Ohio Field Leader – Podcast

By Dusty Sonnenberg, CCA, Field Leader, a project of the Ohio Soybean Council and Soybean Check-off

In a time of low commodity prices, late-season soybean disease management is important as growers make decisions to help reduce plant stress and potentially increase or simply preserve soybean yield potential. Equally important is knowing when a treatment is no longer necessary and when it may actually be a waste of money and time. Diseases such as septoria brown spot, downy mildew, white mold, and many other foliar diseases, such as frog eye leaf spot, can often be observed as the long hot summer days fade into cooler fall weather. Dr. Horacio-Lopez Nicora, OSU Extension Soybean Pathologist and Nematologist, visits with Dusty to discuss the current growing conditions in Ohio’s soybean fields and factors that growers should consider before making a late-season fungicide application to their crop. They also discuss the great resources available to farmers at the Crop Protection Network.… Continue reading

By Dusty Sonnenberg, CCA, Field Leader, a project of the Ohio Soybean Council and Soybean Check-off

Red Crown Rot has officially been confirmed in Ohio. Dr. Horacio Lopez-Nicora joins Dusty on this special episode to discuss the finding and what it means to Ohio soybean growers going forward. They discuss what is known about the disease, basic management strategies moving forward, and how Ohio farmers can submit soybean plant samples for free testing and identification thanks to the Ohio Soybean Council and Soybean Check-off.

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By Dusty Sonnenberg, CCA, Field Leader, a project of the Ohio Soybean Council and Soybean Check-off

When life gives you lemons, it has been said that the best thing you can do is to make lemonade. That is exactly what Sheldon and Samantha Miller of Ottawa County did on their farm after a tornado in 2023 destroyed their home and buildings. They continue to navigate the many challenges and opportunities in production agriculture. Dusty visits with Sheldon and Samantha on this episode of the Ohio Field Leader Podcast at the latest stop of the Ohio Field Leader Roadshow. The Ohio Field Leader is a product of the Ohio Soybean Council and Soybean Check-off.

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By Dusty Sonnenberg, CCA, Field Leader, a project of the Ohio Soybean Council and Soybean Check-off

On Episode 58 of the Ohio Field Leader Podcast, Dusty visits with Tim, Tyler, Joe and Jon Everett of Everett Farms in Shelby County. The brothers and their sons have been farming many of the same acres for generations, and the unique thing is that the absentee landlords are also multi-generational as the land has been handed down over the years. Establishing and continuing to develop their landlord relationships and stewarding the ground has been a key to their success. They also discuss the unique aspects of having two families and multiple generations farming together and what it takes to make it all work.

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By Dusty Sonnenberg, CCA, Field Leader, a project of the Ohio Soybean Council and Soybean check-off

In Episode 57 of the Ohio Field Leader Podcast, the OFL Roadshow makes a stop in Morrow County at the farm of Ray Van Horn. Dusty and Ray discuss the current planting season, and unique aspects of farming some of the gently rolling clay soils around Mt. Gilead. They also discuss the important role of agricultural commodity organizations and the value of building relationships to foster trade around the world, even from a combine seat in Ohio.

By Dusty Sonnenberg, CCA, Field Leader, a project of the Ohio Soybean Council and Soybean Check-off

There is more than the topography that is “rolling” at Rolling Fields Company in Perry County. When Keith Dennis and his wife Jane purchased the farm in 1976, this rolling farm ground had water rolling any time it received heavy rains, cutting deep gullies. Erosion was a huge concern. Since 2011, Keith has planted cover crops and has begun utilizing the Haney Soil Health test. Now, the rolling fields are green and covered with a mixture of cover crops. Today, the main things rolling are the numbers and spreadsheet data from over a decade of soil health test results. Dusty and Keith discuss the farm’s transition to high productivity in this podcast episode and look ahead to the future.

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By Dusty Sonnenberg, CCA, Field Leader, a project of the Ohio Soybean Council and Soybean Check-off

For over a quarter-century, Matt Reese of Ohio’s Country Journal has been covering the story of agriculture and its people. Over the years, Reese has witnessed significant changes in Ohio’s soybean industry. From no-till planting to Roundup Ready, soybean aphids and soybean rust, white mold, and specialty IP beans, Reese has covered many of the stories that have impacted soybean farmers across the Buckeye State.

In this episode, Dusty visits with Matt to discuss his time at OCJ, the changes he has observed, and the lessons he has learned along the way.

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By Dusty Sonnenberg, CCA, Field Leader, a project of the Ohio Soybean Council and Soybean Check-off

In this episode, Dusty visits with a farmer, podcaster, boilermaker, professor, meteorologist, grain marketer, and canoe livery owner, all rolled into one — Ryan Martin. For decades, Ryan has been forecasting agricultural weather and reporting for numerous organizations. He has also been analyzing grain markets and trade patterns, regularly sharing his valuable insights with farmers and college students alike. As a farmer, Ryan has a unique perspective on the agriculture industry and the opportunities and challenges that the future holds.

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By Dusty Sonnenberg, CCA, Field Leader, a project of the Ohio Soybean Council and Soybean Check-off

It is known as the invisible yield robber. Soybean Cyst Nematode is a leading cause of lower yields in soybean fields across the country with no noticeable symptoms above ground on the plant. In a recent news release from the SCN Coalition, SCN has been identified in over 30 additional counties across the country. That is in addition to the counties that it was previously detected in. That new number includes two additional counties in Ohio.

Dr. Horacio Lopez-Nicora is an OSU Extension Soybean Pathologist and Nematologist. Dr. Lopez-Nicora who has been working aggressively to help farmers identify fields with SCN populations and develop strategies to manage their presence of the pest and lower those populations. Dusty and Horacio will discuss the recent survey results and management strategies that farmers can employ to deal with the spread of SCN.… Continue reading

By Dusty Sonnenberg, CCA, Ohio Field Leader, a project of the Ohio Soybean Council and Soybean Check-off

The first Ohio Field Leader Podcast for 2025 features Dusty visiting with Dr. Horacio Lopez-Nicora, OSU Extension Soybean Pathologist and Nematologist. Dusty and Horacio take a look back at the 2024 growing season and the stress factors that impacted soybean production from a disease pressure standpoint and things we can take away from it as we look ahead to the 2025 crop year.

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By Dusty Sonnenberg, CCA, Field Leader, a project of the Ohio Soybean Council and Soybean Check-off

In Episode 51, the final OFL Roadshow of 2024 visits the Century Farm of Todd Hesterman in Henry County. Todd has been extremely active in conservation efforts for over two decades and has served on the Henry County SWCD Board as well as the Conservation Action Project (C.A.P.) and on both the Ohio Soybean Association Board and Ohio Soybean Council Board. Todd’s love for farming and stewardship of the land while working alongside his family is very evident. Todd’s understanding of keeping the legacy of a family farm alive by improving it and passing it on to the next generation is at the heart of what he does.… Continue reading

In episode 50, the Ohio Field Leader Roadshow travels to Stark County and the Spilman Farms. Dusty visits with Matt Spillman about their multi-generational family farm and the unique challenges and opportunities of cash grain and livestock farming in Stark and Tuscarawas counties with his uncle and brothers. They discuss everything from the 2024 growing season to Deere tractor pulling trophies to deer wall mounts.

In Episode 49, the Ohio Field Leader Roadshow traveled to Fairfield County to visit with John Hummel. John and his wife Kacy farm with John’s Uncle and Father growing Corn and Soybeans in Southern Franklin and Northern Fairfield Counties. Dusty and John discuss the challenging weather year that 2024 has presented, and what it is like for a multigenerational farming operation to plan for the future in an environment with constant residential and commercial development pressure. They also take a look at the valuable work of commodity organizations and the Ohio Farm Bureau in developing young people to take on the challenges that the industry will face in the future and the importance of the relationships that are developed along the way.

By Dusty Sonnenberg, CCA, Field Leader, a project of the Ohio Soybean Council and Soybean Check-off

This month the Ohio Field Leader Podcast is a doubleheader.

The names Craftsman, Stanley Black and Decker, MAC Tools, and DeWalt all have immediate recognition. In this episode, Dusty is joined by Scott Porter, CEO and Founder of Dynamic Green Products. Dusty and Scott discuss how Dynamic Green Products is working in concert with those recognizable names to put more soybeans to use in everyday lives.

Then Dusty and Matt Reese from Ohio’s Country Journal are joined by participants on the recent Ohio Crop Tour (sponsored by the Ohio Field Leader, a project of the Ohio Soybean Council and Soybean Check-off) to share highlights from around the Buckeye state.… Continue reading

By Dusty Sonnenberg, CCA, Field Leader, a project of the Ohio Soybean Council and Soybean Check-off

In episode 47 of the Ohio Field Leader Podcast, Dusty visits with Allen and Andrew Armstrong on the Ohio Field Leader Roadshow in Clark County. Allen and Andrew discuss their multigenerational family farm and how the operation has changed over the years. With a mind for business and finding the best practices and technologies that fit their operation, the Armstrong’s analyze their farming operation by the bushel rather than by the acre. Through the years, they have grown farm and served their community, providing leadership to organizations and making an impact at the local, state and national level.

By Dusty Sonnenberg, CCA, Field Leader, a project of the Ohio Soybean Council and Soybean Check-off

The Ohio Field Leader travels to northern Wood County and Eckel Grain Farms and Cattle Company located just outside of Perrysburg, Ohio. Dusty visits with Nathan and Nick Eckel about their operation and the challenges and opportunities that present themselves when farming on the edge of suburbia and near the epicenter of the water quality issues in the Western Lake Erie Basin and Maumee River watershed. Along with their brother Nolan, these farmers combine grain farming, raising livestock, and educational research along with service to the agriculture industry as a part of their everyday life.… Continue reading

By Dusty Sonnenberg, CCA, Field Leader, a project of the Ohio Soybean Council and Soybean Check-off

The Ohio Field Leader Roadshow collides with social media influencer Farmwithzoe on Episode 44. Dusty visits with Zoe Kent to discuss soybean farming, social media and its role in promoting production agriculture to the general public, and the importance of succession planning.… Continue reading

By Dusty Sonnenberg, CCA, Field Leader, a project of the Ohio Soybean Council and Soybean Check-off

The Ohio Field Leader is hitting the road again in 2024 and the first stop is in Hardin County at the farm of Austin Heil. Learn how this 6th generation farmer gains inspiration from his Great-Great-Great Grandfather, Nicholas, who came to America in 1828, and started the farm in 1839. The family farm they still operate today. Dusty and Austin talk about agricultural technology and transitions and the future of the industry.… Continue reading

By Dusty Sonnenberg, CCA, Field Leader, a project of the Ohio Soybean Council and Soybean Check-off

In 2023 the presence of White mold in soybeans across many parts of Ohio was very concerning. The negative yield impact caused many growers to ask serious questions about research and management practices that they could implement on their farms. Dr. Horacio Lopez-Nicora, Plant Pathologist and Nematologist at The Ohio State University, and Dr. Wade Webster, Plant Pathologist at North Dakota State University visit with Dusty to discuss the past growing season in Ohio, what we know about White mold in soybeans, and management strategies for farmers moving forward.

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By Dusty Sonnenberg, CCA, Field Leader, a project of the Ohio Soybean Council and Soybean Check-off

In Episode 41 of the Ohio Field Leader Podcast, Dusty visits with Ohio farmers who are serving in leadership capacities with Soybean Check-off organizations. Steve Reinhard serves as Chairman of the United Soybean Board, Bill Bayliss is the newly elected President of the Ohio Soybean Council, and David Clark serves as Vice President of the North Central Soybean Research Program. Each of the members share about the specific function of their respective organizations and their goals for the coming year.… Continue reading