Crop Cast by BW Fusion

In this episode of The Crop Cast , the agronomy team explores how in-season soil and tissue sampling can provide actionable insights—not just more information. They break down the BW Fusion SET Test, Leaf Link, and Plant Complete Max, explaining how understanding nutrient movement, nitrogen conversion, and plant balance leads to smarter fertility decisions and improved crop performance.

What if everything you've been told about residue breakdown is missing the biggest piece of the puzzle? In Episode #76, Sean Nettleton is joined by Mason Claude and Dr. Cassidy Million for a deep dive into the science of residue decomposition. They break down the biology behind decomposition, explain why microbes—not nitrogen—do the heavy lifting, and challenge common practices like tillage an...

This episode starts by breaking down the yield equation and answering a fundamental question: how much of yield is really in Mother Nature's hands, and what can growers still influence? The answer lies in kernel weight—the one yield component that can still be impacted from R1 through R6. The key is understanding the physiology of the finish and managing crop stress during the grain-fill perio...

In Episode 75 of Crop Cast , Sean Nettleton sits down with Dustin Hoffmann , Supervising Editor and Lead Farm Broadcaster for the Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network , to discuss the evolving landscape of agricultural media. The conversation explores the relationship between podcasts and local radio, the importance of journalistic integrity, the challenges facing modern agriculture, and why building t...

In this follow-up nitrogen discussion, the Crop Cast team dives into real-world observations from across the Corn Belt and Northern Plains, examining how weather, soil conditions, nitrogen forms, and application timing impact crop performance. The conversation highlights why nitrogen should be managed as a season-long strategy rather than a one-time application, with a strong focus on sulfur, carb...

 In this episode of Crop Cast, host Sean Nettleton with Mason Claude and Jaren Schley take a deep dive into nitrogen management during side-dress season and challenge some long-held agronomic assumptions. The conversation covers timing versus total nitrogen rates, why placement and weather matter more than ever, and how growers can potentially reduce nitrogen use while maintaining or improving yie...

In this episode of Crop Cast , host Sean sits down with Florida farmer and Marshal Sewell to discuss the mental health challenges facing the agricultural community. Marshall shares the deeply personal story that inspired the creation of the Mind Your Melon Foundation and explains why breaking the stigma around mental health in farming is more important than ever. The conversation dives into resili...

In this solo episode, host Sean Nettleton breaks down the rollercoaster of spring conditions—from near drought to excessive rain—and what it means for crop management decisions. He dives into deeper agronomic thinking around soil biology, nutrient availability, and the real drivers of yield beyond traditional fertility programs. It’s a candid, boots-on-the-ground perspective on staying adaptable,...

This episode dives into one of the most overlooked—but critical—drivers of crop performance: soil structure. The team breaks down how a newly developed soil structure rating is outperforming traditional metrics in predicting yield, and why factors like compaction, biology, and pore space may matter more than fertility alone. If you’re chasing higher yields, this conversation challenges everything...

In this episode, the team sits down with Texas Panhandle growers farming in one of the toughest environments in North America—right in the heart of the Dust Bowl. They dig into water limitations, soil health strategies, and how managing stress—not just nutrients—is becoming the key to staying profitable. It’s a real-world look at how innovative thinking and carbon-driven systems are helping farmer...

In this episode of Crop Cast, Josh Linville ( StoneX ) breaks down the real drivers behind today’s volatile fertilizer market—from global supply disruptions to shifting demand and geopolitical risk. The conversation highlights the difference between availability and affordability, and why farmers should expect continued uncertainty. Most importantly, it reinforces a critical mindset shift: focus o...

This episode dives into the real drivers behind soil health and crop performance, emphasizing that long-term success comes from consistent agronomic practices—not quick fixes or single products. Through real farm experiences, the group breaks down how water-extractable organic carbon (WEOC), soil structure, and data-driven decisions can transform even the toughest ground. The conversation highligh...

This episode dives into the parallels between human health and soil health, challenging the “all-or-nothing” mindset in both agriculture and life. The conversation explores how better data, intentional decision-making, and incremental changes can improve farm performance while reducing unnecessary inputs. Ultimately, it’s about moving beyond traditional systems to build healthier soils, better cro...

In this episode of Crop Cast, the BW Fusion team breaks down why the future of crop protection and efficiency starts in the planter box. They discuss how biological seed technologies can trigger season-long plant defense, improve nutrient efficiency, and reduce reliance on repeated chemical applications. The conversation connects agronomy, economics, and biology to show how farmers can produce mor...

Recorded live at Commodity Classic 2026, this episode of The Crop Cast features Parker Christian from UpTerra discussing emerging technologies designed to improve irrigation water efficiency in agriculture. The conversation explores how structuring and energizing irrigation water may enhance soil health, increase nutrient availability, and improve crop productivity—helping farmers produce more wit...

In this episode, Sean Nettleton is joined by Josh Messer to break down canola as an emerging and profitable alternative crop for growers outside its traditional regions. They dive into what makes canola unique agronomically—especially its non-mycorrhizal nature, early phosphorus demand, and heavy sulfur and potassium needs—and how those traits change fertility, rotation, and management decisions....

In this second part of the WEOX series, the BW Fusion agronomy team dives deeper into water-extractable organic carbon (WEOC)—framed as the  “currency of the soil” —and why it may be one of the most important soil metrics growers aren’t paying enough attention to. The conversation explores how management decisions, such as excess nitrogen, crop rotation (especially soybeans), tillage intensity, an...

In this episode of  The Crop Cast , Sean sits down in person with Jason, Brandon and John from AgriVision Solutions in northwest Missouri for a wide-ranging, candid conversation about the evolution—and current challenges—of precision agronomy. The discussion traces the journey from early GPS yield monitors and grid sampling to today’s cloud-based data systems, highlighting a critical truth: collec...

In this episode of The Crop Cast, Sean Nettleton sits down with Jason Schley and Bodie Kitchel to unpack one of the most misunderstood but important concepts in modern agronomy: WEOC (Water-Extractable Organic Carbon) — the true “currency” that fuels soil health, nutrient release, and long-term productivity. The conversation dives into why WEOC isn’t a buzzword or sales term, but a metric that und...

This episode of Crop Cast is a high-energy roundtable with the BW Fusion agronomy team focused on what farmers really need moving into the 2026 crop year. The conversation centers on BW Fusion’s upcoming  Agronomy Road Shows  (details below) and, more importantly, the philosophy behind them: moving beyond product pitches and outdated fertility dogma toward efficiency collaboration, and stress mana...

In this episode, Sean Nettleton sits down with Jeff Miller of Forefront Agronomy in Plainview, Texas, for a deep dive into the realities of farming in the High Plains. Jeff shares what it takes to grow crops in a drought-prone, low-humidity, highly variable environment where irrigation capacity is shrinking and full crop failures are a real possibility. The conversation spans irrigation management...

In this episode, Sean Nettleton sits down with BW Fusion dealer and Minnesota farmer  Justin Goettl  and agronomist  Mason Claude . What begins as an unscripted conversation turns into a deep dive on agronomy education, soil science misconceptions, the evolution from grid sampling to zone management, and the power of carbon-based fertility. Justin shares years of hands-on experience with zone crea...

In this episode of The Crop Cast , host Sean Nettleton sits down with Nebraska farmer Randy Uhrmacher for a conversation that starts in the field and ends with personal reflection. From strip-till vs. no-till debates to the challenges of irrigating soybeans, Randy shares what’s working—and what isn’t—on his operation. But this isn’t just about crops. Randy opens up about his health journey, how ex...

In this deep-dive episode of the  Crop Cast , Sean Nettleton and agronomist Blake Hadley unpack the complex world of  phosphorus in soil systems , exploring its  chemical, biological, and physical dynamics . Blake discusses how his self-taught, data-driven approach led him to simplify soil science through visual frameworks that connect redox potential (Eh), pH, and biological activity. Together th...

In this Crop Cast episode, host Sean Nettleton leads a dynamic roundtable with Faith Pierson (Infinity Ag Solutions, Host of Farming with More than Faith), Kyle Olson (Creekside Agronomy, Co-host Dirt 2 Dollars), and Chase Perry (CMP Enterprises, Co-host Dirt 2 Dollars) to unpack how farmers are rethinking fertility, nitrogen management, and long-term soil health through BaselineRx. The group shar...