The Field Guide Podcast
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The Field Guide is a series of conversations on the challenges currently facing local agricultural producers. The Field Guide Podcast was produced by the University of Minnesota Extension from May 7, 2021 through July 18, 2022 for a total of 19 episodes.
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Item The Field Guide Podcast Episode 2 - Farm operation highlights with Brad Cruse(2021-03-08) Cruse, Michael; Drewitz, Nathan; Cruse, BradIn this episode we had the chance to talk with retired producer Brad Cruse. Brad is from Northeast Iowa and primarily grew corn and soybeans. Brad also happens to be the father of co-host Michael Cruse who got an education on how his dad got started farming, how his operation changed overtime, and some of the challenges he faced.Item The Field Guide Podcast Episode 1 - Introductions, Hopes, and Goals(2021-03-01) Cruse, Mike; Drewitz, NathanA quick introduction to co-hosts Mike and Nathan. Be ready to learn about where we come from, our experiences before we started working for Extension, and our current positions with UMN Extension. We also talk about our hopes and goals for the Field Guide Podcast.Item The Field Guide Podcast Episode 3 - Conservation practices in agriculture with Brad Cruse(2021-03-15) Cruse, Michael; Drewitz, Nathan; Cruse, BradWe are again joined by retired producer Brad Cruse, this time focusing on his approach to conservation in his operation. We cover the reasons why he decided to initially implement conservation practices, which include both environmental and economical considerations. Using new practices in production agriculture, whether they are conservation focused or not, is always learning process and Brad speaks about this learning process and the time it took for him to get his systems to work well.Item The Field Guide Podcast Episode 4 - Conservation and tillage practices with UMN Extension Educator Jodi DeJong-Hughes(2021-03-29) Cruse, Michael; Drewitz, Nathan; DeJong Hughes, JodiToday we are joined by University of Minnesota Extension Educator Jodi DeJong Hughes for a follow-up conversation on conservation, tillage and soil health. We take a deeper dive into some of the concepts and ideas that were brought up in our previous conversation with Brad Cruse and Jodi gives us an education on tillage implements, soil science, and the benefits of cover crops.Item The Field Guide Podcast Episode 5 - Farm operation highlights with Joe Borgerding(2021-04-12) Cruse, Michael; Drewitz, Nathan; Borgerding, JoeIn this episode we talk about family, transitions within farm operations, and regenerative farming with Joe Borgerding. Joe raises dairy and crops in the Belgrade, MN area with a number of his family members. His farm has had to deal with many changes over the years and Joe's approach to continually learning and addressing these challenges has and continues to propel his operation forward.Item The Field Guide Podcast Episode 6 - Soil health, weed management, and other topics with Joe Borgerding(2021-04-26) Cruse, Michael; Drewitz, Nathan; Borgerding, JoeIn this episode we are again joined by Joe Borgerding, dairy and crops farmer in the Belgrade, MN. We ask Joe how he manages weeds on his operation and get one of the most interesting answers we have ever heard. Join us for a chat about cover crops, soil health, soil biology, and more.Item The Field Guide Podcast Episode 7 - Follow-up on Joe Borgerding, Good practices are good(2021-05-10) Cruse, Michael; Drewitz, Nathan; Borgerding, JoeIn this episode we have a follow-up conversation going over our talk with Joe Borgerding. We talk about good practices, bad practices and sticking with things when they don't work right away. We also point out that many practices that are agronomically sound can be applied across my types of agriculture production systems.Item The Field Guide Podcast Episode 8 - Farm operation highlights with Jake Scherer(2021-05-24) Cruse, Michael; Drewitz, Nathan; Scherer, JakeIn episode 8 we talk with retired dairy producer and current crop producer Jake Scherer. Jake talks about dairy producing with his family, working with the farm business management program, and how he leaned on advisors to help him. Jake talks about how he got out of dairy production and he just might have a few good stories about bears.Item The Field Guide Podcast Episode 9 - White mold, nematodes, and other topics with Jake Scherer(2021-06-07) Cruse, Michael; Drewitz, Nathan; Scherer, JakeIn this episode we are again joined by Jake Scherer, retired dairy producer and current crop producer. We talk about the in's and out's of managing white mold in soybeans, including the use of fungicides, changing planting populations, and prioritizing good agronomic practices. We touch on the challenges of weed control and Jake's relatively new experience with nematodes.Item The Field Guide Podcast Episode 10 - Follow-up on Jake Scherer, Building your team(2021-06-21) Cruse, Michael; Drewitz, Nathan; Scherer, JakeIn this episode we have a follow-up conversation going over our talk with Jake Scherer. We cover team building and how important it is to prepare and plan for those inevitable changes that come in farming. We discuss a few different approaches to integrated weed and pest management and don't worry, we talk about bears again.Item The Field Guide Podcast Episode 11 - Back at Joe Borgerding's, Experimenting with cover crops(2021-07-05) Cruse, Michael; Drewitz, Nathan; Borgerding, JoeIn this episode we go back to Joe Borgerding's farm to look at a unique approach to strip-till and cover crops. Joe talks about his experimenting with a cereal rye cover crop, fall strip tillage, and a rather unique weed whipping apparatus. We touch on the benefits of using this type of system, including soil moisture retention and warmer soil temperatures in the planting zone. This system is showing significant benefits in the drought conditions we are currently facing in 2021.Item The Field Guide Podcast Episode 12 - A New Host Approaches(2021-10-25) Cruse, Michael; Drewitz, Nathan; LaCanne, ClaireIn this episode: We say goodbye to Mike Cruise as one of the main hosts and welcome the new host to the podcast.Item The Field Guide Podcast Episode 13 - Business Partnerships, Spreadsheets, and Tillage Practices with Jim, Mark, and Matt Purfeerst(2021-12-13) LaCanne, Claire; Drewitz, Nathan; Purfeerst, Jim; Purfeerst, Mark; Purfeerst, MattIn this episode: We are joined by Jim Purfeerst and his two sons, Mark and Matt. We cover the history, tillage practices, and Integrated Pest Management practices that constitute their operation.Item The Field Guide Podcast Episode 14 - Farming Practice Highlights with the Purfeerst Family(2021-12-27) LaCanne, Claire; Drewitz, Nathan; Purfeerst, Jim; Purfeerst, Mark; Purfeerst, MattIn this episode: We take a deeper dive into the farming and soil health practices of the Purfeerst Farm.Item The Field Guide Podcast Episode 15 - Introducing our Newest Guest Host(2022-01-17) LaCanne, Claire; Drewitz, Nathan; Bugeja, ShaneIn this episode, we introduce a new guest host of the podcast, Shane Bugeja.Item The Field Guide Podcast Episode 16 - Cover Crops and Pasture Management(2022-04-25) LaCanne, Claire; Drewitz, Nathan; Honken, Dan; Honken, ErinIn this episode: We travel to Rice County and talk with Dan and Erin Honken of Honken Farms. We talk about Kernza, cover crops, and pasture management.Item The Field Guide Podcast Episode 17 - Cover Crops, Forage Options, and Solar Panels(2022-05-31) LaCanne, Claire; Drewitz, Nathan; Honken, Dan; Honken, ErinIn this episode, we finish our conversation with Dan and Erin Honken of Honken Farms. We talk about cover crop management and use, different forage options, and cost-share programs to help with farm improvements.Item The Field Guide Podcast Episode 18 - A History of Soil Conservation Practices with Tim Little(2022-06-20) LaCanne, Claire; Drewitz, Nathan; Little, TimIn this episode, we have a conversation about soil conservation and various soil health practices on Tim Little's farm.Item The Field Guide Podcast Episode 19 - The Future of Soil Health with Tim Little(2022-07-18) LaCanne, Claire; Drewitz, Nathan