Pioneer Agronomy: Illinois

We get an update on drought stress, southern rust, tar spot and red crown rot. Each agronomist also shares boots-on-the-ground updates from their region—covering yield expectations, crop variability, and disease pressures farmers are facing this season.Hear practical agronomic advice for managing standability, harvest timing, and crop protection, plus key takeaways to carry into future growing seasons!

Listen for:✅ Why canola is gaining attention as a renewable diesel feedstock✅ How equipment, fertility, and herbicide management compare to corn, soybeans, and wheat✅ Key lessons learned from Illinois’ first canola acres✅ Where the crop fits in local rotations and markets✅ What farmers can expect for 2025 and beyondFun fact: At publication of this episode, the global leader growing canola by far (especially in Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Manitoba) is Canada. Canada grows about 20 million acres of canola each year.

🎯 Topics covered:Tar spot, gray leaf spot, and northern corn leaf blight updatesFungicide timing: spray early, wait, or plan for two passes?Insect pressure: rootworm, Japanese beetles, and moreFertility tips: sulfur on soybeans, residue management at harvestWhat to watch in late July and August 🎧 Listen to more episodes at: pioneer.com/podcasts

With over 26 years at Pioneer, Matt shares insights from recent research across 30+ field locations that reveal how kernel size—not just population or ear count—is a major driver of yield potential.Listen for how management practices influence kernel development, how nutrient timing plays a role, and what you can do to maximize grain fill from pollination through black layer.

They dig into decision-making factors when selecting fungicides, discuss the value of Corteva’s product lineup—including Approach(®) and Approach(®) Prima —and highlight the importance of timing, from V5 to R3. Brad also offers candid thoughts on the economics of early applications and how growers can prioritize acres when budget or logistics make it tough to treat every field.This episode offers a well-rounded look at how fungicides can help protect yield—and when it makes the most sense to spray.

In this special “coffee with the agronomists” edition, we get a diner-table style discussion about the ups and downs of the 2025 planting season. From early-start excitement to rain-soaked setbacks and crusting concerns, Pioneer agronomists share candid updates, key learnings and field-level wisdom from every corner of the state. 

We begin the episode hearing heartfelt stories about blending motherhood with a passion for agronomy, from toddlers marveling at tractors to teaching kids about corn. "I remember when [my daughter] was first learning to talk, and the first time she said corn, which was more like kern, it was so cute," says Crystal. "When she was 11 months old, barefoot out in the field and holding a seedling and was just curiously looking at the roots, and it just melted my heart."Then, a conversation about managing white mold. Chelsea interviews Crystal on the disease’s overwintering process, early-season strategies, variety selection and timely fungicide applications. Packed with practical tips and personal insights, this episode is a must-listen for farmers preparing for the 2025 growing season.Visit pioneer.com/podcasts for more episodes and innovative farming tools.

💡 Clif Notes from the conversation 💡- Planting depth: 2-2.5 inches for corn, 1.5 inches for soybeans- Planting ahead of rain: Go for it—if conditions are good and the forecasted rain is not excessive- Adjusting populations: No adjustments needed yet; consider increasing soybean populations if planting drags into late May- Switching maturities: Stick with your original hybrids unless planting slips into June- Early planting temperatures: 50°F soil temps are still important, but today's hybrids handle early planting risks better than ever.Andy also offers advice on managing risk, staying patient during critical planting windows, and making smart decisions based on soil conditions rather than calendar dates.👉 Like and subscribe for more from this pod. Visit pioneer.com/podcasts for more episodes and resources.

As spring planting kicks into high gear, they discuss how Pioneer® evaluates seed treatment products, the importance of multiple modes of action, and what makes proven solutions like ILEVO® still top contenders in disease suppression—especially against threats like soybean cyst nematode and the emerging red crown rot.You’ll also hear insights into how Corteva’s industry-leading Seed Applied Technologies Center tests and develops treatments that balance efficacy, safety, and broad-spectrum disease protection—giving farmers tools to ensure a strong start for their crops in unpredictable spring conditions.Whether you're a grower, sales rep, or just ag-curious, this episode offers timely knowledge to help you make confident decisions for the 2025 season—and beyond.🌱 Topics Covered:Corteva’s "PASSER" seed treatment evaluation model (plantability, application, seed safety, stewardship, efficacy and regulatory)Why multiple modes of action matterThe value of long-standing treatments like ILEVO®Updates on red crown rot researchSafety tips and encouragement for a safe spring season 📚 Other Resources:https://corteva.showpad.com/share/zUkuwqEZmoaMCiTFq7FJmhttps://corteva.showpad.com/share/03wSDRqqe5Lm84c4zfIyh

"The easiest way to incorporate these products is in a pass you’re already making," says Goede. "So if you have in furrow applicators, you can tank mix it, or you can tank mix it with an herbicide on a second pass through the field."For the 2025 season, NEXTA Biologicals is focusing on PGRs (plant growth regulators), synthetic hormones that are naturally occurring in plants. Some PGRs are stress hormones, and some are growth hormones.A lot of growers are hesitant about biologicals, which is understandable with more than 1200 different companies selling some sort of biological product. Goede urges growers to do some side-by-side testing this season to see what works on their farm. “When you say biological to a grower, it opens up a wave of emotion," Goede laughed. "Some people say snake out. Some people say moon juice, but there are products out there that are beneficial.”Find more information about NEXTA Biologicals here: https://www.pioneer.com/us/products/nexta-biologicals.html  

During this episode of the Illinois Pioneer Agronomy Podcast, host Crystal Williams talks Brad Mason, an agronomist based in Macomb, IL, about pre-planting tasks and checklists. Mason also gives some advice about what to look at as you’re breaking out your planter for the season. “I know it’s time consuming calibrating the planter,” Mason says. “But it’s worth spending the time, and we’ve had great weather this year to do it.”

Enlist E3® soybeans are an advanced seed with high yield potential and a robust herbicide tolerance, but as with any other seed, proper planning goes into getting a good yield. ----More about Enlist: https://www.pioneer.com/us/products/soybeans/enlist-e3.html?cid=mkch:sem_mktp:gsh_ctry:us_brnd:phi_agny:IHA_mkdv:pd_objv:cod_audn:frm_prct:SED_cpds:ADW-Pioneer-Soybean-Soybean-Search-Traits_cpky:36001!s_kwcid=AL!9480!3!490219065826!e!!g!!enlist%20soybeans&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAw5W-BhAhEiwApv4goIMZuK528SGe7qXGzat-MRRdq1EfCsh2J_Kylci-s98RCoZG5ddP9xoCfyAQAvD_BwE About waterhemp: https://farmdoc.illinois.edu/field-crop-production/weeds/survey-for-resistance-to-group-15-herbicides-in-illinois-waterhemp.html

In this episode, Pioneer Southern Illinois Field Agronomist Scott Eversgerd joins host and fellow agronomist Crystal Williams to tackle topics like scouting for winter kill, nitrogen and sulfur management, disease management, and other timely topics for managing high yielding wheat.Additional Resources:Management for High Yield Winter Wheat - Eastern North AmericaWheat Management to Maximize Yield PotentialFusarium Head Blight (Scab)

During this episode of the Pioneer Agronomy Podcast from Illinois,  how planting dates and weather affected yield in 2024. Some places went a full 60 days without rain in parts of the state, which is why early planted soybeans did much better than late planted ones. "May corn might have looked a little better in parts of Illinois, but it was the April plants that did the best in terms of yield and plant health," says Jason McVicker, who is a field agronomist for Pioneer. "As we take a look at yield trends, we have a lot of great yields. It was definitely one that guys will remember for the years to come, and that's a testament to the genetics and the management strategy growers have used." "I would be planting the last week of April or the first week of May in the spring," Brad Mason adds. The moisture we've just gotten make him feel better about tilling and applying nitrogen, but adds that nitrogen stabilizers and good plans are going to be very important going into next season.During this episode, we also welcome back Crystal Williams. "Adding to what Brad and Jason said -- we saw 8.6 bushel per acre per month drop in yield by month for crops in Illinois this year," she said. Voices on this episode: Rachel Fulton, Agronomy Innovation Manager Jason McVicker, Field Agronomist Brad Mason, Field Agronomist Crystal Williams, Field Agronomist Scott Eversgerd, Field Agronomist

“The mentality that we don’t have to stabilize [nitrogen] in spring is a really poor one,” Andrew Luzum, Nutrient Maximizer Strategic Account Manager explains. “When we talk about that temperature sensitive chart, when soil temperatures warm up is when that bacteria load really starts to become more rampant and reproduce, and that’s when the degradation of the nitrogen happens. The reality is when we make fall-applied applications, that period in which the stabilizer is really doing its job really shouldn’t happen until spring, as long as we’re applying our nitrogen when the soil temperature is 50 degrees and trending down.” But if you’re working with warm soil conditions, that’s a really long time for the nitrogen stabilizer to continue to do its job.“The reality is if we’re trying to stabilize that nitrogen in the fall — it has to last for 6-8 months. Spring is just as important as fall,” Luzum said. Also on this episode of the podcast: Rachel Fulton, Agronomy Innovation ManagerJason McVicker, Field AgronomistAndy Knepp, Field AgronomistPat Reeg, Field AgronomistResources mentioned in this episode: Can I apply anhydrous on dry soil? https://crops.extension.iastate.edu/encyclopedia/anhydrous-application-and-dry-soils2024 Fall Nitrogen Loss Update: https://youtu.be/NBVi_pOw5wo

Some areas of the state saw some good rainfall associated with Hurricane Helene, but in other parts of the state, some farmers might go the entire month of October with no additional moisture. Listen in as host Rachel Fulton, Agronomy Innovation Manager, gets a field and crop update from: Scott Eversgerd, Field Agronomist Matt Montgomery, Field Agronomist Andy Knepp, Field Agronomist Jason McVicker, Field Agronomist

History of the corn breeding program at Pioneer Seed: https://www.pioneer.com/us/agronomy/corn-yield-gains.html 

Illinois growers are seeing an uptick in disease at the end of this season, and during this episode of the Pioneer Agronomy Podcast, experts in the state talk about what they are seeing in terms of tip die back and tar spot. Also: despite the disease, agronomists are seeing outstanding yields on corn crops so far this harvest. Hear from: Field Agronomist Pat ReggField Agronomist Scott EversgereField Agronomist Jason McVicerAgronomy Innovation Manager Rachel Fulton Field Agronomist Andy Knepp 

During this episode, we learn about how recent political developments are affecting the commodity markets, specifically soybeans, and gas prices with Roger Theisen, who has been working with Corteva for more than 20 years. Also on this episode of the podcast: Roger Theisen, Marketing Manager, Specialty Crops Jason McVicker, Field Agronomist Matt Montgomery, Field Agronomist Andy Knepp, Field Agronomist Scott Eversgerd, Field Agronomist Pat Reeg, Field Agronomist Rachel Fulton, Agronomy Innovation Manager 

This episode of the Illinois Pioneer Agronomy Podcast features crop and field updates from Rachel Fulton, Agronomy Innovation Manager; Scott Eversgerd, Field Agronomist; Matt Montgomery, Field Agronomist; Andy Knepp, Field Agronomist and John Kultgen, Field Agronomist.ResourcesWebsite: Sudden Death Syndrome of Soybeans Website: Red Crown Rot in Soybeans