Soil Sense

Advancing Regenerative Practices in Ukraine

11 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Fertile soil is something Ukraine has always been known for. But wind and water erosion are causing a soil loss of approximately 15 tons per hectare e...

Precision Agriculture For Soil Health In Argentina

30 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Soil health on a large scale, can really be enhanced through data and digital tools. It’s pretty incredible to hear how that is being applied to far...

The Pursuit of Regenerative Potatoes in Canada

15 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Farmers and agronomists have a lot on their plate just to produce a profitable crop every year. So what happens when their buyers start requesting the...

Preventing Erosion and Boosting Fertility in China

03 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In order for soil health to go from words and ideas to actions and outcomes, there needs to be support at the farm level - whether that’s a corn far...

Soil Health and Biodiversity on a Costa Rican Coffee Farm

17 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Costa Rica is home to an incredible amount of natural biodiversity. But it’s also an ideal spot to grow some of the world’s favorite crops, like c...

Soil Health Increases Farm Efficiencies in the USA

03 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Oftentimes soil health practices may be thought of as “one more thing” to incorporate on the farm. But in this episode, producer Matt tells us tha...

Keeping People at the Center of Soil Health in India

20 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Despite a lot of exciting momentum behind regenerative agriculture, it remains necessary that that enthusiasm reaches farmers and leads to real outcom...

Collaborating on Biodiversity and Technology in Germany

05 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

 For a long time, Europe has had very high standards for environmental sustainability and is really concerned about biodiversity. So how does a mult...

Building Soil Health in Degraded Soils

22 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Soil Sense, co-hosts Tim Hammerich and Dr. Abbey Wick explore how Brazilian farmers, like Cézar, and Syngenta's Grazielle Pare...

The Art of the Possible With Jeff Rowe and Matt Wallenstein

07 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Introducing: season eight of Soil Sense! Co-hosts Tim Hammerich and Dr. Abbey Wick are excited to bring another season to the show, this time sponsore...

Building Soil Health for Soil Function

29 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode we wrap up season seven of the soil sense podcast with a well known and well respected farmer and long-time soil conservationist, Barr...

Farmer-to-Farmer Soil Health Education with Mike Lewis

29 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Throughout this series, we have featured a lot of large scale commercial farming operations, but soil health is just as important to farms that operat...

Theory vs Practice in Soil Health with Frank Rademacher

29 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Eisenhower famously said “Farming looks mighty easy when your plow is a pencil and you're a thousand miles from the corn field.” That resonate...

The Swine to Soil Connection with Jamie Burr

29 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When you think about soil health, you might picture a soybean field or a corn field.  It may not be immediately apparent how many other industries re...

Diversity in Crops and Business Models with Jay Baxter

29 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

There is a lot more information about soil health available today than there was a decade ago, but it’s still up to each individual farmer to figure...

Seven Generations of Stewardship with Susan Watkins

29 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When it comes to sustainability, it’s hard to argue with results. For Virginia farmer Susan Watkins that means seven generations and counting of ste...

Beef and Cover Crops with Ed Lammers

29 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Fine-tuning any system that involves biology and mother nature is going to take time, especially when all of those changes have to happen while also r...

Building Soil Health as a First Generation Farmer with Ryan Bivens

29 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It’s always neat to hear of farms that have been with a family for generations, but is it still possible for a first generation farmer to get starte...

Learning and Sharing About Soil Health With Jennifer Simmelink

28 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Sometimes in agriculture we are so consumed by work that needs to happen on the farm that we don’t get much of a chance to share what we’re doing ...

Bio Strip-Till with Donn Branton

28 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

One of the valuable aspects of this series is that it has given us a chance to talk to farmers at all different stages of their soil health journey. I...

Advancements in Ag Research, Technology and Outreach with John Butler

27 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Advancements in ag research and technology not only help farmers produce more with less, but also have had a big impact on their ability to build heal...

Water and Soil Conservation with Ryan Britt

26 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Fifth generation farmer Ryan Britt talks about the practices he’s combined over the years and the results he’s seeing in North Central Missouri. R...

Experimenting with Cover Crops with Joe Rothermel

22 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Farmer Joe Rothermel joins the show to talk about cover crops, strip tillage, and experiments he’s trying on his farm in East Central Illinois. Joe ...

All Soil Health Is Local with Garrett Marsh

21 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

There are a lot of similarities amongst farmers, but there is no denying the fact that every farm is different. Never is that more apparent than when ...

Conservation For Both Ecology and Farm Economics with Laurie Isley

20 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We love to talk about soil conservation practices on this show, but it’s always important to frame it in a realistic context that acknowledges farms...

Patience and Persistence Pays Off With Fred Yoder

19 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Improving soil health doesn’t happen overnight, but it’s amazing how a series of small changes, compounded over time, can really make a difference...

Practical Ideas for Building Healthier Soils With John Burk

18 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

There is no substitute for experience. Michigan farmer John Burk has a masters degree in crop and soil science, spent 10 years as an ag and natural re...

Community and Soil Health With Ray Gaesser

14 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ray Gaesser grew up on a small farm in southern Indiana and said he visited Iowa for the Farm Progress Show one year and never wanted to leave. So tha...

Strip Till in Diverse Rotations with Jason Swede

07 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Farms are complex systems and everyone’s soil health journey is different. For some, one change or new piece of equipment can really be the missing ...

Swine Manure and Cover Crops with Gary Asay

29 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Trying new ideas on the farm, especially those that involve innovative approaches, will not always be easily understood by neighbors or other people w...

Our Soil is Our Strength with Nancy Kavazanjian

21 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Nancy Kavazanjian and her husband Charlie Hammer farm in the south central part of Wisconsin where they grow corn, soybeans and wheat in rotation. Ove...

Planting Green with Trey Hill

09 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Not every soil health building practice is going to work the same way on every farm. That’s one of the reasons we call it a journey. Sometimes, it c...

Farmers for Soil Health with Jack Cornell

07 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

United Soybean Board director of sustainable supply Jack Cornell joins us to kick off this brand new season of Sense Sense. Changing any practice on t...

Season Six Reflections and What’s Next for Soil Sense

01 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This episode is our chance to close out season six, set the stage for season seven, and talk about some big changes that are taking place. Those big c...

Making Agronomy Fun with Jason Hanson & Kyle Okke

25 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode we take you back one more time to Agronomy on Ice in Devils Lake, North Dakota. We hear from the man who started it all, Jason Hanson,...

Soil Health in Sugar Beet Rotations with Mike Van Eps

10 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Mike Van Eps of Centrol Ag Consulting has been a crop consultant for over 20 years in the Southern Red River Valley. He’s in the heart of sugar beet...

Root Biology with Dr. Christopher Topp

27 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Christopher Topp is the principal investigator and associate member at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center in St. Louis, Missouri. Topp runs ...

A Crop Consultant's Approach to Soil Health with Brett Peterson

21 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Bismark-based crop consultant Brett Peterson has been working at Centrol Ag Consulting for the past 15 years alongside farmers to provide the best agr...

A Systems-Based Approach to Carbon with Nick Reinke

13 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Nick Reinke, is not only the CEO of HabiTerre but also grew up on a farm, worked in soil health with an agricultural coop, and has a background in ag ...

Dairies and Soil Health with Brett Blackwelder

08 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Brett Blackwelder traveled from West Central Minnesota to participate in the Agronomy on Ice event and that's where this interview was recorded in...

Soil Health Assessment with Jordon Wade, Ph.D.

31 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Jordon Wade is an assistant professor of soil health and soil fertility at the University of Missouri. Wade is also the director of the Soil Healt...

Soil Health Challenges in Long Term No Till with Josh Hammond

16 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode we are joined by Josh Hammond who owns FarmAssist Consulting where he works with farmers mostly around the Beach, North Dakota area. J...

Practical Soil Science Research with Brady Goettl

02 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode we revisit Agronomy on Ice for another great conversation this time with NDSU extension soil health research technician Brady Goettl. ...

Salinity Management with Darren Dunham

11 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, crop consultant Darren Dunham shares about some of the soil related challenges farmers are facing in his area of North Central North ...

Talking Tillage at Agronomy on Ice

28 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode you’ll hear from four different farmers and one crop consultant about their individual perspectives and experience with tillage. To ...

Soil to Cereal with Dr. Steve Rosenzweig of General Mills

07 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Steve Rosenzweig is a soil scientist and the agriculture science lead at General Mills. General Mills is a leading American producer of consumer f...

Trusted Advisor Partnership with Abbey Wick, Ph.D.

27 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Many food companies have become increasingly more interested in what part they can play in building healthier soils. If they’re in it for the long h...

Field Check Season Finale: No Such Thing as a One-Size-Fits-All

25 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode we revisit some highlights of the most useful and important information shared through the first fourteen Field Check segments. You’...

Field Check: Systems Thinking

19 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode you’ll hear from a number of farmers and consultants about their systems-based approach to farming and soil health. Starting with On...

Field Check: Residue Management

11 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode we talk about a problem that many farmers run into on their soil health journeys: residue management. But rather than just focus on on...

Field Check: Barley and Soil Health

03 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode we talk about the challenge of getting cover crops implemented in a system, and highlight how barley can be a helpful crop in overcomi...

Field Check: Crop Rotation with Mark Huso

28 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode we are back with Mark Huso of Huso Crop Consulting based in Lakota, North Dakota. Mark shares about the value he has found in diversif...

Field Check: Practical Approaches to Soil Health with Mark Huso

19 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode we are joined by Mark Huso of Huso Crop Consulting based in Lakota, North Dakota. After working in ag retail, Mark decided to start hi...

Field Check: Vetting Biological Inputs

12 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Field testing new products is an important and sometimes overlooked role that agronomists and crop consultants can play. Jason Hanson joins us again o...

Field Check: Perennial Cover Crops and Baling

02 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode we talk about full season and perennial cover crops. These are great options in not only prevent plant situations, but also trying to ...

Field Check: Soil Health and Moisture Management with Dr. Lee Briese

10 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode we explore the question of how to improve soil health in fields that are just too wet. From drainage tile to cover crops, Dr. Lee Brie...

Field Check: Building a Soil Health Legacy

02 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode we explore one of the most wonderful and unique aspects of farming, the ability to leave a real tangible legacy for your children. The...

Field Check: Managing Saline Soils with Jason Hanson

21 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode crop consultant Jason Hanson discusses a soil-related issue many farmers have to deal with, salinity. Jason owns Rock and Roll Agronom...

Field Check: Cover Crops and Farm Implement Safety

13 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode we “cover” planting cover crops including some of the ways to get cover crops planted and established. We also discuss some really...

Field Check: Every Field is Different with Dr. Lee Briese

05 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today, we single out one field in particular to see how a crop consultant utilizes soil health principles and practices to improve both profitability ...

Field Check: Field Trafficability and Equipment Safety

27 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we explore soil management practices that will improve trafficability over time. North Dakota State University Soil Health Extension ...

Field Check: The Challenges and Benefits of Reducing Tillage

20 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Jason Hanson, who owns Rock and Roll Agronomy based in Webster, North Dakota joins us to discuss both the benefits and the challenges of reducing till...

Agronomy on Ice featuring Jason Hanson, Kyle Okke, Rob Sharkey, Nikki Bylin and Scott Bylin

25 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In February Dr. Abbey Wick and I had the chance to attend a really unique event you may have heard of called Agronomy on Ice. This is an annual event ...

Planes, Grains, and Cover Crops with Blaine Kummer

18 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Blaine Kummer farms with his wife and parents south of Fargo in Colfax, North Dakota. They raise corn, soybeans, sugar beets, wheat and occasionally s...

Agricultural Career Training with Anissa Hoffman and Chandra Langseth

03 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode we get a chance to feature one program that is doing incredible work to train the next generation of farmers, agronomists, consultants...

Passing Along Better Soil to the Next Generation with Mike & Phil Faught

16 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Mike and Phil Faught are a father/son partnership who farm in Absaraka, North Dakota. Mike has been working with minimal till and no till since 1980, ...

Farm and Ranch Safety with Doug Bichler, Angie Johnson and Emily Leier

09 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode you’re going to hear a first hand account of a farm accident. It’s a jarring reminder of how so many tasks on a farm or ranch that...

The Soil Health Snowball with Jon Bertsch

31 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We have another great episode with a farmer who has been on a journey over the past seven years or so to try to build healthier soils on his farm in H...

Barley for Malting Premiums and Soil Health with Dr. Dave Franzen and Anthony Thilmony

24 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

One of the things we’ve learned over the years of doing this podcast is that we love episodes that feature both a farmer and a researcher to really ...

Sugar Beets and Soil Health with Dan Vagle

07 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We often talk about corn, soybeans, and small grains on this show, but those are far from the only crops focused on improving soil health. This episod...

Disease Management with Andrew Friskop, Ph.D.

29 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This episode focuses on a topic that we haven’t talked about too much before: disease management. Specifically, we’re talking about a couple of di...

A Practical Approach to Soil Health with Mark Huso and Scott Huso

22 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode we are joined by two brothers from Northeast North Dakota who have each been on their own soil health journeys while supporting and pu...

Engaging Food and Beverage Companies with Elizabeth Reaves

17 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

One thing we try to stress on this show is that your soil health journey is going to look different from others based on your goals. Those goals may i...

Weed Management and Soil Health with Jason Hanson and Joe Ikley

09 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We’re very lucky to have on the show two well-respected agronomic experts to talk about current weed management challenges. They share with us the w...

Carbon Economics with Dr. David Archer

01 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode we dive into the economics of carbon credits. Specifically, how should farmers approach the emerging markets that are popping up for c...

Catching Carbon with Dr. Caley Gasch and Dr. Mark Liebig

25 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Soil health has been increasingly in the spotlight in recent years, and no topic has been drawing more attention than the concept of soil carbon. Spec...

A Legacy of Conservation with Bob Radcliffe

18 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We often talk on this show about soil health being a journey. Well today’s guest has been on that journey as a farmer for over 75 years. Bob Radclif...

Soybean Cyst Nematode with Dr. Sam Markell

02 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In the fourteen years that Dr. Sam Markell has been in his current position as extension plant pathologist at North Dakota State University, he has no...

Agronomic Challenges and Soil Health Opportunities with Kyle Okke

24 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On the show today is Kyle Okke, regional agronomist at Winfield United. Most listeners are familiar with Winfield United, the large ag retail network ...

Pheasants Forever and Soil Health

11 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This podcast has always been about collaboration and building healthier soils while promoting productivity and profitability at the farm level.  ...

Soilborne Diseases with Audrey Kalil, Ph.D.

03 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

As with any biological system, there can be good microbes, and there can also be harmful microbes. Crop and soil health is certainly no exception. In ...

Integrated Pest Management and Soil Health

19 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

An important part of building healthier soils is focusing on the biology living in those soils. This of course includes the microbes in the soil, but ...

The Power of Perennials with Clair Keene, Ph.D.

13 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We have a really fascinating episode for you today about incorporating perennials into crop rotations. In the past, we have discussed the many soil he...

Manure and Compost for Soil Health

05 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In an effort to build healthier soils, many row crop farmers are caught between wanting the benefits of livestock on their land but also not wanting t...

Researching the Tradeoffs of Wide Row Corn

29 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The concept of wide-row corn can seem counterintuitive at first. Why would you make it harder to achieve optimal yields of your primary crop in order ...

Low pH Soils with Dr. Mark Liebig and Ryan Buetow

17 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In many cropping systems, the soil is becoming more and more acidic over time. This is happening to some soils quicker than others. A soil with a pH o...

Intercropping and Relay Cropping

09 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The idea of intercropping - or growing two crops at once, has theoretical appeal of creating synergies for pest and disease management, fertility, and...

Managing Salinity and Sodicity

01 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Over 90% of producers in North Dakota are experiencing some sort of reduced productivity as a result of salinity. This problem is not unique to North ...

Grazing Livestock for Soil Health

23 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

For many farmers on this journey to improve their soil health, incorporating livestock is something they hope to do in the future. This can and will i...

Farmer Experiences with Wide Row Corn

15 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

60” corn has been a hot topic in many soil health circles. This wider row spacing can allow for greater light penetration and improve the environmen...

Cover Crops Research and Strategy

09 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We were able to capture some of the best information out there about soil health at the DIRT Workshop last December thanks to some fantastic speakers ...

What Happens in the Soil When We Reduce Tillage?

01 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The DIRT Workshop was held virtually this past December. Because the event was held virtually we were able to gain access to some great speakers and p...

DIRT Workshop Roundup: Strip Tillage, Cover Crops, Relay Crops, and Grazing

28 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This is our final episode of season three. What a great season it has been! To close out season three, we wanted to bring you a highlight reel from th...

Interstate Collaboration with Bill Spiegel and Dr. Abbey Wick

21 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Bill Spiegel is on the show today. You may know him as the Crops Editor for Successful Farming Magazine but he is also a farmer and soil health advoca...

Transitioning the Farm to the Next Generation with Kari Olson

14 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

While no-till and cover crops are slowly gaining popularity in the area, the Olson operation has been pursuing their practices for 17 years. As though...

Bale Grazing with Erin and Drew Gaugler

01 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

**Join us virtually at the DIRT Workshop December 8th - 9th: www.DIRTWorkshopND.com** Interest continues to rise in incorporating livestock into produ...

The Importance of Extension with Dr. Greg Lardy

23 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

**Join us virtually at the DIRT Workshop December 8th - 9th: www.DIRTWorkshopND.com** Extension has a rich history in keeping producers informed and u...

Managing Low pH Soils with Ryan Buetow and Nathan Thomas

16 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

**Join us virtually at the DIRT Workshop December 8th - 9th: www.DIRTWorkshopND.com** “What can I do to correct low pH in no-till systems in a corn/...

Cultivating the Right Mindset with Monica McConkey, LPC

09 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

**Join us virtually at the DIRT Workshop December 8th - 9th: www.DIRTWorkshopND.com** The right mindset isn’t just something you can set and forget....

Strategies for Keeping Living Roots in the Soil with Paul Thomas

02 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

**Join us virtually at the DIRT Workshop December 8th - 9th: www.DIRTWorkshopND.com** Finding the best fit for your operation takes consideration, pla...