Pods of Potential

Explore the pros and cons of different seeding methods for cover crops and how they cater to your farm's unique needs. Linn County farmer Jim O’Connell, ISA Senior Research Agronomist Alex Schaffer and Conservation Agronomist Evan Brehm weigh benefits like seed-to-soil contact and convenience for airplane, drone, high clearance machine, broadcast, drilled, and harvest air seeded methods. Whether you're new or experienced with cover crops, this episode provides clear, research-backed insights to help you make informed decisions for your farm.

Explore how on-farm research trials, funded in part by the soybean checkoff, are helping Spencer farmer and Iowa Soybean Association President Brent Swart boost efficiency and increase return on investment. ISA CEO Kirk Leeds explains how the association leverages checkoff dollars to improve the productivity, profitability and sustainability of Iowa’s soybean farmers. Learn how your investment in the soybean checkoff is advancing the industry in this episode of Pods of Potential.

On-farm water monitoring improves nutrient efficiency and minimizes agriculture’s impact on water quality. In this episode of Pods of Potential, Iowa Soybean Association Water Lab Services Manager Tony Seeman and Iowa Agriculture Water Alliance Director of Communications Rebekah Jones discuss how voluntary conservation improves water quality and nutrient retention. Learn how implementing conservation practices and water monitoring can help you keep your valuable nutrients out of downstream water sources.

Turn your cover crops into a successful business. Discover how the Cover Crop Business Accelerator (CCBA) program can provide financial assistance, agronomic support and networking opportunities to help establish a profitable cover crop business. On this episode of Pods of Potential, Marengo-area farmer Ross McCaw joins ISA Senior Conservation Program Manager Mike Gilman and Ann Krause from Practical Farmers of Iowa to share his experience with the CCBA. Hear how the program helped Ross increase the profitability of his cover crop business—and how it might help you do the same.

Your ideal nitrogen rate varies from year to year based on weather trends and field-specific conditions. Before applying in-season nitrogen, explore how utilizing the Nitrogen Fertilizer Application Consultation Tool (N-FACT) can improve the nitrogen efficiency of your fields. Iowa Soybean Association Senior Research Agronomist Alex Schaffer and Premier Crop Systems Agronomic Information Advisor Molly Haub join Andy Petersen to discuss how farmers are using the N-FACT tool to determine nitrogen application rates using field-specific scenarios. Discover how this free tool can improve crop performance and boost return on investment by determining a field’s optimal nitrogen rate using data from the Iowa Nitrogen Initiative.

Looking to maximize ROI and increase yields for the 2025 growing season? Examine the effectiveness of your inputs and management practices based on research results presented in the 2024 RCFI Insights Report. Join Carlisle farmer and ISA Director Corey Goodhue, along with ISA Technical Insights Manager Rosie Roberts, as they discuss research trial results for seeding rate comparisons, fungicides, and Group 14 herbicides as shared in the Insights Report. Explore trial results from farmers across the state and ISA’s recommendations for maximizing your investment through the 2024 ISA Insights Report.

As the top agriculture processor and second largest city in Iowa, Cedar Rapids is investing resources in ensuring the Cedar River remains a quality water source for residents, local farmers and industry. Learn how farmers utilize bioreactors and saturated buffers in partnership with the city to reduce nitrate leaching and maintain water quality. Generational farmer Alan Horak joins Iowa Soybean Association Conservation Agronomist Evan Brehm and City of Cedar Rapids Watersheds & Source Water Program Manager Mary Beth Stevenson to discuss how public-private partnerships are helping simplify the process and removing the financial burden of these practices through batch and build projects. 

Soil compaction and nutrient stratification can impact root growth, limit water infiltration, and affect nutrient placement within the soil profile. ISA Research Agronomist Mikaela Connelly and Southwest Iowa Farmer Chris Gaesser discuss how nine years of continuous cover crops reduce soil compaction and influence nutrient distribution. Learn how Chris is partnering with ISA to find solutions to his on-farm challenges and what the research insights show on this episode of Pods of Potential. 

Struggling with fluctuating water levels on your farm? In this episode of Pods of Potential, we discuss a practical solution to managing water challenges: drainage water recycling. Discover how repurposing drainage water from your fields can help address water quantity issues while offering economic and soil health benefits. ISA Conservation Program Lead Todd Sutphin, Hay Water Solutions LLC Owner Chris Hay, and Calhoun County Farmer Mark Schleisman share insights on retaining and irrigating drainage water. Learn how farmers can capture excess water and redistribute it during extended dry spells for a more sustainable approach.

Learn how woodchip bioreactors serve as an on-farm solution to improving water quality challenges here in Iowa. This edge-of-field conservation practice can easily be incorporated into existing tile lines, requires minimal maintenance, and reduces nitrate losses. Explore the benefits and longevity of bioreactors with Hamilton County farmer Ryan Davison and Conservation Services Manager Alex Buseman on this episode of Pods of Potential. Tune in to learn more about ISA’s research, implementation and cost-share opportunities for denitrifying bioreactors.

Could no-till improve the profitability of your cropping system? Walk through both the benefits and common reservations for implementing a no-till system with O’Brien County farmer Cory Vander Ploeg and Iowa Soybean Association Conservation Agronomist Ryan Johnson. They discuss how a reduced tillage or no-till system can save on equipment costs and improve soil health through erosion control and increased water infiltration. Explore solutions to mitigate common no-till concerns, including compaction and nutrient management. Determine if the benefits of a no-till system match the needs of your farm in this episode of Pods of Potential.

With herbicide resistance on the rise, farmers are investigating the effectiveness and possible yield impacts of group 14 soil-applied herbicides. Join Clayton County farmer Josh Schoulte and ISA Research Agronomist Shane Beck as they discuss the results of an on-farm research trial that evaluated if group 14 herbicides impacted soybean yields. Learn more about the use of group 14 herbicides and other management methods to combat the evolution of herbicide-resistant weeds in this episode of Pods of Potential.