Wheat Pete's Word

In this episode of Wheat Pete’s Word, host Peter Johnson reflects on his time at Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show this week, shares agronomic updates on soybeans, corn, edible beans and cover crops, and reminds listeners to keep checking in on each other. From shifting silage moisture to brittle corn stalks and unexpected purple soybean leaves,... Read More

It’s already September and Wheat Pete’s got a jam-packed podcast this week, covering everything from unexpected rivalries to tillage talk, corn maturity, fleabane control, and red clover root mass. Whether it’s broadcasting wheat soybeans, oat/pea cover crop N considerations, or managing residue of sudangrass, this one’s full of practical agronomic advice and timely reminders. Have... Read More

Cooler temps, sudden fall weather, and harvest-season curveballs dominate this week’s episode. Host Peter Johnson (a.k.a. Wheat Pete) shares insight on the impact of Ontario's drought, crop development, and management decisions for wheat and beyond. Hear some listener shoutouts and travel envy thrown in for good measure. Have a question you’d like Wheat Pete to... Read More

It’s time for another edition of Wheat Pete’s Word! This week, host Peter Johnson reminds us to take stock of how fortunate we are, even as challenging weather and commodity prices weigh heavy. From frost in soybeans in northern Ontario, to four-foot-tall corn, 2025 continues to throw curveballs at growers. Johnson also emphasizes the importance... Read More

In this episode of Wheat Pete’s Word, host Peter Johnson shares crop observations from a dry and stressful growing season, celebrates the benefits of family time for mental health, and digs into listener questions on everything from rooting depth to disease trials. He also flags the growing concern around spider mites—and highlights the urgent need... Read More

Weather woes, wheat wins, and agronomy surprises dominate this week’s podcast, as host Peter “Wheat Pete” Johnson checks in ahead of RealAg’s short summer break. From high-yielding wheat to dry-soil corn struggles and critical fertility reminders, there's no shortage of agronomic insight in this week's Word! Have a question you’d like Wheat Pete to address... Read More

This week, Peter "Wheat Pete" Johnson takes listeners from the tough realities of crop stress to the fun of agronomy problem-solving. From temperature swings in South Africa to drought and green snap at home, Pete stresses the importance of community and agronomic planning in a challenging season. Have a question you’d like Wheat Pete to... Read More

Sweet corn season has arrived in Ontario and Peter "Wheat Pete" Johnson is loving it—but there’s more than just local produce to talk about this week. From armyworm infestations to wheat yields, estimating straw volume, and corn fungicide timing, Pete dives deep into harvest updates, pest alerts, and timely agronomic advice. Have a question you’d... Read More

It’s hot, it’s dry, and Pete "Wheat Pete" Johnson hopes you'll soon be watching it all from the cab of the combine bringing in his favourite crop — winter wheat. In this week’s episode, Johnson digs into crop stress, management mistakes, and what the wheat yields are telling us so far. Plus, hear why vertical... Read More

We’re deep into July and the heat is on — both in the fields and in the agronomic decision-making. In this early July episode of Wheat Pete’s Word, host Peter Johnson dives into drought stress, winter cereal harvest challenges, and the latest in nutrient management. Plus, Pete shares listener questions on pre-harvest spray strategy, potash... Read More

Happy Canada Day! It's time for this week's episode of Wheat Pete's Word! This week, host Peter "Wheat Pete" Johnson reflects on national pride, agricultural progress, and offers a packed episode full of timely agronomy updates, from yield highlights and crop stage tips to weather-driven challenges and in-field observations. Here’s what you’ll hear in this... Read More

From rainfall extremes and soybean pests to questions on heat stress and herbicide timing, this episode of Wheat Pete's Word is packed with agronomic updates and audience shoutouts. Host Peter "Wheat Pete" Johnson also reflects on long-standing contributions in Ontario ag and emphasizes the power of personal visits. Use your Wheat Pete's 15! Have a... Read More

In this week’s episode of Wheat Pete's Word, host Peter Johnson tackles a laundry list of agronomic dilemmas as early summer stress ramps up. From crusting and stranded beans, to feeding hybrid rye, to the consequences of residue in soybean stands to serious concerns about stripe rust, Peter Johnson offers practical insight and field-driven advice.... Read More

Host of Wheat Pete's Word, Peter Johnson, is in the U.K. this week, combining family time with a packed Yield Enhancement Network tour schedule. In this episode of the Word, he shares agronomy updates from back home and across the pond — covering everything from unexpected nitrate levels to disease lessons from British wheat fields.... Read More

It’s a rollercoaster of weather and agronomy challenges this week on Wheat Pete's Word! From northern Saskatchewan’s wildfires to Kentucky’s record rainfall, Peter Johnson shares insights and tips to keep you informed and proactive in these unpredictable times. Have a question you’d like Wheat Pete to address or some field results to send in? Agree/disagree... Read More

What a wild ride for the end of May! From dust storms and wet fields to yellow corn and exploding rust, this week’s episode of Wheat Pete's Word is packed with real-time crop updates, disease alerts, and timely fertility lessons. Host Peter “Wheat Pete” Johnson covers all these topics, plus a unique sheep-and-goat grazing trial... Read More

From chilly air to fast-growing wheat, it’s been another week of agronomic twists and regional contrasts. In this episode of Wheat Pete's Word, host Peter Johnson tackles early forage harvest lessons, cold water imbibition in soybeans, and an important reminder about managing stripe rust and mildew under cool conditions. Have a question you’d like Wheat... Read More

The spring planting surge continues across Ontario and Wheat Pete has a full report on the buzz from the fields, including early planting progress, disease alerts, and a few head-scratching situations. In this episode of Wheat Pete’s Word, your host Peter Johnson looks to get a handle on early-planted soybeans; talks triticale success for livestock... Read More

It’s go time! As planting pushes ahead under wildly variable spring conditions, Wheat Pete is back with a reminder that May stress is real—and so are the agronomy challenges. In this episode of Wheat Pete's Word, your host Peter Johnson highlights the importance of mental health check-ins, digs into soil fertility puzzles, and shares fascinating... Read More

It’s the last Wednesday of April and “flying” is the theme — both in planting speed and in soil, unfortunately. In this week’s podcast, Peter "Wheat Pete" Johnson covers extreme wind erosion in Ontario, incredible planting progress for corn and soybeans, and a long list of agronomy Q&As. From dry weather dilemmas to early insect... Read More

Plant ‘25 is roaring ahead, and Wheat Pete is bringing a jam-packed episode of this week's Wheat Pete's Word with sharp agronomy insights, listener Q&A, and a dash of international agronomic context. From nitrogen strategies to manganese myths and root-zone revelations, this week’s podcast is all about making timely, informed decisions in spring. Have a... Read More

This week’s episode of Wheat Pete’s Word has it all—from late snow and later crop stress risks, to heartfelt lessons on mental health, and on to nitrogen loss and sulphur losses. Host Peter Johnson also covers timely questions on manganese rates, how to handle winterkill patches in wheat, and reaching out to people when you... Read More

Unseasonably cold weather returned to Ontario this week and so, Peter Johnson, host of Wheat Pete's Word, dives into the agronomic consequences—from severe erosion and grassed waterways to sulphur behaviour in soil. This jam-packed episode of the podcast also features scouting surprises in winter canola, tile drainage success in cold regions, and a red clover... Read More

From the theatre stage to the field, Wheat Pete, host of Wheat Pete's Word, brings it all this week—sharing lessons in mental and physical health, crop nutrition, soil moisture management, and the all-important “when” of fertilizer applications. There’s a discussion on early wheat scouting, drainage success stories, and an update on the elusive daikon-loving slugs.... Read More

Mother Nature is taking her sweet time in bringing in spring, but slowly and surely we are marching towards putting crop in the ground. For this week's episode of Wheat Pete's Word, host Peter Johnson rifles through several agronomy answers, including: what to do with cover crops that didn't die, why sulphur matters and why... Read More

What's the story on sulphur? We're glad you asked! This week's episode of Wheat Pete's Word tackles several agronomic questions regarding winter crop green-up, farm safety, going to the theatre, and insects overwintering. Plus, as promised, there's plenty to cover on sulphur applications: when, how, where, and most importantly, what form, and there's a caution... Read More

Peter “Wheat Pete” Johnson brought home more than just a tan from Costa Rica; there were lessons to be learned, even while enjoying a rejuvenating vacation. In this episode of Wheat Pete's Word, Pete talks about some of these lessons, such as the need for a break, the difference that climate can make, Canadian pride,... Read More

Peter "Wheat Pete" Johnson will always get the Word done, even when he's on vacation, which is exactly what we're getting this week as the Wheat Pete's Word: Costa Rica edition hits the airwaves! In this week's podcast: A discussion on nitrogen source and yield potential, the impact of ice on over-wintering crops, sulphur suggestions,... Read More

When managing fertilizer, the when of application can matter almost as much as the rate, especially when it comes to nitrogen and minimizing losses, says Peter "Wheat Pete" Johnson. In this episode of Wheat Pete's Word, Johnson shares insights into preventing nitrogen fertilizer losses, assessing manure's nutrient release potential and impact on microbial activity, and... Read More

There are plenty of decisions to make ahead of seeding and planting, and sometimes those decisions revolve around what goes down with the seed. For this week's episode of Wheat Pete's Word, Peter Johnson talks boron for canola, AMS vs. gypsum, and starter-fertilizer decisions with dry soil and seedbed utilization in mind. Also in this... Read More

In 10 years of answering your questions, observing farm changes, and navigating agronomy, what has changed for Peter "Wheat Pete" Johnson? Well, he's got a few more grey hairs and perhaps an extra wrinkle or two, but the fundamentals of growing high-yielding crops haven't changed much from episode 1 to 500 of The Word, says... Read More

Snow mould, and stripe rust, and land rents, oh my! How on earth could there be so many disease alerts this early in the season? Well, Peter "Wheat Pete" Johnson would tell you forewarned is forearmed, and both stripe rust and snow mould could be an issue in this upcoming growing season. Also on this... Read More

An Albertan and an Ontarian fly to The Rock... no, it's not the start of a hilarious joke, it's what really happened this week as RealAg's Shaun Haney and Peter "Wheat Pete" Johnson both were invited to present to the Newfoundland Federation of Agriculture. Much fun was had (you can check out Wednesday's RealAg Radio... Read More

This week is all about bone-chilling cold in Ontario and many parts of Western Canada, but does that mean fall seeded crops are in trouble? It depends. On this week's episode of Wheat Pete's Word host Peter Johnson explains why growing point location, air temp, and snow cover all matter when expecting survival of winter... Read More

The new year is rocking and rolling in the best way — the opportunities for learning just keep coming! In this week's episode of Wheat Pete's Word, host Peter Johnson shares and discusses some of the key questions discussed at the Southwest Ag Conference and more. From early sulphur decisions, to stressing wheat (on purpose?),... Read More

New technology is top of mind in this week's episode of Wheat Pete's Word, hosted by Peter "Wheat Pete" Johnson. Between Green Lightning, a plasma technology that essentially is trying to replicate what happens in the atmosphere as lightning strikes to create nitrogen to create N on-farm, and a biological process coming out of Australia... Read More

What's the difference between a natural system and a farming system? The harvest, of course! Does that mean we can go "back to nature"? Oh, what a great question, and one that Peter "Wheat Pete" Johnson tackles on this final episode of the 2024 calendar year. In this week's podcast also hear about using cover... Read More

How long do you think the impact of tillage erosion lasts? A few years? A decade? Try several decades! Work out of Manitoba is assessing how conservation tillage adds back what tillage erosion takes away, but the preliminary findings are that tillage erosion is very hard to reverse. That's part of this episode of Wheat... Read More

Wasn't that a snowstorm? Well, depending on where you are in Ontario, it was either the most snow in one storm in years, or hardly a flake fell. The onset of winter is the onset of learning season, but it's always the learning season here on Wheat Pete's Word. In this week's podcast, settle in... Read More

When asked about tillage, RealAgriculture's Peter "Wheat Pete" Johnson says to do as little as you can. But when tillage is necessary what should it be — disc ripping? Moldboard plowing? In this episode of Wheat Pete's Word, Pete says that tillage erosion is 10 times worse than wind and water erosion. The disc ripper... Read More

Mid-November seems a little late to be spraying in southern Ontario, but the warm temperatures have made for some great opportunities and fall weed control simply works, says Peter “Wheat Pete” Johnson in this latest episode of Wheat Pete’s Word. Fall weed control is especially worth it on perennial sow thistle, Canada thistle and on... Read More

A low soil pH just needs some lime and is good to go — right? Not necessarily so, explains Peter "Wheat Pete" Johnson in this latest episode of Wheat Pete's Word. Correcting low soil pH can be very difficult and expensive if the soil in question has plenty of buffering capacity, plus the pH problem... Read More