Field Advisor

In this episode of the Field Advisor Podcast, experts from across Illinois share an inside look at early August crop conditions. Byron Hendrix, CCA, of Agronomy 1st LLC; Stephanie Porter, CCA, of the Illinois Soybean Association; Seth Wiley of Babson Farms; and Mike Wilson, CCA, of Wabash Valley Service Company discuss how weather, disease pressures, and market trends are shaping the 2025 growing season.

From fungicide effectiveness and waterhemp challenges to emerging disease pressures like red crown rot, white mold, and sudden death syndrome in soybeans—and tar spot, common rust, and southern rust in corn—our panel provides timely information for Illinois farmers navigating the heart of the growing season.

In this episode of the Field Advisor podcast, Kelsey Litchfield, Stephanie Porter, and Matt Reardon of Nutrien Ag discuss the complexities of weather patterns affecting agriculture in Illinois. They explore the challenges posed by unpredictable rainfall, the impact of heat and moisture on crop health, and the current state of drought and soil moisture. The conversation also explores into the significance of upcoming weather changes, the influence of tropical storms, and the increasing frequency of intense rainfall events. 

As mentioned in the episode, here’s the link to Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford’s article, “Staying Ahead of Intense Precipitation in Illinois.”

In this episode of the Field Advisor Podcast, Brandon Hall, CCA and location operations manager at West Central FS, shares an update on crop conditions across Knox County and the West Central Illinois region. He breaks down how timely rains have supported crop growth, while also emphasizing the need to stay ahead of diseases like tar spot. Brandon offers practical advice on fungicide timing, assessing soybean health, and watching for emerging disease threats. The discussion also touches on wheat harvest, managing double-crop soybeans, effective weed control, and how cover crops can fit into your system.

In this episode of the Field Advisor podcast, Kelsey talks with Illinois Soybean Association Outreach Agronomist Stephanie Porter, CCA, about the soybean diseases farmers should watch for in their fields this growing season. They cover scouting tips, weather impacts, and the importance of timely fungicide applications. Stephanie highlights key diseases such as frogeye leaf spot, septoria leaf blight, red crown rot, and sudden death syndrome (SDS), emphasizing accurate diagnosis and the role of research in managing these issues. The conversation also touches on insect management — particularly Japanese beetles — and other lessons from this growing season.

For more information on diseases and other tools, visit the Crop Protection Network. SDS Image Credit - Daren Mueller, Iowa State University, Bugwood.org

In this episode of the Field Advisor podcast, host Kelsey Litchfield is joined by IL Soy Envoys Seth Wiley (northern Illinois) and Mike Wilson, CCA (southeastern Illinois), for a scouting update on crop and field conditions across the state. They break down the agronomic impact of recent weather extremes—from saturated soils to isolated drought stress. The discussion dives into pest pressure trends and fungicide strategies, including comparisons between generic and branded products and the economics of one-pass versus two-pass applications. They also discuss how growers are adjusting in-season management amid ongoing market volatility.

Host Kelsey Litchfield talks with Kelly Robertson, certified crop adviser and owner of Precision Crop Services, LLC, about the severe rainfall crisis in Southern Illinois. The episode addresses delayed planting, poor crop emergence, increased disease pressure, and crop insurance. The discussion also covers economic strain, mental health concerns among farmers, and the challenges of wheat harvest. 

In this episode of the Field Advisor podcast, host Kelsey Litchfield speaks with Matt Reardon, senior atmospheric scientist at Nutrien Ag Solutions, about current weather patterns affecting Illinois. They discuss the frequency of rain events in Southern Illinois along with ongoing drought concerns in the north. The episode also explores the potential influence of tropical systems on regional weather and severe storm outbreaks, and includes a global outlook on drought risks, particularly in Eastern Europe.

In this episode of the Field Advisor podcast, host Kelsey Litchfield is joined by Illinois Soy Envoys Torey Colburn, CCA, with American Farmland Trust; Haley Brokate, CCA, with Illini FS; and Byron Hendrix, CCA, with Agronomy 1st LLC, for an early June agronomic roundtable. The discussion focuses on statewide crop conditions and dives into timely topics including cover crop termination lessons, postemergence weed control, and weather-induced variability in crop development. The group also addresses emerging pest and disease pressure, highlighting the critical role of in-field scouting and data-driven fungicide decisions as the growing season progresses.

In this episode, Kelsey Litchfield talks with Matt Montgomery, also known as The Short Bald Agronomist and Agronomy Education Lead at Beck’s Hybrids, about agronomy education, soybean management strategies, and navigating information overload. Topics include disease education (e.g., red crown rot), the role of mentorship, personal branding, people skills, and the integration of emerging technologies like drones in modern ag practices.

In this episode of the Field Advisor Podcast, Kelsey Litchfield chats with Kevin Johnson from the Illinois Fertilizer & Chemical Association and Corey Lacey from the Illinois Soybean Association. They break down what farmers need to know about the latest fertilizer and chemical trends, the EPA’s final herbicide and insecticide strategies, Illinois applicator licensing updates, and potential Illinois laws that could impact your farm.