The Crop Science Podcast Show

In this episode of The Crop Science Podcast Show, Jake Drozd, owner and partner at Drozd Family Grain in southwest Michigan, discusses managing crops under challenging conditions while pushing yields higher each season.  He shares insights on corn production, irrigation strategies, soil health, micronutrient management, sorghum production, and the importance of networking with other growers. Jake also shares how family teamwork supports the operation’s success. Listen now on all major platforms!

"We are 42 years corn on corn, and our average yields are getting better. I would attribute it to more microbial work, being more efficient with fertilizer, and making the soil a little healthier while tilling."

Meet the guest: Jake Drozd is an owner and partner at Drozd Family Grain in southwest Michigan, farming with his dad and brother across corn, soybeans, and sorghum. Their operation focuses on crop production and fertility and has earned multiple Michigan NCGA yield contest wins, reflecting a commitment to improving productivity and sharing knowledge across agriculture. Listen to Jake Drozd on The Crop Science Podcast Show, available on all major platforms.

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What you will learn:
(00:00) Highlight
(00:43) Introduction
(01:33) Farm overview
(02:58) Crop rotations
(03:51) Soil health
(08:33) Irrigation systems
(13:23) Sorghum management
(23:58) Final questions

The Crop Science Podcast Show is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:

- Loam Bio

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.
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In this episode of The Crop Science Podcast Show, Dr. Brandon Gerrish from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension discusses small-grain variety testing across four agro-climatic regions of Texas. He covers dual-purpose wheat production, rust disease identification and management, fungicide decision-making, and certified seed adoption. Dr. Gerrish also explains how to use the Texas A&M variety database for better field decisions. Listen now on all major platforms!

“It's just amazing to see varieties side by side, one with 90% of the leaf area covered in rust, and another with maybe two or three specks on it.”

Meet the guest: Dr. Brandon Gerrish is an Assistant Professor and AgriLife Extension State Small Grains Specialist in the Soil and Crop Sciences Department at Texas A&M University. Research focuses on statewide variety trials for wheat, barley, oat, and triticale, dual-purpose production systems, and foliar disease management, including leaf and stripe rust screening across Texas. Tune in to The Crop Science Podcast Show with Dr. Brandon Gerrish on all major platforms.

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What you will learn:
(00:00) Highlight
(00:34) Introduction
(03:27) Regional grain diversity
(08:51) Variety trial types
(11:05) Dual-purpose evaluation
(13:38) Variety trial network
(22:00) Rust management
(25:59) Final questions

The Crop Science Podcast Show is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:

- Loam Bio

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.
Website: The Crop Science Podcast Show
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In this episode of The Crop Science Podcast Show, Dr. Daniela Carrijo, Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist in Grain Crop Production at Penn State University, discusses practical grain crop management for corn, soybeans, and oats. She explains how cover-crop biomass can affect soybean water stress, how organic oats fit into Pennsylvania systems, and why nitrogen recommendations need better decision tools. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Cover crop biomass can act as a mulch, conserve soil moisture, and help soybeans with water stress."

Meet the guest: Dr. Daniela Carrijo is an Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist in Grain Crop Production at Penn State University. Her work focuses on corn, soybean, and small-grain systems, with an emphasis on sustainable intensification, water and nutrient use efficiency. She earned her PhD at UC Davis. Listen to Dr. Daniela Carrijo on The Crop Science Podcast Show, available on all major platforms!

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What you will learn:
(00:00) Highlight
(01:01) Introduction
(01:56) Career background
(05:23) Grain systems
(10:08) Organic oats
(13:33) Cover crops
(17:45) Nitrogen tools
(26:24) Final questions

The Crop Science Podcast Show is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:

- Loam Bio

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.
Website: The Crop Science Podcast Show
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In this episode of The Crop Science Podcast Show, Dr. Robbie Oppenheimer, Chief Product Officer at Loam Bio, explains how a microbial seed inoculum containing beneficial fungi can help increase stable soil carbon, improve soil structure, and support long-term crop productivity. He discusses carbon fractions, carbon markets, and practical integration into crop systems. Discover the science behind stable soil carbon and what it means for modern agriculture. Listen now on all major platforms!

"The reason we care about mineral-associated carbon is that it has a lower risk of reversibility and a lower risk of being lost again."

Meet the guest: Dr. Robbie Oppenheimer is the Chief Product Officer at Loam Bio and earned his Ph.D. in synthetic biology from the University of Oxford. His work focuses on fungal inoculants, soil carbon sequestration, and developing technologies that support long-term soil productivity and carbon stability in cropping systems. He collaborates with leading research institutions to advance practical soil carbon solutions for growers worldwide. Listen to Dr. Robbie Oppenheimer on The Crop Science Podcast Show, available on all major platforms!

Liked this one? Don’t stop now — Here’s what we think you’ll love!

What you will learn:
(00:00) Highlight
(00:53) Introduction
(03:20) Building soil carbon
(04:38) Carbon pools
(11:01) Planting workflow
(13:28) Research validation
(25:56) Carbon stability
(27:23) Closing thoughts

The Crop Science Podcast Show is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:

- Loam Bio

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.
Website: The Crop Science Podcast Show
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In this episode of The Crop Science Podcast Show, Dr. Bob Stupar from the University of Minnesota explores soybean genomics, gene editing, and genomic selection in modern breeding. He explains how markers improve selection efficiency, why SCN resistance requires a multi-gene approach, and what the five-year strategic plan means for the soybean genomics community. Listen now on all major platforms!

"The ability to use genomic information to predict and improve selection across entire breeding populations is growing, and even minor-effect genomic regions are becoming targets for practical breeding."

Meet the guest: Dr. Bob Stupar is a Professor in the Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics at the University of Minnesota. His research focuses on molecular genetics and genomics of legume crop species, including soybean and pea, with primary interests in the genetic basis of natural and induced phenotypic variation, developing novel genetic resources, and using genomic strategies for trait improvement.

Liked this one? Don’t stop now — Here’s what we think you’ll love!

What you will learn:
(00:00) Highlight
(00:34) Introduction
(04:20) Background
(05:54) Genetics vs. genomics
(10:11) Genomics in breeding
(16:58) Biotechnology and GMOs
(22:01) Strategic planning
(27:39) Future of genomics
(29:53) Final questions

The Crop Science Podcast Show is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:

- Loam Bio

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.
Website: The Crop Science Podcast Show
Instagram: The Crop Science Podcast Show
LinkedIn: The Crop Science Podcast Show