AgCulture Podcast

In this episode of the AgCulture Podcast, Paul sits down with Bob Miller, founder of Miller Hybrids, to unpack what it really takes to build a seed company in an industry dominated by global giants. From his early days in plant breeding to launching his own company in the middle of industry consolidation, Bob shares a perspective that challenges much of how modern seed is developed, tested, and sold.
This conversation dives deep into why most seed is bred for “perfect conditions” instead of real farms, how Miller Hybrids tests genetics differently to create more stable performance, and why conventional corn is quietly making a comeback. Bob also breaks down the economics behind traits, the real role of GMOs, and where farmers may be overpaying for protection they don’t actually need.
If you’ve ever wondered whether bigger companies actually mean better seed—or what the future of genetics, CRISPR, and farm profitability really looks like—this episode will make you think differently about every seed decision you make.

MEET THE GUEST
Bob Miller is a respected corn breeder and the founder and owner of Miller Hybrids, a family-owned seed company based in Kalona, Iowa.
Born on a dairy and crop farm in northwest Ohio, Miller developed an early fascination with corn hybrids and their ability to handle stress and maximize yields. He built a distinguished career as a corn breeder with major seed companies, including Syngenta,
where he developed successful commercial inbred lines and hybrids. His work emphasized improved emergence, yield stability, and drought tolerance.
In 2005, he founded Miller Hybrids (originally B.O.B. Seeds, standing for "Best of the Best") to create a more hands-on, farmer-focused operation. As owner, president, and research director, Miller leads the company's breeding and testing programs. He develops corn hybrids tailored for the average farm, rigorously testing them across diverse soil types, stress conditions, and real-world environments like corn-on-corn rotations.
Miller is deeply committed to empowering farmers. He believes in building reliable products that raise farm averages rather than chasing only top-end yields in ideal conditions. His family company (with his wife Pam) emphasizes personal attention, direct access to the breeder, and genetics that deliver stable, high performance for everyday growers.
Through Miller Hybrids, Bob continues his lifelong passion for practical plant breeding, blending decades of industry expertise with the independence of a family business to support American agriculture.
To learn more about Miller Hybrids, check out their website: https://www.millerhybrids.com/

In this solo episode, Paul breaks down a major USDA announcement that could reshape how farm data is collected, stored, and used across the United States. At the center of it is the “One Farm, One File” initiative—a push to digitize and centralize farm records across USDA agencies—and a $300 million contract awarded to Palantir to build the system behind it.
On the surface, this sounds like long-overdue efficiency. Less paperwork. Fewer trips to the USDA office. One unified system. But underneath that simplicity sits a much bigger question: who actually controls farm data as it becomes easier to share, analyze, and scale?
Paul walks through the real opportunities, the real risks, and why this moment matters more than most people realize. He also introduces his framework of the four levels of farm data value—and explains why most farmers today are only capturing a fraction of what their data is actually worth.
If you care about the future of agriculture, data ownership, and where power sits in the system, this is a conversation you can’t afford to ignore.

MEET THE HOST:
Paul Windemuller is the host of the AgCulture Podcast and a dairy farmer, entrepreneur, and ag-tech leader focused on the intersection of agriculture, data, and innovation. With deep experience in livestock systems and a global perspective shaped through his Nuffield Scholarship, Paul is actively working on building frameworks and infrastructure that empower farmers to capture more value from their data.His work centers on connecting technology, people, and real-world farming to create a more profitable, transparent, and sustainable future for agriculture.

ABOUT THE PODCAST
Discover the world of agriculture with the "Ag Culture Podcast". This podcast will be a gateway for those passionate about agriculture to explore its global perspectives and innovative practices.Join Paul as he shares his experiences in the agricultural industry, his travels, and encounters with important figures around the world.Available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. Subscribe at http://www.agculturepodcast.com and keep an eye out for future episodes, bringing insights and stories from the vibrant world of agriculture.

In this episode of the AgCulture Podcast, Paul sits down with Dr. David Kohl, a leading agricultural economist, to explore the future of farm financials. With a history of helping farmers navigate economic cycles, Dr. Kohl shares his insights on the key economic factors that are shaping the future of agriculture and the financial strategies farmers need to adopt to stay ahead.

The conversation touches on:
- The current economic storm facing agriculture
- Inflation, interest rates, and land values
- How farmers can manage risk and take advantage of opportunities
- What the future holds for agricultural lenders and investors

As we move toward a more complex economic environment, Dr. Kohl’s advice is critical for farmers looking to plan for the long term while managing short-term uncertainty.MEET THE GUEST
Dr. David Kohl
Dr. Dave Kohl is an academic Hall of Famer in the College of Agriculture at Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA.  Dr. Kohl has keen insight into the agriculture industry gained through extensive travel, research, and involvement in ag businesses.  He has traveled over 10 million miles; conducted more than 7,000 presentations; and published more than 2,500 articles in his career.  Dr. Kohl’s wisdom and engagement with all levels of the industry provide a unique perspective into future trends.

ABOUT THE PODCAST
Discover the world of agriculture with the "Ag Culture Podcast". This podcast will be a gateway for those passionate about agriculture to explore its global perspectives and innovative practices.
Join Paul as he shares his experiences in the agricultural industry, his travels, and encounters with important figures around the world.
Available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. Subscribe at http://www.agculturepodcast.com and keep an eye out for future episodes, bringing insights and stories from the vibrant world of agriculture.

This episode is a masterclass in what real innovation in agriculture actually looks like.
In this conversation, Marcel Kringe — founder of Bushel Plus — walks through how a simple, frustrating, and overlooked problem on the farm turned into a global business serving farmers in over 45 countries. What started as trying to figure out grain loss behind a combine became a system that is now influencing how some of the largest equipment manufacturers in the world think about data, automation, and efficiency.
Marcel doesn’t come at this from theory or Silicon Valley thinking. This is built from the ground up — from working in the dust, seeing real losses, and asking a simple question: there has to be a better way.
The result is a business rooted in first principles: measure what matters, solve a real problem, and create immediate value for the farmer.
If you care about agtech, innovation, or building something that actually works in the field — this one is worth your time.

MEET THE GUEST
Marcel Kringe is the Founder and CEO of Bushel Plus (Soon to be BranValt), a globally recognized ag-tech company specializing in harvest optimization. With over 20 years of hands-on experience in large-scale farming operations, Marcel has built a reputation for bridging the gap between field-level realities and cutting-edge agricultural innovation. His work has taken him across the globe, where he’s collaborated with farmers, agronomists, and equipment manufacturers to improve harvest outcomes. 
 
Marcel’s passion for helping farmers stems from his own background in agriculture and a deep respect for the challenges producers face every season. He believes that every farmer deserves access to tools and knowledge that can make their work more efficient, profitable, and sustainable. Through Bushel Plus, Marcel is committed to empowering growers with practical solutions that reduce loss, increase yield, and support long-term success in the field.

ABOUT THE PODCAST
Discover the world of agriculture with the "Ag Culture Podcast".This podcast will be a gateway for those passionate about agriculture to explore its global perspectives and innovative practices.
Join Paul as he shares his experiences in the agricultural industry, his travels and encounters with important figures around the world.
Available on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.Subscribe at http://www.agculturepodcast.com and keep an eye out for future episodes, bringing insights and stories from the vibrant world of agriculture.

Sustainability gets talked about a lot in agriculture—but what does it actually look like at scale?
In this episode of the AgCulture Podcast, Paul sits down with Jeremy Buchman, Director of Agronomy & Sustainability at McCain Foods, to break down how one of the largest food processors in the world is working directly with growers to drive real change.
From regenerative agriculture adoption to the growing burden of data collection, Jeremy shares what it takes to align farmers, processors, and customers across the value chain. He explains how McCain is measuring sustainability, why data is both essential and challenging, and how their role is increasingly shifting into something that looks a lot like modern-day extension services.
This conversation gives a real look at what happens between the farm and the consumer—and where the future of agriculture is actually being shaped.
Listen to the episode now!

MEET THE GUEST
Jeremy Buchman
Jeremy Buchman is the Director of Agronomy & Sustainability at McCain Foods, one of the largest potato processors in the world, responsible for approximately one out of every four French fries consumed globally.
In his role, Jeremy works directly with growers across North America to implement regenerative agriculture practices, improve soil health, and support long-term farm sustainability. His work sits at the intersection of agronomy, data, and supply chain coordination—helping align farm-level practices with processor requirements and consumer expectations.
With a background as a grower himself, Jeremy brings a practical, on-the-ground perspective to challenges like data collection, technology adoption, and profitability. He also plays a key role in supporting growers through agronomic guidance, effectively helping fill the gap left by declining public extension services.

ABOUT THE PODCAST
Discover the world of agriculture with the "Ag Culture Podcast".This podcast will be a gateway for those passionate about agriculture to explore its global perspectives and innovative practices.
Join Paul as he shares his experiences in the agricultural industry, his travels and encounters with important figures around the world.
Available on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.Subscribe at http://www.agculturepodcast.com and keep an eye out for future episodes, bringing insights and stories from the vibrant world of agriculture.