Breaking Barriers with R&D

On this episode of Breaking Barriers, Randy Dowdy and David Hula discuss the decisions that can make or break a growing season, from establishing successful cover crops to selecting the right corn hybrids for next year.

The conversation covers cover crop planting methods, managing weed pressure, and why proper seed-to-soil contact matters. Randy and David also share lessons from this year's hybrid performance, explaining why farmers should evaluate on-farm strip trials, compare seed brands, and avoid putting too much acreage into unproven hybrids.

Plus, they discuss tightening wheat seed supplies, changing grain market conditions, harvest results, and the importance of making informed marketing decisions. As harvest season ramps up, Randy shares a personal accident that serves as a powerful reminder to prioritize safety around farm equipment and in the field.

Tune in for practical insights on managing risk, making smarter agronomic decisions, and staying safe during one of the busiest times of the year.

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Randy Dowdy and David Hula sit down for another wide-ranging conversation about harvest, crop performance and the lessons they’re taking into next season. With corn harvest underway, the pair discuss strong yields, genetics and fungicide performance, managing grain handling challenges and what this year’s crop is teaching them.

They also dive into an intriguing question: Can wheat be planted with a precision planter instead of a traditional grain drill to improve depth control and emergence? Randy and David explore 15-inch-row wheat, singulation, starter fertilizer, biological products and the potential impact of more uniform emergence and tillering.

The conversation also looks ahead to 2027, including wheat and double-crop soybean opportunities, phosphorus management, grain sorghum, equipment decisions and the importance of challenging conventional thinking.

Plus, Randy shares updates from the deer operation, including fawn vaccinations, weaning and the challenges of handling mature bucks.

From harvest headaches to new planting strategies, this episode is all about learning from the field, testing new ideas and finding the next opportunity to push yields and profitability forward.

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Potassium is often overlooked compared with nitrogen, but it plays a critical role in water management, nutrient movement, photosynthesis, stalk strength and overall crop performance. In this episode of Breaking Barriers with R&D, Randy Dowdy and David Hula are joined by Dr. Karl Wyatt, Director of Agronomy at Nutrien, for a deep dive into potassium and potash management.

The discussion covers soil testing, base saturation vs. parts-per-million measurements, fertilizer sources including potash, potassium sulfate and potassium nitrate, application timing, chloride sensitivity, variable-rate applications and the role of potassium in nitrogen-use efficiency. The group also explores how high-yield growers can use yield maps and soil fertility data to build more customized fertility programs for their farms.

As growers begin making fertility decisions for 2027, this conversation offers practical insight into how potassium fits into a complete nutrient-management strategy—and why understanding what's already in your soil is the first step.

Breaking Barriers with R&D is hosted by Randy Dowdy and David Hula and focuses on the agronomic practices, technology and management strategies helping growers push yield and improve ROI.

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Randy Dowdy and David Hula dive into the challenges farmers are seeing in the field, from long and drooping ear shanks to inconsistent planting depth and hybrid performance. They discuss why farmers should look beyond yield when selecting seed, the importance of planter setup and emergence, and how harvest timing, soybean maturity and desiccation can help protect yield and grain quality. Plus, the two share insights from recent field visits across the Midwest and Southeast.

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Randy Dowdy and David Hula discuss what farmers should be looking for as harvest approaches, from inconsistent planting depth and weed pressure to disease, ear development, hybrid selection and crop stress. 

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This episode of Breaking Barriers with Randy Dowdy and David Hula covers the latest crop conditions across the country, while also taking a deep dive into Pioneer's 100 years of innovation with special guest Gabe Bathen.

The conversation begins with field updates from Georgia and Virginia, where Dowdy and Hula discuss early corn harvest, soybean progress, irrigation challenges, and the importance of building soil fertility instead of relying solely on in-season foliar applications. They explain why investing in soil health and nutrient balance remains one of the best long-term strategies for maximizing yield and profitability.

Later, Gabe Bethen from Pioneer joins the show to celebrate the company's centennial and preview the next generation of corn genetics. The discussion explores new breeding technologies, improved disease resistance, stronger stalks, enhanced yield stability, and how future hybrids are being developed to help farmers manage increasingly unpredictable weather and disease pressure.

The episode wraps up with an update on tar spot, southern rust, and other late-season disease concerns, along with practical advice for protecting yield as corn harvest gets underway. Throughout the conversation, Randy & David emphasize that successful farming starts with healthy soils, sound agronomy, and adopting innovations that deliver long-term returns.

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On this episode of Breaking Barriers, Randy Dowdy and David Hula share observations from their latest field visits across Nebraska, Iowa, Virginia, and Georgia, highlighting the mid-season decisions that can make or break profitability. The duo explains why late herbicide applications may be costing soybean yield potential, how tissue sampling reveals hidden crop stress, and why protecting early flowers is critical for maximizing returns.

They also discuss southern rust preparedness, fungicide timing, spray coverage, irrigation challenges, planter performance, and emerging precision agriculture technologies. Whether you're managing soybeans, corn, or planning ahead for harvest, this episode is packed with practical agronomic insights to help you improve every acre and every decision.

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As fungicide season approaches, Randy Dowdy and David Hula welcome aerial applicator Matt Crabbe for a deep dive into spray application technology. Fresh off a multi-day "Operation Safe Fly" demonstration, Crabbe compares drones, helicopters, and fixed-wing aircraft, sharing surprising results on droplet size, spray drift, swath width, and canopy penetration. The conversation also covers weather challenges across the Corn Belt, crop conditions, disease pressure, and why proper application coverage can make or break returns in a tight-margin year. Whether you're considering drone applications or relying on traditional aerial spraying, this episode offers practical insights to help maximize every acre.

Learn More About Matt Crabbe Aviation Here: https://mattcrabbeaviation.com

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In this episode of Breaking Barriers, Randy Dowdy and David Hula compare notes from recent crop tours across the Corn Belt and discuss what they're seeing in fields from Georgia to Nebraska. From improved planting depths and stronger root development to concerns about moisture, nutrient uptake, and crown health, the duo shares practical observations that could impact yield potential throughout the growing season.

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In this episode of Breaking Barriers, Randy Dowdy and David Hula dive into the agronomic details that separate average crops from exceptional ones. From planter setup and seed depth to fertility placement, irrigation strategies, and crop protection, the duo shares real-world observations gathered while visiting growers across Kentucky, Delaware, Georgia, and beyond.

They discuss why uniform emergence remains one of the biggest drivers of profitability, how growers are adapting to dry conditions and changing weather patterns, and why attention to detail matters more than ever in today’s high-cost environment. Randy and David also break down in-season nitrogen strategies, the importance of protecting root systems, and how irrigation can be used as a management tool far beyond simply supplying water.

Plus, the conversation touches on grower networking, learning from early adopters, managing crop stress during hot and cloudy conditions, and preparing for disease pressure later in the season.

Whether you’re planting late, side-dressing nitrogen, or evaluating fungicide timing, this episode delivers practical insights to help farmers think differently and focus on measurable improvement across every acre.

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