Agronomy Answers Podcast
The Agronomy Answers Podcast offers an inside look at Hefty Seed Company, hosted by Zach Hefty. Each episode explores the stories, decisions, and people behind one of the leading agronomic companies. Conversations with Brian and Darren Hefty, insights from the research team, and behind-the-scenes moments cover topics like agronomy, business, innovation, and practical advice for farmers. The show aims to help farmers make more informed and profitable decisions.
Episodes
Learning How to Learn - Episode 29
In this episode of the Agronomy Answers podcast, host Zach Hefty is joined by Brian Hefty to talk about another lesson from dad: "School is just learning how to learn." They dive into how this lesson has shaped their approach to time management, prioritizing what's worth learning, and staying ahead in an industry that's constantly changing with new technology, hybrids, and practi
When Water Isn’t JUST Water - Episode 26
In this episode of the Agronomy Answers podcast, host Zach Hefty sits down with Hefty Naturals brand manager Matt Thompson to dig into one of the most overlooked variables on any farming operation — water. They break down how your water source, whether it's a well or rural water supply, can directly impact the effectiveness of your herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, and biologicals. From ha
Lessons from Dad: Keep Pushing! - Episode 25
In this episode of the Agronomy Answers podcast, host Zach Hefty sits down with his dad to unpack one of the most powerful lessons from the book Lessons From Dad — keep pushing. They dive into why comparing yourself to others is a trap, how to focus on your own gifts, and why every minute of every day is an opportunity to get better. Whether you farm, run a business, or just want to level up, this
Top 3 Field Scouting Tools - Episode 24
In this episode of the Agronomy Answers podcast, host Zach Hefty debates his uncle Darren about the Top 3 tools that are must-haves when you're heading to the field to scouting your crops. What do you always take with you to your back 40?New episodes out weekly!Follow us on social media:Facebook: @heftyseedInstagram: @heftyseedTikTok: @heftyseedX: @heftyseedYouTube: @heftyseedTo learn more abo
What Goes Into Agronomy Training at Hefty Seed Company - Episode 23
In this episode of the Agronomy Answers podcast, host Zach Hefty is joined by Darren Hefty for a behind-the-scenes look at how Hefty Seed Company trains its agronomists. They discuss the balance between book knowledge and real-world field experience, why even veteran agronomists need ongoing training every season, and how unexpected challenges like southern rust or new insect pressure keep everyon
What Goes Into Researching New Products - Episode 22
In this episode of the Agronomy Answers podcast, host Zach Hefty is joined by Matt Thompson to discuss how agronomy research is conducted and why large scale data matters for making better decisions. They explain how combining independent trials, internal testing, and real on farm strip trials helps validate results across different environments. They also highlight how collecting more data reduce
Building an Agronomy Career From the Ground Up: John Wiese’s Story - Episode 21
In this episode of the Agronomy Answers podcast, host Zach Hefty is joined by John Wiese, a research agronomist covering Minnesota and Iowa for Hefty Seed Company. They discuss John's unconventional path into agronomy — from diesel mechanics to the warehouse floor to the research team — and how years of hands-on experience shaped his expertise in seed and soil fertility. They also dig into evo
Lessons From Dad: If You’re Working, You Don’t Have Time To Spend Your Money - Episode 20
In this episode of the Agronomy Answers podcast, host Zach Hefty is joined by his dad Brian Hefty for another "Lessons from Dad" segment. They break down the idea that working more hours is a double win — you earn more while naturally spending less. Brian shares how he balanced long work hours with family priorities by making intentional trade-offs, cutting hobbies and social time rather
An Inside Look at the Testing We Do in Our Seed Lab - Episode 17
In this episode of the Agronomy Answers Podcast, the discussion focuses on seed lab testing and how those results translate to real-world field performance. The hosts break down key tests like germination, purity, and stress testing, and explain how they ensure seed quality and consistency. They also highlight how factors like cold and warm germination impact emergence and stand establishment in t
Are Planter Box Products Viable? - Episode 14
This episode of the Agronomy Answers podcast breaks down what is new in planter box Naturals and micronutrient delivery, and what growers need to watch out for to avoid poor results. The conversation covers how some biological technologies can help reduce corn rootworm pressure by masking plant signals and supporting root regrowth if feeding occurs. It also explains why mixing living biology with
Blind Ranking: 5 Naturals Products - Episode 11
This episode of the Agronomy Answers podcast features Matt Thompson as he blind ranks a group of Hefty Naturals products based on real research plot results. Matt breaks down how research has reshaped his thinking, what separates versatile tools from niche fits, and why understanding soil conditions matters before choosing any natural product. He also explains why one product consistently stands o
From a Family Farm to Northern Research Lead: Seth Hanson’s Story - Episode 10
This episode of the Agronomy Answers podcast features Seth Hansen from the Hefty Seed research team as he talks about what long-term agronomy research really looks like. Seth explains why improvements in soil drainage, soil sampling, and fertility take time, but often lead to the biggest payoffs in the field. He also shares what excites him most about upcoming research, including new soybean trait
Blind Ranking: Tough To Control Weeds - Episode 9
In this episode of the Agronomy Answers podcast, Zach introduces a new segment called Blind Rankings and puts Brian Hefty to the test. The challenge is simple but not easy. Brian has to rank tough to control weeds without knowing what is coming next.They work through five common problem weeds and discuss why some rise to the top based on resistance, seed production, geography, and real-world contr
What Is the Herbicide Tax? - Episode 8
In this episode of the Agronomy Answers podcast, Zach is joined by Matt Thompson, Hefty Naturals brand manager, to explain what the herbicide tax is and why every foliar herbicide application comes with an energy cost to the crop.They break down what happens inside the plant after applications of products like glyphosate and dicamba, why early season timing matters, and how herbicide stress can qu
Lessons From Dad: $100 an Hour Jobs - Episode 7
In this episode, Zach and his dad, Brian Hefty, launch a new segment called Lessons From Dad. The series is built around Brian’s book, Lessons From Dad, and the real-life principles he learned from his own father and later passed on to his family.They kick things off with the first lesson in the book, “$100 an Hour Jobs,” a mindset focused on time management, priorities, and understanding the true
What Are Hefty Naturals? - Episode 6
In this episode, Zach sits down with Hefty Naturals Brand Manager Matt Thompson to answer a simple but important question: what are Hefty Naturals?Matt breaks down the Hefty Naturals portfolio, how these products work, and how growers should think about using biologicals, biostimulants, and related technologies on their farms. They cover the five core categories within Hefty Naturals, why educatio
Convince Me to Plant Corn Early - Episode 5
In this episode, we unveil a brand-new segment on the Agronomy Answers podcast called Convince Me. This is where Zach sits down with his dad, Brian Hefty, or other guests and challenges them to convince him of a topic they feel strongly about.The topic up for debate is whether corn should be planted as early as possible. Brian lays out the case for early planting, covering yield potential, genetic
How Matt Thompson Found His Calling in Agriculture - Episode 4
In this episode, we dive into the story behind Hefty Naturals Brand Manager Matt Thompson. Matt grew up in a small Illinois farm town, started in grain trading, moved to Philadelphia for a corporate ag role, and eventually found his way to South Dakota and Hefty Seed.Matt shares how he got into agriculture, the twists and turns of his early career, what pulled him toward the Naturals side of the b
Top 3 Biggest Yield Robbers in Corn or Soybeans - Episode 3
In this episode of the Agronomy Answers Podcast, Zach Hefty and his dad, Brian Hefty, launch a brand new segment called Top 3, where each of them ranks their top three choices on a specific topic and the list almost never matches.Today’s topic is: Biggest Yield Robbers in Corn and SoybeansWhat should we discuss in the next Top 3 segment?New episodes out weekly!Follow us on social media:Facebook: @
What Darren Hefty Learned Growing Up on the Farm - Episode 2
Zach sits down with his uncle, Darren Hefty, to talk about the early days of the Hefty family farm, the beginnings of Hefty Seed Company, and the moments that shaped its growth. From walking beans to opening new locations, Darren shares the work ethic, lessons, and stories behind building a multi-location agronomy business. A great listen for anyone who enjoys agriculture and family business roots
The Story of Hefty Seed Company - Episode 1
In this first episode of the Agronomy Answers Podcast, Zach sits down with his dad, Brian Hefty, to share the real story behind how Hefty Seed Company began, how it survived the toughest decade in agriculture, and how it evolved into a national family business rooted in helping farmers first.New episodes out weekly!Follow us on social media:Facebook: @heftyseedInstagram: @heftyseedLinkedIn:@heftys
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