As Pioneer celebrates its 100th anniversary, Mike Wardyn and field agronomist John Mick take a trip through the history of corn—and the innovations that transformed American agriculture.
The conversation follows corn from its early roots and Native American cultivation practices through the development of landraces, hybrid vigor and Pioneer’s early hybrid corn. They explore how mechanization, fertilizer, herbicides, insect control and biotechnology each changed what farmers needed from a corn hybrid.
Along the way, Mike and John discuss landmark hybrids including 307, 354, 3780 and 3394, the challenges of the Dust Bowl, and the rapid adoption of hybrid seed.
They also look ahead at how changing challenges—from harvest capacity and wind resilience to new diseases and increasing plant populations—will continue to shape the next generation of corn hybrids.
Listen for a better understanding of how the past can help agriculture identify the innovations needed for the future.
Kick'N Dirt is a podcast about Agriculture in the U.S.  This show hosts industry professionals to talk about corn and soybean production, including growers, agronomists and researchers. Kick'N Dirt is hosted by Pioneer Agronomists Mike Wardyn, Kevin Keller, and Kevin Kowalaski, who are based in Nebraska.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

As Pioneer celebrates its 100th anniversary, Mike Wardyn and field agronomist John Mick take a trip through the history of corn—and the innovations that transformed American agriculture. The conversation follows corn from its early roots and Native American cultivation practices through the development of landraces, hybrid vigor and Pioneer’s early hybrid corn. They explore how mechanization, fertilizer, herbicides, insect control and biotechnology each changed what farmers needed from a corn hybrid. Along the way, Mike and John discuss landmark hybrids including 307, 354, 3780 and 3394, the challenges of the Dust Bowl, and the rapid adoption of hybrid seed. They also look ahead at how changing challenges—from harvest capacity and wind resilience to new diseases and increasing plant populations—will continue to shape the next generation of corn hybrids. Listen for a better understanding of how the past can help agriculture identify the innovations needed for the future. Kick'N Dirt is a podcast about Agriculture in the U.S. This show hosts industry professionals to talk about corn and soybean production, including growers, agronomists and researchers. Kick'N Dirt is hosted by Pioneer Agronomists Mike Wardyn, Kevin Keller, and Kevin Kowalaski, who are based in Nebraska. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

As Pioneer celebrates its 100th anniversary, Mike Wardyn and field agronomist John Mick take a trip through the history of corn—and the innovations that transformed American agriculture.
The conversation follows corn from its early roots and Native American cultivation practices through the development of landraces, hybrid vigor and Pioneer’s early hybrid corn. They explore how mechanization, fertilizer, herbicides, insect control and biotechnology each changed what farmers needed from a corn hybrid.
Along the way, Mike and John discuss landmark hybrids including 307, 354, 3780 and 3394, the challenges of the Dust Bowl, and the rapid adoption of hybrid seed.
They also look ahead at how changing challenges—from harvest capacity and wind resilience to new diseases and increasing plant populations—will continue to shape the next generation of corn hybrids.
Listen for a better understanding of how the past can help agriculture identify the innovations needed for the future.
Kick'N Dirt is a podcast about Agriculture in the U.S. &nbsp;This show hosts industry professionals to talk about corn and soybean production, including growers, agronomists and researchers.&nbsp;Kick'N Dirt is hosted by Pioneer Agronomists Mike Wardyn, Kevin Keller, and Kevin Kowalaski, who are based in Nebraska.&nbsp; Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ag History and the Hybrid Corn Revolution

Tar spot is showing up across parts of the Corn Belt, raising an important question for growers: When is it still worth making a fungicide application? In this episode of Kick'N Dirt, Mike, the Kevins, and Pioneer Agronomist Carl Joern discuss tar spot management as the 2026 crop moves toward grain fill.
As Carl explains, the goal isn’t simply to spray on a predetermined calendar date. It’s about understanding disease development, the environment and the crop in front of you — and making an application when it has the best chance of protecting yield and delivering a return. 
Listen for a conversation about Pioneer’s Fungicide Timing Solution, disease thresholds, fungicide timing, hybrid selection, late-season plant health, and the role weather plays in disease development. 
The group also discusses what growers can learn from this year’s tar spot pressure, including how to scout earlier, document disease development, and make management decisions based on the specific hybrid, environment, and crop stage.
Kick'N Dirt is a podcast about Agriculture in the U.S.  This show hosts industry professionals to talk about corn and soybean production, including growers, agronomists and researchers. Kick'N Dirt is hosted by Pioneer Agronomists Mike Wardyn, Kevin Keller, and Kevin Kowalaski, who are based in Nebraska.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Tar spot is showing up across parts of the Corn Belt, raising an important question for growers: When is it still worth making a fungicide application? In this episode of Kick'N Dirt, Mike, the Kevins, and Pioneer Agronomist Carl Joern discuss tar spot management as the 2026 crop moves toward grain fill. As Carl explains, the goal isn’t simply to spray on a predetermined calendar date. It’s about understanding disease development, the environment and the crop in front of you — and making an application when it has the best chance of protecting yield and delivering a return. Listen for a conversation about Pioneer’s Fungicide Timing Solution, disease thresholds, fungicide timing, hybrid selection, late-season plant health, and the role weather plays in disease development. The group also discusses what growers can learn from this year’s tar spot pressure, including how to scout earlier, document disease development, and make management decisions based on the specific hybrid, environment, and crop stage. Kick'N Dirt is a podcast about Agriculture in the U.S. This show hosts industry professionals to talk about corn and soybean production, including growers, agronomists and researchers. Kick'N Dirt is hosted by Pioneer Agronomists Mike Wardyn, Kevin Keller, and Kevin Kowalaski, who are based in Nebraska. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Tar spot is showing up across parts of the Corn Belt, raising an important question for growers: When is it still worth making a fungicide application? In this episode of Kick'N Dirt, Mike, the Kevins, and Pioneer Agronomist Carl Joern discuss tar spot management as the 2026 crop moves toward grain fill.
As Carl explains, the goal isn’t simply to spray on a predetermined calendar date. It’s about understanding disease development, the environment and the crop in front of you — and making an application when it has the best chance of protecting yield and delivering a return.&nbsp;
Listen for a conversation about Pioneer’s Fungicide Timing Solution, disease thresholds, fungicide timing, hybrid selection, late-season plant health, and the role weather plays in disease development.&nbsp;
The group also discusses what growers can learn from this year’s tar spot pressure, including how to scout earlier, document disease development, and make management decisions based on the specific hybrid, environment, and crop stage.
Kick'N Dirt is a podcast about Agriculture in the U.S. &nbsp;This show hosts industry professionals to talk about corn and soybean production, including growers, agronomists and researchers.&nbsp;Kick'N Dirt is hosted by Pioneer Agronomists Mike Wardyn, Kevin Keller, and Kevin Kowalaski, who are based in Nebraska.&nbsp; Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Tar Spot in Corn: When Is Fungicide Still Worth It?

Pioneer Product Agronomist Mike Wardyn and Pioneer Field Agronomist Adam Banks are located in Nebraska and talk to Pioneer Corn Breeder Brandon Wardyn on how corn breeding has changed and where it's headed. 
Kick'N Dirt is a podcast about Agriculture in the U.S.  This show hosts industry professionals to talk about corn and soybean production, including growers, agronomists and researchers. Kick'N Dirt is hosted by Pioneer Agronomists Mike Wardyn, Kevin Keller, and Kevin Kowalaski, who are based in Nebraska.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Pioneer Product Agronomist Mike Wardyn and Pioneer Field Agronomist Adam Banks are located in Nebraska and talk to Pioneer Corn Breeder Brandon Wardyn on how corn breeding has changed and where it's headed. Kick'N Dirt is a podcast about Agriculture in the U.S. This show hosts industry professionals to talk about corn and soybean production, including growers, agronomists and researchers. Kick'N Dirt is hosted by Pioneer Agronomists Mike Wardyn, Kevin Keller, and Kevin Kowalaski, who are based in Nebraska. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Pioneer Product Agronomist Mike Wardyn and Pioneer Field Agronomist Adam Banks are located in Nebraska and talk to Pioneer Corn Breeder Brandon Wardyn on how corn breeding has changed and where it's headed.&nbsp;
Kick'N Dirt is a podcast about Agriculture in the U.S. &nbsp;This show hosts industry professionals to talk about corn and soybean production, including growers, agronomists and researchers.&nbsp;Kick'N Dirt is hosted by Pioneer Agronomists Mike Wardyn, Kevin Keller, and Kevin Kowalaski, who are based in Nebraska.&nbsp; Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Episode 2 - Corn Breeding - Breeding the perfect hybrid

Pioneer Product Agronomist Mike Wardyn and Pioneer Field Agronomist Adam Banks are located in Central Nebraska and talk with Soybean Breeder Les Kuhlman.
Kick'N Dirt is a podcast about Agriculture in the U.S.  This show hosts industry professionals to talk about corn and soybean production, including growers, agronomists and researchers. Kick'N Dirt is hosted by Pioneer Agronomists Mike Wardyn, Kevin Keller, and Kevin Kowalaski, who are based in Nebraska.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Pioneer Product Agronomist Mike Wardyn and Pioneer Field Agronomist Adam Banks are located in Central Nebraska and talk with Soybean Breeder Les Kuhlman. Kick'N Dirt is a podcast about Agriculture in the U.S. This show hosts industry professionals to talk about corn and soybean production, including growers, agronomists and researchers. Kick'N Dirt is hosted by Pioneer Agronomists Mike Wardyn, Kevin Keller, and Kevin Kowalaski, who are based in Nebraska. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Pioneer Product Agronomist Mike Wardyn and Pioneer Field Agronomist Adam Banks are located in Central Nebraska and talk with Soybean Breeder Les Kuhlman.
Kick'N Dirt is a podcast about Agriculture in the U.S. &nbsp;This show hosts industry professionals to talk about corn and soybean production, including growers, agronomists and researchers.&nbsp;Kick'N Dirt is hosted by Pioneer Agronomists Mike Wardyn, Kevin Keller, and Kevin Kowalaski, who are based in Nebraska.&nbsp; Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Episode 1 - Les Kuhlman

Podcast about Agriculture in the U.S.  This show hosts industry professionals to talk about corn and soybean production, including growers, agronomists and researchers.

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Podcast about Agriculture in the U.S. This show hosts industry professionals to talk about corn and soybean production, including growers, agronomists and researchers.

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