Pods of Potential

Does policy impact conservation and vice versa? | Pods of Potential Episode 30

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 conservation practices on Iowa's farming landscape and policy arena. Explore conservation from multiple perspectives: the research behind it, a farmer’s why behind implementing it and the policies that shape it. Learn how in-field agronomic benefits, policy incentives and research findings influence how farmers adopt conservation practices. This episode of Pods of Potential is partially funded by the soybean checkoff.

How conservation practices enhance your tile system | Pods of Potential Episode 29

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 simple, cost-effective water quality practices and how they help remove nitrates from the water leaving your field tile.

Cutting input costs with confidence | Pods of Potential Episode 28

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 Pods of Potential and the latest edition of the RCFI Insights Report.

Cutting costs using conservation | Pods of Potential Episode 27

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 Todd Sutphin also shares how ISA leverages partnerships to help farmers implement in-field and edge-of-field conservation practices at little to no cost.

Leaving Money in Your Field? | Pods of Potential Episode 26

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 strategies to manage it. Learn why ISA partners with organizations and universities to fund critical research, including work on SCN, and how proactive management can protect both your crop and your bottom line.