The Crop Science Podcast Show

In this episode of The Crop Science Podcast Show, Dr. Candy Hirsch, Professor at the University of Minnesota, explains why germplasm collections are essential for crop improvement. She discusses how gene banks preserve genetic diversity, protect valuable alleles, and support breeding for future environmental conditions. Dr. Hirsch also examines how sequencing and computational tools can prioritize limited conservation resources. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Germplasm collections preserve genetic diversity from wild ancestors, locally adapted varieties, and modern cultivars, providing essential resources for continued crop improvement and adaptation."

Meet the guest: Dr. Candy Hirsch is a professor at the University of Minnesota, where her work spans plant breeding, bioinformatics, genetics, maize genomics, and translational crop research. She earned a PhD in Plant Breeding and Plant Genetics and a BS in Genetics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Learn more from Dr. Hirsch on The Crop Science Podcast Show, available on all major platforms.

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What you will learn:
(00:00) Highlight
(01:23) Introduction
(04:24) Maize genomics research
(09:38) Genotype and environment
(10:42) Germplasm conservation
(13:53) Prioritizing genetic diversity
(19:47) Nitrogen and cropping systems
(24:13) Final questions

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

- WiseVAs
- ZentrixOS
- Zentrix Insights
- The Owner's Box
- Elevate

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.
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In this episode of The Crop Science Podcast Show, Dr. Brigitte Weston, Director of Product Development at Gates Agricultural Innovations (Gates Ag One), explains how crop innovations can serve smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. She discusses photosynthetic efficiency, nutrient symbiosis, seed systems, and the missing middle between research and deployment. Learn how targeted innovation can improve yields, livelihoods, and local economies. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Extra cash from stronger smallholder yields can grow local economies from the grassroots and make whole communities more profitable."

Meet the guest: Dr. Brigitte Weston is the Director of Product Development at Gates Agricultural Innovations (Gates Ag One), where she advances crop innovations for smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. She earned her Ph.D. in Crop Sciences from the University of Saskatchewan and has more than 30 years of product development experience. Learn from Dr. Brigitte Weston on The Crop Science Podcast Show, available on all major platforms.

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What you will learn:
(00:00) Highlight
(01:29) Introduction
(03:47) Gates Ag One
(05:30) Research priorities
(14:19) R&D model
(17:01) Innovation gap
(20:14) Seed systems
(26:48) Final questions

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

- Elevate
- The Owner's Box
- ZentrixOS
- Zentrix Insights
- WiseVAs

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. Rob Myers from the University of Missouri explains how cover crop breeding, soil health research, and grazing systems are advancing regenerative agriculture. He discusses cereal rye allelopathy, virtual fencing, planting green, and farmer-driven innovation that supports resilient agricultural systems. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Cover crop breeding can improve weed control, reduce production risks, and make regenerative systems easier to manage across different regions."

Meet the guest: Dr. Rob Myers is Director of the University of Missouri Center for Regenerative Agriculture and an Extension Professor in Plant Science and Technology. His work focuses on regenerative agriculture, cover crops, soil health, conservation, and diversified cropping systems. With decades of research, extension, and leadership experience, Dr. Myers continues supporting practical agricultural innovation. Learn more from Dr. Rob Myers on The Crop Science Podcast Show, available on all major platforms.

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What you will learn:
(00:00) Highlight
(01:24) Introduction
(07:08) Regenerative center
(10:28) Soil health sampling
(12:55) Cover crop breeding
(16:58) Cover crop grazing
(20:38) Virtual fencing data
(25:24) Final questions

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

* Loam Bio

- WiseVAs
- Elevate
- The Owner's Box
- ZentrixOS
- Zentrix Insights

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. Dean Riechers, Professor of Crop Sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, discusses herbicide resistance, weed biology, and chemical weed control challenges. He explains why new modes of action are challenging to develop, how safeners protect crops, and where robotics, electrocution, and genetics may support future weed management. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Resistance continues increasing across major weed species, reducing herbicide effectiveness and creating greater challenges for maintaining reliable weed control in modern crop production systems."

Meet the guest: Dr. Dean Riechers is Professor of Crop Sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His research focuses on plant responses to herbicide stress, crop injury prevention, herbicide safeners, and mechanisms of evolved weed resistance through rapid detoxification. Learn more from Dr. Dean Riechers on The Crop Science Podcast Show, available on all major platforms.

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What you will learn:
(00:00) Highlight
(01:44) Introduction
(06:57) Weed resistance
(09:49) Resistance pressure
(14:52) Cross resistance
(18:44) New herbicides
(24:04) Robotic control
(33:14) Final questions

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

* Loam Bio

- ZentrixOS
- Zentrix Insights
- WiseVAs
- Elevate
- The Owner's Box

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.
Website: The Crop Science Podcast Show
LinkedIn: The Crop Science Podcast Show
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In this episode of The Crop Science Podcast Show, Matt Griggs of Griggs Farms LLC shares his journey into regenerative agriculture. He discusses the practical challenges of planting into heavy cover crops, the planter modifications that made it possible, and his approach to building long-term soil health. Matt explains how these practices can lower risk and improve sustainability on a fifth-generation farm. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Solving cover crop planting challenges requires decisive equipment changes that protect seed placement and keep the operation moving."

Meet the guest: Matt Griggs is the owner and operator of Griggs Farms LLC. He raises 2,100 acres of cotton, corn, soybeans, wheat, and canola, and has practiced soil health and regenerative agriculture for 12 years. His farm has earned local and national recognition for conservation-based production. Hear more from Matt Griggs 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
(01:46) Introduction
(06:26) Crop rotation
(09:06) Sustainability shift
(11:11) Cover crop lessons
(15:56) Planter modifications
(20:36) Urban sprawl
(30:21) Final questions

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

* Loam Bio

- Elevate
- The Owner's Box
- ZentrixOS
- Zentrix Insights
- WiseVAs

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