#69: Water, Stress, and Smarter Agronomy in the Dust Bowl

#74: Nitrogen Pt. 2: Timing, Sulfur, and Smarter Nitrogen Management

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, carbon, calcium availability, and nutrient efficiency. Stay tuned for Part 3...

#73: Nitrogen Pt. 1: The Biggest Opportunities Farmers Are Missing

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 yield. The crew also breaks down the flaws of traditional nitrate testing and explains how BW Fusion [https://bwfusion.com/]’s SET (Side-dress Efficiency Test) approach provides a more complete picture for in-season fertility decisions.

#72: Mind Your Melon: Breaking the Silence Around Mental Health in Agriculture

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 [https://mindyourmelon.org?utm_source=chatgpt.com] and explains why breaking the stigma around mental health in farming is more important than ever. The conversation dives into resilience, peer support, generational pressure, and the importance of proactive mental wellness in agriculture.

#71: Feast or Famine: Farming Through Weather Extremes

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, questioning assumptions, and farming smarter in unpredictable conditions.

#70: Why Soil Structure Might Be Your #1 Yield Driver

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 you thought you knew about soil testing and agronomy.