Ben Pieper is a product manager, agronomist and certified crop adviser for Merschman Seeds in Westpoint, IA. He serves as Merschman Seeds’ representative on the ISRC’s Industry Advisory Council.

Pieper is responsible for selecting soybean, wheat, corn and alfalfa varieties that excel in different regions of Merschman’s sales territories in the Midwest and Mid-South. He works closely with genetic suppliers to ensure high-level yields across all product platforms. He also spends time with the Merschman Seeds area sales managers doing various training and coaching concerning correct product placement that provides maximum return for customers, locating agronomic limiting areas with customers, and providing solutions to increase yield and overall performance of products.

Before becoming product manager, Pieper was an area sales manager for Merschman in southeast Iowa and northeast Missouri covering 10 counties in which he helped support other sales territories with agronomic advice. He says the best part about his job is helping farmers and dealers solve problems alongside his fellow co-workers. Pieper says he joined Merschman Seeds because he wanted to work for a family-owned, honest, hard-working company involved in leading the industry in soybean traits and germplasm.

Of his time serving on the Industry Advisory Council, Pieper says, “The opportunity to weigh in on the ISRC’s projects is both a privilege and a joy. The council has a unique ability to take Iowa farmers’, industry representatives’, and university professionals’ opinions and use that combined experience to best help the Iowa farmer. It is very encouraging to see the technological advancements and research projects that have been funded by the ISRC coming out of Iowa State University.”

Originally from Wever, Iowa, Pieper is a graduate of Iowa State University with a BS in agronomy. He spends his free time farming on his family farm and water skiing and boating on the Mississippi River.

Be sure to catch Pieper’s videos “Cup of Joe” (so named for his discussions with Merschman Seeds President and CEO, Joe Merschman) and other videos on Merschman Seeds’ YouTube Channel.