The Minnesota Corn Podcast

Chris Nicholas, co-founder and president of Låkril Technologies, talks about the company's efforts to develop a bioacrylic acid.

In this episode, Minnesota Corn Growers Association Board of Directors Member Angela Guentzel says Minnesota is one of just two states with county corn grower associations. She also explains how people can get involved with their local county corn organization and how they host fuel events and farm events, and sponsor tractor pulls and educational opportunities.Learn more about Minnesota's county corn grower associations here. Minnesota Corn also has resources online available for county corn grower associations. Those can be found here.Episode Highlights:0:33: Why Angela got involved with MCGA1:33: The roles farmers can have within MCGA2:47: The types of events hosted by county corn grower associations4:00: What's important to tell the non-farming public5:22: How a corn farmer can get involved6:50: Angela's message to someone on the fence about getting involved

A new study shows that a plug-in hybrid flex fuel vehicle has major advantages over full battery electric vehicles, says RFA Senior Vice President, Industry Relations & Market Development Robert White.Last year, RFA outfitted a 2022 Ford Escape plug-in hybrid electric vehicle with a kit that allowed it to run on flex fuels like E85. RFA conducted rigorous emissions testing and a lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions analysis on the vehicle and put over 34,000 miles of real-world driving on it.The study was funded in part by Minnesota Corn along with other state corn grower associations. You can learn more about the plug-in electric hybrid flex fuel vehicle here.Episode Highlights:0:26: How did RFA get the idea for the plug-in hybrid FFV?2:28: What did you learn after putting more than 30,000 miles on the concept vehicle?6:24: Will you highlight the study to members of Congress?9:02: Can you talk about different aspects the flex fuel conversion kit, such as how it works, where you get it, etc.?11:37: What's your message to corn growers in Minnesota as they think about the future of the transportation sector and the federal push for EVs?

Minnesota Corn Executive Director and CEO Adam Birr highlights the organization's new sustainability report, which details the organization's investments in research, rural communities, market development, best management practices, and more. 

Minnesota Corn Research Director Maciej Kazula and grower-leader Nick Peterson provide an overview of the organization's 2024 research portfolio.

University of Minnesota Assistant Professor Lindsay Pease highlights her research into phosphorus fertilizer management in northwest Minnesota.

Nancy Miller, owner of Vinna Human Resources in Willmar, summarizes key Minnesota labor laws, including several that passed during the 2023 state legislative session.

University of Minnesota Professor Fabian Fernandez highlights a corn check-off-funded study of how much nitrogen is lost to the environment when the nutrient is applied at different rates.

The U.S. Grains Council's Alexander Grabois talks about a Minnesota Corn-funded study that compared U.S. and international corn varieties as a poultry feed source.

U.S. Grains Council Vice President Cary Sifferath explains how the 2023 market year saw some encouraging signs for corn exports, including from the top U.S. trading partner. Minnesota Corn supports USGC as part of its efforts to develop international markets for corn growers.

Dr. Alex Buck, director of industrial innovation for Iowa Corn, explains an effort by researchers to advance direct ethanol fuel cell technology. The project is funded in part by Minnesota Corn.

University of Illinois animal science professor Hans Stein explains his recently completed research into the viability of high-protein corn co-products in weanling pig diets. Stein's work was funded by Minnesota Corn.

University of Minnesota Postdoctoral Fellow CheJen Jerry Hsiao highlights a Minnesota Corn-funded effort to develop a soil amendment that reduces nitrous oxide emissions from cropland.

University of Minnesota Assistant Professor and Extension Entomologist Fei Yang highlights his Minnesota Corn-supported study of the extent of European corn borer resistance to Bt proteins in Minnesota.

University of Minnesota Professor Will Northrop is studying the potential of converting carbon dioxide from ethanol plants into e-fuel. Northrop's research is supported by the Minnesota corn check-off.

Professor Candy Hirsch is working to understand what can be done to improve the durability of corn while maintaining yields. 

Robert White, vice president of industry relations for the Renewable Fuels Association, gives an overview of the organization's flex fuel plug-in concept vehicle, which was supported in part by Minnesota Corn.

Farmamerica Executive Director Jessica Rollins explains how a recently completed capital project supported in part by Minnesota Corn has affected the Waseca-based agricultural interpretive center.

ClearFlame Engine Technologies cofounder and CEO BJ Johnson highlights his company's efforts to scale up its technology, which allows diesel engines to run on ethanol. ClearFlame is supported in part by Minnesota Corn through the Minnesota corn check-off.

University of Minnesota Associate Professor Dan Kaiser highlights his research project that could help improve nitrogen fertilization rates in corn production.

Nathan Meyer and Jamie Mosel of the University of Minnesota highlight a Minnesota Corn-funded effort to create a resource hub that could help farmers navigate changing climate conditions.

Marc Hillmyer, director of the University of Minnesota Center for Sustainable Polymers, talks about a series of Minnesota Corn-funded research projects that aim to improve upon existing renewable plastics.

Red Lake County farmer Mikayla Tabert explains research into how cover crops and an extended five-year crop rotation affect yields, economics, and soil health. Her work has been funded in part by Minnesota Corn.

Fulda, Minnesota, farmer Mark Enninga explains his upcoming study of how application of a compost extract affects corn yields and crop health. Mark's work is supported by Minnesota Corn through its Innovation Grant program. 

Luca Zullo, senior director of science and technology at the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, talks about exploring a new use for ethanol.

Discovery Farms Minnesota Coordinator Tim Radatz talks about the program's history, what they've learned from 15 years of data collection, and how farmers can reduce nutrient movement without compromising yield. Funded in part by farmers' investment in the Minnesota corn check-off, Discovery Farms Minnesota is an on-farm, edge-of-field water quality monitoring program.

Maciej Kazula, Minnesota Corn's Research Director, provides an overview of the research projects the organization is funding in 2023.

Minnesota State University Assistant Professor Nazli Wodzinski recaps her Innovation Grant project that aimed to create a practical, field applicable drainage filter.

University of Minnesota Associate Professor Paulo Pagliari explains his research into the nitrogen-fixing bacteria Azospirillum brasilense. In 2022, he studied how inoculating corn plants with the bacteria impacted their growth and productivity.

University of Minnesota Extension Educator Dr. Anthony Hanson highlights the continued efforts to monitor corn pests and disease risks in Minnesota. Hanson's work is funded in part by Minnesota Corn.

Funded in part by Minnesota Corn, the University of Minnesota Extension 4-H Agronomy and Horticulture Program reaches over 2,000 kids annually. Extension Educator Brian McNeill explains the history of the program, its various components, and how farmers can get involved.More information on 4-H agronomy and horticulture can be found here.

Northwestern Minnesota farmer Blair Hoseth discusses his Minnesota Corn Innovation Grant project that compares yields and economic returns when applying manure vs commercial fertilizer in a corn-bean rotation.Minnesota Corn's Innovation Grant program allows farmers to test or develop best practices in cover crop management, fertility, tillage, water management, and other production methods. Learn more about the Minnesota Corn Innovation Grant Program and apply for a 2023 grant here.

Mark Dorenkamp checks in with staff from Northern Country Coop who are leading the Minnesota Corn-funded Sustainable Answer Acre research project in Mower County. The project is studying how practices such as cover crops, conservation tillage, and split nitrogen application affect nitrate levels.Read more about the project here.

Market Development & Industry Relations Director Devin Hoffarth highlights Minnesota Corn's investments in biofuel promotion, export markets, and new uses for corn. Visit mncorn.org/utilization to learn more about Minnesota Corn's market development efforts.

Hear from Doug Albin, the 2022-23 chair of the Minnesota Corn Research & Promotion Council, about the Minnesota corn check-off and how it benefits the state's corn farmers.

Last week, the U.S. Grains Council led an ethanol trade delegation from Ecuador on a tour of a Minnesota corn farm, ethanol plant, and fuel station. In this episode of the Minnesota Corn Podcast, Marri Tejada, the organization's regional director for Latin America, explains how USGC is increasing demand for ethanol in that country.Minnesota Corn is proud to support the U.S. Grains Council through the Minnesota Corn check-off. Learn more about corn check-off-funded efforts to develop export markets at mncorn.org/utilization.

A new research project by University of Minnesota Assistant Extension Professor Dr. Vasudha Sharma is exploring how precision irrigation and nitrogen management affects crop development and groundwater. Join Dr. Sharma as she discusses her project with host Mark Dorenkamp as they cover nitrate leaching, water-use efficiencies, and plant development -- among other topics -- on this episode of the Minnesota Corn Podcast.Minnesota Corn is proud to fund Dr. Sharma's research through the Minnesota Corn check-off. Learn more about corn check-off-funded research projects at mncorn.org/research.

Olga Brouwer, executive director of Minnesota Agriculture & Rural Leadership, explains how this Minnesota Corn-supported program helps farmers and agriculture professionals develop communication and leadership skills.

University of Minnesota Associate Professor Dr. Melissa Wilson recaps her Minnesota Corn-funded project that explored best practices for integrating cover crops and manure.

Mark Dorenkamp talks with John Hinners, senior vice of industry relations for the U.S. Meat Export Federation, about a recent study on the value of red meat exports to Minnesota's corn farmers. Minnesota Corn supports USMEF as part of our mission to expand international sales of corn and corn co-products.

Carrie Stowers, Education Communications Specialist at the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, previews the upcoming 'Corn is Everywhere' event at the Farm at the Arb.

Jane Hunt talks about a recent Minnesota Corn-sponsored workshop in Fargo that taught teachers about the importance of biotechnology and biofuels.

University of Minnesota Associate Professor Candice Hirsch discusses her Minnesota corn-check-off-funded research project that aims to identify variations in the oil content of different hybrids.

Les Anderson and Vance Johnson join Mark Dorenkamp to discuss the results of their 2021 Innovation Grant projects.Learn more about Anderson's project here and Johnson's project here.

With the support of Minnesota Corn, University of Minnesota Extension developed Digital Crop Doc, a tool that can help farmers diagnose diseases in corn, soybeans, small grains, sugarbeets and forages. Extension Educator Angie Peltier joins Mark Dorenkamp to discuss the program.

Lindsay Pease and Adam Alford join Mark Dorenkamp to discuss the results of their 2021 Innovation Grant projects.

Farmers Gary Prescher and Mark Enninga join Mark Dorenkamp to discuss the results of their 2021 Innovation Grant projects.

Tim Griffis, a professor in the University of Minnesota Department of Soil, Water, and Climate, discusses his research into lowering reactive nitrogen emissions associated with agricultural production.

Gail Dennison of the Hormel Institute highlights a research project, funded in part by Minnesota Corn, that is exploring how the aromatic compounds added to fuel to boost octane affect chemicals in the body that control gene expression.

University of Minnesota Extension Specialist and Assistant Professor Melissa Wilson explains her research into maximizing the benefits of cover crops and manure application.