The Real Dirt: Inside PNW Agriculture with The McGregor Company

In this episode of The Real Dirt, we sit down with McGregor Seed and Research & Technology to take a closer look at what local research is telling us about varieties and seed treatments heading into 2027.

Mike Anderson, Cat McGregor, Bob Kolva, and Clark Neely discuss what makes The McGregor Company’s seed program different, why local research matters, and how years of trial data help identify varieties and treatments that truly fit the PNW. The conversation covers this year’s standout varieties, seed treatment results, Metribuzin tolerance, variety diversity, and the importance of looking beyond a single year’s results when making seed decisions.

From emergence and early-season performance to disease response and yield, the team shares what they’re seeing in the trials—and how those results can help growers make more informed decisions for the season ahead.

In this episode of The Real Dirt, The Columbia River Team discusses the challenges shaping agriculture across one of the most diverse growing regions in the Pacific Northwest. From drought, market pressures, and pest concerns to the realities of managing more than 35 different crops, the conversation explores what growers are facing today—and how they're adapting for tomorrow.

The team shares how creative thinking, new technologies, crop diversification, and collaborative problem-solving are helping growers find opportunities in difficult conditions. It's a conversation about resilience, innovation, and the relationships that help agriculture move forward.

In this episode of The Real Dirt, the North Palouse and Clearwater Teams break down the real-world impacts of an open winter on dryland farming this season. From early insect and disease pressure to moisture concerns and crop stress, the team shares what they’re seeing in the field right now—and how growers can stay proactive as conditions continue to change.

The conversation covers fall fertility and weed control decisions, fungicide timing, crop rotations, and the growing importance of planning ahead in a season with very little room for error.

In this episode, we sit down with our Blue Mountain Team to talk about what they’re seeing in the field right now. James Harri, Tyson Reger, and Will Capwell break down the biggest pressures showing up across the region, from disease and insect activity to the visible impact of how crops were set up earlier in the season. It’s a candid, in-the-field conversation about what’s working, what’s not, and where growers need to be paying attention right now.

We also talk through the tough decisions—timing, cost, and risk—and how a strong partnership between grower and agronomist can make all the difference in a year like this.

In this episode, we share the story behind D&M Chem and the road that led to joining The McGregor Company. Featuring Dee & Mathias Gargus, founders of D&M Chem, and Ian McGregor, president of The McGregor Company, we explore how a trusted, locally built business grew into a respected name in the valley—and how that legacy continues today.

From the early days of building relationships with growers to navigating an evolving agricultural landscape, this conversation highlights the values that defined D&M Chem from the beginning. We also discuss how the partnership with The McGregor Company came together, and how the combined strengths of both organizations are creating new opportunities for growers.

It’s a story of trust, alignment, and a shared commitment to serving agriculture for the long term.

In this episode, we sit down with our D&M Chem team (Jason Bolin, Oscar Leal, and Ramon Ortiz) to talk tree and vine agronomy — what they’re seeing across the valley and what it means for growers this season. From boots-on-the-ground scouting to managing dozens of chemistries in a single field, this is a real look at the art and science behind modern crop management.

We cover everything from water challenges and pest pressure to the role of beneficial insects and why early insight can make all the difference. It’s a practical, honest conversation about how growers can stay proactive, efficient, and profitable in a constantly changing environment.

In this episode of The Real Dirt: Inside PNW Agriculture with The McGregor Company, host Glenn Vaagen sits down with Cat McGregor, Jamie Slocum, and Audie Trudell for a timely roundtable conversation on seed treatments and early-season decision-making. The group discusses why seed treatment is often one of the best return-on-investment decisions at planting, the importance of being intentional early in the season, and how missed opportunities can compound and become harder to overcome later. They also touch on current field observations, including increased mite pressure following an open, mild winter, and what growers should be watching for as the season begins.