For more than a century, the Johanek family has owned and operated a dairy near Green Bay, Wisconsin. They have grown from a small 50-cow dairy into a 500-cow operation managing nearly 2,000 acres, all while building a trusted reputation as longtime Renk Seed dealers and continuing a family legacy largely passed down through the women of the family. In this episode of Renk Seeds of Innovation podcast, Max sits down with father-daughter duo Mark and Alyssa Johanek to discuss the realities of multi-generational farming, balancing tradition with innovation, and preparing the next generation to lead.

The Johaneks share how they continue evolving while staying grounded in family values, from precision ag technology and herd-monitoring systems, to the future potential of robotic milking. They also discuss the importance of community outreach, agricultural education, and creating opportunities for young people in farming.

Drone technology is quickly becoming a bigger part of agriculture, but its real value comes down to how it performs in the field.

In this episode of Renk Seeds of Innovation, Max sits down with farmers and drone users Ryan and Matt, along with drone application business owner and operator Michelle, to discuss what drone application looks like in practice. From getting started and navigating the learning curve, to managing acres and building out service-based operations, they share firsthand experiences using drones across different setups.

As the conversation unfolds, they highlight where drones are creating real advantages, especially when it comes to timing, flexibility, and efficiency during critical application windows. At the same time, they also touch on the realities of the technology, including limitations, logistics, and the details that go into doing the job right.

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.