Minnesota CropCast

Ken Franzky, Agronomy Services Manager at Cenrol Crop Consulting

Special Guest: Ken Franzky, Agronomy Services Manager at Cenrol Crop Consulting.   Hosts: David Nicolai, University of Minnesota Extension Educator, and Seth Naeve, University of Minnesota Soybean Specialist In Episode #68 of MN CropCast, we are thrilled to welcome Ken Franzky from Centrol Crop Consulting out of Marshall, MN. Ken Grew up on a farm in West Central Minnesota and graduated from the University of Minnesota.  He worked in the seed industry under several brands for both Syngenta and Pioneer before joining Centrol in 2015.  At Centrol, his primary roles include:  * Technical Training: Managing agronomic competency standards and training for consultants.  * Education & Diagnostics: Leading internal cross-department training and providing in-field diagnostic assistance.  * Industry Relations: Handling interactive product training with agricultural companies and acting as a communication bridge with university personnel. Ken discusses his managerial role at Centrol and highlights some of the challenges faced by a complex and evolving agricultural system in terms of implementing a detailed training system for Centol’s crop consultants to maintain their technical competencies.  Ken also discusses the importance of evaluating every acre for inputs and yield potentials.  Maximizing net returns for farmers over time is the key for folks advising farmers today.    Ken also provided a crop update for corn and soybeans growing in western and southern Minnesota this season.    Tune in to Episode #68 today to meet Ken Franzky and Centrol Consulting! Available wherever you listen to podcasts.

Headland Highlights Late April Field Report from NW, WC, and SC Minnesota

Minnesota CropCast Episode #67: Head land Highlights Late April Field Report from NW, WC, and SC Minnesota Special Guests: Extension Educators Angie Peltier, Anthony Hanson, and Matt Pfarr Hosts: David Nicolai, University of Minnesota Extension Educator, and Seth Naeve, University of Minnesota Soybean Specialist In Episode #67 of MN CropCast, we bring you another "Headland Highlights" to get you up to speed on planting progress across the state. The hosts sat down with three Extension Educators on April 30 to discuss how farmers are navigating the spring of 2026 in their respective regions. What you’ll learn in this episode: * Northwest Minnesota: Angie Peltier describes the challenges facing northern farmers. While the central Red River Valley and areas further south are off to a strong start, progress north of Fargo-Moorhead remains slow. Heavy snowpack and recent rains have stalled field work in Polk County and the surrounding region. In the far Northwest, only 10–15% of wheat and sugar beets are in the ground, with a significant push expected over the next two weeks. * West Central Minnesota: Anthony Hanson highlights the impact of varying soil types. While corn and soybeans were planted on lighter soils during the final weeks of April, the heavier soils around Morris still require more heat and sun before they are fit for planting. * South Central Minnesota: Matt Pfarr notes that there have been several productive windows for planting corn and soybeans. Field activity was extremely heavy during the third week of April, though some fields were tucked away even earlier. Following rain this past weekend, farmers are returning to the fields to wrap up most planting by the end of April, with the remaining soybeans expected to go in by the first week of May. Matt also discusses the challenges of planting in marginal conditions and managing residue that isn't yet dry and crispy. If you’re interested in what’s happening in Minnesota fields, be sure to tune in to Episode #67 of Minnesota CropCast: Headland Highlights today!

Meet the New U of M Forage Agronomist & Headland Highlights, Forage Edition

Meet the New U of M Forage Agronomist & Headland Highlights, Forage Edition.  Special Guest: Dr. Beatriz Bizzuti Cremostim, Extension Forage Agronomist & State Specialist  Headland Highlights: Troy Salzer, Local Extension Educator (St. Louis County)  Hosts: David Nicolai, University of Minnesota Extension Educator, and Seth Naeve, University of Minnesota Soybean Specialist In Episode #66 of MN CropCast, we are thrilled to welcome one of the newest faculty members to the University of Minnesota Department of Agronomy! The hosts sit down with Dr. Beatriz Bizzuti Cremostim, our brand-new Extension Forage Agronomist and State Specialist. With her appointment in forage research and Extension, she is stepping into a crucial role for Minnesota's agricultural landscape. What you’ll learn in this episode: * Meet the Specialist: Get to know Beatriz, her background, and what she brings to the U of M Agronomy Department. We'll dive into her plans for forage research and how her Extension work will support producers across the state. * Forage Focus: A look at the current state of forage agronomy, highlighting the intersections of research and practical, on-farm application. * Headland Highlights: After our chat with Beatriz, we pull in a special report straight from the field. Troy Salzer, operating out of the Duluth office, joins the show to provide a comprehensive forage update covering the current alfalfa conditions throughout the state of Minnesota. Whether you manage pastures or just want to stay up to date with the latest experts leading Minnesota's agricultural research, this episode is packed with valuable insights. Tune in to Episode #66 today to meet the newest member of the U of M agronomy team! Available wherever you listen to podcasts.

Navigating Minnesota’s New Paid Leave For Farmers Program

Special Guest: Rob Holcomb, Regional Extension Educator in Farm Business Management (Marshall Regional Extension Office) Attention Minnesota farmers and agricultural producers! Are you up to speed on the latest state employment regulations impacting your operation? In Episode #65 of MN CropCast, hosts David Nicolai and Seth Naeve sit down with Rob Holcomb to discuss a critical and timely topic: Minnesota's new Paid Leave Program. While traditional corporate employers might be accustomed to navigating complex leave programs, these recent state mandates represent uncharted territory for many farmers. If your operation relies on hired help and you are issuing W-2s, this episode is a must-listen. What you’ll learn in this episode: * The Basics of the Mandate: A breakdown of the new Minnesota paid leave program (at the highest level) and how it applies to agricultural employers. * Who is Affected: Whether your focus is on crops or livestock, if you manage labor and issue W-2s at year’s end, these rules apply to you. * Compliance and Best Practices: Important considerations and actionable advice to ensure your farming operation remains compliant with these new state-level labor requirements. Dealing with labor in agriculture is challenging enough without surprise regulations. Let Rob Holcomb bring you up to date and help you prepare your farm business for these upcoming changes. Tune in to Episode #65 today to get the essential updates for your farm! Available wherever you listen to podcasts.

The Hidden Value of Northern Grown Soybeans

In this special episode of Minnesota CropCast, the tables are turned as regular co-host Dr. Seth Naeve steps into the hot seat to share an inside look at his work on the international stage. As a University of Minnesota Extension Soybean Specialist, Seth doesn't just study how to grow a better bean—he travels the globe to convince international buyers why U.S. and Upper Midwest soybeans are the smartest purchase they can make. If you’ve ever been frustrated by the "low protein" knock on Minnesota soybeans, this episode is a must-listen. In this episode, we dive into: * Busting the "Crude Protein" Myth: Seth explains why buying soybeans based purely on crude protein (nitrogen content) is an outdated practice. Discover the science behind why Northern soybeans, despite having lower overall protein quantity, boast a superior quality due to a concentration of highly digestible essential amino acids. * Boots on the Ground in Asia: Get a look at recent trade missions to Indonesia and Vietnam. Learn how these massive markets differ—from Indonesia’s heavy demand for whole U.S. beans for human food (tempeh and tofu) to Vietnam’s booming swine and aquaculture sectors demanding high-quality soybean meal. * Capitalizing on the Domestic Crush Boom: With U.S. domestic crush capacity surging, there is significantly more soybean meal hitting the market. Seth breaks down why this increased supply, paired with shifting geopolitical trade routes, creates a golden opportunity to get U.S. meal into the hands of foreign end-users who have historically relied on South America. * The Power of the Northern Soybean Marketing Group: Learn how checkoff dollars from Minnesota and the Dakotas are being pooled to directly educate overseas integrators and feed millers, proving that the logistics of the Pacific Northwest (PNW) combined with our amino acid profile, energy content, and physical quality makes for a winning, undervalued product. Whether you are deep in the weeds of soybean physiology or just want to understand the macroeconomic forces driving the price at your local co-op, Seth provides a fascinating look at the art and science of marketing our crop to the world. Tune in to Episode #64 now to hear why right now is the perfect time to be aggressively promoting Northern soybeans!