Pods of Potential

It's officially summer, and soybeans are growing fast across Iowa! In this episode, ISA Research Agronomist Shane Beck and Conservation Agronomist Brock Webb provide an in-season update on crop conditions and share what farmers should be scouting for as July approaches. They also discuss potential challenges that could emerge as the growing season progresses.   You'll hear the latest from research...

Farmers across Iowa are turning to water monitoring to evaluate nutrient efficiency and enhance water quality. In this episode of Pods of Potential, Iowa Soybean Association Water Lab Service Manager Tony Seeman and Heartland Co-op Strategic Partnership Coordinator Thomas Fawcett discuss how water monitoring helps farmers determine if current management practices are effective and identify conserv...

Protecting soil health and water quality is a priority for Iowa farmers. But what role do public policy and checkoff-funded research play in conservation adoption? In this episode of Pods of Potential, ISA Chief Officer of Demand and Advocacy Matt Herman, Story County farmer Dave Struthers and Iowa State University Professor Michael Castellano discuss the impacts of corn stover removal and conserv...

Farmers across Iowa use tile systems to drain excess water from their farm fields. But did you know tile drainage can be paired with a buffer strip to enhance water quality? Iowa Soybean Association Conservation Agronomist Alex Logan joins Jake Luft and John Alhers of Luft & Sons Farm Drainage Solutions to explain how conservation practices can work alongside pattern tiling. They walk through...

When every bushel counts, inputs need to generate a return on investment. Explore ways to reduce input costs for greater margins as Clay County farmer Paul Kassel and ISA Technical Insights Manager Rosie Koch share findings from checkoff-funded fungicide, sulfur and seeding rate research trials. Learn how unbiased, farmer-led research can guide your 2026 growing season decisions in this episode of...

When conservation and agronomy work together, they can deliver real, on-farm benefits. Explore how you can make your underperforming acres benefit your farm and your bottom line as Greene County farmer David Ausberger shares his conservation story. Hear how David uses conservation to improve soil quality and reduce operating costs. Iowa Soybean Association Conservation Services and Programs Lead T...

Soybean cyst nematodes (SCN) are one of Iowa’s most damaging pests, silently cutting yields and reducing profits for farmers. In this episode of Pods of Potential, Matt Carroll from the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA), Greg Tylka from the Iowa Soybean Research Center at Iowa State University and northwest Iowa farmer Austin Behrendsen dive into the prevalence of SCN and the latest research-backed s...

What factors influenced soybean and corn yields this season? The Iowa Soybean Association’s Research Agronomy Team breaks down the key trends they saw across Iowa fields this year — from weather impacts and the spread of southern rust to the value of well-timed fungicide applications. This episode of Pods of Potential also highlights the results of sulfur and cover crop trials, offering practical...

Scott County farmer Mike Paustian says yes - and he has the results to prove it. In this episode, learn how farmers are maximizing their acres by growing small grains and soybeans within the same season. Paustian shares his experience with relay intercropping and how it’s driving profitability on his farm. ISA Research Agronomist Lucas De Bruin explains the agronomics behind why intercropping soyb...

Explore the pros and cons of different seeding methods for cover crops and how they cater to your farm's unique needs. Linn County farmer Jim O’Connell, ISA Senior Research Agronomist Alex Schaffer and Conservation Agronomist Evan Brehm weigh benefits like seed-to-soil contact and convenience for airplane, drone, high clearance machine, broadcast, drilled, and harvest air seeded methods. Whether y...

Explore how on-farm research trials, funded in part by the soybean checkoff, are helping Spencer farmer and Iowa Soybean Association President Brent Swart boost efficiency and increase return on investment. ISA CEO Kirk Leeds explains how the association leverages checkoff dollars to improve the productivity, profitability and sustainability of Iowa’s soybean farmers. Learn how your investment in...

On-farm water monitoring improves nutrient efficiency and minimizes agriculture’s impact on water quality. In this episode of Pods of Potential, Iowa Soybean Association Water Lab Services Manager Tony Seeman and Iowa Agriculture Water Alliance Director of Communications Rebekah Jones discuss how voluntary conservation improves water quality and nutrient retention. Learn how implementing conservat...

Turn your cover crops into a successful business. Discover how the Cover Crop Business Accelerator (CCBA) program can provide financial assistance, agronomic support and networking opportunities to help establish a profitable cover crop business. On this episode of Pods of Potential, Marengo-area farmer Ross McCaw joins ISA Senior Conservation Program Manager Mike Gilman and Ann Krause from Practi...

Your ideal nitrogen rate varies from year to year based on weather trends and field-specific conditions. Before applying in-season nitrogen, explore how utilizing the Nitrogen Fertilizer Application Consultation Tool (N-FACT) can improve the nitrogen efficiency of your fields. Iowa Soybean Association Senior Research Agronomist Alex Schaffer and Premier Crop Systems Agronomic Information Advisor M...

Looking to maximize ROI and increase yields for the 2025 growing season? Examine the effectiveness of your inputs and management practices based on research results presented in the 2024 RCFI Insights Report. Join Carlisle farmer and ISA Director Corey Goodhue, along with ISA Technical Insights Manager Rosie Roberts, as they discuss research trial results for seeding rate comparisons, fungicides,...

As the top agriculture processor and second largest city in Iowa, Cedar Rapids is investing resources in ensuring the Cedar River remains a quality water source for residents, local farmers and industry. Learn how farmers utilize bioreactors and saturated buffers in partnership with the city to reduce nitrate leaching and maintain water quality. Generational farmer Alan Horak joins Iowa Soybean As...

Soil compaction and nutrient stratification can impact root growth, limit water infiltration, and affect nutrient placement within the soil profile. ISA Research Agronomist Mikaela Connelly and Southwest Iowa Farmer Chris Gaesser discuss how nine years of continuous cover crops reduce soil compaction and influence nutrient distribution. Learn how Chris is partnering with ISA to find solutions to h...

Struggling with fluctuating water levels on your farm? In this episode of Pods of Potential, we discuss a practical solution to managing water challenges: drainage water recycling. Discover how repurposing drainage water from your fields can help address water quantity issues while offering economic and soil health benefits. ISA Conservation Program Lead Todd Sutphin, Hay Water Solutions LLC Owner...

Learn how woodchip bioreactors serve as an on-farm solution to improving water quality challenges here in Iowa. This edge-of-field conservation practice can easily be incorporated into existing tile lines, requires minimal maintenance, and reduces nitrate losses. Explore the benefits and longevity of bioreactors with Hamilton County farmer Ryan Davison and Conservation Services Manager Alex Busema...

Could no-till improve the profitability of your cropping system? Walk through both the benefits and common reservations for implementing a no-till system with O’Brien County farmer Cory Vander Ploeg and Iowa Soybean Association Conservation Agronomist Ryan Johnson. They discuss how a reduced tillage or no-till system can save on equipment costs and improve soil health through erosion control and i...

With herbicide resistance on the rise, farmers are investigating the effectiveness and possible yield impacts of group 14 soil-applied herbicides. Join Clayton County farmer Josh Schoulte and ISA Research Agronomist Shane Beck as they discuss the results of an on-farm research trial that evaluated if group 14 herbicides impacted soybean yields. Learn more about the use of group 14 herbicides and o...

How can establishing a pollinator habitat benefit your farm? Explore how farmers are turning unprofitable land into pollinator habitats with the help of the Iowa Soybean Association in this episode of Pods of Potential. ISA President Suzanne Shirbroun and Conservation Services Manager Brandon Iddings discuss the establishment process and on-farm benefits of pollinator habitats from a farmer’s pers...

Episode 10 of Pods of Potential - Offsetting Risk with Conservation Cost-Share Opportunities - Features an in-depth conversation about Cost Share Opportunities available from the perspective of Adams County Producer Chris Gaesser and ISA Conservation Agronomist Ben Porepp.  Chris is an experienced conservationist with Ben's great support, and they have a lot of real world experiences to share whic...

Episode #9 of Pods of Potential is Driven to Deliver the latest insights regarding ISA’s Improved Cropping System Trials, with a heavy focus on why you should participate and the value that participation will bring to your operation. ISA Research Agronomist Drew Clemmensen returns for his second POP episode and is joined by NW IA farmer Jason Diekevers and ISA Research Agronomy Lead Alex Litvin as...

In the latest Pods of Potential Episode IARN Host Andy Petersen focuses on the value your operation will find from a Foliar Fungicide application on both corn and soybeans. This according, of course, to the latest replicated trials conducted by our friends at RCFI with your check-off dollars on dozens of farms across Iowa, including location host Michael Fosdick. Hear his first-hand recommendation...