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Minnesota CropCast: Daily Summaries Delivered
by University of Minnesota Extension
Hosts David Nicolai and Seth Naeve discuss the progress and challenges of Minnesota's agronomic crops. They are joined each week by a diversity of specialists representing all crops and agronomic disciplines to discuss their research and its impact on Minnesota crops. Dave Nicolai is a crops Extension educator and Seth Naeve is the Extension soybean agronomist.
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- 4 days ago34 min
Ken Franzky, Agronomy Services Manager at Cenrol Crop Consulting
Special Guest: Ken Franzky, Agronomy Services Manager at Cenrol Crop Consulting. Hosts: David Nicolai, University of Minnesota Extension Educator, and Seth Naeve, University of Minnesota Soybean SpecialistIn Episode #68 of MN CropCast, we are thrilled to welcome Ken Franzky from Centrol Crop Consulting out of Marshall, MN.Ken Grew up on a farm in West Central Minnesota and graduated from the University of Minnesota. He worked in the seed industry under several brands for both Syngenta and Pioneer before joining Centrol in 2015. At Centrol, his primary roles include: Technical Training: Managing agronomic competency standards and training for consultants. Education & Diagnostics: Leading internal cross-department training and providing in-field diagnostic assistance. Industry Relations: Handling interactive product training with agricultural companies and acting as a communication bridge with university personnel.Ken discusses his managerial role at Centrol and highlights some of the challenges faced by a complex and evolving agricultural system in terms of implementing a detailed training system for Centol’s crop consultants to maintain their technical competencies. Ken also discusses the importance of evaluating every acre for inputs and yield potentials. Maximizing net returns for farmers over time is the key for folks advising farmers today. Ken also provided a crop update for corn and soybeans growing in western and southern Minnesota this season. Tune in to Episode #68 today to meet Ken Franzky and Centrol Consulting! Available wherever you listen to podcasts.
- May 4, 202634 min
Headland Highlights Late April Field Report from NW, WC, and SC Minnesota
Minnesota CropCast Episode #67: Head land Highlights Late April Field Report from NW, WC, and SC MinnesotaSpecial Guests: Extension Educators Angie Peltier, Anthony Hanson, and Matt Pfarr Hosts: David Nicolai, University of Minnesota Extension Educator, and Seth Naeve, University of Minnesota Soybean SpecialistIn Episode #67 of MN CropCast, we bring you another "Headland Highlights" to get you up to speed on planting progress across the state. The hosts sat down with three Extension Educators on April 30 to discuss how farmers are navigating the spring of 2026 in their respective regions.What you’ll learn in this episode:Northwest Minnesota: Angie Peltier describes the challenges facing northern farmers. While the central Red River Valley and areas further south are off to a strong start, progress north of Fargo-Moorhead remains slow. Heavy snowpack and recent rains have stalled field work in Polk County and the surrounding region. In the far Northwest, only 10–15% of wheat and sugar beets are in the ground, with a significant push expected over the next two weeks.West Central Minnesota: Anthony Hanson highlights the impact of varying soil types. While corn and soybeans were planted on lighter soils during the final weeks of April, the heavier soils around Morris still require more heat and sun before they are fit for planting.South Central Minnesota: Matt Pfarr notes that there have been several productive windows for planting corn and soybeans. Field activity was extremely heavy during the third week of April, though some fields were tucked away even earlier. Following rain this past weekend, farmers are returning to the fields to wrap up most planting by the end of April, with the remaining soybeans expected to go in by the first week of May. Matt also discusses the challenges of planting in marginal conditions and managing residue that isn't yet dry and crispy.If you’re interested in what’s happening in Minnesota fields, be sure to tune in to Episode #67 of Minnesota CropCast: Headland Highlights today!
- Apr 28, 202628 min
Meet the New U of M Forage Agronomist & Headland Highlights, Forage Edition
Meet the New U of M Forage Agronomist & Headland Highlights, Forage Edition. Special Guest: Dr. Beatriz Bizzuti Cremostim, Extension Forage Agronomist & State Specialist Headland Highlights: Troy Salzer, Local Extension Educator (St. Louis County) Hosts: David Nicolai, University of Minnesota Extension Educator, and Seth Naeve, University of Minnesota Soybean SpecialistIn Episode #66 of MN CropCast, we are thrilled to welcome one of the newest faculty members to the University of Minnesota Department of Agronomy!The hosts sit down with Dr. Beatriz Bizzuti Cremostim, our brand-new Extension Forage Agronomist and State Specialist. With her appointment in forage research and Extension, she is stepping into a crucial role for Minnesota's agricultural landscape.What you’ll learn in this episode:Meet the Specialist: Get to know Beatriz, her background, and what she brings to the U of M Agronomy Department. We'll dive into her plans for forage research and how her Extension work will support producers across the state.Forage Focus: A look at the current state of forage agronomy, highlighting the intersections of research and practical, on-farm application.Headland Highlights: After our chat with Beatriz, we pull in a special report straight from the field. Troy Salzer, operating out of the Duluth office, joins the show to provide a comprehensive forage update covering the current alfalfa conditions throughout the state of Minnesota.Whether you manage pastures or just want to stay up to date with the latest experts leading Minnesota's agricultural research, this episode is packed with valuable insights.Tune in to Episode #66 today to meet the newest member of the U of M agronomy team! Available wherever you listen to podcasts.
- Apr 28, 202624 min
Navigating Minnesota’s New Paid Leave For Farmers Program
Special Guest: Rob Holcomb, Regional Extension Educator in Farm Business Management (Marshall Regional Extension Office)Attention Minnesota farmers and agricultural producers! Are you up to speed on the latest state employment regulations impacting your operation?In Episode #65 of MN CropCast, hosts David Nicolai and Seth Naeve sit down with Rob Holcomb to discuss a critical and timely topic: Minnesota's new Paid Leave Program. While traditional corporate employers might be accustomed to navigating complex leave programs, these recent state mandates represent uncharted territory for many farmers. If your operation relies on hired help and you are issuing W-2s, this episode is a must-listen.What you’ll learn in this episode:The Basics of the Mandate: A breakdown of the new Minnesota paid leave program (at the highest level) and how it applies to agricultural employers.Who is Affected: Whether your focus is on crops or livestock, if you manage labor and issue W-2s at year’s end, these rules apply to you.Compliance and Best Practices: Important considerations and actionable advice to ensure your farming operation remains compliant with these new state-level labor requirements.Dealing with labor in agriculture is challenging enough without surprise regulations. Let Rob Holcomb bring you up to date and help you prepare your farm business for these upcoming changes.Tune in to Episode #65 today to get the essential updates for your farm! Available wherever you listen to podcasts.
- Apr 20, 202636 min
The Hidden Value of Northern Grown Soybeans
In this special episode of Minnesota CropCast, the tables are turned as regular co-host Dr. Seth Naeve steps into the hot seat to share an inside look at his work on the international stage.As a University of Minnesota Extension Soybean Specialist, Seth doesn't just study how to grow a better bean—he travels the globe to convince international buyers why U.S. and Upper Midwest soybeans are the smartest purchase they can make. If you’ve ever been frustrated by the "low protein" knock on Minnesota soybeans, this episode is a must-listen.In this episode, we dive into:Busting the "Crude Protein" Myth: Seth explains why buying soybeans based purely on crude protein (nitrogen content) is an outdated practice. Discover the science behind why Northern soybeans, despite having lower overall protein quantity, boast a superior quality due to a concentration of highly digestible essential amino acids.Boots on the Ground in Asia: Get a look at recent trade missions to Indonesia and Vietnam. Learn how these massive markets differ—from Indonesia’s heavy demand for whole U.S. beans for human food (tempeh and tofu) to Vietnam’s booming swine and aquaculture sectors demanding high-quality soybean meal.Capitalizing on the Domestic Crush Boom: With U.S. domestic crush capacity surging, there is significantly more soybean meal hitting the market. Seth breaks down why this increased supply, paired with shifting geopolitical trade routes, creates a golden opportunity to get U.S. meal into the hands of foreign end-users who have historically relied on South America.The Power of the Northern Soybean Marketing Group: Learn how checkoff dollars from Minnesota and the Dakotas are being pooled to directly educate overseas integrators and feed millers, proving that the logistics of the Pacific Northwest (PNW) combined with our amino acid profile, energy content, and physical quality makes for a winning, undervalued product.Whether you are deep in the weeds of soybean physiology or just want to understand the macroeconomic forces driving the price at your local co-op, Seth provides a fascinating look at the art and science of marketing our crop to the world.Tune in to Episode #64 now to hear why right now is the perfect time to be aggressively promoting Northern soybeans!
- Apr 17, 202614 min
Headland Highlights: Southeast Minnesota Update with Ryan Miller
Welcome to the inaugural episode of our periodic summer series, "Headland Highlights." These special brief and timely episodes will reside right within our normal MN CropCast feed. For these segments, Dave and Seth will be calling on folks from around the state to get real-time check-ins on the status of local field activities and crops.Today, we are joined by Ryan Miller, who is an Extension Educator based in Rochester and works throughout Southeast Minnesota. We discuss the severe weather that visited the area on the evening of April 13th and get a firsthand update on planting progress in his region.Episode Highlights:Severe Weather Impacts: Ryan confirms news reports of tennis-ball-sized hail and corresponding localized heavy rainfall events.Planting Progress: The region is off to a relatively slow start for row crop production. While most spring cereals were successfully planted during the very late March window, cooler temperatures, rain, and spring winds through the first two weeks of April have greatly slowed field activities.Field Work Status: There have been some tillage and fertilizer applications, but they are not widespread. Early row crop plantings are similarly scattered.Please join us for this episode, and stay tuned for future MN CropCast: Headland Highlights for more regional crop check-ins.
- Apr 14, 202633 min
Navigating Tight Margins through Grain Marketing with Ed Usset
As planters prepare to roll across Minnesota this spring, farmers aren’t just thinking about getting the seed in the ground – they are also concerned about getting their old and new crops marketed to ensure that they can stay in the blackIn this timely episode of Minnesota CropCast, hosts Dave and Seth Naeve are joined in the studio by Ed Usset, Grain Marketing Economist with University of Minnesota and Extension. Ed brings his decades of expertise to break down current market dynamics, domestic crush capacity, and the psychological hurdles of selling grain in a tight-margin year.Key Episode Highlights:The "11th Commandment" of Grain Marketing: Ed explains why holding unpriced old crop in the bin past July 1st is a major risk, and how farmers can capitalize on recent soybean rallies.Making Sense of a Weak Basis: Despite ethanol and crush plants running at near-full capacity, local basis levels for corn, soybeans, and wheat are historically poor. Ed breaks down the local supply factors driving this trend.The Soybean Crush Boom: They take a dive into the massive nationwide expansion of soybean crush capacity driven by renewable diesel. Learn why soybean oil has officially overtaken meal as the primary value driver of the bean.New Crop Price Targets: Ed shares his pre-harvest minimum price targets for December corn, November soybeans, and September wheat. With beans trading near his $11.40 target and corn nudging his $5.00 goal, he discusses why it might be time to start putting sales on the books.The Psychology of Selling: How to avoid the trap of holding out for "home runs" during unpredictable weather markets and instead focus on base hits that cover your production costs.Whether you're keeping an eye on South American yields, tracking geopolitical shifts out of China, or just trying to navigate this year's input costs, Ed’s no-nonsense approach to grain marketing is required listening.Tune in to the full episode of Minnesota CropCast today to get your 2026 marketing plan on track!
- Apr 7, 202635 min
What’s New in Weed Management, Part 2: Herbicide Application Technologies A Conversation with Drs. Debalin Surangi and Thomas Peters
In part two of this special weed management series, hosts Dave and Seth shift their focus from the chemistry of weed control to the cutting-edge application technologies revolutionizing the field. They discussed with Doctors Peters and Sarangi how artificial intelligence, robotics, and precision herbicide application equipment are changing the way growers target and eliminate weeds. From laser-wielding robots to high-voltage currents and the latest advancements from major equipment manufacturers, this episode provides a comprehensive look at the high-tech tools available to optimize crop management, improve efficiency, and reduce overall chemical usage.Key Topics Covered:Smart Sprayers and Camera Tech: The group discussed camera-based smart spray technology that accurately identifies weeds and directs herbicide application. They discuss the opportunities for this new technology for row-crop farmers. Robotic and Drone Applications: An introductory discussion about how targeted applications kill weeds by applying chemicals only where they grow, including a look at autonomous robotic sprayers running long hours in the field and the current capabilities (and limitations) of agricultural drones.High-Voltage Weed Control: An exploration into how high-voltage currents use resistive heating to rupture plant cells as the charge passes through, effectively killing the weed or severely suppressing its growth.AI and Laser Weeding: Discussion also about artificial intelligence and computer vision identify crops and target weeds, using lasers to burn them away without damaging the crop.
About Minnesota CropCast
Hosts David Nicolai and Seth Naeve discuss the progress and challenges of Minnesota's agronomic crops. They are joined each week by a diversity of specialists representing all crops and agronomic disciplines to discuss their research and its impact on Minnesota crops. Dave Nicolai is a crops Extension educator and Seth Naeve is the Extension soybean agronomist.
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