A Penney for your thoughts

A Penney for your thoughts

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Welcome to a Penney for your thoughts, a podcast brought to you by Sean Blomgren and Andrew Penney, live from central Iowa. A show where we discuss all things agronomy, and high yield management, give you real-time updates on what we’re seeing and hearing about in the field, and gain insight from industry professionals as we bring you relevant and timely information on current agronomic management practices.

Sean Blomgren & Andrew Penney


    • May 20, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 49m AVG DURATION
    • 74 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from A Penney for your thoughts

    ”A Penney For Your Thoughts” - High yield management with Dr. Fred Below and Dr. Connor Sible - On Campus @ The University of Illinois!

    Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2025 40:25


    Join us on the campus of The University of Illinois as we discuss the science behind high-yielding corn and soybeans with Dr. Fred Below and Dr. Connor Sible! Amazing insights into crop physiology, nutrient concentration, timing, and 40 years of understanding corn plants!

    ”A Penney For Your Thoughts” - Managing Soil Compaction with Dr. John Fulton from The Ohio State University

    Play Episode Listen Later May 6, 2025 39:49


    Soil Compaction, "often known as the hidden yield-limiting factor," can be minimized through strategic and intentional choices on our farms. Please tune in to hear the research and advice from Dr. John Fulton and his fantastic team at Ohio State University! See more from A Penney For Your Thoughts 

    ”A Penney For Your Thoughts” - Soil Compaction Science with Dr. John Fulton from The Ohio State University

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2025 48:01


    Soil compaction plays a massive role in corn and soybean production. Dr. Fulton provides insight into how these biological, chemical, and physical soil components are affected by soil compaction. We also gain insight into Dr. Fulton and his team's research better to understand this complex aspect of our soil health. See more from A Penney For Your Thoughts 

    ”Our Two Cents” Episode #2 NCGA Corn and Soybean Winners - Live from the DEKALB and Asgrow booth!

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2025 55:35


    Episode #2 Live from Commodity Classic inside the Bayer booth!  We are incredibly grateful for our hosts, DEKALB and Asgrow, and these incredible farmers for pushing the envelope on corn and soybean yields!  Hear about their success in 2024 and their plans for the 2025 growing season! See more from A Penney For Your Thoughts 

    ”Our Two Cents” Asgrow and Dekalb Live From Commodity Classic Episode #1

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2025 68:32


    Hear from Asgrow and Dekalb brand leadership and NCGA Corn winners as we go live from the Bayer Booth at the 2025 Commodity Classic in Denver!

    ”Our Two Cents” GROWER EDITION - Preceon Ground Breakers Celebration 2025 - Tucson Arizona

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2025 97:27


    2024 was an incredible year for The Preceon Smart Corn System! Join Andrew and me as we interview growers, FSRs, and the Bayer Launch team - Live from the 2025 GroundBreakers Year End Celebration Event in Tucson, Arizona!

    ”Our Two Cents” Bayer Leadership Team Preceon Ground Breakers Celebration - Tucson Arizona

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2025 95:08


    Join Andrew and Sean on a journey with Bayer's exceptional leadership team! We will gain valuable insight into the Preceon Smart Corn System and dive deeper into the science, breeding, research, and development of the world's most innovative agriculture and technology company. It was a truly fantastic experience to hear from this leadership team during the Ground Breakers year-end celebration! 

    ”A Penney For Your Thoughts” - Management of Southern Rust with Dr. Travis Faske From Arkansas State University and co-host Daren Mueller!

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 3, 2024 43:56


    Dr. Travis Faske and Dr. Daren Mueller help us understand managing southern rust and other complicated diseases as we consider the 2024 growing season and critical takeaways for 2025!

    ”A Penney For Your Thoughts” - Science Episode #1 Southern Rust with Dr. Travis Faske From Arkansas State University and co-host Daren Mueller!

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 12, 2024 38:17


    Dr. Travis Faske from Arkansas State University and special guest co-host Dr. Daren Mueller from Iowa State University help us understand southern rust's pathogen and life cycle. Where did it come from, and what can we expect as we learn more about this disease that was so prevalent in 2024?

    ”A Penney For Your Thoughts” - Part #2 Nitrogen and Residue Management with Dr. Castellano from Iowa State Univerisity

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 23, 2024 45:37


    Dr. Mike Castellano provides insight into managing nitrogen programs and how to manage corn and soybean residue best.

    ”A Penney For Your Thoughts” - Part #1 The Science of Nitrogen and Residue Management with Dr. Mike Castellano from Iowa State University

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2024 50:49


    Dr. Mike Castellano gives us an in-depth look at the science behind nitrogen, interactions with our soils, the process for creating ammonia, and the environmental considerations around nitrogen management. We also discuss the impact of residue and critical considerations for your residue management strategy.

    ”A Penney For Your Thoughts” - Managing Ear Rots, the impact of mycotoxins on livestock and the impact of Viptera - With Dr. Heather Kelly and Dr. Sebe Brown from The University of Tennessee

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 17, 2024 51:40


    Ear rots can lead to mycotoxins, significantly impacting grain quality and livestock. Learn more about managing these infections and the research looking at how the Viptera trait impacts the disease complex!

    ”A Penney For Your Thoughts” - Ear Rots, Mycotoxins & The Impact of the Viptera Trait with Dr. Heather Kelly and Dr. Sebe Brown from the University of Tennessee!

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 3, 2024 44:22


    Ear Rots and Mycotoxins, BT Traits, and Viptera - Science and research at the University of Tennessee help us understand what to look out for and how to manage our corn crop!   Here are the links to the research - https://news.utcrops.com/2024/09/hot-topic-ear-rots-and-mycotoxin-management-in-corn/   Dr. Brown is an extension-research entomologist with the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology in Jackson, TN. Sebe has statewide responsibilities for arthropod pest management in major field crops including corn, cotton, soybean, sorghum and wheat. His educational and applied research programs focus on the most important pests affecting these crops. Dr. Kelly serves as extension-research plant pathologist at The University of Tennessee in the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology in Jackson, TN. The majority of her time is concentrated on the control of diseases in cotton, corn, soybean, and wheat. She is responsible for all disease control recommendations of field crops except tobacco for Tennessee. This includes the development of statewide educational programs covering cotton, corn, soybean, and small grains. More information can be found on  

    ”A Penney For Your Thoughts” - Part #2 Residue Management and Crop Physiology with Dr. Connor Sible - University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign -

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2024 60:18


    Corn yields continue to climb - that means residue continues to build!  The market is full of "management products," how should we think about residue management and crop physiology?  Join Connor Sible as we take an in-depth look at his research, and he provides insight into best practices for growers!     

    ”A Penney For Your Thoughts” - Biologicals with Dr. Connor Sible - University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign - Beneficial Microbes, PGR's, Biostimulants

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 31, 2024 60:18


    Snake Oil or Viper Lipids? Dr. Connor Sible gives us an in-depth review of the biological space, including biostimulants, biological controls, and PGRs!      

    ”A Penney For Your Thoughts” - Fungicide Application Methods Results with Dr. Daren Mueller - Iowa State University

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 9, 2024 50:30


    Which is more effective?  A plane, drone, or ground rig?  Tune in to discover the research results done over the past two years at Iowa State University!  

    ”A Penney For Your Thoughts” - Fungicide Trials - testing application methods and collecting results with Dr. Daren Mueller from Iowa State University

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 2, 2024 49:58


    Fungicides are evolving to meet the needs of our crops, and application methods are changing to be more timely! How do these new actives respond to varying application methods and results? Join Daren Mueller from Iowa State University and Andrew Penney as we discuss the testing protocols and collection methods to answer these questions!   Research from Crop Protection Network - https://cropprotectionnetwork.org/web-books/fungicide-use-in-field-crops Fungicide Efficacy for Foliar Control in Corn - https://cropprotectionnetwork.org/publications/fungicide-efficacy-for-control-of-corn-diseases      

    ”Our Two Cents” Part #2 from Arizona - Bayer Leadership discusses Preceon Smart Corn

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2024 51:42


    Bayer launched the Preceon Smart Corn System with a fantastic group of growers in 2023!  These groundbreakers helped pave the way for this exciting innovation in agriculture!  Andrew and I had the pleasure of hearing from several critical leaders within Bayer during the wrap-up event in Arizona.  Join us to listen to insights from these leaders as they discuss the Preceon Smart Corn System and the direction Bayer is headed with their science and technology! 

    ”A Penney For Your Thoughts” - Management of Taproot Decline and Curvularia New Diseases with Dr. Tom Allen (Missisipi State University) -

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 11, 2024 56:12


    These emerging diseases are moving further North each growing season! Dr. Tom Allen gives us insight into management strategies and key considerations when/if they hit our growing areas!

    ”A Penney For Your Thoughts” - New Corn and Soybean Diseases with Dr. Tom Allen (Mississippi State University) - Curvularia and Taproot Decline!

    Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2024 57:37


    Corn diseases, soybean diseases, too many diseases! Dr. Tom Allen dives into the science behind these emerging pathogens affecting corn and soybeans! Curvularia impacts corn similar to eye-spot, and Taproot Decline is easily confused with SDS. Let's learn together so we know how to understand what to expect as these emerging pathogens make their way north!  Click here to view the publication on Taproot Decline - bit.ly/4bsppuR Click here to view the publication on Curvularia - bit.ly/44QHYGm  

    ”A Penney For Your Thoughts” - Corn Herbicide Management with Rodrigo Werle (Wisconsin) and Special Co-Host Meaghan Anderson (Iowa State University)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2024 68:30


    Round 2 with Dr. Rodrigo Werle and special co-host Meaghan Anderson - We discuss corn herbicides and critical considerations for 2024 and beyond this time! 

    ”A Penney For Your Thoughts” - Soybean Herbicide Management with Rodrigo Werle (University of Wisconsin) and special co-host Meaghan Anderson (Iowa State University)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2024 78:15


    Managing Soybean Herbicides is becoming increasingly complex, and IPM concerns are mounting! Join our great co-host Meaghan Anderson and fellow nozzle head Rodrigo Werle as we discuss the intricacies of managing soybean herbicides in a constantly changing environment! 

    ”Our Two Cents” Grower Edition - Preceon Event Marana Arizona!

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2024 60:30


    Hear from the inaugural group of Bayer Preceon Groundbreakers from 2023 as they discuss their experiences using short-stature hybrids, the management tactics they tried, and their excitement for next season!

    ”A Penney For Your Thoughts” - Part #2 Shaun Casteel (Purdue) How does high-input managements effect soybean yields?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2024 54:55


    Dr. Casteel from Purdue University guides Andrew and me through the research on the impact of high-input management in soybeans.   We discuss the basics of success, including row spacing, timely planting, and fertility, and then go in-depth into the nuances of manipulating the plant with input timing and decisions! 

    A Penney For Your Thoughts” - Part #1 - Dr. Shaun Casteel (Purdue) - High Speed Planters and Digital Imagery, Yield prediction models and more!

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2024 48:03


    Dr. Shaun Casteel from Purdue University is back to discuss his research on high-speed planters in soybeans and the results of using digital imagery to analyze canopy and reflectance data to create yield prediction models!

    ”A Penney For Your Thoughts” - #2 High Management Research in Corn With Dr. Daniel Quinn (Purdue)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 29, 2024 59:28


    How does high input management affect corn yield?  Dr. Dan Quinn from Purdue University reveals how corn yields are affected by population, fungicide, starter fertilizer, sulfur, micronutrients, tissue sampling, nitrogen, and more!  This jam-packed episode explores the results of the excellent research Purdue and Dr. Dan Quinn are doing!    Click here for the results of the studies referenced in the podcast! - https://t.co/NsrzNyXJQC

    ”A Penney For Your Thoughts” - #1 The Science of High Management Research in Corn With Dr. Daniel Quinn (Purdue)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 13, 2024 37:56


    Dr. Daniel J Quinn from Purdue University gives us an in-depth look at the science behind his research on high-management corn.  Planting timing, population, fertilizer, application timing, and more are all discussed during this great peek behind the curtains at how a leading agriculture school is approaching high-yield management.    Click here to see his published results - https://bit.ly/DrQuinnResearch

    ”A Penney For Your Thoughts” - 2023 Agronomist Edition Episode #5 with Dr. Shaun Casteel (Purdue) and Dr. Chad Lee (Kentucky)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2024 41:12


    It's an awesome wrap-up episode!  Dr. Shaun Casteel (Purdue University) talks to us about the importance of timely soybean planting.  Root development vs. vegetative growth and the impact of soil fertility!  Dr. Chad Lee (University of Kentucky) helps us understand the unique environment in Kentucky.  Vols, slugs, high-quality wheat, tar-spot, corn yields and more!  The 2023 agronomist episode has been an amazing series!  Give us insight into guests you want to hear for 2024!

    ”A Penney For Your Thoughts” - 2023 Agronomist Edition Episode #4 with Dr. Dan Quinn from Purdue University and Angie Rieck-Hinz with Iowa State University Extension

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 23, 2024 46:35


    Dr. Dan Quinn from Purdue University and Field Extension Specialist Angie Rieck-Hinz from Iowa State University gave us key learnings from their 2023 growing seasons.  There is a ton of great insight in this short podcast!   Never stop learning, keep the faith, red crown rot, Purdue Basketball!  D3 drought, Fertility, Potassium, Sulfur, and more!  Enjoy and thanks for learning with us! 

    Drought, Corn Root Worm, Dectes Stem Bore and More! Oh my - Agronomy Edition Part #3! Dr. Nick Seiter, University of Illinois and Dr. Ignacio Ciampitti, University of Kansas State.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 3, 2024 47:55


    Drought, Corn Root Worm, Extended Diapause, Dectes Stem Bore, and more... Oh my!  Join Dr. Nick Seiter, University of Illinois, and Dr. Ignacio Ciampitti for great insights from the 2023 challenging growing season and key takeaways as we plan for 2024!

    Douoble dose of Nebraska - Agronomy Edition Part 2! With Nathan Mueller and John Fech

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 27, 2023 41:31


    A double dose of Nebraska!  In his year-end review, Nathan Mueller discusses drought conditions, tar spot, gall midge, hybrids, maturity selections in corn and soybeans, and more!  We welcome John Fech as our first arborist on the show!  John talks about the impact of drought on turf and trees and gives us insight into how vital soil conditions are in challenging weather.  

    2023 Agronomy Edition! Part 1 with Meaghan Anderson and Wayne Flanary

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2023 40:23


    Meaghan discusses tarpot, soybeans, chemical stewardship, and other key takeaways from Iowa in 2023!  Wayne weighs in on tarpot in Missouri, soybean gall midge, and other learnings from the past growing season! 

    Part #2 - Management of Soybean Diaporthe Complex with Febina Mathew -

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2023 50:04


    How we manage our soybeans significantly impacts yield potential and can dramatically affect the complex diseases we face!  Join us as we discuss working with the Diaporthe Complex with one of the industry's leading professionals, Dr. Febina Mathew, from North Dakota State University! 

    Diaporthe Complex Part #1 with Dr. Febina Mathew

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2023 52:54


    The Diaporthe complex is... extremely complex!  Join Dr. Febina Mathew as we discuss the science behind this disease family.  We cover stem canker, Diaporthe seed decay (Phomopsis), and pod and stem blight. 

    Corn Physiology with Dr. Mark Westage - Heat, Drought, and Management

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 7, 2023 60:52


    Dr. Mark Westage discusses corn physiology and the effects of heat and drought stress on yield and plant resiliency. Dr. Westgate also discusses critical considerations as we consider plant partitioning and how to manage for the highest results on our own farms! 

    Soybean Physiology and Management with Dr. Mark Westgate

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 24, 2023 52:55


    Join us as we discuss soybean physiology with Dr. Mark Westgate!  We will discuss the unique characteristics of a C3 soybean plant.  Management considerations and the impact heat and drought have on soybean growth and reproductive development. 

    Nitrogen Management - A Penney for your thoughts with Dr. Ignacio Ciampitti!

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 10, 2023 44:24


    Dr. Ignacio Ciampitti discusses the essential considerations for managing nitrogen in corn and soybeans.  We gain critical insight into the amount of nitrogen we need, methods of applications, and pressing concerns around variability in soil types.  Dr. Ciampitti also discusses nitrogen efficiency, considering the weather over the past few years!  Kansas State Agronomy - https://www.agronomy.k-state.edu/   Learn more about Dr. Ciampitti's Lab - https://ciampittilab.wixsite.com/ciampitti-lab

    Science of Nitrogen with Dr. Ignacio Ciampitti from Kansas State University

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2023 37:46


    Nitrogen is a foundational building block for our corn and soybeans.  Dr. Ignacio takes us on a deep dive into the science of why nitrogen is essential, the forms widely available, and how this critical component of fertility interacts with our soil and plants! 

    Part Two - Dr. Steve Whitham ”Can we manage plant viruses? And, real world uses of RNA interference

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 12, 2023 40:20


    Dr. Steve Whitham joins us to discuss the challenges of plant viruses.  This complex conversation helps us understand key considerations when thinking about corn virus management.   We also discuss RNA interference in agriculture and food production systems.

    Dr. Steve Whitham - RNAi and plant virus infections!

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 22, 2023 39:34


    RNAi is complicated! Join us as we talk with Dr. Steve Whitham from Iowa State about the infection process of plant viruses, the RNAi process, and some ways we use this technology.

    Managing soil sample data and practical applications! - Dr. Dorivar Ruiz Diaz - K-State University

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 31, 2023 45:03


    In our last episode, we discussed the science behind soil sampling.  This week, Dr. Dorivar Ruiz Diaz helps us understand how to practically apply the information to make the best real-world fertilizer applications.  Andrew and Dr. Dorivar Ruiz Diaz also discuss the challenges of adjusting PH and ensuring our soil is balanced for the high yields we are pursuing!

    Soil Science! - Understanding soil samples and what to do with the information - Dr. Dorivar Ruiz Diaz - K-State University

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 10, 2023 41:53


    Dr. Dorivar Ruiz Diaz from Kansas State University gives an in-depth look at soil sciences.  We discuss how to sample and interpret soil samples.  Balanced fertility is critical to our high-yield goals.  Soil science is the basis for understanding how to accomplish our on-farm objectives! 

    Shawn Conley - Big Soybean Data - Application of Big Data in Soybeans!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 6, 2023 49:08


    What is the practical application of the research being done at the University of Wisconsin Madison? How do we apply the learnings of Dr. Conley and his team to our soybean fields?   Join us as we discuss the thoughts around practice changes, planting dates, fertility timing, seed treatment, fungicide and more!   

    Shawn Conley - Big Soybean Data *Management Edition

    Play Episode Listen Later May 16, 2023 42:08


    Shawn Conley is back by popular demand!  Shawn and his team use accurate grower data and predictive analytics to help producers understand the outcomes of practice changes in their soybean production. Increase yield and ROI using precise information from other growers!

    Darcy Telenko Tar Spot Management #2 with special co-host Darren Mueller!

    Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2023 40:24


    Darcy Telenko and Darren Mueller join Andrew and me as we examine the management considerations for this complex disease in the corn! Hybrid reviews, application of fungicide timing, and delivery method are all covered!   Give us a 5-star review, and please share the podcast! 

    Darcy Telenko Tar Spot Science #1 with special co-host Darren Mueller!

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2023 31:30


    Darcy Telenko is one of the most respected pathologist and has been on the forefront of this challenging disease since 2018! Join us as special co-host guest Darren Mueller helps us unpack this challenging topic with Darcy Telenko!  In this first episode we take a deep dive into the science of tar-spot including how we first discovered the pathogen and what we have learned about it over the past 4.5 years. 

    Soybean Cyst Nematode with Dr. Greg Tylka - Management Part #2

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 19, 2023 36:44


    Dr. Greg Tylka walks us through the tools and management practices we should consider to combat this difficult pest! Rotations, soybean resistance, and new tools on the market! Join us for an in-depth look at soybean cyst nematode management.

    Soybean Cyst Nematode with Dr. Greg Tylka - Science Part #1

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2023 36:31


    Dr. Greg Tylka gives us an in-depth look at soybean cyst nematodes! The science behind their survival in the winter, infection in soybean plants, and the reproductive nature of this pest! We even discuss the science behind corn cyst!  

    Pythium and Phytophtora Management Part #2 - with Dr. Santiago Mideros

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2023 40:57


    Join us as we discuss the best management practices for Pythium and Phytophthora with Dr. Santiago Mideros from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

    Pythium and Phytophtora Science Part #1 with Dr. Santiago Mideros

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 28, 2023 41:39


    Enjoy this episode as we dig deep into the science behind Oomycete pathogens, specifically Pythium & Phytophthora, in corn and soybeans with our special guest Dr. Santiago Mideros from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

    Ty Barten - Short-Stature Corn Hybrids - Management #2

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2023 47:14


    Ty Barten discusses the exciting potential of short-stature hybrids, and the management practices growers can adopt alongside this new technology. We discuss plant population, nutritional considerations, and fungicide use.

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