Hosts Brian Schrader and Carl Joern take a moment to look back on five years of the Indiana Pioneer Agronomy Podcast — from its early days discussing dicamba regulations to today’s in-depth field updates and industry insights. Join them for gratitude, agronomic updates, and an open call to help define the evolution of this long-running, award-winning podcast.

They also share news about co-host Ben Jacob’s next chapter and invite listeners to help shape the future of the podcast — from format to focus — as they consider new directions.

Plus, Brian and Carl discuss current soybean and corn harvest conditions, trends in maturity groups, and why soil sampling remains a critical investment for the seasons ahead.
 

📬 Feedback Welcome:

• Email Brian at [email protected]
• Email Carl at [email protected]

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It’s draft day on the Indiana Pioneer Agronomy Podcast! Carl Joern and Brian Schrader are joined by fellow agronomists Kyle Quick, Brian Early, Chelsea Whitcomb, and innovation manager Sean O’Malley for their annual product draft.

From powerhouse corn hybrids 🌽 to promising new soybean varieties 🌱, the team makes their picks, debates strategy, and shares insights from plots across Indiana and Illinois. They also discuss early harvest results, crop performance under drought, and key safety reminders for the season.

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From choosing a tractor over a Mustang in 1965, to the evolution of soybeans, ridge till, and iconic Pioneer hybrids like 3780 and 3394, Keith shares stories that trace the arc of modern agriculture. Together, Brian and Keith explore lessons from the farm crisis of the 1980s, the impact of changing weather, and the excitement (and challenges) of today’s big machinery and technology.

This is a heartfelt conversation about where farming has been—and where it’s headed.

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What began as a curious anomaly spotted across Indiana and beyond has sparked national interest among farmers and agronomists alike.

Dr. Quinn shares insights from his research and field observations, including possible environmental triggers, hybrid variability, and pollination impacts. The conversation explores how sudden weather swings, from cool, moist conditions to extreme heat, may be behind this rare occurrence—and why it’s so important to stay patient before drawing conclusions about crop health and yield.

For more info:

• Dr. Quinn’s website: thekernel.info
• Wrapped Tassels In Corn: Now What? https://extension.entm.purdue.edu/newsletters/pestandcrop/article/wrapped-tassels-in-corn-now-what/

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"If you have corn that you’re counting on for bushels, you need to be pretty proactive about managing southern rust," says Jacob. "The thing that keeps sticking in my mind is just how early it was here and how much heat there has been to build up an inoculum load across it. You don’t see the rust pustules the day it lands on the plant. What you’re seeing is at the tail end of the life cycle. I would assume that everything you’re looking at has more infection than what you can see visually… it can be quite severe."

If you're looking to do another fungicide application to control Southern Rust, Jacob and Joern recommend finding a product with an SDHI fungicide.

The conversation also covers late-season corn and soybean scouting priorities, from tar spot and northern corn leaf blight to SDS, white mold, and insect pressure.

About Southern Rust - https://www.corteva.us/Resources/crop-protection/disease-mgmt/watch-for-southern-rust-in-corn.html

Southern Rust in Corn - https://www.pioneer.com/us/agronomy/southern_rust_cropfocus.html

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🌽 From tar spot and southern rust in corn to white mold and red crown rot in soybeans, Dr. Telenko shares critical scouting tips, fungicide timing strategies, and insights on using the Crop Protection Network’s tools to make smart in-season decisions. As July heats up, she breaks down what to monitor in the field—and when to act.

🔍 Topics include:

• Current tar spot activity and risk across Indiana
• Southern rust tracking and sample submission
• Fungicide ROI and application timing at tassel and R1
• Managing gray leaf spot, frog eye leaf spot, and white mold
• How to identify and respond to red crown rot in soybeans
• Using digital tools like the Crop Protection Network to plan ahead
   

👉 Learn more at https://pioneer.com/podcasts

🔗 Crop Protection Network tools: https://cropprotectionnetwork.org/tools

🔗 CPN Fungicide ROI Calculators: https://cropprotectionnetwork.org/tools 

🔗  CPN Resources (maps and images): https://cropprotectionnetwork.org/education-and-resources

🔗  Telenko Lab: https://indianafieldcroppathology.com/

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Listen for:

🌱 Insights on corn and soybean growth stages, including variability in field conditions and the effects of early-season challenges like cool springs and excessive rainfall.

🌿 Tips for managing post-emergence herbicide applications in hot conditions, addressing crop response and weed control challenges.

🌽 Tips and info from Dr. Darcy Telenko on the early detection of tar spot in Indiana, including its implications and management considerations.

💧 From sprayer issues to growth regulator-like symptoms, Brian and Carl share experiences and solutions for unexpected field problems.

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Follow Brian Schrader on Instagram (@b_k_schrader) or email him at [email protected].

Connect with Carl Joern on Facebook (@CJordanAgronomy) for more agronomic insights.

Visit pioneer.com/podcasts additional episodes and innovative tools to fuel forward-thinking farming. Have a safe and happy 4th of July!

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He discusses the early detection of tar spot in Porter County, its implications for disease pressure across the state, and smart, cost-effective management approaches.

Ben also covers the rise in soybean seedling diseases like Phytophthora, what farmers can expect as seed treatments wear off, and the importance of genetic resistance and field tolerance.

Finally, he tackles the critical question: how much yield have we lost already? Spoiler alert—there’s still time to turn things around. Listen in for field-tested tips on nutrient management, side-dressing strategies (including sulfur), and how to make the most of your next 90 days.

🌽 Stay informed. Stay ahead. Stay safe.

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Join agronomists Brian Schrader, Carl Joern, and Ben Jacob as they break down the latest updates from across Indiana. From soggy fields in the south to progress in the north, the team discusses:

• Delayed planting progress and the looming deadline
• Tough decisions around crop insurance and field management
• The consequences of leaving ground fallow (weed pressure, fallow syndrome, and soil health)
• Replant concerns and variable crop stages across the state
• Corn turning purple: what it means, and why it's not a cause for panic
• Herbicide application tips: reading labels, staging corn correctly, and protecting your neighbors’ fields

📱 Follow the team:

• Carl Joern: Facebook @CJoernAgronomy
• Brian Schrader: Instagram @b_k_schrader
• Ben Jacob: Facebook @BenJacobAgronomy
   

🎧 Listen to more: pioneer.com/podcasts

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From evaluating hail and wind damage to understanding soybean replant thresholds and the resilience of V4-V5 corn, this episode delivers timely, boots-on-the-ground agronomic advice. The conversation also covers maturity switching decisions for delayed corn planting, the role of fungicides post-storm and why patience is a grower’s greatest tool right now.

Listen for:

• Planting progress updates across Indiana

• Tornado and dust storm crop impact reports

• Replant decision guidelines for corn and soybeans

• Maturity change considerations for late-planted corn

• Practical takeaways for recovering resilient fields
 

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