The Crop Science Podcast Show

In this episode of The Crop Science Podcast Show, Shawn Feikema, co-owner and operator at Feikema Farms and Circle F Farms in Luverne, Minnesota, shares how a diversified family farm connects cattle feeding, manure management, crop rotation, and cover crops. He discusses farm transition, precision manure application, small grains, soil erosion control, and goal-driven cover crop decisions. Learn how integrated systems support long-term farm resilience. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Progress often comes from repeated failures, rapid learning, and the willingness to test new ideas despite uncertainty and changing agricultural conditions."

Meet the guest: Shawn Feikema is co-owner and operator of Feikema Farms Inc. and Circle F Farms in Luverne, Minnesota. As part of a third-generation farming operation, he manages diversified crop production, livestock integration, precision agriculture, manure utilization, cover crops, and conservation-focused systems. Shawn is passionate about improving productivity and soil health through practical innovation and long-term farm sustainability. Learn from Shawn Feikema 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
(03:24) Farm transition
(08:02) Feedlot integration
(09:19) Manure fertility
(14:53) Crop rotation
(21:52) Cover crop goals
(25:10) 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 Corn Special Series episode of The Crop Science Podcast Show, Dr. Kevin Bradley, Professor and State Extension Weed Scientist at the University of Missouri, discusses practical strategies for managing herbicide-resistant weeds in corn and soybean systems. He shares insights on waterhemp, cover crop biomass, harvest weed seed control, electrocution technology, precision spraying, and why residual herbicides still matter. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Herbicide resistance continues forcing major changes in weed management programs across corn and soybean systems, especially with waterhemp and Palmer amaranth spreading rapidly."

Meet the guest: Dr. Kevin Bradley is a Professor and State Extension Weed Scientist in the Division of Plant Science and Technology at the University of Missouri. His extension and research work focuses on applied weed management in corn, soybean, and forage systems, with extensive work on herbicide-resistant waterhemp. He earned his PhD from Virginia Tech and has served at the University of Missouri since 2003. Listen to The Crop Science Podcast Show with Dr. Kevin Bradley on all major platforms.

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What you will learn:
(00:00) Highlight
(00:59) Introduction
(05:00) Herbicide resistance trends
(06:02) Cover crops
(07:37) Harvest seed control
(15:33) Weed electrocution
(21:30) Precision spraying
(25:25) 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, 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.

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

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.
Website: The Crop Science Podcast Show
Instagram: The Crop Science Podcast Show
LinkedIn: The Crop Science Podcast Show

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
Instagram: 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!

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

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
Instagram: The Crop Science Podcast Show
LinkedIn: The Crop Science Podcast Show