Illinois Agronomy Roundup

Dr. Kevin Folta, Science Educator and Professor of Horticulture Sciences with the University of Florida - Gainesville, joins me to talk about genetically modified crops: what are they, how do they work, what's coming in the next few years, and why are they safe?

Doug Hensley, President of Real Estate Services at Hertz Farm Management, joins us to talk about what's been happening in the farmland market over the past year and discusses the primary factors driving land values and lease trends.

Dr. Erin Hodgson, Extension Entomologist with Iowa State University, joins us to provide an update on some of the field crop insect research being conducted at ISU. Topics include parasitic nematode control for corn rootworm, aphids, soybean gall midge, and an update on Bt field resistance identified in a few European corn borer populations.

Dr. Trent Ford, IL State Climatologist, joins me to recap the 2024 growing season and give his insight on what to expect with regard to the short and long-term Midwest weather outlook.

Dr. Arti Singh, Associate Professor in Plant Breeding at Iowa State University, joins me to talk about her work on multiple apps that can help identify and recommend management on multiple plant stresses. We also discuss other AI applications in agriculture as well as where the future of this technology is heading.

Dr Erin Hodgson, Professor and Extension Entomologist with Iowa State University, joins me to give an update on corn rootworm, corn borer, aphids, soybean gall midge, and much more!

Dr. Alison Robertson, Professor and Extension Field Crops Pathologist at Iowa State University, joins me to provide an update on the disease outlook for the 2024 growing season. We cover a wide range of diseases as well as her insight into fungicide applications.

Dr. Richard Roth, Assistant Professor and Extension Nitrogen Educator at IA State University, joins me to talk about Nitrogen management in a wet Spring like much of the corn belt is experiencing. Topics include how N is lost, estimating loss, and supplemental nitrogen applications.

Dr. Emerson Nafziger, retired professor at the University of Illinois, joins me to talk about delayed planting and replant considerations as we move into June during the wet 2024 planting season.

Jean Brokish, Deputy Director for the Midwest Region with American Farmland Trust, joins me to talk about the ins and outs of carbon markets - what they are, how they work, and things to consider before signing up. For more information check out: https://farmlandinfo.org/publications/top-10-things-ag-carbon-markets/ https://ilsustainableag.org/programs/ecomarkets/ https://www.mda.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/inline-files/Carbon%20Market%20Guide_FINAL%2012.23.22.pdf

Brett Leahr, Sales Agronomist with AgriGold, joins us to talk about his work and interest in using essential oils in the furrow as a method of disease control.

Doug Houser, Digital Agriculture Extension Specialist at Iowa State University, joins us to share his insight on planter preparation and settings to help ensure the seed gets off to a great start for the season!

Kelly Estes, IL State Ag Pest Survey Coordinator, joins us to talk about the effects of this winter on crop pest mortality, the 2024 insect monitoring program, and invasive species that are of concern in the Midwest.

John Brien, Agronomy Division Manager with AgReliant Genetics, joins us to talk about the corn tissue sampling project that he has been spearheading for several years. John provides his insight into the project and what they have learned about fertility management and getting to the next step with regard to corn yield.

As we head into field preparation and spring planting for the 2024 season, IL State Climatologist Dr. Trent Ford joins us to provide his insight on the current conditions in the Midwest, as well as the outlook for the next 30 to 90 days.

Dr. Fred Below, Professor of Crop Physiology at the University of Illinois, joins us to talk about his popular “Seven Wonders of the Corn World” research, and gives us his insight into high yield corn and soybean management. NOTE: there are audio issues during the first half of the episode. Check out Dr. Below's work at https://cropphysiology.cropsci.illinois.edu

Doug Hensley, President of Real Estate Services at Hertz Farm Management, joins us to talk about what's been happening in the farmland market over the last couple years and where he sees land values headed over the next several months.

Eric Snodgrass, Senior Research Fellow with Nutrien, joins us once again to share his insight on the short and long-term weather patterns as we move into the 2023 harvest.

We are joined by three Hertz Farm Managers from across the Midwest: Nick Hoffman from our Naveda, IA office; Steve Hiniker from our Mankato, MN office; and Troy Dukes from our DeKalb, IL office. Each one gives an update on current crop conditions including drought impact, disease issues, insect pressure, and current yield potential estimates.

Terry Johnston, Development Officer with Farm Rescue, joins us to talk about this very special organization and how they help farmers in need across the Midwest.

Kelly Estes, State Survey Coordinator with the University of IL, joins us to talk about invasive insect species currently being monitored in the Midwest. She also gives an update on the current status of field crop insects, including Corn Earworm, Corn Rootworm, European Corn Borer, Spider Mites, and Soybean Gall Midge.

Kevin Gale, Sales Agronomist with AgriGold, joins us to talk about the impacts of the drought we've been experiencing so far this season, as well as several other current issues that we are seeing on Midwest corn and soybean farms.

We are joined by four different Hertz Farm Management offices from across the Midwest to get an update on planting progress. Scott Arens from the Norfolk, NE location, Clint Kaller from Nevada , IA, Carrie Seidel at Mason City, IA, and Steve Hiniker from our Mankato, MN office all join me for the discussion.

Nick Seiter, Research Assistant Professor and Entomologist with the University of IL, joins us to give an update on corn rootworm populations, black cutworm moth flights, soybean gall midge, and other insect issues to be looking out for as we move into the planting season.

For our inaugural episode of Hertz Ag Talk, we are excited to be joined by Lance Tarochione - Technical Agronomist with DEKALB/Asgrow. In this episode, Lance shares a huge amount of valuable insight into planting decisions with regard to soil conditions, early vs. late planting, planting depth & population, weed control, and more!

Our goal has always been to provide agricultural information that is timely and relevant across the corn belt. In keeping with that mission, we are debuting a name change for this podcast… Starting next week, this program will be renamed “Hertz Ag Talk“. We are looking forward to the new season!

Eric Snodgrass, Senior Research Fellow with Nutrien, joins us to talk about what we can expect for weather patterns over the next several weeks as we head into the 2023 planting season.

Lance Tarochione, Technical Agronomist with DEKALB/Asgrow, Joins us to provide an update on what he's seeing out in the field. Increasing levels of disease, as well as some insect issues are popping up around the region. Lance shares his insight on what to expect as we progress towards harvest.

Jason McVicker, Field Agronomist with Pioneer, joins us to provide a crop status update for the area. The current disease outlook & fungicide applications are covered, as well as current insect and weather issues.

Gary Schnitkey, Professor of Farm Management at the University of IL, joins us to provide his insight on the increasing costs of crop inputs and 2023 profitability.

Devin Nichols, Corn Breeder with Wyffels Hybrids, joins us for a fascinating discussion about the history of corn breeding and the newest tools & technology being used in the industry.

With the corn rootworm hatch well underway in the Midwest, Dr. Nick Seiter, entomologist with the University of Illinois, joins us to provide his insight on not only the corn rootworm outlook and management recommendations for 2022, but we touch base on some other insects as well.

Don't hit the panic button just yet… Lance Tarochione, Technical Agronomist with DEKALB and Asgrow joins us to talk about the cold, wet conditions that have held up planting in much of Illinois and how to manage around it.

Kevin Gale, Regional Sales Agronomist with AgriGold, joins us to talk about planting considerations as we get ready for the 2022 season. Topics include getting a good stand establishment, tips for maximizing soybean yield, nitrogen management, and more!

Eric Snodgrass, Science Fellow with Nutrien, joins us to give his insight on current weather patterns and the outlook for the next several weeks as we head into planting season.

James Mickley, owner and agent with Hanford Insurance Agency, joins us to give some background and an overview of crop insurance, as well as some basic information on the ARC and PLC government programs and how they relate to crop insurance.

Naomi Blohm, Senior Market Advisor with Total Farm Marketing shares her insight on the most recent USDA report and the current key factors in the commodities markets: where we are at today, and what to be looking for in the near term.

Lauren Lurkins, Director of Environmental Policy at the IL Farm Bureau, joins us for an in depth discussion about Carbon Markets… The background, how they work, and considerations for farmers and landowners.

Doug Hensley, President of Real Estate Services for Hertz Farm Management, joins us to talk about farmland values in the Midwest over the past 12 months and looking ahead into 2022 - as well as the services Hertz offers.

District Conservationist Erika Luft with the NRCS offices in Bureau/Marshall/Putnam/Stark counties in Illinois joins us to talk about the primary conservation programs available to farmers and landowners.

Steve Hiniker, Farm Manager with Hertz Farm Management in Mankato, MN and Bruce Potter, Integrated Pest Management Specialist with the University of MN Extension join us to recap the Southern Minnesota growing season and update us on harvest progress and issues in that region.

Ryan Kay, Farm Manager with Hertz Farm Management in Mount Vernon, Iowa joins us to talk about harvest progress and current agronomic issues in East Central Iowa.

For the third episode in our Harvest Update series, Farm Manager Scott Arens from Hertz Farm Management in Norfolk, NE joins us to recap the growing season and talk about harvest progress and current agronomic issues in the Northeast Nebraska and Southern South Dakota geography.

Jason McVicker, Pioneer Field Agronomist joins us to give an update on the harvest in North Central Illinois and the issues he has been seeing.

Lance Tarochione, Technical Agronomist with Dekalb/Asgrow in Central Illinois joins us to give a harvest update for his region. Topics include the extreme variability in corn yields and the factors behind that, as well as better than expected soybean yields we've been seeing in that area. This is the first in a series of episodes that will cover regions across the corn belt.

Krista Swanson, Research Associate from the University of Illinois joins us to talk about the current climate with regard to grain markets and rising input costs, and how that may impact profitability in 2022.

Dr. Nathan Kleczewski, Technical Agronomist and plant pathologist with Growmark joins us to give an update on the corn and soybean disease situation in the region. We discuss tar spot, stalk rots, white mold and more.

Illinois State Climatologist Dr. Trent Ford joins us to recap key weather events of the 2021 growing season and look ahead to the harvest/fall weather outlook.

University of Illinois Extension entomologist Nick Seiter joins us to talk about the current status of corn and soybean insect pressure in the central corn belt. We discuss the resurgence of corn rootworm in Northern Illinois as well as fall armyworm in Southern Illinois, soybean gall midge in Iowa, and more!

Thank you to everyone who's been listening to us over the years. We have a new title and a new look coming soon, but one thing that isn't changing is our mission to bring you relevant, up-to-date agronomic information for the central corn belt. We have some exciting guests lined up and we look forward to talking with you again very soon!

Technical Agronomist Lance Tarochione joins us to for an interesting discussion about some of the key events during the 2020 growing season and how they have impacted what we have seen in the corn and soybean harvest this fall.