The Crop Science Podcast Show

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!

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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.
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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.

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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.
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In this special re-run episode of The Crop Science Podcast Show, we bring back our conversation with Dr. John Jones from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, who explains how phosphorus and potassium recommendations are developed and why nutrient test methods vary by region. He explores nutrient behavior in soils, calibration approaches, and how agronomists can make better data-driven fertilizer decisions. Learn how to fine-tune your nutrient management strategies and why accurate soil testing matters. Listen now on all major platforms!

"We treat phosphorus and potassium as more immobile nutrients that remain in the soil for years or even decades, which makes soil testing a reliable tool for guiding fertilization decisions."

Meet the guest: Dr. John Jones is an Assistant Professor of Agronomy and Soil Fertility Extension Specialist at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign. His work focuses on soil fertility, nutrient management, and water quality, with experience across major cropping systems. His research connects soil testing, nutrient cycling, and practical agronomic decisions to improve crop production. 

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What you will learn:
(00:00) Highlight
(00:51) Introduction
(02:05) Guest background
(05:38) P and K calibration
(08:26) Nutrient interaction effects
(13:20) Regional test differences
(18:51) Data-driven decisions
(24:16) Final three questions

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

- Loam Bio
- KWS

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. Rachel Vann, Associate Professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, shares how national soybean research networks deliver practical, science-based recommendations. Learn key topics including planting timing, seeding rates, fertility strategies, and multi-state trial design. Dr. Vann highlights cost-effective decisions under tight margins. Listen now on all major platforms!

“Planting date selection strongly influences soybean yield outcomes across regions, requiring careful alignment with environmental conditions and avoiding extremes that reduce productivity potential.”

Meet the guest: Dr. Rachel Vann is an Associate Professor of Cropping Systems at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, specializing in soybean production, applied research, and Extension outreach. With experience leading national initiatives like Science for Success, research focuses on improving crop management and farmer decision-making. 

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What you will learn:
(00:00) Highlight
(00:48) Introduction
(01:49) Career path
(03:30) Initiative origin
(06:08) Research focus
(07:56) Biological results
(13:55) Planting timing
(22:45) Final Questions

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

- Loam Bio
- KWS

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.
Website: The Crop Science Podcast Show
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In this special episode of The Crop Science Podcast Show, marking Earth Day, Dr. Fabian Menalled, Professor at Montana State University, explains how ecological principles shape weed management across cropping systems. He discusses herbicide resistance, crop weed competition, and diversified strategies such as cover crops and trait-based approaches. Dr. Menalled highlights how management decisions influence weed communities and long-term system resilience. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Integrating ecological and evolutionary perspectives is necessary to fully understand and manage weed dynamics in modern agricultural systems."

Meet the guest: Dr. Fabian Menalled is a Professor of Weed Ecology and Management at Montana State University, with training in ecology from Argentina and the United States. His work focuses on sustainable agriculture, crop weed competition, and integrated weed management across conventional and organic systems. His research explores ecological drivers shaping weed communities and resistance.

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What you will learn:
(00:00) Highlight
(00:59) Introduction
(07:12) Resistance challenge
(08:15) Cover crops timing
(11:39) Weed community drivers
(13:49) Management complexity
(17:06) Evolution pressure
(18:30) Final Questions

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

- KWS

- 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