Pioneer Agronomy: Illinois

This update features a few new and familiar faces: Rachel Fulton, Agronomy Innovation Manager Scott Eversgerd, Field Agronomist Reed Morris, Strategic Account Manager Brad Mason, Field Agronomist Pat Reeg, Field Agronomist Jason McVicker, Field Agronomist

Illinois Pioneer Agronomists Crystal Williams, Pat Reeg,  Andy Knepp and Matt Montgomery provide field updates and discuss planning fungicide applications. The most important factor determining the value of a foliar fungicide application is disease pressure. When weather conditions are conducive for foliar diseases, a fungicide application can be beneficial. Hybrids that have lower levels of genetic resistance to a given foliar disease are more likely to benefit from a fungicide application if that disease becomes prevalent. A special guest this episode Rachel Fulton, Agronomy Innovation Manager, joins and will be temporarily hosting podcast episodes. Also joining are Jeff Bode and Brad Allen, Corteva Agriscience Market Development Specialists. 

0:00 - 4:55 - Guest Introductions
4:56 - 15:51 - Timing Corn Fungicide Applications
15:52 - 23:41 - Which Fungicides Should I Use?
23:42 - 32:17 - Managing Disease with the Right Tools
32:18 - 44:02 - Late-Season Fungicide Applications

Resources

Article: Maximizing the Value of Foliar Fungicide in Corn - https://www.pioneer.com/us/agronomy/maximizing_foliar_fungicides_corn.html

Video: When to Spray Fungicides - https://youtu.be/tFp2fh4ESB0?si=ThQmBy03pyQloLtG

Video: Maximizing Plant Health and Yield with Fungicides - https://youtu.be/njC3kSbVnp4?si=QvoTWpum4_bLSGfL

Video: Determining the Proper Time to Spray Fungicides - https://youtu.be/x6e0BkkxuWI?si=dqPlm7O0G-9ENCX2

Illinois Pioneer Agronomists go around the horn, providing field, planting and crop updates around Illinois. As field conditions vary from field to field and county to county, it's important to look keep a tab on fields early and often. Hosts Crystal Williams, Brad Mason, Matt Montgomery and Scott Eversgerd talk planting progress, early season outlook and more. 

1:05 -  Northern Illinois Update
4:04 - Western Illinois Update
9:40 - West-Central Central Illinois Update
16:32 - Southern Illinois Update
 

Hosts Crystal Williams, Andy Knepp, Matt Montgomery, Pat Reeg and Scott Eversgerd discuss early and in-season nitrogen and how growers can get the most out of their nitrogen investments. Joining this episode is Chris Kluemke, Corteva Agriscience Nutrient Maximizer Team. Chris provides insight into the importance of protecting nitrogen side-dress applications and the benefits that will come throughout the growing season.  

Resources

Article - Timing Nitrogen Applications in Corn: https://www.pioneer.com/us/agronomy/timing_n_application_corn_cropfocus.html

Video - Nitrogen Best Management Practices: https://youtu.be/pgFwSnpBJ7M?si=nd6ssxhmLLUU_uvO

We're back for Season Two of the Illinois Pioneer Agronomy podcast! Illinois Pioneer Agronomists Crystal Williams, Matt Montgomery, Scott Eversgerd and Brad Mason discuss Illinois planting as growers get their 2024 crop in the ground. Joining this episode is Pat Reeg, Pioneer Field Agronomist. Pat and the group discusses Black Cutworm and other early season pests throughout the state. 

1:10 - 3:30 Northern Illinois Agronomy Update

3:31 - 5:10 East-Central Agronomy Update

5:11 - 6:37 Black Cutworm and Other Early Season Pests

6:38 - 9:36 Western Illinois Agronomy Update

9:37 - 13:38 West-Central Central Illinois Agronomy Update

13:39 - 17:00 Southern Illinois Agronomy Update

Resources

Early Season Soybean Pests and Diseases: https://www.pioneer.com/us/agronomy/early-soybean-pests-diseases.html

Black Cutworm: https://www.pioneer.com/us/agronomy/black_cutworm_cropfocus.html

Video - Getting Familiar with Black Cutworm: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiWB1roA-Kg

Video - Understanding and Controlling Black Cutworm: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqiZi7HViHY

And that's a wrap on the 2023 growing season! In this episode of the Illinois Agronomy Podcast, hosts Crystal Williams, Brad Mason, Matt Montgomery and Scott Eversgerd put a bow on the 2023 season. The group recap the first season of the podcast, highlighting working across the state and across state lines throughout each episode. Also discussed are agronomic highlights and what has been learned from another growing season. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Illinois Pioneer Agronomy team!

Illinois Pioneer Agronomists Crystal Williams, Matt Montgomery and Scott Eversgerd discuss setting your operation up for success in 2024. The trio also provide harvest updates for the state as harvest gets closer to wrapping up for the 2023 season. For setting growers up for a successful 2024, the agronomists discuss optimal conditions for tillage, whether cover crops are right for your operation, fall burndown priorities and fertility planning. Growers are making decisions on whether to apply fertilizer yet this year or wait until spring 2024. 

1:22 - 3:57 Northern Illinois Agronomy Update

3:58 - 6:22 Western Illinois Agronomy Update

6:22 - 9:22 Southern Illinois Agronomy Update

9:23 - 17:32 Optimal Conditions for Tillage

17:33 - 24:46 Cover Crops

24:47 - 32:27 Fall Burndown Considerations

32:28 - 43:44 Fertility Planning for Fall and Spring

Resources:

Illinois Voluntary Limestone Program: https://agr.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/agr/about/documents/limestone/2022limestonebook.pdf

10 Tips for Making the Switch to Strip-Till Farming: https://www.pioneer.com/us/agronomy/10-tips-for-switching-to-strip-till.html

10 Tips for Making the Switch to No-Till: https://www.pioneer.com/us/agronomy/10-tips-for-switching-to-no-till.html

Winter Cover Crops for Corn and Soybean Cropping Systems: https://www.pioneer.com/us/agronomy/winter_cover_crops_cropfocus.html

Managing Winter Cover Crops in Corn and Soybean Cropping Systems: https://www.pioneer.com/us/agronomy/managing_winter_cover_crops.html

Phosphorus and Potassium Fertility for Corn and Soybean: https://www.pioneer.com/us/agronomy/phosphorus_potassium_fertility.html

Sulfur Fertility for Crop Production: https://www.pioneer.com/us/agronomy/sulfur_fertility_for_crop_production.html

Illinois Pioneer Agronomists Crystal Williams, Cody Pettit, Brad Mason, Matt Montgomery and Scott Eversgerd dive into fall nitrogen management and considerations for growers. Joining this episode are Heather Vosburgh, Corteva Agriscience Territory Manager and member of the Nutrient Maximizer Team, and Mike Koenigs, Pioneer Sales Representative and member of the Nutrient Maximizer Team. The group fall nitrogen and how growers can better protect their investment, overall nitrogen management for this fall and 2024 growing season, and they dip into nutrient stabilizers.  

0:43 - 2:19 Northern Illinois Agronomy Update

2:20 - 3:43 Western Illinois Agronomy Update

3:44 - 5:46 Eastern Illinois Agronomy Update

5:47 - 8:07 West-Central Illinois Agronomy Update

8:08 - 10:08 Southern Illinois Agronomy Update

10:09 - 15:47 Nutrient Reduction Strategies and Nitrogen Regulation

15:48 - 24:24 Fall Nitrogen Applications

24:25 - 31:25 Nitrogen Stabilizers  and Inhibitors

31:26 - 38:02 Changes in Nitrogen Through the Years

Resources

Video - Nitrogen Best Management Practices: https://youtu.be/pgFwSnpBJ7M?si=WIiLOq6astIzdan-

Nitrogen Application Timing in Corn Production: https://www.pioneer.com/us/agronomy/nitrogen_application_timing.html

Nitrogen Fertilizers and Stabilizers for Corn Production: https://www.pioneer.com/us/agronomy/common_n_fertilizers_stabilizers.html

5 Tips to Get Fall Nitrogen Applications Right: https://www.corteva.us/Resources/crop-protection/corn/get-fall-nitrogen-applications-right-anhydrous-manure.html

Illinois Pioneer Agronomists Crystal Williams, Matt Montgomery and Scott Eversgerd discuss fall wheat planting and preparation for growers. Wheat variety selection and seed treatment are important considerations, especially to control diseases like head scab. Fall fertility plans are also important to make before planting. As for planting dates, northern fields a traditionally planted first. Observe the “fly-free” date for your area. Optimum planting date will be on or within 10 days after that date. According to University of Illinois research, little yield loss occurs if wheat is planted within 10 days after the fly-free date. Planting too early encourages lush fall growth which puts the wheat at increased risk of Hessian fly, aphids, viruses, and fall infection of foliar diseases. 

0:58 - 3:29 Northern Illinois Agronomy Update

3:30 - 4:57 West-Central Illinois Agronomy Update

4:58 - 7:05 Central Illinois Agronomy Update

7:06 - 12:52 Eastern Illinois Agronomy Update

12:53 - 23:10 Selecting the right wheat variety

23:11 - 32:44 Wheat fertility management

32:45 - 46:19 Hessian Fly Free Dates for Illinois and crop establishment

46:20 - 51:50 Pioneer Wheat Breeding and Planting Tips

Resources

Fall Wheat Recommendations: https://www.pioneer.com//agronomy/cropfocus_pdf/fall_wheat_recommendations_.pdf

Wheat Management 101: https://pioneer-agronomy-illinois.simplecast.com/episodes/wheat-management-101