Minnesota CropCast

Welcome to the inaugural episode of our periodic summer series, "Headland Highlights." These special brief and timely episodes will reside right within our normal MN CropCast feed. For these segments, Dave and Seth will be calling on folks from around the state to get real-time check-ins on the status of local field activities and crops.

Today, we are joined by Ryan Miller, who is an Extension Educator based in Rochester and works throughout Southeast Minnesota. We discuss the severe weather that visited the area on the evening of April 13th and get a firsthand update on planting progress in his region.

Episode Highlights:

• Severe Weather Impacts: Ryan confirms news reports of tennis-ball-sized hail and corresponding localized heavy rainfall events.
• Planting Progress: The region is off to a relatively slow start for row crop production. While most spring cereals were successfully planted during the very late March window, cooler temperatures, rain, and spring winds through the first two weeks of April have greatly slowed field activities.
• Field Work Status: There have been some tillage and fertilizer applications, but they are not widespread. Early row crop plantings are similarly scattered.

Please join us for this episode, and stay tuned for future MN CropCast: Headland Highlights for more regional crop check-ins.

As planters prepare to roll across Minnesota this spring, farmers aren’t just thinking about getting the seed in the ground – they are also concerned about getting their old and new crops marketed to ensure that they can stay in the black

In this timely episode of Minnesota CropCast, hosts Dave and Seth Naeve are joined in the studio by Ed Usset, Grain Marketing Economist with University of Minnesota and Extension. Ed brings his decades of expertise to break down current market dynamics, domestic crush capacity, and the psychological hurdles of selling grain in a tight-margin year.

Key Episode Highlights:

• The "11th Commandment" of Grain Marketing: Ed explains why holding unpriced old crop in the bin past July 1st is a major risk, and how farmers can capitalize on recent soybean rallies.
• Making Sense of a Weak Basis: Despite ethanol and crush plants running at near-full capacity, local basis levels for corn, soybeans, and wheat are historically poor. Ed breaks down the local supply factors driving this trend.
• The Soybean Crush Boom: They take a dive into the massive nationwide expansion of soybean crush capacity driven by renewable diesel. Learn why soybean oil has officially overtaken meal as the primary value driver of the bean.
• New Crop Price Targets: Ed shares his pre-harvest minimum price targets for December corn, November soybeans, and September wheat. With beans trading near his $11.40 target and corn nudging his $5.00 goal, he discusses why it might be time to start putting sales on the books.
• The Psychology of Selling: How to avoid the trap of holding out for "home runs" during unpredictable weather markets and instead focus on base hits that cover your production costs.

Whether you're keeping an eye on South American yields, tracking geopolitical shifts out of China, or just trying to navigate this year's input costs, Ed’s no-nonsense approach to grain marketing is required listening.

Tune in to the full episode of Minnesota CropCast today to get your 2026 marketing plan on track!

In part two of this special weed management series, hosts Dave and Seth shift their focus from the chemistry of weed control to the cutting-edge application technologies revolutionizing the field. They discussed with Doctors Peters and Sarangi how artificial intelligence, robotics, and precision herbicide application equipment are changing the way growers target and eliminate weeds. From laser-wielding robots to high-voltage currents and the latest advancements from major equipment manufacturers, this episode provides a comprehensive look at the high-tech tools available to optimize crop management, improve efficiency, and reduce overall chemical usage.

Key Topics Covered:

• Smart Sprayers and Camera Tech: The group discussed camera-based smart spray technology that accurately identifies weeds and directs herbicide application. They discuss the opportunities for this new technology for row-crop farmers.  
• Robotic and Drone Applications: An introductory discussion about how targeted applications kill weeds by applying chemicals only where they grow, including a look at autonomous robotic sprayers running long hours in the field and the current capabilities (and limitations) of agricultural drones.
• High-Voltage Weed Control: An exploration into how high-voltage currents use resistive heating to rupture plant cells as the charge passes through, effectively killing the weed or severely suppressing its growth.
• AI and Laser Weeding: Discussion also about artificial intelligence and computer vision identify crops and target weeds, using lasers to burn them away without damaging the crop.

In this episode of Minnesota CropCast, hosts Dave and Seth welcome two Extension Weed Specialists: Dr. Tom Peters (NDSU and U of MN Sugarbeet Weed Extension Specialist) and Dr. Debalin Sarangi (U of MN Extension Weed Specialist for corn and soybeans). Together, they dive into the latest field crop herbicides and modes of action available for the 2026 season and beyond, offering advice on managing some of the state's toughest weed challenges.

Key Topics Covered:

• Tackling Problem Weeds: The group discusses targeted strategies for controlling aggressive, yield-robbing weeds like waterhemp and giant ragweed in corn, soybean, and sugarbeet systems.
• The Power of Multiple Sites of Action: Drs. Peters and Sarangi share research results demonstrating that pre-emergence (PRE) herbicides containing two or three sites of action deliver greater, more consistent control and biomass reduction of waterhemp and giant ragweed compared to single-site PRE options.
  • Herbicide Updates: including -- Convintro (group 12; Bayer), Liberty Ultra 1.76SL (glufosinate [Liberty]; group 10; BASF), Rapidicil 0.46EC (epyrifenacil; group 14; Valent), and Rimisoxafen (Groups 12 and 32; FMC)
• Proactive Resistance Management: The group also discussed how applying robust PRE herbicides lowers the overall risk of developing herbicide resistance and buys growers valuable flexibility for post-emergence application timing.
• Application Best Practices: The Specialists reviewed some critical best management practices for applying dicamba and glufosinate post-emergence. They detailed how to achieve optimal weed control while safely avoiding off-target movement and preventing further resistance development.

Please join us for episode #59 of MN CropCast.  In this episode, Dave and Seth are diving deep into the DNA of the plants that feed us, and we are thrilled to sit down with Dr. Peter Morrell, a Professor of Computational Biology and Plant Genetics right here at the University of Minnesota.

Dr. Morrell has had a fascinating journey to the U of M. He grew up in southern Oklahoma, earned his Ph.D. back in 1997, and spent time researching genetics in the corporate world at Monsanto in St. Louis before officially joining the Minnesota faculty in 2009. Today, he is essentially a master codebreaker for plant DNA. As an evolutionary geneticist, Dr. Morrell uses big data and computer science to figure out exactly how wild plants evolved into the reliable crops we rely on today—specifically focusing on crops like barley, soybeans, and common beans. His lab looks at the genetic fingerprints left behind by breeders and farmers to understand how plants mix, match, and mutate their DNA to survive.

In fact, his work recently made waves in the journal Science. He co-authored a study on a mind-boggling, 100-year evolutionary experiment on barley, giving us an unprecedented, real-time look at how crops naturally adapt to their local environments over a century.  On top of tracking what happens when farmed crops accidentally swap genetics with wild weeds, he also teaches a popular undergraduate course on the science and agronomy of marijuana, breaking down the complex biology of the plant for his students.

Join us for another Minnesota Crop Cast today.

This week, we are thrilled to feature Agronomist Matt Leavitt. Matt’s work focuses on integrating new crops that provide broad ecosystem services to our landscapes while helping to diversify and de-risk the economic portfolios of Minnesota crop producers.

Originally from Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Matt completed his graduate work right here in the Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics with Craig Sheaffer and Don Wyse. Currently, Matt serves as the Perennial Grains and Winter Annuals Agronomy Specialist for the Department and the Forever Green Initiative (FGI).

In this episode, Matt dives into the most established crops in the FGI portfolio, including Kernza, Camelina, Winter barley, and Hybrid Winter Rye.  He shares his experience working one-on-one with farmers to identify alternative crop species that fit their unique operations, maximizing ecological and economic benefits while reducing overall risk. Beyond the field, Matt also writes extension publications for producers and lectures at winter meetings and summer field days.
Please join David and Seth for another fun and fascinating episode of the Minnesota CropCast!
For more information on the Forever Green Initiative and new value-added crops, visit:
https://forevergreen.umn.edu

A conversation with Dr. Bob Stupar, Professor of Agronomy and Plant Genetics

In this edition of Minnesota CropCast (Episode #57), hosts Dave Nicolai and Seth Naeve sit down with Dr. Bob Stupar, Professor of Agronomy and Plant Genetics and Legume Geneticist at the University of Minnesota. The conversation traces Bob’s unique path from suburban Milwaukee to his current role leading legume genetics and genomics research at the U.

The group takes a shallow dive (cannonball?) into the complex world of soybean engineering. Dr. Stupar explains the critical process of identifying genes of interest, validating their functionality, and engineering soybeans to possess important, novel traits. He also highlights the importance of maintaining and updating reference genomes—the essential "blueprints" for scientific advancement—using historical examples to illustrate their impact. Additionally, the discussion covers how gene editing is being used to improve quality traits, such as reducing antinutritional components in soybeans.

Despite these technical achievements, Dr. Stupar shares that his proudest contribution in his lab isn't just the data, but the people. He emphasizes that his #1 priority is graduate student training and workforce development, ensuring the next generation of scientists is ready to lead.

A conversation with Dr. Anna Cates, Extension Soil Health Specialist

In this edition of Minnesota CropCast (Episode #56), hosts Dave Nicolai and Seth Naeve sit down with Dr. Anna Cates, the University of Minnesota Extension Soil Health Specialist. The group discusses Dr. Cates' unique role and the current state of cover crops and soil health across Minnesota.

Dr. Cates leads the MN Office for Soil Health (MOSH), which is dedicated to improving soil health by working with farmers and conservation professionals. Born on a Wisconsin farm and educated at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (PhD in Agronomy, MS in Soil Science and Agroecology), she now works to turn research into on-the-ground conservation.

The episode explores the partnership between MOSH and the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR), highlighting how they collaborate to provide funding, policy implementation, and technical guidance to local partners like Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs).

Tune in to hear discussions on:

• Farmer adoption of conservation practices and cover crops.
• An upcoming intensive educational opportunity: The Cover Crop Academy.

Please join us for another lively and informative MN CropCast.

In the latest University of Minnesota CropCast (#55), hosts Seth Naeve and Dave Nicolai interview Dr. Jochum Wiersma, Extension Small Grain Specialist, about the current status and future of small grain acreage in Minnesota. Jochum reviews how production economics, market potential, and weather trends are impacting acreage for spring and winter wheat, barley, rye, and oats.

The discussion also previews the spring release of the updated University of Minnesota Small Grains Guide, a key resource for selecting varieties and refining production practices. Additionally, Jochum explores the potential for oat production in southern Minnesota.

Finally, the episode covers the 2026 Small Grains Update educational seminars. Sponsored by the Minnesota Wheat Research and Promotion Council, these free, discussion-based workshops cover agronomics, variety selection, soil fertility, and economics.

Register for a seminar near you at z.umn.edu/smallgrainsupdate:

·       Feb 16: Grand Rapids (NCROC)

·       Feb 17: Cold Spring (Great Blue Heron)

·       Feb 18: Le Center (4H Family Center) & Rochester (Aune Hall)

·       Feb 19: Slayton (Murray County 4H-Building)

·       Feb 20: Benson (McKinney's on Southside)

In this Minnesota Crop Cast (#54) podcast Jodi DeJong-Hughes, an University of Minnesota Extension educator, who works for the Water Resources Center and specializes in the impact of tillage practices on crop yield and soil health was our guest. Jodi has developed her expertise in the area of how compaction occurs, prevention and remediation.

During the podcast Jodi reviewed how soil compaction can occur any time a heavy piece of equipment moves across a field and what factors increase the probability of it occurring. Such as when moving heavy equipment or tilling the soil when it is wet causes clay particles to slide around against each other, eventually ending up much closer to one another with fewer soil pores than before the field operation took place. Jodi emphasized that the primary goal is prevention for soil compaction via reducing axle loads, trips and adjusting tire pressure among other practices. Jodi also discussed some different field-based practices/tillage options to alleviate soil compaction via mechanical remediation etc.

Finally, Jodi recommended that crop producers consider attending virtually the Northern Soil Compaction Conference that will occur on four Tuesday mornings (9 am-noon CST) this February (Feb 3, 10, 17, 24). For a more in-depth discussion about the factors causing, preventing and alleviating soil compaction. Registration for the conference can be found at this conference site.