Podcast · Tech & Science

Wormhole Agronomy

This show resides at the intersection of crop agronomy and soil health, where we dive deep into the minds of experts to extract meaningful insights and practical knowledge from those with real world experience in agriculture.

New episodes: Every two weeks
Typical length: 48 min
Latest: 30 Jun 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

30 Jun 2026 · 52 min

Ep9: 193lbs nitrogen in covercrop rye w/Ryan Gibbs

Ryan Gibbs, a farmer from Northeast Iowa, shares insights on cover crop biomass testing, nitrogen sequestration, and soil health practices. He emphasizes the importance of ROI-driven decision-making and the use of carbon sources with nitrogen applications. The conversation covers a wide range of topics related to agriculture, soil health, and farming practices. It delves into the importance of biochemistry in agriculture, the need for farmers to regulate themselves, the profitability of rotational grazing, the impact of cover crops, and the role of AI in agriculture. It also highlights the…

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Earlier episodes 8 most recent

29 May 2026 · 1 hr 8 min
Ep8: Interseeding Corn & 7-top turnip w/Matt Oehmichen
The conversation begins with an introduction and background information, leading into a detailed exploration of the nuances of interseeding in corn. The discussion covers species selection, goals, chemical application, timing, equipment, and application methods. Additionally, the differences between Seven Top and Purple Top turnips are highlighted. The conversation delves into the power of collaborative innovation in agriculture, emphasizing the importance of setting goals and measuring outcomes. It also explores the role of drones in agriculture and discusses innovative farming practices…
26 Apr 2026 · 58 min
Ep7: Fusarium, Myco, & Sugar w/Heber Hall
The conversation delves into the work of Heber Hall, focusing on his expertise in understanding and combating Fusarium, a prevalent pathogenic fungus. He shares insights on Fusarium's impact, genetic framework, triggers, and strategies to combat it. Additionally, the role of polyphenols and mycorrhizae in addressing Fusarium is explored. The conversation delves into the role of mycorrhizae in plant growth, the impact of mycorrhizae on plant quality and yield, the significance of calcium in plant health, tools and techniques for soil health improvement, challenging conventional wisdom in crop…
21 Apr 2026 · 46 min
Ep6: Irrigation Insights & many agronomy nuggets w/Johnny Ference
The conversation covers insights on irrigation, late-season nutrient feeding, innovative approaches to crop desiccation, the impact of pivot irrigation on soil, recommended books and research papers, and low-cost tools for soil analysis. The discussion also delves into water quality and soil health, providing valuable insights and practical applications for agronomists and farmers. The conversation covers the importance of timing and tools in crop production, the use of mechanical solutions for compaction, and the concept of a cooperative model for testing products. It emphasizes the…
4 Apr 2026 · 45 min
Ep5: H3A, WEOC, & Land Grant Universities w/Liz Haney
The conversation covers the Haney test, WEOC, strategies for improving soil health, accountability in land stewardship, and challenges with land grant universities. It emphasizes the importance of soil testing as a measure of land stewardship and the need for support from academic institutions for innovative ideas in agriculture. The conversation highlights the importance of open-mindedness in agriculture and the shift in agricultural practices across generations. It also emphasizes the need for research funding and the impact of regenerative practices on soil health and human well-being.…
24 Mar 2026 · 53 min
Ep4: Grain Nutrient Analysis & Question Everything! w/Curt Livesay
The conversation covers a wide range of topics, including musical preferences, personal background, early life, education, PhD program, research methods, championing grain nutrient analysis, factors in grain nutrient analysis, insights from grain nutrient analysis, importance of oxygen in soil, and sustainability in agriculture. The conversation delves into the importance of questioning established practices, the value of grain testing, and the need for innovative problem-solving in agriculture. It emphasizes the significance of challenging conventional wisdom, testing new ideas, and…
14 Mar 2026 · 40 min
Ep3: Monoculture vs Multispecies Covers w/Andy McGuire
The conversation with Andrew McGuire delves into the topic of cover crops and soil health, challenging the narrative that diverse cover crop mixtures outperform monocultures. The study discussed highlights the importance of biomass production and the limitations of soil health tests. The conversation also touches on the potential of regenerative agriculture and the challenges of sequestering carbon in cropping systems. Takeaways Biomass production is a key factor in soil health and microbial activity. The fungal to bacterial ratio in soil and the interpretation of soil health tests are…
6 Mar 2026 · 48 min
Ep2: Digital & Precision Agronomy w/Bob Gunzenhauser
Bob Gunzenhauser, a professor at Iowa State, discusses his background and experience in digital and precision agriculture. He delves into the impact of digital and precision agriculture on soil health, specifically focusing on nitrogen management and its role in soil health. The conversation covers advancements in autonomy, the importance of stewardship and soil health, the use of low-cost tools, rethinking nitrogen application, challenging conventional wisdom, the long-term impact and stewardship, and innovative farming practices. Bob Gunzenhauser emphasizes the need for a balance between…
14 Feb 2026 · 2 min
Ep1: Intro to the Wormhole Agronomy Podcast
The Wormhole Agronomy Podcast, hosted by Joe Ailts, aims to provide deep insights into the intersection of agronomy and soil health. The podcast promises to offer advanced level discussions and a focus on extracting insights from industry experts. Takeaways Deep dive Intersection of agronomy and soil health Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Wormhole Agronomy Podcast

About Wormhole Agronomy

Wormhole Agronomy is a English tech & science podcast from Joe Ailts. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Joe Ailts
Language: English
Category: Tech & Science
New episodes: Every two weeks
Typical length: 48 min
Latest episode: 30 Jun 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1877372826
Rights: 2026 Joe Ailts

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