Podcasts

Renk Seeds of Innovation

Where we share generations of knowledge to help grow your own farming operation. In our episodes, we provide 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.

Latest Episode

Proven Performance – How We Select the Right Seed for Your Acres

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.

September 12

Episodes

Proven Performance – How We Select the Right Seed for Your Acres

September 12

Built Differently: From Seed Selection to Dealer Perspectives Across the Midwest

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.

August 20

Midseason Reality Check: Managing Disease, Insects, and Crop Stress in 2025

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.

July 17

Preserving Every Pound – The Power of Inoculants in Silage Success

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.

July 7

Soybean Secrets: Unlocking Higher Yields with Alex Renk

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.

June 3

Rooted in Legacy: How Seven Generations Built Renk Seed’s Future

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.

May 19

Renk Seeds of Innovation - trailer

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

May 16