Crop Cast by BW Fusion

In this episode of Crop Cast, host Sean Nettleton is joined by Mason Claude and Kyle Olson, owner of Creekside Agronomy, to explore how Baseline RX is reshaping fertility management. Kyle shares his journey from using traditional soil tests that fell short to adopting Baseline RX—transforming not only how he advises his customers but also how he manages fertility on his own farm.Together, the group dives into real-world results, from cutting input costs to making more confident and ethical fertility recommendations. Kyle explains why precise soil data isn’t just helpful—it’s essential—and how Baseline RX equips dealers and growers alike to farm smarter, with integrity and efficiency.

Bodie Kitchel knows agriculture—not just from years of supporting growers, but from putting those practices to work on his own farms. Over his career, he’s pushed beyond what’s considered standard, especially when it comes to fertility. His passion for biologics has led him to ask—and answer—the tough questions:What data can growers truly trust?When should intuition take the lead?Why is now the time to be open to biological use on your operation?If you’ve ever wondered how to apply commercial fertilizer more efficiently, this episode is for you. Bodie breaks down how to grow the biology in your soil and rethink the way fertility works on your farm.

Recorded LIVE at the Dealer Meeting 2025, agronomists Jason Schley, Mason Claude, and Josh Messer sit down to tackle one of the hottest topics of the season: the rapid spread of Southern Rust across Midwest farms.This candid conversation dives into the big questions every grower and dealer is asking:How do you build a plan of attack when disease pressure shows up late in the season?When is it still worth the pass—and when is a crop too far gone to save?What strategies actually pay off in protecting yield potential at this stage?With boots-on-the-ground insights and years of agronomy experience, Jason, Mason, and Josh cut through the noise to deliver practical, actionable advice that can make or break a grower’s bottom line.Whether you’re scouting fields, advising growers, or simply wanting to understand the latest agronomic battlefront, this episode is packed with real-world perspective you won’t want to miss.A Day With Agronomy in Wabash, Indiana: Link here: https://bw-fusion.com/a-day-with-agronomy

Host Sean Nettleton brings a quick update on what's coming next for the Crop Cast podcast. Season 2 is launching in early September, and we’re taking a short break to line up a fresh guest list and tackle real, impactful solutions for growers facing a challenging season. Thank you for listening, and stay tuned. There's a lot to look forward to. Find us on social: https://bw-fusion.com/cropcastSubmit a topic or guest request: https://bw-fusion.com/cropcastFind Sean Nettleton on X: https://x.com/sean_nettleton

If you’ve ever questioned whether your K applications are delivering ROI, this episode is a must-listen. Join Sean Nettleton and Dr. S.A. Khan from the University of Illinois to discuss the eye-opening research behind the Potassium Paradox. Dr. Kahn unpacks decades of soil science and long-term field data, challenging the conventional wisdom around potassium (K) fertilization. Dr. Khan explains why most Midwestern soils already contain more than enough potassium to support crop production and why typical soil tests often fail to accurately represent the true soil availability. For full context and to follow Dr. Khan’s slides, we highly recommend watching the episode on our YouTube channel.Topics Covered:The science behind exchangeable vs. non-exchangeable potassiumHow soil moisture and weather cycles impact soil test valuesWhy overapplying K can hurt calcium, magnesium, and even your soil’s structureResults from over 2,000 response trials across North AmericaPractical, cost-saving fertility recommendations Don’t miss this deep dive into one of the most misunderstood nutrients in agronomy.

In this episode, Dr. Mulvaney challenges the common belief that most of a crop’s nitrogen comes from fertilizer. Instead, he explains that the soil itself is the primary source of nitrogen uptake—thanks to the natural process of mineralization, where organic matter breaks down and releases plant-available nitrogen.Key takeaways:Fertilizer isn’t the dominant source of N—soil N plays a much larger role.Soils differ dramatically in their nitrogen-supplying capacity.Yield-based N recommendations ignore this variation, often leading to over-application.Dr. Mulvaney’s research is focused on improving nitrogen efficiency—boosting crop uptake while minimizing environmental harm. He collaborates with industry partners to refine fertilizer practices and promote the use of the Illinois Soil Nitrogen Test (ISNT) for more precise, site-specific N management.If you’re looking to improve yields without wasting nitrogen dollars, this episode offers critical insights that could reshape how you think about nitrogen use.Watch the full length presentation here: https://youtu.be/JoExUqhuJas

In this insightful episode, Sean Nettleton talks with Josh Linville, a widely followed fertilizer market expert, about the complex dynamics of the global fertilizer industry and its impact on U.S. agriculture.Key Topics Covered:Fertilizer Price Volatility: Josh emphasizes that neither he nor local retailers set fertilizer prices—global events and market structures do. Price swings often stem from geopolitical instability, trade restrictions, and global supply chain disruptions.Global Dependence & Supply Challenges: The conversation highlights how North American agriculture remains tightly linked to international fertilizer markets, including inputs from China, Russia, and the Middle East. Disruptions—like conflicts in the Strait of Hormuz or export bans—can quickly affect local supply and pricing.Domestic Production Gaps: Josh discusses the U.S.'s underinvestment in nitrogen production, despite having cheap natural gas and strong environmental standards. He argues for more domestic manufacturing to reduce dependence and exposure to foreign market volatility.Fertilizer Futures & Market Tools: The industry is slowly evolving toward offering farmers better tools, such as micro futures contracts for urea, to hedge fertilizer costs similarly to how they manage grain risk. But adoption remains in early stages.Fertilizer Efficiency & Biologicals: The two also touch on improving nutrient efficiency through soil testing, biologicals, and smart application timing. Josh acknowledges the role of companies like BW Fusion in helping farmers stretch input dollars with more targeted fertility management.The Call for Education: Both Sean and Josh stress the importance of education and proactive planning. With tight margins, farmers must stay engaged year-round, rather than waiting until fall or spring to make buying decisions.

In this episode, host Sean speaks with Ed Baumgartner, founder of BASS Hybrids, to explore their unconventional approach to corn breeding. Ed discusses BASS Hybrids’ 20-year mission to reduce farmers’ reliance on synthetic inputs by developing corn hybrids with native tolerance to insects, drought, and stress without genetic modification.Here's what we cover: Origins & Purpose: BASS Hybrids began in Puerto Rico under intense insect pressure. Their breeding program focuses on native insect tolerance, drought resilience, and reduced need for nitrogen inputs.Hot-Cold Stress Connection: Through tropical breeding, they discovered that ~70% of genes related to heat tolerance also confer cold tolerance—allowing successful adaptation of their tropical genetics to northern climates.Durability & Stay-Green Trait: Their hybrids tend to stay green longer, maturing naturally rather than dying and drying. This stay-green attribute is linked to better plant health and microbial interactions.Focus on Regenerative Agriculture:BASS is intentionally breeding hybrids that thrive in low-input and biologically rich systems.Their hybrids show strong responses to biologicals and microbial activity—contrasting with GMO varieties bred for high-input systems.They've identified products that perform better in manured or cover-cropped systems, including those with reduced nitrogen.Biological Integration:Root exudates, microbial interactions, and high BRIX levels (sugar content) are central to their approach.Some hybrids display signs of nitrogen fixation or increased microbial activity at the root level, including brace roots contributing to nutrient acquisition.Durayield Line:Their flagship product line emphasizes stress tolerance, wider leaves, enhanced rooting systems, and yield consistency under biological management systems.The Durayield concept is continuously evolving based on breeding cycle improvements.Real-World Testing:BASS is now present in 22 U.S. states and markets internationally, including Kazakhstan.Collaborations allow year-round breeding and stress testing, including trials under regenerative and conventional systems.

For many of us in the Corn Belt, rice isn't a crop we've given much thought to. But in this episode, Sean Nettleton sits down with grower and consultant Chad Duckworth from Northeast Arkansas, along with RBM Seth Busby, for a full download on southern crop production. While they cover a range of crops grown in the South, Chad’s 25+ years of experience and deep expertise in rice—right at the cutting edge of rice-growing technology—make him a go-to source for all things rice production.Get AmiNo today: https://bw-fusion.com/stressless Contact BW Fusion: https://bw-fusion.com/get-a-quote Request to be featured on Crop Cast: https://bw-fusion.com/cropcast

In Part 2 of the From Seed to Harvest series, Jason and Jaren Schley pick up where they left off, right after the crucial establishment phase, where microbial partnerships and root development take center stage. Listen to that episode here. Now, the corn plant enters the V4–V6 growth stage: a critical turning point where it begins to transition away from seed-derived energy and starts to rely fully on its own roots and nutrient uptake. So how do we support the plant through this weaning process?Jason and Jaren break down what’s happening physiologically in the plant, and more importantly, how to guide it with the right agronomic strategies. From nutrient timing to biological support, this episode is full of actionable insights for ensuring a strong, independent crop as it pushes toward rapid vegetative growth.

In this timely and impromptu episode, Jaren Schley, Mason Claude, and Sean Nettleton dive into one of the hottest agronomic topics of the moment: Early Season Nitrogen. With a late, wet spring challenging many growers across the Midwest, there's no better time to rethink your nutrient strategy.Drawing on real-time insights from Illinois, Iowa, and South Dakota, the trio shares what they’re seeing in the field and how growers can make smarter, more efficient nitrogen decisions leading into side-dress season. They tackle the questions they’ve been hearing directly from growers and aren’t afraid to challenge conventional thinking—especially when it comes to nitrogen testing.If you're looking to maximize efficiency and make every unit of N count, this episode is a must-listen.AmiNo: https://bw-fusion.com/stressless

In Episode 36 of Crop Cast, Sean Nettleton welcomes Dr. Connor Sible, Research Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois, for a deep dive into high-yield corn and soybean production strategies. Dr. Sible shares his unique research focus—centered on maximizing yield through both input efficiency and improved management practices.The episode highlights the synergy and occasional differences between university-led research and field-driven agronomy.  Whether you're a grower, agronomist, or industry professional, this episode offers insight into the future of crop productivity and the importance of bridging academic research with real-world application.Conor Sible: https://extension.illinois.edu/staff/connor-sible AD: Relax RX: https://bw-fusion.com/stressless 

In this episode of Crop Cast, we’re joined by none other than Jason Mauck, the innovative and unconventional farmer from Gaston, Indiana—known across social media as "the farm weird guy." Jason has built a reputation for pushing the boundaries of traditional agriculture with techniques like relay cropping wheat and soybeans, and experimenting with alley cropping in corn.Sean Nettleton dives into Jason’s philosophy, where farming isn't just about high yields. Jason shares insights into his work with the Stock Cropper system, his unique grazing strategies, and how he manages what he proudly calls “the greenest golf course in Indiana.”Whether you're curious about alternative cropping systems or just want to hear from someone shaking up the ag world, this episode is packed with thought-provoking ideas and practical takeaways. Tune in to learn why farming weird might just be the future.Sign Up for Jason's Field Day: https://conference.eco-ag.com/farmweirdX: https://x.com/jasonmauck1Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jason.mauck.5 Stress Less Products: https://bw-fusion.com/stressless 

In this exciting episode, host Sean Nettleton sits down with BW Fusion’s very first CEO, Darren Dillenbeck. It’s your chance to get to know the man at the helm—his background, his passion for agriculture, and his bold vision for the future of BW Fusion. Whether you're a grower, a BW Fusion dealer, or just curious about where ag innovation is headed, this conversation is packed with insights you won’t want to miss. Tune in and discover how Darren plans to lead BW Fusion in driving agriculture forward.

In-season sampling might be one of the most powerful tools to add to your crop management toolbox. In this episode, we break down the how, when, and why of in-season sampling and explain how it validates the biological side of your input strategy.Because when you have the power of knowledge, you have the power to drive efficiency, make better decisions, and ultimately increase your profitability.Relax RX: https://bw-fusion.com/stressless

What exactly is crop stress—and what can you really do about it? In this extended roundtable episode, seven agronomy experts from across the country break down how to identify, mitigate, and manage crop stress from the ground up. You’ll learn why effective crop stress management goes far beyond just applying another product, and how soil health, timing, and geography all play critical roles. From early detection to in-season treatments, this conversation offers a comprehensive look at strategies to stay ahead of stress and protect yield potential. It’s a deep dive with diverse perspectives—and one of our most insightful episodes yet.Relax RX: https://bw-fusion.com/stress-less

Welcome to another episode of Crop Cast by BW Fusion hosted by Sean Nettleton. Today Jason Schley, President of Agronomy and Jaren Schley, Technical Agronomist from South Dakota, join Sean for a multi-part series,  diving deep into corn and soybean growth — from seed to harvest.Stress Products: https://bw-fusion.com/stressless

Welcome to another episode of Crop Cast by BW Fusion. Today’s episode unpacks the hard conversations the agricultural industry isn’t having enough. Together, host Sean Nettleton and previous guests Mason Claude and Faith Pierson cover topics like unpacking variable rate application as we’ve known, debunking the genetic potential research of the 1900’s, and how grid sampling is hurting your soil’s potential. Let’s get into The Soil Limiting Factors Modern Growers Can’t Ignore… 

Welcome to Episode 29 of Crop Cast, where host Sean Nettleton talks with AgriGold Agronomists and Co-hosts of Tilling the Truth podcast, Josh Johnston and Brett Leahr. Today, this team of experts will get into the nitty gritty of all things plant. From results of early planted soybeans plot, to battling good and bad biologies in the soil, and more. This episode will equip you to perform better trials and reach higher yields. Biocast MAX: https://bw-fusion.com/biocastmax

Recorded LIVE at Commodity Classic, host Sean Nettleton and special guests Mary Pat Sass and Jena Ochsner from Beyond the Crops bridge the gap between human health and soil health—combining the principles of medicine and nutrition with crop and soil science. Just as a holistic approach to full-body health can improve overall well-being, the same philosophy applies to soil health. By addressing the root cause, growers can improve plant outcomes for generations to come. This episode isn’t just about conventional versus regenerative farming—it’s about integrating the best research and innovations from both to drive modern agriculture forward. Biocast Max: https://bw-fusion.com/biocastmax Beyond the Crops: https://beyondthecrops.buzzsprout.com/