Plants Dig Soil™

Scott Gillespie
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#RealisticRegenAg | Author and consulting agronomist Scott Gillespie presents science-backed practices that promote environmental stewardship and farm profitability.

  1. Navigating Fertilizer Uncertainty

    APR 13

    Navigating Fertilizer Uncertainty

    Have recent geopolitical events left you short on nitrogen? Or are you holding back due to high input costs and uncertainty around how much you’ll sell the crop for? The good news is that for most of our other nutrients we can short them for one year as long as we haven’t been shorting them for many years. When you keep up with replacement then you have a buffer in place. Nitrogen is not like this. Applying some upfront is nearly always needed. There’s always the option to top up later—if conditions improve and product is available. But just because you can doesn’t always mean you should. Cereals and oilseeds take up nitrogen faster than many expect. By the time you’re ready to top up, the crop may have already locked in its yield potential based on what it sensed during early root exploration. This month, I focus on a practical framework to help you decide when a split nitrogen strategy makes sense. I’ll also point you back to a few articles that can help you if you are struggling with what to do about the other nutrients, including the value of biostimulants, humic acids, and other non-traditional fertility sources.Transcript with links to everything mentioned in the episode:https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/podcast/navigating-fertilizer-uncertaintyNewsletter signup: https://mailchi.mp/plantsdigsoil/newsletter https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6944029544697802752 YouTube: (Company): https://www.youtube.com/@scottcgillespie Podcast: https://anchor.fm/scottcgillespie (Look below Spotify for other apps or just search “Plants Dig Soil” in your favourite app.)Practical Regeneration: Realistic Strategies for Climate Smart Agriculture https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/books Consulting packages: https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#consulting Speaking, Teaching, & Workshop Design: https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/speaking Funding service offerings: https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#paperwork Email: scott@plantsdigsoil.com Call/text/WhatsApp:403-654-3096 LinkedIn (Scott): https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottcgillespie/

    13 min
  2. Relieving Pressure with Residuals

    MAR 30

    Relieving Pressure with Residuals

    Residuals, in-crop chemistry, crop competition, and rotation all interact to have a greater effect than what is used in any single season. Listen to learn more, and see an excellent example of how an unintentional check strip that showed the power of residuals. Transcript with links to everything mentioned in the episode:https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/podcast/relieving-pressure-with-residuals Newsletter signup: https://mailchi.mp/plantsdigsoil/newsletter https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6944029544697802752 YouTube: (Company): https://www.youtube.com/@scottcgillespie Podcast: https://anchor.fm/scottcgillespie (Look below Spotify for other apps or just search “Plants Dig Soil” in your favourite app.)Practical Regeneration: Realistic Strategies for Climate Smart Agriculture https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/books Consulting packages: https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#consulting Speaking, Teaching, & Workshop Design: https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/speaking Funding service offerings: https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#paperwork Email: scott@plantsdigsoil.com Call/text/WhatsApp:403-654-3096 LinkedIn (Scott): https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottcgillespie/

    7 min
  3. Rotation is Risk Management

    FEB 12

    Rotation is Risk Management

    For this month, my article focuses on rotation. It’s hard to quantify but the effects of it are real. With weather, markets, and geopolitical risks all very real concerns this year a good rotation adds stability. No one crop will carry the farm, but, just as importantly, no one crop will put the farm at risk.Transcript with links to everything mentioned in the episode:https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/podcast/rotation-is-risk-managementNewsletter signup: https://mailchi.mp/plantsdigsoil/newsletter https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6944029544697802752 YouTube: (Company): https://www.youtube.com/@scottcgillespie Podcast: https://anchor.fm/scottcgillespie (Look below Spotify for other apps or just search “Plants Dig Soil” in your favourite app.)Practical Regeneration: Realistic Strategies for Climate Smart Agriculture https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/books Consulting packages: https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#consulting Speaking, Teaching, & Workshop Design: https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/speaking Funding service offerings: https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#paperwork Email: scott@plantsdigsoil.com Call/text/WhatsApp:403-654-3096 LinkedIn (Scott): https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottcgillespie/

    5 min
  4. Planning Starts at Harvest

    JAN 12

    Planning Starts at Harvest

    Discussion of two recent magazine articles that I wrote. One article looks at pest control through a post-harvest lens — basically treating the season to a post-mortem. The other looks at seed decisions, especially around saved seed versus certified seed. Upcoming: Foothills County talk (south of Calgary, AB) Jan 28/26The Builder, The Banker, The Brewer https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-builder-the-banker-the-brewer-tickets-1978190561220 Transcript with links to everything mentioned in theepisode:https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/podcast/planning-starts-at-harvest Newsletter signup:  https://mailchi.mp/plantsdigsoil/newsletterhttps://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6944029544697802752 YouTube: (Company): https://www.youtube.com/@scottcgillespie Podcast: https://anchor.fm/scottcgillespie(Look below Spotify for other apps or just search “Plants Dig Soil” in your favourite app.) Practical Regeneration: Realistic Strategies for ClimateSmart Agriculture https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/books  Consulting packages: https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#consulting  Speaking, Teaching, & Workshop Design: https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/speaking  Funding service offerings: https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#paperwork Email: scott@plantsdigsoil.com Call/text/WhatsApp:403-654-3096    LinkedIn (Scott): https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottcgillespie/

    7 min
  5. 708 What Leaves the Farm … And What Comes Back?

    12/06/2025

    708 What Leaves the Farm … And What Comes Back?

    Crops take nutrients off the farm. Can food-waste biostimulants bring them back? Are they worth your time and money? In this episode I’ll dig in to nutrient imports, exports, how you can calculate the flows on your farm, and whether it’s worth trying some of the many products hitting the market. Upcoming: Foothills County talk (south of Calgary, AB) Dec 11/25The Builder, The Banker, The Brewer https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-builder-the-banker-the-brewer-tickets-1968841229116 Transcript with links to everything mentioned in theepisode:https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/podcast/what-leaves-the-farm-what-comes-back Newsletter signup:  https://mailchi.mp/plantsdigsoil/newsletterhttps://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6944029544697802752 YouTube: (Company): https://www.youtube.com/@scottcgillespie Podcast: https://anchor.fm/scottcgillespie(Look below Spotify for other apps or just search “Plants Dig Soil” in yourfavourite app.) Practical Regeneration: Realistic Strategies for ClimateSmart Agriculture https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/books  Consulting packages: https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#consulting  Speaking, Teaching, & Workshop Design: https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/speaking  Funding service offerings: https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#paperwork Email: scott@plantsdigsoil.com Call/text/WhatsApp:403-654-3096   LinkedIn (Scott): https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottcgillespie/   LinkedIn (Company): https://www.linkedin.com/company/plants-dig-soil

    10 min
  6. 707 Test Smarter. Spend Less.

    10/27/2025

    707 Test Smarter. Spend Less.

    Soil testing isn’t an expense—it’s an investment. In my latest Better Farming Prairies article, I share how a few dollars per acre in testing can save thousands in fertilizer costs and help you make smarter, better-timed decisions. Read “Test Smarter to Spend Less” to see how good data pays off in the field. #RealisticRegenAg #SoilTesting #PrecisionAgriculture #FertilizerEfficiency #SustainableFarming #ClimateSmartAgriculture Transcript with links to everything mentioned in the episode: https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/podcast/test-smarter-spend-less Newsletter signup: https://mailchi.mp/plantsdigsoil/newsletter https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6944029544697802752 YouTube: (Company): https://www.youtube.com/@scottcgillespie Podcast: https://anchor.fm/scottcgillespie (Look below Spotify for other apps or just search “Plants Dig Soil” in your favourite app.) Practical Regeneration: Realistic Strategies for Climate Smart Agriculture https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/books Consulting packages: https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#consulting Speaking, Teaching, & Workshop Design: https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/speaking Funding service offerings: https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#paperwork Email: scott@plantsdigsoil.com Call/text/WhatsApp:403-654-3096 LinkedIn (Scott): https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottcgillespie/ LinkedIn (Company): https://www.linkedin.com/company/plants-dig-soil

    5 min
  7. 706 Mapping Soil Health

    09/22/2025

    706 Mapping Soil Health

    Prairie farmers are skeptical of “soil health” as justanother buzzword — but what if data could make it practical? This episode explores mapping tools, farmer perspectives, and what resilience really looks like in the field. Transcript with links to everything mentioned in theepisode:https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/podcast/mapping-soil-health Newsletter signup:  https://mailchi.mp/plantsdigsoil/newsletterhttps://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6944029544697802752 YouTube: (Company): https://www.youtube.com/@scottcgillespie Podcast: https://anchor.fm/scottcgillespie(Look below Spotify for other apps or just search “Plants Dig Soil” in your favourite app.) Practical Regeneration: Realistic Strategies for ClimateSmart Agriculture https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/books  Consulting packages: https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#consulting  Speaking, Teaching, & Workshop Design: https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/speaking  Funding service offerings: https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#paperworkEmail: scott@plantsdigsoil.com Call/text/WhatsApp:403-654-3096  LinkedIn (Scott): https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottcgillespie/   LinkedIn (Company): https://www.linkedin.com/company/plants-dig-soil

    7 min
  8. 0705 When to Bale Your Straw

    08/11/2025

    0705 When to Bale Your Straw

    Do you bale your straw or keep it? The basic concept is to ask whether it is helping or hindering you. If baling will remove soil armor and allow rains to erode your land, leave it. If it’s causing issues at seeding time, bale some of it. Transcript with links to everything mentioned in the episode:https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/podcast/when-to-bale-your-straw Newsletter signup: https://mailchi.mp/plantsdigsoil/newsletter https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6944029544697802752 YouTube: (Company): https://www.youtube.com/@scottcgillespie Podcast: https://anchor.fm/scottcgillespie (Look below Spotify for other apps or just search “Plants Dig Soil” in your favourite app.) Practical Regeneration: Realistic Strategies for Climate Smart Agriculture https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/books Consulting packages: https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#consulting Speaking, Teaching, & Workshop Design: https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/speaking Funding service offerings: https://www.plantsdigsoil.com/pricing/#paperwork Email: scott@plantsdigsoil.com Call/text/WhatsApp:403-654-3096 LinkedIn (Scott): https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottcgillespie/ LinkedIn (Company): https://www.linkedin.com/company/plants-dig-soil

    8 min
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#RealisticRegenAg | Author and consulting agronomist Scott Gillespie presents science-backed practices that promote environmental stewardship and farm profitability.

Information

  • Creator
    Scott Gillespie
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    110
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Scott Gillespie
  • Show Website
    Plants Dig Soil™

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