Pollination marks the transition from growing a plant to producing grain—and the nutrition decisions made during this stage can determine whether a crop reaches its full yield potential. In Episode 21, the team explores what they're seeing in northeast Colorado corn fields during pollination, discussing heat, tassel timing, pollen shed, and why hot summer days aren't always the yield threat many growers assume they are.The conversation takes a deep dive into late-season crop nutrition, with a focus on tissue testing, nutrient mobility, and why certain deficiencies become difficult—or even impossible—to correct once they appear. The hosts explain why zinc should be prioritized at planting, how foliar applications fit into an overall fertility program, and why growers should focus on building soil fertility instead of constantly chasing tissue test results throughout the season.They also discuss two often-overlooked nutrients during reproductive growth: molybdenum and boron. Learn how molybdenum supports nitrogen conversion during kernel development, why boron plays a critical role in pollination, and how potassium may be limiting yields even in soils that appear to have adequate levels. The episode also covers whole-plant nutrient sampling, fertility timing, stalk strength, and practical strategies for maximizing kernel fill and protecting yield through the remainder of the growing season.Whether you're evaluating tissue tests, planning a fungicide pass, questioning micronutrient applications, or simply looking to better understand how corn uses nutrients during reproduction, this episode delivers practical, research-backed agronomic insights to help you make more confident late-season management decisions.

Description:

Tassel time is one of the most critical decision-making periods of the growing season—and the choices made now can have a major impact on final yield.

In Episode 20, the team dives into how they approach late-season crop management, beginning with real-time tissue testing using the Picketa LENS system. They discuss how same-day nutrient analysis is changing fertility decisions, why tracking nutrient trends is more valuable than reacting to a single tissue sample, and how growers can fine-tune fertilizer applications during one of corn's highest-demand growth stages. 

The conversation then shifts to insect management at tasseling, covering spider mites, Western bean cutworm, rootworm beetles, treatment thresholds, scouting techniques, and how current grain prices influence economic spray decisions. The hosts explain what they're seeing in northeast Colorado fields, how to properly identify egg masses, and why timing is everything when making insecticide applications. They also discuss bacterial leaf streak, fungicide decisions, plant health, heat stress, and the role strong fertility programs play in building more resilient crops during the most demanding part of the season. 

Whether you're preparing for tassel, evaluating tissue tests, scouting for insects, or deciding if another application will pay, this episode delivers practical, field-tested agronomic insights to help maximize yield potential and make confident in-season management decisions.

What separates an average crop from one that reaches its full yield potential? Often, it's the decisions made during the middle of the growing season. 

In Episode 19, the team shares a mid-July crop update from northeast Colorado, discussing everything from V10-V12 corn and sugar beet development to hail damage, spider mites, nutrient deficiencies, and the challenges of scouting fields during one of the busiest times of the season. They explain why stress management has become such an important part of modern crop production and how products like plant growth regulators, biologicals, micronutrients, and seed treatments can help crops recover from herbicide injury, nematodes, high pH soils, and other environmental challenges. 

The conversation also explores how agronomists make real-time management decisions, including insect thresholds, timing miticide applications, balancing beneficial insects, and determining when an investment in crop protection will generate a return. Along the way, the hosts discuss current field observations, new product trials, specialty crops, and why successful crop nutrition is built on season-long management—not a single application.

How do we push crop yields higher without simply applying more inputs?In Episode 18, we continue our conversation with Zachary Carlson of Redox Bionutrients, taking a deeper dive into plant physiology, nitrogen efficiency, and the science behind helping crops perform under stress. Zach explains how Redox's RAM (Redox Active Molecule) technology works to improve nutrient metabolism, reduce plant stress, and help crops use nitrogen more efficiently rather than simply applying more of it.

The discussion explores plant charge balance, nutrient use efficiency, biostimulants, and why understanding how plants function may be the next major step in advancing agricultural productivity. We also examine why many farms feel they've reached a yield plateau, the importance of questioning long-held management practices, and how new technologies—from biological products to precision agriculture—can help producers improve profitability without sacrificing stewardship.

Along the way, Zach and the team discuss diversification, changing global grain markets, the value of trusted advisors, and why agriculture's future depends on combining sound agronomic fundamentals with a willingness to challenge conventional thinking.

Whether you're a farmer, agronomist, crop consultant, or simply fascinated by the science behind crop production, this episode offers practical insights into plant health, nutrient management, and building more resilient farming systems for the future.

What can row crop farmers learn from a dairy operation that consumes feed from nearly 80,000 acres each year?

In Episode 17, we continue our conversation with Stratton Kraft of Kraft Family Dairies, diving into the crop production side of the operation and the management decisions that drive both profitability and long-term sustainability. From growing corn silage and alfalfa to managing manure nutrients, cover crops, soil health, and irrigation challenges, Stratton shares how the dairy's farming practices have evolved over time.

The conversation explores the role of Dairy Farmers of America (DFA), the economic impact dairies have on rural communities, and why successful operations often depend on information sharing, strong leadership, and continuous improvement. We also discuss lessons learned from peer groups, on-farm research, cover crop adoption, nutrient management, soil biology, manure utilization, and the importance of challenging conventional thinking.Along the way, Stratton shares stories of accidental field trials, unconventional farming decisions, and the mindset that has helped Kraft Family Dairies continually improve both crop and dairy performance.

Whether you're a dairy producer, row crop farmer, agronomist, or simply interested in innovative agricultural management, this episode offers practical insights into stewardship, profitability, and the value of never being afraid to try something new.

Can farmers apply less fertilizer and still maintain yields? In this episode, we sit down with AgroLiquid agronomists Reid Janssen and James Jacobs to discuss nutrient efficiency, fertilizer technology, and the science behind getting more value from every fertilizer dollar. 

The conversation explores AgroLiquid's proprietary Nutriq Technology, how nutrient availability impacts crop performance, and why fertilizer efficiency becomes even more important during periods of tight farm margins. We discuss phosphorus management, soil chemistry, nutrient tie-up, application timing, and how modern fertility programs can help improve return on investment while reducing waste. 

We also dive into real-world examples from corn, wheat, alfalfa, potatoes, cotton, and specialty crops across the Great Plains. Reid and James share insights from decades of research, on-farm trials, and AgroLiquid's extensive research program, highlighting the importance of data-driven decisions and long-term nutrient management strategies. 

Whether you're evaluating fertilizer programs, looking to improve nutrient efficiency, or simply trying to maximize profitability in a challenging ag economy, this episode offers practical insights into the technologies, research, and management decisions that help growers get more from every acre.

What does it take to milk 6,700 cows, manage 85 employees, and keep a dairy operating 24 hours a day, 365 days a year? In this episode, we sit down with Stratton Kraft of Kraft Family Dairies to discuss the systems, discipline, and decision-making required to run a modern dairy operation. 

The conversation dives into dairy technology, milk production, calf management, genetics, employee culture, and the realities of managing a business where every detail matters. We also explore why successful agricultural operations often rely on strong systems, clear communication, and a relentless focus on efficiency. 

Beyond the dairy, we discuss one of agriculture's biggest opportunities for improvement: data. From understanding cost of production and tracking profitability to learning from neighbors and sharing information across the industry, Stratton shares why better recordkeeping and collaboration can help farms become more profitable and resilient. We also talk about leadership, employee development, continuous learning, and why some of the best lessons in agriculture come from stepping outside your own operation. 

Whether you're involved in dairy, row crops, livestock, or agribusiness, this episode offers practical insights on business management, lifelong learning, and the systems that separate good operations from great ones. 

Volunteer corn, early-season nematodes, herbicide decisions, planter performance, and hail damage are all showing up across fields this spring—and growers are being reminded that no one knows their crop better than they do.

In this episode, we discuss the agronomic challenges we're seeing in the field right now, including volunteer corn pressure following a mild winter, how population levels can impact yield, and what management options growers should consider. We also dive into nematode pressure, early-season fertility observations, planter diagnostics, and the importance of evaluating stand establishment before problems become yield robbers.

The conversation explores herbicide timing, residual weed control, waterhemp management, hail damage assessments, and why corn can advance several growth stages in what feels like just a few days. We also discuss why scouting remains one of the most valuable tools on the farm, how growers can work more effectively with agronomists and retailers, and why documenting successes and mistakes today can lead to better decisions next season.

Whether you're evaluating stand counts, diagnosing field variability, or simply trying to stay ahead of the growing season, this episode offers practical observations and real-world lessons from the field.

From soil biology and nutrient cycling to herbicide stress and nitrogen efficiency, this episode dives deep into how biological products are being used to help crops perform under some of agriculture’s toughest growing conditions.We sit down with Matt Helms of BW Fusion to discuss why soil health is more than just chemistry, how biology influences nutrient availability, and why growers across the Great Plains are paying closer attention to stress mitigation. The conversation explores herbicide stress, drought stress, sugar production inside the plant, organic matter challenges, and how different growing environments require different management strategies.We also break down the role of amino acids, nitrogen conversion, nutrient movement within the plant, and why keeping crops healthier later into the season can have a major impact on grain fill and overall profitability. Plus, we discuss why biologicals have earned both excitement and skepticism in the marketplace, what separates effective products from marketing hype, and how growers can evaluate new technologies with confidence.

From layered residuals and pre-emerge timing to rescue passes and weed resistance, this episode dives deep into what actually works in modern corn herbicide programs — especially in high-pressure acres across the Great Plains.

We break down why strong pre-emerge programs are becoming more important than ever, how products like Anthem NXT, mesotrione, atrazine, and dicamba fit together in layered systems, and why waiting too long to spray can cost both yield and profit. The conversation also explores residual activation, cover crop termination, pigweed pressure, irrigation timing, and how growers are balancing weed tolerance with tighter margins in today’s farm economy.

Plus, we discuss the hidden costs of late rescue applications, why “clean early” matters more than perfect-looking fields late season, and how new technologies like See & Spray could change the economics of herbicide programs moving forward.