Dirt, Dollars & Data | CAM Seeds Radio

What’s the best corn hybrid?

In Episode 10 of Dirt, Dollars & Data, Chad Mustain argues that there’s a better question to ask:

What’s the best corn for this acre?

With harvest underway across Southeast Kansas, Chad is joined by Channel Technical Agronomist Brooke Mitchell and Field Sales Representative Ryan Stewart for a virtual plot tour through the Channel corn lineup and a practical discussion about hybrid placement.

Instead of looking only at which hybrid produced the biggest yield number, they break down the characteristics that determine where a hybrid actually fits:

🌽 Yield consistency and stress tolerance
🌱 Early emergence and planting-date fit
📏 Population and ear flex
💧 Performance on wet feet versus tougher upland acres
🦠 Disease considerations and fungicide response
⚖️ Standability, stock health, and late-season plant health
📈 Yield ceiling and management intensity
💰 Where population and input decisions can affect ROI

The conversation takes a closer look at several Channel hybrids being evaluated and planted across the region, including 204-54, 210-25, 212-02, 214-70, 215-60, and 215-70.

Some are built for tougher acres. Others bring versatility across variable ground. Some fit wet-bottom conditions, while others have the ceiling to take advantage of highly productive acres.

That’s exactly the point.

The hybrid that wins the plot isn’t automatically the hybrid that belongs on every acre.

Population matters. Planting date matters. Disease matters. Management matters.

But placement can be one of the most important decisions you make.

🎙️ Listen to Episode 10 of Dirt, Dollars & Data on CAM Seeds Radio, available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

Every decision in the field affects the dirt, impacts the dollars, and should be backed by the data.

📍 CAM Seeds LLC
REAL-WORLD AGRONOMY. REAL NUMBERS. REAL RESULTS.
Southeast Kansas | (620) 820-0075 | [email protected]

#CAMSeeds #DirtDollarsAndData #CAMSeedsRadio #ChannelSeed #CornHybrids #SeedSelection #KansasAgriculture

Should you spray winter weeds this fall, wait until spring, or leave the field alone altogether?

In Episode 9 of Dirt, Dollars & Data, Chad Mustain sits down with Max Frederes of Rosens to break down an important fall management decision: whether controlling weeds now can save time, protect options, and put growers in a better position when planting season arrives.

The conversation starts with weeds, but it doesn’t stop there.

Chad and Max discuss why the value of a fall herbicide program goes far beyond simply killing what is growing in the field today. They look at problem weeds like marestail and henbit, why knowing what is actually in your field matters, and how fall weed pressure can influence the conditions growers come back to in the spring.

Then they tackle one of the increasingly important challenges for wheat growers: Italian ryegrass.

Why is Italian ryegrass becoming a bigger concern? When should growers be thinking about control? And why can getting ahead of emergence be much more effective than trying to clean up an established problem later?

The discussion also goes beyond weed control into the agronomic value of starting spring with a cleaner field. Heavy winter weed growth can create a mat of residue that affects how uniformly fields warm and dry. Controlling that pressure earlier can give growers more flexibility with tillage and help them get into the field when planting conditions are right.

But that doesn’t mean every acre automatically needs the same fall herbicide program.

Chad and Max break down why growers need to identify the weeds they are dealing with, understand the risk on each field, consider timing and conditions, and choose a program that actually fits the acres rather than simply making a blanket application.

They also cover:

• Why fall herbicide programs are about more than killing weeds
• Marestail, henbit, and other winter annual weed pressure
• Why identifying the problem weed should come before choosing the chemistry
• The growing challenge of Italian ryegrass in wheat
• Why getting ahead of ryegrass emergence matters
• Fall application timing and field conditions
• How cleaner fields can warm and dry more uniformly in spring
• Why heavy weed mats can complicate spring fieldwork
• How fall weed control can make tillage and planting easier
• Matching the herbicide program to the field and weed pressure
• Why waiting until spring can reduce your management options
• How fall decisions can set up better opportunities the following season

The takeaway is simple: fall weed control is a management decision, not just a herbicide application.

Know the weeds. Understand the risk. Time the application correctly. Choose the program that fits the field. And think beyond what the application does today to what it can help you accomplish next spring.

Because spraying it now may mean you don’t have to fight it later.

🎙️ Listen to Episode 9 of Dirt, Dollars & Data on CAM Seeds Radio, available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

Every decision in the field affects the dirt, impacts the dollars, and should be backed by the data.

📍 CAM Seeds LLC
REAL-WORLD AGRONOMY. REAL NUMBERS. REAL RESULTS.
Southeast Kansas | (620) 820-0075 | [email protected]

#CAMSeeds #DirtDollarsAndData #CAMSeedsRadio #FallHerbicide #FallWeedControl #ItalianRyegrass #Marestail #WheatManagement #WeedControl #FarmProfitability #KansasAgriculture

Should you spray fungicide on your soybeans every year, wait until disease shows up, or skip the application altogether?

In Episode 8 of Dirt, Dollars & Data, Chad Mustain sits down with Jason Sutterby of Syngenta to break down one of the most debated late-season decisions in soybean production: whether a fungicide application actually returns more money than it costs.

The conversation starts with disease, but it doesn’t stop there.
Chad and Jason discuss why protecting healthy leaf tissue matters, what Southeast Kansas growers should be scouting for, and why diseases like frogeye leaf spot deserve attention. They also dig into the disease triangle, field conditions that increase risk, and why driving past a soybean field at 50 miles an hour isn’t enough to know what’s really happening inside the canopy.
Then they tackle one of the biggest questions surrounding fungicide: timing.

Why has R3 become such an important application window? Can you spray too early? How late is too late? And why can waiting until disease symptoms appear leave you trying to protect yield that has already been lost?

The discussion also goes beyond traditional disease control into newer fungicide technology and the potential role of plant health, stress mitigation, water-use efficiency, and keeping the soybean canopy functioning through pod fill.

But none of those benefits matter if the dollars don’t work.
Chad and Jason break down how growers should evaluate fungicide ROI, why local data matters, how product selection and application coverage influence results, and which fields may deserve priority when spraying every acre isn’t in the budget.

They also cover:
• Why fungicide is about protecting bushels, not creating them
• R3 vs. R4 application timing
• Preventative vs. curative fungicide strategies
• What growers should actually look for when scouting soybeans
• Single, two-way, and three-way fungicide products
• Why more modes of action don’t automatically mean a better product
• Fungicide resistance and stewardship
• Ground rigs, aerial application, and drones
• Water volume, droplet size, canopy penetration, and coverage
• Whether insecticide belongs in the fungicide pass
• Why adding a late herbicide to the tank may cost yield
• How to evaluate fungicide performance on your own farm
• The biggest mistakes growers make with soybean fungicide applications

The takeaway is simple: soybean fungicide is a risk-management decision.

Put the right product on the right field, at the right growth stage, with the right application, and then measure whether the additional bushels actually paid for the investment.

Because every decision we make in the dirt affects the field, impacts your dollars, and should be backed by data.

🎙️ Listen to Episode 8 of Dirt, Dollars & Data on CAM Seeds Radio, available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.
Every decision in the field affects the dirt, impacts the dollars, and should be backed by the data.

📍 CAM Seeds LLC
REAL-WORLD AGRONOMY. REAL NUMBERS. REAL RESULTS.
Southeast Kansas | (620) 820-0075 | [email protected]

#CAMSeeds #DirtDollarsAndData #CAMSeedsRadio #SoybeanFungicide #SoybeanManagement #FarmProfitability #KansasAgriculture

Should you spray fungicide on your soybeans every year, wait until disease shows up, or skip the application altogether?

In Episode 8 of Dirt, Dollars & Data, Chad Mustain sits down with Jason Sutterby of Syngenta to break down one of the most debated late-season decisions in soybean production: whether a fungicide application actually returns more money than it costs.

The conversation starts with disease, but it doesn’t stop there.
Chad and Jason discuss why protecting healthy leaf tissue matters, what Southeast Kansas growers should be scouting for, and why diseases like frogeye leaf spot deserve attention. They also dig into the disease triangle, field conditions that increase risk, and why driving past a soybean field at 50 miles an hour isn’t enough to know what’s really happening inside the canopy.

Then they tackle one of the biggest questions surrounding fungicide: timing.
Why has R3 become such an important application window?

Can you spray too early?

How late is too late?

And why can waiting until disease symptoms appear leave you trying to protect yield that has already been lost?

The discussion also goes beyond traditional disease control into newer fungicide technology and the potential role of plant health, stress mitigation, water-use efficiency, and keeping the soybean canopy functioning through pod fill.

But none of those benefits matter if the dollars don’t work.
Chad and Jason break down how growers should evaluate fungicide ROI, why local data matters, how product selection and application coverage influence results, and which fields may deserve priority when spraying every acre isn’t in the budget.

They also cover:
• Why fungicide is about protecting bushels, not creating them
• R3 vs. R4 application timing
• Preventative vs. curative fungicide strategies
• What growers should actually look for when scouting soybeans
• Single, two-way, and three-way fungicide products
• Why more modes of action don’t automatically mean a better product
• Fungicide resistance and stewardship
• Ground rigs, aerial application, and drones
• Water volume, droplet size, canopy penetration, and coverage
• Whether insecticide belongs in the fungicide pass
• Why adding a late herbicide to the tank may cost yield
• How to evaluate fungicide performance on your own farm
• The biggest mistakes growers make with soybean fungicide applications

The takeaway is simple: soybean fungicide is a risk-management decision.

Put the right product on the right field, at the right growth stage, with the right application, and then measure whether the additional bushels actually paid for the investment.

Because every decision we make in the dirt affects the field, impacts your dollars, and should be backed by data.

🎙️ Listen to Episode 8 of Dirt, Dollars & Data on CAM Seeds Radio, available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

Every decision in the field affects the dirt, impacts the dollars, and should be backed by the data.

📍 CAM Seeds LLC
REAL-WORLD AGRONOMY. REAL NUMBERS. REAL RESULTS.
Southeast Kansas | (620) 820-0075 | [email protected]

#CAMSeeds #DirtDollarsAndData #CAMSeedsRadio #SoybeanFungicide #SoybeanManagement #FarmProfitability #KansasAgriculture

Would you bet another $20 an acre on a biological?
Depending on the size of your operation, that could quickly become a $20,000—or even $100,000—decision.

In Episode 7 of Dirt, Dollars & Data, Chad Mustain is joined by Garrett Widders of Locus Agriculture for a practical conversation about one of the most talked-about—and debated—input categories in agriculture: biologicals.

Are they the future of farming? Are they snake oil? Or is the answer somewhere in between?

Instead of simply asking whether biologicals "work," Chad and Garrett dig into the questions growers should actually be asking: What does the product do? Where does it fit? What problem is it solving? And can it consistently make money on your acres?

In this episode, Chad and Garrett discuss:
◼ What a biological actually is—and why micronutrients, biostimulants, and true biologicals shouldn't automatically be treated as the same thing
◼ Why soil health, tighter margins, improved research, and advancing technology are driving greater interest in biological products
◼ How biologicals may influence early root development, stand establishment, nutrient cycling, stress mitigation, and yield protection
◼ Why seed treatments can be a practical starting point for growers interested in biologicals
◼ Why soybean inoculants are already a familiar example of biological technology
◼ Why biologicals aren't a miracle cure—and why realistic expectations matter
◼ Why more microbes in the jug don't automatically mean a better product
◼ Why a higher-priced biological doesn't necessarily mean a better biological
◼ Why one year of plot data isn't enough to prove a product
◼ How storage, handling, and product fit can influence whether the investment delivers
◼ The five questions Chad uses to evaluate products before recommending them to growers.

The 5 Questions Every Grower Should Ask
Before putting another biological on your acres, Chad recommends asking:
1. What problem is this solving?
Know exactly what you're trying to accomplish before buying another input.
2. Is there quality, replicated data?
Look beyond manufacturer claims. Consider trials, side-by-sides, university research, and results relevant to your geography.
3. Can someone explain how it works?
Understand the mechanism and why it should benefit the crop.
4. Does it fit your geography?
Results from another crop or another part of the country don't automatically translate to Southeast Kansas.
5. Can it consistently make money?
A product shouldn't require every condition to be perfect before it produces a return.

Biggest Takeaway
Don't buy a biological because someone promises more bushels. And don't reject one simply because someone calls biologicals snake oil.
Ask questions. Understand the science. Look at the data. Then decide whether the product makes sense for your operation.
Because the goal isn't to buy more products.
The goal is to make better decisions—and turn those decisions into greater profitability.

🎙️ Listen to Episode 7 of Dirt, Dollars & Data on CAM Seeds Radio, available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.
Every decision in the field affects the dirt, impacts the dollars, and should be backed by the data.

📍 CAM Seeds LLC
REAL-WORLD AGRONOMY. REAL NUMBERS. REAL RESULTS.
Southeast Kansas | (620) 820-0075 | [email protected]
#CAMSeeds #DirtDollarsAndData #CAMSeedsRadio #Biologicals #SoilHealth #FarmProfitability #KansasAgriculture

Are insects quietly costing you soybean yield?

Or are you waiting too long to act?

In Episode 6 of Dirt, Dollars & Data, Chad Mustain is joined by Max Frederes from Rosen's, Inc. for a practical conversation on soybean insect management, scouting, spray timing, resistance management, and making insecticide decisions that actually improve return on investment.

The focus of this episode is protecting soybean yield by understanding which insects matter most, when they become an economic threat, and how proper timing can help growers maximize profitability.

From bean leaf beetles and Japanese beetles to stink bugs and soybean podworms, this conversation is about building an insect management strategy based on field conditions, treatment thresholds, and real-world agronomy—not guesswork.

In this episode, Chad and Max explain:

◼ Which soybean insects deserve the most attention throughout the season
◼ Why stink bugs and soybean podworms can cause significant yield loss during pod development
◼ Why the R3 to R5 growth stages are the most critical window for insect management
◼ How treatment thresholds help determine when an application is economically justified
◼ Why scouting the entire field—not just the edges—leads to better decisions
◼ How insecticide selection, resistance management, and spray water pH all influence application performance

One of the biggest takeaways from this episode:

Successful insect management isn't about spraying more. It's about scouting better, understanding thresholds, choosing the right chemistry, and making timely applications that protect both yield and return on investment.

Listen now to Episode 6 of Dirt, Dollars & Data on CAM Seeds Radio, available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

Next week, Chad continues the conversation around real-world agronomy, real numbers, and the field-level decisions that lead to real results.

#CAMSeeds #DirtDollarsAndData #CAMSeedsRadio #Soybeans #InsectManagement #Agronomy #FarmProfitability

Are foliar nutrients worth the investment?

Or are they just another input being marketed to growers?

In Episode 5 of Dirt, Dollars & Data, Chad Mustain is joined by Wayne Becker from Nachurs for a practical conversation on foliar nutrition, plant health, tissue testing, and how to make nutrient decisions that actually improve return on investment.

The focus of this episode is feeding the soybean crop beyond the furrow and understanding when foliar nutrition can complement a fertility program to unlock yield potential.

From boron, sulfur, and potassium to tissue testing, plant biology, and the critical R1 to R3 application window, this conversation is about separating proven agronomy from marketing hype and helping growers make more profitable decisions.

In this episode, Chad and Wayne explain:

◼ Why foliar nutrition should complement, not replace, your fertility program
◼ How boron, sulfur, potassium, and other key nutrients support soybean development
◼ Why the R1 to R3 growth stage is one of the most important timing windows for nutrient applications
◼ How tissue testing helps identify deficiencies before they impact yield
◼ Why improving plant health and supporting biology can increase nutrient efficiency
◼ How to evaluate foliar applications based on ROI instead of product claims

One of the biggest takeaways from this episode:

Not every input creates value. The best nutrient decisions are backed by field conditions, tissue testing, real-world agronomy, and a clear return on investment.

Listen now to Episode 5 of Dirt, Dollars & Data on CAM Seeds Radio, available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

Next week, Chad continues the conversation around real-world agronomy, real numbers, and the field-level decisions that lead to real results.

#CAMSeeds #DirtDollarsAndData #CAMSeedsRadio #TrustedSeed #FoliarNutrition #SoybeanNutrition #PlantHealth #TissueTesting #CropNutrition #Nachurs #Agronomy #FarmProfitability #KansasAgriculture #SEKAg #SeedSolutions #KansasFarmers #AgBusiness #FarmingCommunity

Why do soybean spray programs fail?

The answer is not always the chemistry.

In Episode 4 of Dirt, Dollars & Data, Chad Mustain is joined by Brandon Bruce from Bayer Crop Science for a practical conversation on soybean herbicide programs, weed control, and the small details that make a big difference in the field.

The focus of this episode is the soybean spray game: how to build programs that start clean, stay cleaner longer, and protect return on investment.

From early bean post applications to double-crop burndown, residual strategy, adjuvants, water volume, and herbicide systems like XtendFlex and Enlist, this conversation is about making the spray decision fit the field.

In this episode, Chad and Brandon explain:

◼ Why most programs do not fail because of chemistry alone

◼ Why late applications can cost growers control and ROI

◼ Why layered residuals matter in soybean weed control

◼ How poor burndown creates problems before the crop starts

◼ Why adjuvants and water volume can change performance

◼ Why multiple effective modes of action matter for resistance management

◼ Where ROI is won through better timing and better execution

One of the biggest takeaways from this episode:

Winning the weed war is not about one product. It is about building the right system around timing, residuals, application details, and field conditions.

Listen now to Episode 4 of Dirt, Dollars & Data on CAM Seeds Radio, available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

Next week, Chad continues the conversation around real-world agronomy, real numbers, and the field-level decisions that lead to real results.

#CAMSeeds #DirtDollarsAndData #CAMSeedsRadio #TrustedSeed #SoybeanSprayGame #WeedControl #HerbicideProgram #ResidualStrategy #CropProtection #BayerCropScience #Agronomy #FarmProfitability #KansasAgriculture #SEKAg #SeedSolutions #KansasFarmers #AgBusiness #FarmingCommunity

Are fungicides still just a disease response, or are they part of a bigger plant health and ROI decision?

In Episode 3 of Dirt, Dollars & Data, Chad Mustain breaks down how fungicide applications have changed over the last 15 to 20 years and why timing is one of the biggest factors in whether an application actually pays.

Early in his career, Chad saw fungicides used mostly as a reactive decision. Disease showed up, and then growers responded.

Today, the conversation has changed.

With better products, better field data, and a stronger understanding of timing, fungicides are now being evaluated through disease prevention, plant health, crop stage, weather conditions, and return on investment.

In this episode, Chad explains:

◼ Why fungicide decisions have changed over the last 15 to 20 years
◼ Why reactive management is not always the best approach
◼ Why the tassel to R1 window in corn is important
◼ How plant health fits into the fungicide conversation
◼ Why timing, weather, and field conditions affect ROI
◼ Why fungicides should not be treated as a blanket yes or no decision

One of the biggest takeaways from this episode:

The product matters, but the timing often determines the return.

Listen now to Episode 3 of Dirt, Dollars & Data on CAM Seeds Radio.

Next week, Chad dives into soybean herbicide programs, including residuals, timing, weed control strategies, and where he sees growers wasting money.

#CAMSeeds #DirtDollarsAndData #CAMSeedsRadio #TrustedSeed #FungicideApplication #PlantHealth #CornProduction #CropProtection #Agronomy #FarmProfitability #KansasAgriculture #SEKAg #SeedSolutions #KansasFarmers #AgBusiness #FarmingCommunity

Why do we treat seed?

The answer isn't just about products. It's about managing risk, protecting yield potential, and making decisions that improve the probability of success.

In Episode 2 of Dirt, Dollars & Data, Chad Mustain takes a practical look at seed treatments and explains why they continue to play an important role in modern crop production.

From fungicides and insecticides to biologicals and inoculants, the conversation focuses on understanding what belongs on the seed, why it matters, and how growers can evaluate whether the investment makes sense for their operation.

One of the biggest takeaways from this episode:

Good decisions stack the probabilities in your favor.

As double-crop soybean planting season approaches, having the right information at the right time can help growers make more confident decisions about protecting their crop and managing risk.

Because seed treatment doesn't have to be complicated.

It starts with understanding your farm, your goals, and the factors that influence return on investment.

Listen now to Episode 2 of Dirt, Dollars & Data on CAM Seeds Radio.

Next week, Chad dives into soybean herbicide programs, including residuals, timing, weed control strategies, and where he sees growers wasting money.

#CAMSeeds #DirtDollarsAndData #CAMSeedsRadio #TrustedSeed #SeedTreatment #Agronomy #FarmProfitability #Soybeans #DoubleCropSoybeans #KansasAgriculture #SEKAg #SeedSolutions #KansasFarmers #AgBusiness #FarmingCommunity