop and is refined differently than corn syrup.
• Switching to cane sugar does not necessarily make products healthier.
• Accountability in food choices is crucial for health.
• The future of agriculture involves making better choices for sustainability.

In this episode of the Rooted in Seed podcast, Shannon Kubik interviews Justin Fruechte, a forage and cover crop expert in the seed industry. They discuss Justin's journey in the seed industry, the evolution of cover crop blends, and the dynamics of the specialty seed market. Justin shares insights about the North American specialty seed industry, and the future of seed technology and e-commerce. They also delve into the launch of the Renovo Seed branded line, lessons learned from many years in the industry, and personal reflections on mentorship and career. The conversation concludes with thoughts on future trends in agriculture and the legacy Justin hopes to leave in the seed industry.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Justin Fruechte has been in the seed industry for over 15 years.
• The specialty seed market is often misunderstood and underappreciated.
• Cover crop blends have gained popularity due to their benefits for soil health.
• Millborn Seeds focuses on conservation and diverse seed offerings.
• E-commerce is growing, but personal relationships remain crucial in seed sales.
• Mentorship plays a significant role in career development in the seed industry.
• Future trends may include more integration of livestock on cropland.
• Diversity in farming practices is essential for sustainability.

In this episode of the Rooted in Seed podcast, Shannon Kubik interviews her husband, Trent Kubik, about his journey in the seed industry. Trent shares his early influences growing up on a family farm in South Dakota, his career path from internships to becoming a district sales manager, and eventually owning his own seed dealership, Elevate Agronomics. The conversation delves into the importance of local dealers, the challenges of seed pricing, the future of crop diversity, and the impact of technology on farming practices. Trent also reflects on the mentors who shaped his career and shares his thoughts on the evolving landscape of the seed industry.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Trent's passion for agriculture began in childhood on a family farm.
• The importance of local dealers in the seed industry.
• Transitioning from a corporate role to owning a seed dealership.
• The impact of technology on farming practices and seed sales.
• The significance of crop diversity in farming.
• Challenges faced in the seed pricing model.
• The role of mentorship in shaping a career in agriculture.
• The evolution of farming practices over the years.
• The importance of understanding local farming needs.
• The future of the seed industry hinges on market demands.

In this episode of the Rooted in Seed podcast, host Shannon Kubik interviews Justin Krell, a seasoned professional in the seed industry. Justin shares his journey from growing up on a dairy farm to becoming a technical agronomist and now working in corn genetics licensing. The conversation covers various topics including the balance between farming and career, the transition to modern farming practices, the importance of seed selection, and the challenges of industry consolidation. Justin emphasizes the significance of relationships in the industry, the role of agronomists as counselors, and the impact of technology on farming practices. He also reflects on his career milestones, the lessons learned from product failures, and the legacy he hopes to leave in the seed industry.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Seed has been a lifelong passion for Justin Krell.
• The importance of balancing career and farming life.
• Transitioning to modern farming practices is becoming more mainstream.
• Managing change in farming practices requires patience and understanding.
• Handling crop failures involves strong customer relationships.
• Agronomists often serve as counselors to farmers.
• Seed selection is crucial for successful farming.
• The evolution of information access has changed the seed industry.
• Current roles in corn genetics licensing involve promoting products to seed companies.
• Positive changes in the seed industry include advancements in technology and traits.