Today we are diving into a fascinating topic that is both crucial to modern agriculture and a wonder of the natural world – bees. These tiny yet mighty creatures have been an integral part of farming for centuries, shaping the landscapes of our fields and the flavors on our plates. In this episode, we're joined by a seasoned bee expert, Jeff Shaw, Bee Hero, and Jesus Toro, Agronomy Specialist, and apiarist,  who will guide us through the historical significance of bees in agriculture, their...

In this episode of the Yara Crop Nutrition Podcast, we will explore apple fertility, focusing on the key nutrients that are essential for optimal growth and fruit development. We also uncover the factors that impact fertility recommendations, including soil pH, organic matter content, weather conditions, and crop rotation practices.  Emmaline Long, Agronomy Solutions Manager here in North America.

It’s been 11 years since the 4R Plant Nutrition manual was published, setting out a framework for the stewardship of plant nutrients agreed to by soil fertility scientists and crop nutrition practitioners.  This episode delves into the fascinating history behind the 4Rs of Nutrient Stewardship, a groundbreaking framework created by The Fertilizer Institute with the invaluable expertise of Paul Fixen and our own Directory of Agronomic Services, Rob Mikkelsen.   Paul Fixen is retired from...

In the realm of professional sports, the meticulous care of sports turf fields sets the stage for exceptional athlete performance. Unlike traditional farmlands, urban landscapes, or native ecosystems, these specialized fields demand precise agronomic strategies to withstand the rigors of athletic activity. Tailoring crop nutrition to specific turf grass varieties, managing constant foot traffic, and ensuring rapid recovery all contribute to lush, resilient playing surfaces that meet exacting...

Today Dr. Rob Mikkelsen talks about the pivotal role sulfur plays within plants, its intricate relationship with other nutrients, notably nitrogen, and the remarkable impact it has on overall plant health. We will delve into the factors contributing to the increasing prevalence of sulfur deficiencies in North America and discuss the far-reaching consequences for both plants and the environment.  As we navigate the ramifications of sulfur deficiency, we will equip you with practical insights...

Welcome to a special episode of the Yara Crop Nutrition Podcast! Soil health seems to be ubiquitous in our agronomic discussions today. Soil health has three main properties: physical, chemical and biological. Today, we have the privilege of hosting Dr. Jacob Parnell, an esteemed expert in soil health and fertility. In this episode, Dr. Parnell will delve into how new soil testing methods help us understand more about our soil health and how it might impact our fertilizer use efficiency....

Have you ever wondered if the buzz around soil biology and its impact on soil health is grounded in scientific evidence or just exaggerated hype? Well, you're not alone. Today, we're joined by an esteemed expert, Andrew McGuire from Washington State University.  He is here to debunk some myths and shed light on the truth behind soil biology and its practical implications for farming practices. Andy will share his insights on how farmers can navigate through the maze of information and make...

In today's episode, we are excited to explore the topic of regenerative farming.  We are delighted to have a special guest, Benina Montes with Burroughs Family Farms, a family-owned and operated business in California that has been at the forefront of regenerative agriculture for over four decades. We will delve into the various strategies and practices that Burroughs Family Farms has implemented to enhance their soil health and overall sustainability. We will discuss the importance of cover...

In this episode, we explore the use of aerial imagery in modern agriculture. The episode covers different types of aerial imagery available to farmers, such as drones, airplane, and satellite imagery, and discusses the advantages of using this technology for crop monitoring. Imagery expert, Jesus Salcedo with the Morningstar company talks about the challenges and limitations of using aerial imagery in agriculture, as well as the potential for new technologies such as hyperspectral imaging and...

In today's episode, we'll be exploring the fascinating relationship between proper plant nutrition and disease and pest management. We all know that a healthy plant is better equipped to fend off pests and diseases, but did you know that the right balance of nutrients can also play a crucial role in preventing outbreaks and managing infestations? Dr. Rob Mikkelsen, Yara's Dir. of Agronomic Services is joining us today to teach us more about the science behind this important relationship, as...

It has been estimated that fertilizers contribute to about half of global food production.  However, these same fertilizers can be responsible for green house gas emmisions.  How can we strike a balance between the benefits of fertilizer use in food production and the greenhouse gas emissions attributed to fertilizers? In this episode, Dr. Rob Mikkelsen helps us explore the impact of fertilizers on the environment, specifically their contribution to Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions. We will...

In this episode, we discuss the benefits of cover crops in terms of sustainability, profitability, and soil health. We explore the ROI of cover crops and how they can improve nutrient use efficiency in farming. Yara's Director of Agronomic Services, Dr. Rob Mikkelsen is joined by  Curt Knight, Soil Health Agronomist to provide insight on the latest research and practical tips for farmers looking to incorporate cover crops into their operations. Explanation of what cover crops are and how...

In our last podcast, we looked back in history with a couple Ag Leaders, Dr. Bill Easterwood and Dr. Steve Petrie. In this episode, we speak with Brian Kenyon, VP of Innovation and Sustainable Solutions. How can we move from short-term to long-term profit through innovation and a circular economy? Brian give us his top innovations that can lead us to a nature possitive food future. Brian Kenyon retired at the end of 2022 after 14 years with Yara where he has held many roles from product and...

One of Yara's goals is to grow the knowledge of our community.  Today we are fortunate to talk with Dr. Bill Easterwood and Dr. Steve Petrie.  Both have been working in agriculture for over 70 year combined.  They have learned a lot and seen a lot of changes over their carrers.  We sit down with them to give us perspective on our industry and what amazing opportunities we have in the future. Dr. Bill Easterwood is retiring this year after 31 years with Yara.  Dr. Steve Petrie retired from...

This is the fourth episode in a series that will help us understand soil analysis and how it can be beneficial as you create a complete nutrition plan. In this episode, we discuss what we do with the soil analysis report we get back from the lab.  How do we interpret these results and create a nutrition plan that will create the optimal ROI for your field and crop.   It might be beneficial to listen to the previous episodes: Is There Value in Soil Analysis What You Need To Know When You...

This is the third episode in a series that will help us understand soil analysis and how it can be beneficial as you create a complete nutrition plan. In this episode, we talk about how to select a lab, what types of tests a lab can run, and what you should know about the process that might help with the interpretation. It might be beneficial to listen to the previous episodes: Is There Value in Soil Analysis What You Need To Know When You Are Taking Soil Samples Check out this...

This is part 2 of our soil analysis series. In this episode, we discuss when, where and how to take soil samples that you will send to the lab. We discuss the differences between grid sampling vs. zone sampling and composite sampling. Listen to our first episode when we discussed why or if you should do soil analysis HERE 

Dr. Rob Mikkelsen, Yara North America's Director of Agronomic Services, helps us understand the origin of using phosphorus for plants and how this has changed over the years.  We discuss what the future of phosphorus might look like too. Read Dr. Rob's article we reference HERE Check out a couple of our favorite episodes: An Unsung Hero: Norman Borlaug The Alchemy of Air with author Thomas Hager

We have stated that soil analysis should be your baseline & starting point for developing a good nutrition plan for your crops.  Is this still the case?  Are there better ways to determine what the plant needs to maximize its genetic potential?  Are soil tests accurate? What about spatial variability? Do they cost too much money? Are tissue/petiole tests better? In this part 1 of a series of episodes focused on soil analysis, Dr. Rob Mikkelsen and Markus Braaten discuss these questions...

There are many variables in farming.  Distruptions are a challenge that growers are atuned to recognizing and making decisions that can minimize the  impact.  Gary Vogen, Yara North America's VP of Corporate and Regulatory Affairs joins Dr. Rob Mikkelsen and Devin Clarke to discuss some of the new regulatory issues that are specific to fertilizers          and how they might effect agriculture.  

Permanant Crop Manager, Devin Clarke, talks about the importance of post harvest irrigation on almonds relative to carbohydrate production and storage.  It is the only time that we can build carbohydrates in excess of what the tree is demanding and store for the coming bloom resulting in improved yields. This episode originally aired in the fall of 2018 when we weren't in an extreme drought.  In this episode Yara's Regional Sales Manager, Peter DeBoer, and Spencer Cooper, formerly with the...

Crop Manager Delaine Mandziak, gives us an update on the activities on one of our four North America Incubator Farms.  Listen to our introduction to this farm on our initial episode about this Farm. Delaine talks about the devestating drought conditions they have endured throughout Western Canada and they unexpected learnings from this.  She also updates us on the 2022 observational data and the importance of a complete nutrition program during these challenging times. The Saskatoon...

One in three people in the world suffer from a tragic condition called hidden hunger.  Hidden hunger is when a person might appear healthy but their diets are low in nutrients and vitamins making them vulnerable to illness and disease including blindness, reduced cognative development, stunted growth, etc.   Agriculture and the food channel can help solve this problem by using seed varieties that are more nutritious and using a balanced nutritional plan when growing these crops. Dr. Rob...

Dr. Trey Cutts, Market Development Manager for Yara North America, gives us an update on the 80-acre incubator farm we are working in Auburn, Alabama.  This is the 4th growing season for the farm that grows corn, cotton and soybeans. Listen to our past episode on this incubator farm Learn more about the incubator farm 

Dr. Bill Easterwood, Kelsay Gunthorp and Richard Newman help us understand citrus nutrition, how to manage HLB and some of the new research that has been done in the last year with Yara and with the University of Florida. Check out or previous Citrus episode, "Complete Citrus: Good Agronomics Always Win" Learn more about Yara's Complete Citrus solution HERE Learn more about Citrus from University of Florida