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MyAgLife Podcast

A podcast about your life in agriculture

Recent Episodes

MyAgLife Episode 272: July 17, 2026 — Joel Metzger on California's Water Future, SGMA and Long-Term Supply Planning

MyAgLife Episode 272: July 17, 2026 — Joel Metzger on California's Water Future, SGMA and Long-Term Supply Planning

July 22, 2026 16:06

Joel Metzger, deputy director of Statewide Water Resources and Enterprise Project Management for the California Department of Water Resources, joins MyAgLife to discuss the future of water management in California. Metzger explains how SGMA implementation, changing hydrology, aging infrastructure and long-term planning efforts are shaping water reliability for agriculture. He also shares insights from the San Joaquin Valley Water Resilience Summit and discusses why grower participation will be critical as California develops its next Water Plan. 

MyAgLife Episode 271: July 10, 2026 — Eric Jenssen of IntelliCulture on Turning Farm Data into Better Decisions

MyAgLife Episode 271: July 10, 2026 — Eric Jenssen of IntelliCulture on Turning Farm Data into Better Decisions

July 10, 2026 8:45

Eric Jenssen, director of sales at IntelliCulture, joins MyAgLife to discuss how data-driven management is helping California growers improve efficiency and profitability. Jenssen explains how growers can use operational data to identify hidden inefficiencies, optimize labor and equipment use, reduce costs and make more informed management decisions across the farm. He also shares why turning data into actionable insights is becoming an essential part of modern agriculture.

MyAgLife Episode 270: July 2, 2026 — Russ Putland of Catelara BioSolutions on the Evolution of Biological Crop Protection

MyAgLife Episode 270: July 2, 2026 — Russ Putland of Catelara BioSolutions on the Evolution of Biological Crop Protection

July 2, 2026 15:30

Russ Putland of Catalera joins Jay Visser to discuss how biological crop protection products are evolving to meet grower expectations. Putland explains what separates proven biological tools from marketing claims, where biologicals fit alongside conventional chemistry, and why formulation, field validation and performance are driving greater adoption. He also shares what growers and PCAs should look for when evaluating biological products and where he sees the industry headed in the coming years. 

www.catalera.com

https://cataleraneem.com/rango/

6/26/26 — MyAgLife Episode 269: Peter Wren-Hilton on the Rise of Biologicals and What California Growers Can Learn from Brazil

6/26/26 — MyAgLife Episode 269: Peter Wren-Hilton on the Rise of Biologicals and What California Growers Can Learn from Brazil

June 26, 2026 11:50

Peter Wren-Hilton, CEO of Wharf42 and organizer of the Salinas Biological Summit, joins MyAgLife to discuss how biological crop protection has evolved from a niche concept to a growing part of modern agriculture. He explains why Brazil has become a global leader in biological adoption, the regulatory challenges facing U.S. companies, and what California growers and crop consultants should know as biological products continue to expand their role in crop production.

6/19/26 — MyAgLife Episode 268: Assemblyman David Tangipa on Water, Regulation and the Future of California Agriculture

6/19/26 — MyAgLife Episode 268: Assemblyman David Tangipa on Water, Regulation and the Future of California Agriculture

June 19, 2026 13:49

Assemblyman David Tangipa joins Jason Scott on MyAgLife to discuss the biggest issues facing California agriculture, including water, SGMA, regulatory costs and grower representation in Sacramento. Tangipa shares why he believes farmers need a stronger voice in policy discussions and offers his perspective on the future of California agriculture and rural communities.


5/29/26 — MyAgLife Episode 267: Investigating Low Pistachio Nut Set: Pollination, Heat and Bloom Timing - Interview with UC Farm Advisor Elizabeth Fichtner on her session at the upcoming Pistachio Day in Tulare June 17

5/29/26 — MyAgLife Episode 267: Investigating Low Pistachio Nut Set: Pollination, Heat and Bloom Timing - Interview with UC Farm Advisor Elizabeth Fichtner on her session at the upcoming Pistachio Day in Tulare June 17

June 5, 2026 9:10

Reports of low nut set have surfaced in some pistachio orchards this season, leaving growers searching for answers. In this episode, Kristin Platts sits down with Dr. Elizabeth Fichtner, UC Cooperative Extension farm advisor for Tulare County, to discuss the connection between pollination, bloom timing and spring weather conditions. Fichtner explains how unusually warm temperatures may have affected pollen viability, flower receptivity and ultimately nut set, while sharing insights into what researchers and growers are learning from this year's crop.

Catch Elizabeth's session at Pistachio Day on June 17 at the International AgriCenter in Tulare. Registration is free: https://myaglife.com/pistachio-day/

5/29/26 — MyAgLife Episode 266: Don't Drop the Ball Before Harvest: Interview with Franz Niederholzer previewing his session at the upcoming Almond Day in Fresno June 3

5/29/26 — MyAgLife Episode 266: Don't Drop the Ball Before Harvest: Interview with Franz Niederholzer previewing his session at the upcoming Almond Day in Fresno June 3

May 29, 2026 6:57

UCCE Orchard Systems Advisor Franz Niederholzer joins MyAgLife to preview his upcoming Almond Day presentation at the Fresno Fairgrounds on June 3. As almond growers head into the critical pre-harvest period, small management decisions can have a big impact on both this year's crop and next year's yield potential.

In this Almond Day preview, Franz Niederholzer discusses irrigation management, nutrient considerations, hull rot risk, orchard stress during summer heat and why growers should already be thinking about next season's crop. He also highlights one relatively inexpensive practice that can deliver a strong return on investment.


Hear Franz's full presentation at Almond Day on June 3 at the Fresno Fairgrounds. Learn more and register: MyAgLife Events

#AlmondDay #CaliforniaAlmonds #NutrientManagement #AlmondGrowers #TreeNuts #MyAgLife #WestCoastNut #Agriculture

5/22/26 — MyAgLife Episode 265: Interview with Roger Isom previewing his session at the upcoming Almond Day in Fresno

5/22/26 — MyAgLife Episode 265: Interview with Roger Isom previewing his session at the upcoming Almond Day in Fresno

May 23, 2026 26:25

Roger Isom, CEO of the Western Tree Nut Association, joins Jay Visser on MyAgLife to talk about his upcoming session at Almond Day on June 3rd in Fresno. They break down major California ag regulatory updates and the policy issues shaping the future for growers and processors.

3/20/26 — MyAgLife Episode 264: Interview with Corteva Agriscience’s Daniel Abruzzini on Nematode Damage Risk and Control Strategies Beyond Fumigants

3/20/26 — MyAgLife Episode 264: Interview with Corteva Agriscience’s Daniel Abruzzini on Nematode Damage Risk and Control Strategies Beyond Fumigants

March 20, 2026 9:44


Today Jay Visser sits down with Daniel Abruzzini, Market Development Specialist for Corteva. They discuss potential for nematode damage, and how to control nematodes, both with and beyond fumigants.

MyAgLife Episode 263: What’s Keeping Growers Up at Night: Insurance, Labor and New Ag Risks with Steve Mora, Heritage Insurance Agency Podcast description

MyAgLife Episode 263: What’s Keeping Growers Up at Night: Insurance, Labor and New Ag Risks with Steve Mora, Heritage Insurance Agency Podcast description

January 17, 2026 20:02

In this MyAgLife conversation, Steve Mora, Principal at Heritage Insurance Agency, shares what he’s hearing from growers across Northern California as they head into a new season. From labor costs and workers’ compensation to cybercrime, wire fraud and employment practices claims, Mora explains how ag risk is changing and what growers should be thinking about when reviewing their coverage. He also offers insight into California’s insurance market and practical steps operations can take to protect their bottom line.