From the Crop Doctors' Podcast studio in Stoneville, Dalton Whitt and Tanner King, both doctoral students at Mississippi State University, dive deep into their research on two of the Delta's most challenging weeds: Italian ryegrass and Virginia pepperweed. They break down the complexities of herbicide resistance in Italian ryegrass, a winter annual that continues to adapt to control methods. The discussion also turns to the rising problem of Virginia pepperweed, which has become increasingly difficult to control with standard burndown applications. 

For more episodes from the Crop Doctors, visit our website at http://extension.msstate.edu/shows/mississippi-crop-situation

#mscrops #MSUext

On this special episode, we welcome Farm Journal writer and Delta native Chris Bennett back to the Crop Doctors’ Podcast studio in Stoneville to share what he's hearing on the ground. Known for his candid and insightful storytelling, Chris discusses the pulse of Midsouth agriculture based on his conversations with farmers, industry experts, and those living and working in rural communities.  Chris dives into the lingering challenges farmers faced in 2025 and how they are navigating persistent economic pressures.  

For more episodes from the Crop Doctors, visit our website at http://extension.msstate.edu/shows/mississippi-crop-situation

From the Crop Doctors’ Podcast studio in Stoneville, Jason and Tom talk all things fall burndown for Italian ryegrass.  Every October, the discussions are similar but the years always offer something a little different.  Topics include fall-applied residual herbicide timings, product selection, mixtures, soil textures, resistance, and more.

For more episodes from the Crop Doctors, visit our website at http://extension.msstate.edu/shows/mississippi-crop-situation

#mscrops #MSUext

Drew sat down in the Crop Doctors’ Podcast studio in Stoneville for a look back at the highly unusual 2025 irrigation season in Mississippi. From historic spring rains to a challenging mid-summer dry spell, Drew shares his observations on how growers navigated a season of extremes.  He also describes their research on wide polypipe hole spacing, automated irrigation systems, and recirculating water in row rice.  Be sure to register for the Mississippi Master Irrigator program at https://www.ncaar.msstate.edu/outreach/master/index.php

For more episodes from the Crop Doctors, visit our website at http://extension.msstate.edu/shows/mississippi-crop-situation

#mscrops #MSUext

For next Tuesday.  Promo at 13:54 to 14:21 if needed.

From the Crop Doctors’ Podcast studio in Stoneville, Tom walks listeners through the 2025 row crop season in Mississippi—from early-season disease pressures through harvest—and teases what growers should watch heading into 2026. He gives a candid summary on disease management across soybean, corn, cotton, and rice.

For more episodes from the Crop Doctors, visit our website at http://extension.msstate.edu/shows/mississippi-crop-situation

Steve Martin visited the Crop Doctors’ Podcast studio in Stoneville for an in-depth look at the current economic landscape facing row crop producers in the Midsouth. From rising input costs and commodity pressures to the shifting dynamics of farm policy and crop insurance, Steve breaks down the key factors shaping profitability for cotton, soybeans, corn, and rice.

For more episodes from the Crop Doctors, visit our website at http://extension.msstate.edu/shows/mississippi-crop-situation

Jarrod Hardke calls into the Crop Doctors’ Podcast studio in Stoneville to visit with Will Eubank, Jason, and Tom about the rice delphacid infestations sweeping through Midsouth rice fields. Experts are raising concerns as these pests continue to appear in new areas late in the season. They also discuss the compounding impact of extreme late-season heat on rice development and yield, especially in fields already under stress. Learn about key warning signs like twin-stemmed plants and sharply reduced yields in affected zones. 

For more episodes from the Crop Doctors, visit our website at http://extension.msstate.edu/shows/mississippi-crop-situation

Don and Tyler couldn’t stay away, so we have another Bugcast this week.  In this episode, Don and Tyler sat down with Tom and Jason to break down the latest information on new species of hoppers that have been identified across the southern U.S.  These tiny invaders don’t pose an imminent threat for 2025, but are worth considering moving toward the 2026 crop.  

For more episodes from the Crop Doctors, visit our website at http://extension.msstate.edu/shows/mississippi-crop-situation

From the Crop Doctors’ Podcast studio in Stoneville, Jason and Tom travel back to the Mississippi Delta of the mid-20th century to uncover the groundbreaking research of Dr. Chester G. McWhorter at the Delta Branch Experiment Station (Delta Research and Extension Center in Stoneville). Facing one of the South's most stubborn agricultural pests—johnsongrass—McWhorter led pioneering studies that changed how herbicides were applied and understood. His work laid the foundation for modern weed science, and he was the world’s foremost expert on johnsongrass.

For more episodes from the Crop Doctors, visit our website at http://extension.msstate.edu/shows/mississippi-crop-situation

Don and Tyler visited the Crop Doctors’ Podcast studio in Stoneville for one last Bugcast for the year.  They team up to break down the final push of insect pressure as the growing season winds down. From stink bugs in soybeans to rice stink bugs on rice, they cover what growers need to watch for, how to assess thresholds, and the most effective late-season management strategies. 

For more episodes from the Crop Doctors, visit our website at http://extension.msstate.edu/shows/mississippi-crop-situation