CropTalk

Are seeds or clones better for a cannabis/hemp operation? Let's Debate! On this episode of #CropCareConvos, the second Crop Debate ever recorded, Bobby Shearer is joined by 2 CEO/founders who are leaders in the industry. Dr. Allison Justice from The Hemp Mine, arguing the case of of the incredible clones (including liners and micropropagation) vs Matt Haddad from Trilogene Seeds, arguing the case...

Cannabis is a short-day plant (with the exception of day-neutral cultivars).  However, as the commercial cultivation of Cannabis explodes, growers are manipulating photoperiods attempting to create outcomes different from what the plant would produce under a 12/12 light cycle.  That's why Rob Smallman joined the #LeadersTalkCrops series of CropTalk to share how he has been trialing different photo...

It seems some folks in the hemp industry think that all of the value in a hemp cultivar is related to its' CBD potency.  What about its' feminization rate verified by a third-party?! 🌱  What about its' minor cannabinoids?!? 💥  HOW ABOUT ITS' TERPENES?! 🤯  Jeremy Klettke, the CEO & Head Breeder at Davis Farms of Oregon, joined the #LeadersTalkCrops series of CropTalk podcast to describe why we'v...

Would you let a pharmaceutical rep craft your preventative health plan? I sure hope not.  Similarly, you don't have to settle for biased advice as you develop or improve your IPM program. Sam Konchan , the IPM Manager at Harvest Health & Recreation, Inc., joined as a guest on the #LeadersTalkCrops series of CropTalk podcast to share how he uses his resources wisely and whom he calls on for help wh...

Don't judge a book by its' cover.  It seems that everyone learns the above lesson at some point in their life.  Andrew Varela, Director of Cultivation at Rocky Mountain High, joined as a guest on the #LeadersTalkCrops series of CropTalk podcast to share why Cannabis growers might be overspending on nutrients.  He shares insight on how he learned to lower his nutrition input cost dramatically. And...

On Part 2 of this two part episode of the CropTalk series #KyleTalksAgTech, Kyle Barnett speaks with Ian Kanski - Director for the Center for Advanced Agriculture and Sustainability at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology, Chairman of the Board for the FarmTech Society, and co-founder of INTAG Systems. We discuss his journey from tech to Controlled Environment Agriculture, the lessons h...

Asking someone to go through the motions without expectations and purpose is enough to turn any passionate go-getter into an underproductive cog.  Radical transparency in an organization is often what separates mediocre and great businesses.  That's why we asked Matt Marshall, Owner of Qi Consulting Group, to join us for a #LeadersTalkCrops series CropTalk podcast.  In this conversation, Matt deta...

As growers, we have the opportunity to grow more than plants.  We can foster the growth of people.  Growth in the people that we work with and especially those that work for us.  Providing something meaningful, other than a paycheck, is part of the formula to retain front line associates over time.  This is an important topic for the Cannabis industry. That's why we had Tim Nolan , a passionate le...

What are the three fundamental dimensions of light? How does different #lighting affect the various insects on your plants? What are some leading hypotheses for her studies and how is she approaching them? How can you send her your russet mites? Because, yes, she wants some shipped to her lab. Bobby Shearer talks with Professor Laura Ingwell from Purdue University about her new line of research ex...

On this episode of the CropTalk series #KyleTalksAgTech, Kyle Barnett speaks with Ian Kanski - Director for the Center for Advanced Agriculture and Sustainability at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology, Chairman of the Board for the FarmTech Society, and co-founder of INTAG Systems. We discuss his journey from tech to Controlled Environment Agriculture, the lessons he's learned along t...

No, you don't have to let your land rest in between crops. It's time to ditch the fallow period. Leaving land fallow can result in significant land erosion, especially in the Southwest United States. Robert Masson, Agricultural Extension Agent for Yuma County and the University of Arizona, joined as a guest on the #LeadersTalkCrops series of CropTalk, to explain the benefits of minimizing fallow p...

How did Indian farmers control pests and disease prior to conventional pesticides? 👉 Using the control methods of, what we now consider, Integrated Pest Management. They did it without pesticides because they had no other choice. With what we now understand about pesticide dangers and their use in food production, it seems that Indian farmers will eventually face the same dilemma with no other ch...

As a grower of a crop that has strict food safety standards, it seems you have a couple of options:  You can look at food safety regulations with a fixed, the glass is half-empty , mindset while you just get by.  Or, you can look at the glass half-full of opportunity for your company to be different . You can see consistent compliance as a way to set yourself apart. To comply and thrive.  Gabe Jer...

Traditional horticulturalists and legacy Cannabis growers often don't see eye to eye on the definition of "flushing". Seems they don't agree on what the purpose of "flushing" is either. Some follow the "you've gotta flush for premium smokable cannabis" mindset. Some say "it ain't gonna make a difference". Seems it is one of the more disputed cultivation practices in the Cannabis industry and  Josh...

There are so many variables associated with producing a crop.  As growers, it is often our mission to control those variables to whatever extent we can.  When it comes to how we control them, the options seem to be endless.  The number of options can put a grower into " analysis paralysis ".  A state of mind where the waters of constant improvement get murkier and the details needed to be successf...

In this episode of #CropCareConvos, Bobby Shearer sits down with Patricia, co-owner of Sun Roots Farm, to explore the benefits of keeping alpacas on your farm. So, why are alpacas good for your farm? 1. Their poop is basically compost 2. They don't pull plants up by roots, but they're great lawnmowers who don't munch your cannabis plants 3. Light on their, soft pads = minimal soil compaction 4. Fl...

We've got to stop treating our soil like dirt.  👆 I'm not that clever. I read it in a book somewheres. It is easy to think that we are taking a step forward when till, we over mow and spray herbicide.  Couldn't be further from the truth.  In terms of crop quality potential, it is actually two steps back.  This seems to be especially true when talking about orchard floor management.  Thomas Macint...

Harnessing the power of photoperiodism is something that traditional horticulturalists have been doing for decades with ornamental crops such as Chrysanthemum and Poinsettia.  "Fascinating! But, what does that have to do with Hemp?!" you may ask.. According to Allison Justice, PhD. - a whole heck of a lot.  In fact, it could make or break your 2021 hemp crop.  Allison shares that as an industry we...

Are you going to be more physically fit if you eat Kale or Ice Cream all day? 🤔 👉 Kale 🌱 Are your predatory mites going to be more physically fit if they were raised on real or factitious prey?  Wait...there's a difference in predatory mite physical fitness based on their food source?! 🤯  Andrew Maltby, Owner of Biotactics & Producer of Benemite™, came onto the #LeadersTalkCrops series of Crop...

Do you enjoy air turbulence while riding on an airplane?  Your cannabis plants don't appreciate air turbulence either. What turbulence are we talking about here?!  The turbulence created from oscillating fans in a controlled environment cannabis crop.  It affects the crop microclimate and the photosynthetic activity of the plant much more than many understand.  But...what's an alternative?! Lamina...

Looking to hire a Cannabis grower for your cultivation operation?  Corey Lord, says that contrary to popular belief, hiring a "legacy" cannabis grower - one that doesn't have a degree in horticulture - might actually work to your advantage.   Corey had to get going when the going got tough. He attributes a lot of his accomplishments to being of the "learn-it-all" mindset.  In this episode of #Lead...

The cannabis industry can't stop talking about tissue culture.  But wait..what the heck is tissue culture?!  Is it the same as micropropagation?!  🤷‍♂️ 🤷‍♀️ is a typical response.  That's why it was important to have Conor Stephen, a Masters Student at Cornell University, onto CropTalk to give us the perspective we need to better understand what this practice is all about.  Here's a sneak peek. ...

On this episode of the CropTalk series #KyleTalksAgTech, Kyle Barnett speaks with Aaron Fields of Eden Greens Technology where he's growing with a unique vertical system in the greenhouse. We also discuss his journey in horticulture and the lessons he's learned along the way.

It seems there are two things that drive John Harrison.  Passion and determination.  John Harrison, the Founder of AGR1, was a guest on CropTalk under the series #MyFirstCrop. John was in the pre-production and capital raise stage of the AGR1 journey.  Since then, a lot has happened. Including growing quality produce and kicking single-use plastics on the AGR1 farm.  John is passionate about his r...

Growing up in the family floriculture business, Drew Guffey, learned a thing or two about stretching his father's dime.  Input costs are what ultimately drive the bottom line in most horticulture businesses.  The same applies to the cultivation of Cannabis (low THC hemp or medicinal/recreational).  Crop health and protection products are typically a large line item in the cultivation budget.  In t...