Listen for: 

The 2025 Weather Whiplash

• One of the driest planting seasons on record, followed by heavy rains, humidity, and flooding.

Disease Pressure Across Nebraska

• Southern rust outbreaks and why 2025 was so severe
• Tar spot expansion, especially in eastern Nebraska
• Ear rots driven by late-season humidity and fog
• Why southern rust is more aggressive than tar spot

Fungicide Strategy

• R1 vs. R3 timing: what worked best
• When a second fungicide pass makes sense
• Why waiting too long costs yield
• Hybrid tolerance vs. chemical protection

Nitrogen & Fertility Decisions

• Early-season drought causing growers to pull back
• How lost N and sulfur hurt disease resistance
• Why “defense mode” can leave yield on the table

Kernel Weight & Late-Season Stress

• Why great ear counts didn’t turn into great yields
• The importance of sunlight during grain fill
• “Third and fourth quarter” of corn development

Herbicide Injury & Crop Stress

• Dicamba, growth regulators, and rapid weather swings
• Twisting, stunting, and plant metabolism overload
• Why pre-emerge weed control matters more than ever

Soybean Diseases in 2025

• Why white mold didn’t explode despite perfect conditions
• Sudden death syndrome showing up
• Low levels of bacterial and foliar disease

Hybrid Selection & Placement

• Disease-tolerant vs. susceptible genetics
• Why seed choice is critical as diseases intensify

Application Methods

• Aerial, ground rig, drones, and pivot chemigation
• Why uniform coverage matters more than the tool

Planning for 2026

• Don’t farm “average” — every year is different
• Why flexibility beats rigid plans
• How to prepare if southern rust shows up again

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. 

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