A Generational Legacy - The Johaneks Balance Evolving Tech and Grounded Family Values

A Generational Legacy - The Johaneks Balance Evolving Tech and Grounded Family Values

For more than a century, the Johanek family has owned and operated a dairy near Green Bay, Wisconsin. They have grown from a small 50-cow dairy into a 500-cow operation managing nearly 2,000 acres, all while building a trusted reputation as longtime Renk Seed dealers and continuing a family legacy largely passed down through the women of the family. In this episode of Renk Seeds of Innovation podcast, Max sits down with father-daughter duo Mark and Alyssa Johanek to discuss the realities of multi-generational farming, balancing tradition with innovation, and preparing the next generation to lead. The Johaneks share how they continue evolving while staying grounded in family values, from precision ag technology and herd-monitoring systems, to the future potential of robotic milking. They also discuss the importance of community outreach, agricultural education, and creating opportunities for young people in farming.

Drone Application in Agriculture – Where Timing, Efficiency, and Opportunity Meet

Drone technology is quickly becoming a bigger part of agriculture, but its real value comes down to how it performs in the field. In this episode of Renk Seeds of Innovation, Max sits down with farmers and drone users Ryan and Matt, along with drone application business owner and operator Michelle, to discuss what drone application looks like in practice. From getting started and navigating the learning curve, to managing acres and building out service-based operations, they share firsthand experiences using drones across different setups. As the conversation unfolds, they highlight where drones are creating real advantages, especially when it comes to timing, flexibility, and efficiency during critical application windows. At the same time, they also touch on the realities of the technology, including limitations, logistics, and the details that go into doing the job right.

Alfalfa Winter Kill & Injury: What to Check and How to Evaluate Your Stand

Winter can take a toll on alfalfa, and early spring is when the damage starts to show. In this episode of the Renk Seeds of Innovation podcast, Max is joined by Alex Renk and Bob Wilms to talk through the difference between winter kill and winter injury; what causes each, and what growers should watch for as fields begin to green up. They cover the role of snow cover, dormancy, ice sheeting, and heaving, along with how to evaluate root and crown health, assess shoot counts, and decide whether a stand is worth keeping, rotating, or managing another way. The conversation also touches on alfalfa’s role in dairy systems, variety considerations, and the management decisions that can help protect stand longevity from one season to the next.  If you’re assessing alfalfa this spring, this episode offers a practical look at what to watch for and how to think through your next steps.

Precision Farming in 2026 — How Precision Spraying and Planting Can Cut Costs and Save Time

Precision technology in agriculture is rapidly changing how growers manage inputs, labor, and efficiency on every acre. In this episode, Max Renk sits down with Matt Greenough and Holden Cauffman, two farmers in the Midwest, to discuss their experience with adding precision tools to their own operations. Matt brings us along as he recaps his first full season using John Deere’s See & Spray™ technology, including how camera-based weed detection, individual nozzle control, and automation features delivered an average 68% reduction in chemical usage on his farm. Holden dives into how his Precision Planting SymphonyNozzle™ setup, turn compensation, and boundary mapping helped him reduce overlap, increase accuracy, and save time in the field. Together, Max, Matt, and Holden break down several aspects of precision farming. From how camera-guided spot spraying works in corn and soybeans to the ROI potential of precision spraying systems, they uncover the realities of how modern technology is applied on real farms. At Renk Seed, we’re passionate about finding innovations that deliver real, measurable value in the field. This conversation highlights how precision technology helps farmers reduce input costs and operate more confidently in today’s agricultural landscape.

Seeing the Whole Field — How Scouting Drones Help Growers Make Smarter Decisions

Drone technology is an innovative, powerful management tool in modern agriculture, but its value goes far beyond spraying. In this episode of Renk Seeds of Innovation, Max Renk sits down with Karl Bobholz and Tucker Johansen to explore how scouting drones are changing the way fields are evaluated, managed, and understood. Their conversation explores how our team at Renk Seed uses scouting drones throughout the growing season to monitor emergence, plant health, weed pressure, and field variability across entire fields, not just a few visible areas. Karl and Tucker also discuss how repeated drone flights and NDVI imagery provide consistent, reliable information that supports smarter agronomic decisions, reduces unnecessary input costs, and helps improve ROI for growers. Max, Karl, and Tucker reveal why Renk Seed believes in using and sharing these tools with growers. We want our growers to succeed  in the fields. Using scouting drone technology can give growers the confidence and clarity to manage their acres more efficiently, helping them see stronger yields season after season.