Podcasts · Science · Education

Engineering Your Farm

Field Agricultural Engineers

30 episodes

This podcast is produced and hosted by the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Field Agricultural Engineering Team. We are a group of agricultural engineers that work with farmers and agribusiness professionals to help improve the efficiency, profitability, and environmental outcomes on farms. This podcast will feature information and interviews with ISU Extension field ag engineers and others with expertise in engineering and environmental issues in agriculture. We will cover a variety of topics including grain drying, handling and storage issues, livestock facility design and ventilation, soil and water management, manure management, machinery management, composting, farm safety, and more. We will also discuss solutions to common problems with homes and farmsteads, including energy efficiency improvements, indoor air quality, and well water quality. You can find our episodes on many of your favorite podcast players. Please subscribe to the Engineering Your Farm podcast and stay tuned for new episodes. Email us at engineeryourfarm@gmail.com with comments and suggestions and follow us on Twitter @IAFieldAgEngrs

Episodes

  1. Tires and Technology: Talking about Soil Compaction Management

    · 45 min · Episode 30

    Tony Mensing and Kapil Arora break down the science behind soil compaction, explaining how equipment adjustments and technology can help manage compaction. They discuss the physical process of soil compaction and its…

  2. The Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy Explained

    · 49 min · Episode 29

    In this episode, Tony Mensing sits down with Dr. Matt Helmers to explore the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy (INRS)—an initiative launched in 2013 to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus runoff into the Mississippi River…

  3. Swine Barn Winter Readiness

    · 22 min · Episode 28

    Tony Mensing and Brett Ramirez discuss the importance of preparing swine barns for winter. Key steps include ensuring equipment functionality, particularly fans and heaters, and maintaining a tight barn to prevent air…

  4. Challenges During Soybean Harvest

    · 20 min · Episode 27

    Fall harvest is here and in this episode we discuss adjusting combine settings, measuring field and harvest losses, and ensuring the safe operation of equipment. Publications mentioned in the podcast are PM 573:…

  5. Biochar: A Multipurpose Tool for Improving Agricultural Sustainability

    · 24 min · Episode 26

    What is biochar and how can we use it to improve the sustainability of animal agriculture? In this episode we sit down with Carly Graves, a graduate research assistant in the Department of Biological and Agricultural…

  6. Managing Aeration With the Grain Aeration & Storage App

    · 17 min · Episode 25

    Variable weather conditions can make managing grain aeration challenging, but a tool for fine tuning aeration is now at your fingertips with the Grain Aeration & Storage App. Join us as we chat with Dr. Dirk Maier,…

  7. Digging Into the Underground World of Soil Health

    · 26 min · Episode 24

    Soil health - what is it? How do you know if you have it? How do you improve it? Join us as we chat with Dr. Anna Cates, State Soil Health Specialist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Soil, Water, and…

  8. Revolutionary Robotics - Making No-Till Farming Without Chemicals a Reality

    · 28 min · Episode 23

    Can we really farm without using tillage or chemicals to control weeds? Listen in as we chat with Clint Brauer, 3rd generation farmer and CEO of GreenField Incorporated, a company on a mission to eliminate the need for…

  9. From Black to Green: Turning Engine Exhaust Into Productive Crops with the Bio-Agtive Emissions Technology System

    · 36 min · Episode 22

    Gary Lewis invented the Bio-Agtive Emissions Technology System to turn a problem into an opportunity: how to capture nitrogen from engine exhaust and use it to grow crops. In this wide-ranging conversation we dive into…

  10. On-Farm Production of Green Anhydrous Ammonia

    · 19 min · Episode 21

    Producing your own anhydrous ammonia on the farm with renewable energy might seem like a pipe dream but it's about to become a reality. Fuel Positive is a Canadian company that is rolling out a containerized system…

  11. Improving Water Quality With the Weedoo Aquatic Weed Harvester

    · 20 min · Episode 20

    In the episode we venture into the wet world of water quality and aquatic invasive plant removal with Tara Lordi, owner and COO of Weedoo Greenboat Inc. Tara discusses challenges to water quality due to pesticide…

  12. Keeping Livestock Cool and Comfortable During the Dog Days of Summer

    · 31 min · Episode 19

    In this episode we chat with Nancy Vander Byl, North American Territory Manager for Core Cool Systems, about how to keep livestock cool and comfortable by managing airflow and humidity in barns. We discuss the…

  13. Seed Conditioning: The Science Behind High Quality Seed

    · 22 min · Episode 18

    Seed conditioning encompasses a critical and underappreciated set of processes and technologies to ensure that we have viable high-quality seed to plant. In this episode, we sit down with Alan Gaul, a Seed Conditioning…

  14. Planter Setup and Maintenance for Optimal Performance

    · 33 min · Episode 17

    Listen in as we discuss important planter maintenance items, planter setup in the field, how to assess your planter performance, and the pros and cons of high-speed planters. Our guest is Ryan Bergman, a technical…

  15. Getting the Most Bang for Your Buck With Spring Manure Applications

    · 26 min · Episode 16

    In this episode we discuss spring manure application strategies, yield implications, and adjustments for dry weather and high fertilizer prices to help you maximize the value of spring applied manure. Our guests are…

  16. Managing In-Season Nitrogen and Cover Crop Applications Autonomously With the Rowbot

    · 42 min · Episode 15

    Properly managing in-season nitrogen and cover crop applications can be both challenging and profitable. In this episode we sit down with Kent Cavender-Bares, co-founder and CEO of Rowbot Systems, to discuss their…

  17. Directed Energy: A New Strategy for Weed Control

    · 26 min · Episode 14

    Listen in as we sit down with Jon Jackson, President and founder of Global Neighbor, a company that is pursuing a new weed control strategy called Directed Energy Floral Control. We discuss how directed energy…

  18. Getting More Conservation on the Ground With Conservation Agronomists

    · 42 min · Episode 13

    Join us as we dive into the exciting new field of conservation agronomy. In this episode we have a wide-ranging conversation with Ruth McCabe, conservation agronomist with Heartland Cooperative, and Zach Timm,…

  19. Maximizing the Value of Fall Manure and Nitrogen Applications

    · 23 min · Episode 12

    In this episode, guests Kristina TeBockhorst, field agricultural engineer, and Joel DeJong, field crops specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, join Brian Dougherty to discuss optimal timing for…

  20. The Hands Free Farm Project and the Future of Autonomous Agriculture

    · 38 min · Episode 11

    Join us for a discussion with Jonathan Gill about the Hands Free Hectare and Hands Free Farm projects, which achieved a world first by farming a hectare of land (now 35 hectares) entirely autonomously. Jonathan is a…

  21. Preventing and Addressing Soil Compaction

    · 27 min · Episode 10

    In this episode we sit down with Jodi DeJong-Hughes, Regional Extension Educator with the University of Minnesota Extension, to discuss how to prevent and address soil compaction issues. Topics include the effects of…

  22. Bringing Diversity Back to the Farm With the Stock Cropper

    · 27 min · Episode 9

    In this episode Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Field Agricultural Engineer Brian Dougherty sits down with Zack Smith, co-inventor of the Stock Cropper, to discuss his vision for diversifying farms by…

  23. A Watershed Approach to Water Quality and Flood Mitigation Efforts in Iowa

    · 39 min · Episode 8

    Listen in as host Brian Dougherty sits down with Dr. Larry Weber from the University of Iowa, John Rathbun, watershed coordinator in Clear Creek Watershed, and Jamie Benning from Iowa State University, to discuss the…

  24. Drones in Agriculture: What's All the Buzz About?

    · 32 min · Episode 7

    Ever wondered how a drone can help you better manage your farm? Check out the latest 'buzz' about drones as Iowa State University Extension and Outreach field ag engineer Brian Dougherty chats with Ryan Gibbs, owner of…

  25. New Approaches for Manure Management

    · 33 min · Episode 6

    Listen in as Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Field Agricultural Engineer Brian Dougherty sits down with Dr. Melissa Wilson, assistant professor and Extension specialist in manure management and water…

  26. Fix It or Nix It - Should you Repair or Replace Damaged Grain Storage Facilities?

    · 28 min · Episode 5

    Listen in as Iowa State University Extension Ag Engineering Fields Specialists Kapil Arora and Shawn Shouse discuss how to determine whether you should repair or replace damaged grain facilities. Kapil and Shawn also…

  27. The Stinky Science of Measuring Farm Odors

    · 39 min · Episode 4

    In this episode of Engineering Your Farm, host Shawn Shouse discusses olfactometry and the science behind what causes farm odors with Dr. Jacek Koziel, Professor in the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems…

  28. Winter Ventilation in Dairy and Beef Facilities

    · 40 min · Episode 3

    Listen in as Iowa State University Extension and Outreach field ag engineers Shawn Shouse and Brian Dougherty discuss strategies and tips for improving wintertime ventilation of facilities for both dairy and beef cattle.

  29. The Past, Present, and Future of Robotic Weed Control

    · 51 min · Episode 2

    In this episode of Engineering Your Farm, host Shawn Shouse discusses the history, development, applications, and future direction of mechanical and chemical robotic weed control technologies with Dr. Brian Steward and…

  30. Welcome to the Engineering Your Farm Podcast

    · 1:44 · Episode 1 · Trailer

    This podcast is produced by the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach field agricultural engineering team. We are a group of agricultural engineers that work with farmers and agribusiness professionals to help…

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