Renk Seeds of Innovation

Winter can take a toll on alfalfa, and early spring is when the damage starts to show.In this episode of the Renk Seeds of Innovation podcast, Max is joined by Alex Renk and Bob Wilms to talk through the difference between winter kill and winter injury; what causes each, and what growers should watch for as fields begin to green up.They cover the role of snow cover, dormancy, ice sheeting, and heaving, along with how to evaluate root and crown health, assess shoot counts, and decide whether a stand is worth keeping, rotating, or managing another way.The conversation also touches on alfalfa’s role in dairy systems, variety considerations, and the management decisions that can help protect stand longevity from one season to the next. If you’re assessing alfalfa this spring, this episode offers a practical look at what to watch for and how to think through your next steps.

Precision technology in agriculture is rapidly changing how growers manage inputs, labor, and efficiency on every acre. In this episode, Max Renk sits down with Matt Greenough and Holden Cauffman, two farmers in the Midwest, to discuss their experience with adding precision tools to their own operations.Matt brings us along as he recaps his first full season using John Deere’s See & Spray™ technology, including how camera-based weed detection, individual nozzle control, and automation features delivered an average 68% reduction in chemical usage on his farm. Holden dives into how his Precision Planting SymphonyNozzle™ setup, turn compensation, and boundary mapping helped him reduce overlap, increase accuracy, and save time in the field.Together, Max, Matt, and Holden break down several aspects of precision farming. From how camera-guided spot spraying works in corn and soybeans to the ROI potential of precision spraying systems, they uncover the realities of how modern technology is applied on real farms. At Renk Seed, we’re passionate about finding innovations that deliver real, measurable value in the field. This conversation highlights how precision technology helps farmers reduce input costs and operate more confidently in today’s agricultural landscape.

Drone technology is an innovative, powerful management tool in modern agriculture, but its value goes far beyond spraying. In this episode of Renk Seeds of Innovation, Max Renk sits down with Karl Bobholz and Tucker Johansen to explore how scouting drones are changing the way fields are evaluated, managed, and understood.Their conversation explores how our team at Renk Seed uses scouting drones throughout the growing season to monitor emergence, plant health, weed pressure, and field variability across entire fields, not just a few visible areas. Karl and Tucker also discuss how repeated drone flights and NDVI imagery provide consistent, reliable information that supports smarter agronomic decisions, reduces unnecessary input costs, and helps improve ROI for growers.Max, Karl, and Tucker reveal why Renk Seed believes in using and sharing these tools with growers. We want our growers to succeed  in the fields. Using scouting drone technology can give growers the confidence and clarity to manage their acres more efficiently, helping them see stronger yields season after season.

Before our seed reaches your planter, it passes through an intensive process designed to protect its integrity, consistency, and performance. In this episode of Renk Seeds of Innovation, Max and Brett Renk sit down to bring listeners into the seed processing plant, walking through what happens between harvest and planting season.From cleaning, sizing, and grading, to seed treatments, Brett explains how each step is engineered to remove risk and protect seed quality, giving growers like you more confidence in the seed you plant. As they mention, seed processing isn’t about being “good enough.” It’s about managing every variable so you can walk into planting season knowing it’s the highest quality of seed built to weather even the most challenging conditions.As the conversation comes to a close, Max and Brett reflect on why seed processing at Renk Seed is more than just equipment and technology. It’s a responsibility shared by the team. Because at Renk, putting our name on the bag means standing behind every seed that goes into the ground.

These farmers saw it all: from tornado damage and heavy rains to top yields, hail recovery, and stories of how communities rally together at harvest. Max sits down with five growers across the Midwest to capture their real, raw stories from the 2025 growing season.Join us and Marty, Robbie, Kyle, Tom, and Joe for conversations centered around what this year taught us, how it challenged us, and what farming looks like across state lines in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, and Iowa. As we turn the microphone over to men out in the fields each day—both Renk growers and dealers—we see that no two farms or seasons are ever the same.Together, their stories show us just how unpredictable and resilient farming is—and how people are at the center of it all.

The 2025 growing season is wrapping up, but the learning never stops here at Renk Seed. In this episode of Renk Seeds of Innovation, Max Renk is joined by Karl Bobholz, Alex Renk, and Jeff Renk to share what they saw across the Corn Belt this year.As Alex mentioned, “this year was all about top-end yield,” while last year was all about stress. And together, they tell the story of what stable genetics can really do. From Southern Rust and Sudden Death Syndrome to nitrogen management and emerging biologicals, the Renk team breaks down the wins, surprises, and lessons shaping seed performance. They also unpack what plot data reveals about hybrid performance, product selection, and stress-year testing—and how we can turn these insights into smarter decisions for your acres in 2026.

Producing seed that our farmers rely on is more than just planting. It’s a craft built on precision and care. In this episode of Renk Seeds of Innovation, Max Renk sits down with Brett Renk to share how we ensure every seed you plant meets the highest quality standards.As Brett shares, “almost right” isn’t good enough in seed production. From planting rows with precision to managing pollination and detasseling, every step is critical. And it starts right when it goes into the ground. Max and Brett also explore how harvest timing, handling, and the drying process protect seed quality to make sure you have the highest performance potential for the year ahead.Whether you’ve driven by our corn fields or wondered what goes into the seed you buy from Renk Seed, this episode dives into why we believe craftsmanship is the key to confidence in the field.

Harvest brings more than just bushels and waiting for the grain cart—it brings data. In this episode, Max Renk is joined by familiar voices Karl Bobholz and Alex Renk, as well as Renk Seed’s corn breeder, Bruce Nagel, to explore how we use plot results and breeding trials to shape the products that make it into your fields.The Renk team breaks down the reasons why a single plot isn’t enough, how regional and stress-year data drive smarter long-term decisions for your acres, and how attributes like soil type, fungicide response, and tillage practices factor into the selection process. Bruce shares an inside look at our in-house breeding program with thousands of hybrids evaluated each year and the winter nurseries in Mexico that speed up our testing and product development.Finally, the conversation turns to silage: how we evaluate tonnage, digestibility, and starch to build the Solid Choice lineup, and why consistency across environments and stressors matters more than one-year wonders.

Not all seed is created equal. In this episode, Max Renk, Karl Bobholz, and Alex Renk unpack what sets Renk Seed apart; from proprietary genetics and trait access to regional product selection and hands-on testing in the heart of the Midwest. The team explains the difference between traits and germplasm, how Renk leverages transparent, real-world plot data for growers, and why seed handling, processing, and quality control matter just as much as performance.Then, Max shares conversations from Renk’s recent in-person sales kickoff with dealers Porky Carlson, Jim Fischer, Patti Stadler, and Mike Hildebrandt. They share what makes Renk unique to them; from family ownership and trusted relationships, to Midwest values, and direct access to the latest products. Most importantly, they share how these uniques help them serve growers in their communities.

This episode brings a timely field-level update from across the Corn Belt as the crop enters its reproductive stages. Max Renk is joined by Renk team members Jim Torkelson and Karl Bobholz to break down what’s being seen in real-time across the Renk territory. From Tar Spot and Goss’s Wilt to Soybean Cyst Nematodes and Japanese Beetles, tune in to hear how early-season weather has influenced disease and pest pressure during the 2025 growing season. The team also shares actionable tips on fungicide timing, insecticide considerations, crop scouting, drone insights, and how current observations can shape seed selection and field planning for 2026.

How do you protect your silage investment from the moment it’s chopped to the day it’s fed? In this episode, Max sits down with Alex Renk and Jesse Thompson of Arm & Hammer to dig into the science and strategy behind using inoculants. From the history of microbial preservation to today’s cutting-edge strain technologies, they explore how inoculants boost digestibility, reduce spoilage, and maximize dry matter retention. Whether you’re a dairy or beef producer, learn how this small additive can drive big returns and prevent your feed from going to waste. Maintaining is gaining, here’s how to get it right.

What’s holding your soybeans back? In this episode, we sit down with Alex Renk, head of soybean selection and research at Renk Seed, to explore the full range of strategies to boost your yield. If you’re looking to push your crop to its full potential, this one’s for you.

In this inaugural episode of Renk Seeds of Innovation, host Max Renk sits down with Brett, Jeff, and Alex Renk for a candid conversation about the rich family history behind Renk Seed. Discover how seven generations overcame challenges, embraced innovation from corn hybridization to the most current biotechnology, and turned hard-earned lessons into the foundation of a modern seed business. Whether you’re part of a multi-generational farm or carving your own path, this episode is packed with timeless wisdom on leadership, family dynamics, and building a legacy that lasts.Tune in and learn how the past shapes the future—one seed at a time.

Welcome to Renk Seeds of Innovation. In these episodes, we share current insights to help you farm stronger and make the most of every acre. Join us as we explore real-world farming solutions and cutting-edge seed technology. Innovating agriculture, one seed at a time