Keeping It Independent

Welcome to Keeping It Independent from Wyffels Hybrids. This podcast will focus on answering questions farmers face every day. We’re going to approach each question or topic from an unbiased, independent perspective and provide the best information we can to help you make the best decision for your operation.

Skip the Pencil. Ink-in Fungicide for 2026.

It's mid-December and we're still talking fungicide. Why? After what we saw in 2025, it requires a deeper dive before 2026 decisions are made.Fungicides are a valuable tool for raising high yielding corn. The benefits include increased yield, improved plant health and better standability at harvest. All hybrids can respond positively to a properly timed fungicide application, especially in environments that favor the development of leaf disease.On today's podcast, the Wyffels agronomy team reviews multiyear data, explores best practices for ROI, and offers thoughts on strategy for 2026. Links discussed in this episode:Between the Rows® - Fungicide Use on Wyffels HybridsWyffels Hybrids Trial ResultsBetween the Rows® - Southern RustWe want to hear from you. Have questions you want us to address on future episodes? Ideas for how we can make this better? Email us at agronomy@wyffels.com. Wyffels Hybrids. Fiercely independent, and proud of it.►  Let’s ConnectFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/WyffelsHybridsX: https://www.x.com/WyffelsHybridsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/wyffelshybrids/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wyffelshybrids

12-11
30:55

Story of the Season: Part 2

So, what just happened? With corn harvest in the rearview, the Wyffels Agronomy team is ready to break it all down.Today's podcast reviews the 2025 growing season in Wisconsin, Illinois, and eastern Iowa. What went right? What impacted performance? What lessons can we take from it going forward?Listen to Part 1 - South Dakota, Minnesota, and western Iowa HERE.Links discussed in this episode:Between the Rows® - Fungicide Use on Wyffels HybridsWyffels Hybrids Trial ResultsIowa Environmental MesonetWe want to hear from you. Have questions you want us to address on future episodes? Ideas for how we can make this better? Email us at agronomy@wyffels.com. Wyffels Hybrids. Fiercely independent, and proud of it.►  Let’s ConnectFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/WyffelsHybridsX: https://www.x.com/WyffelsHybridsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/wyffelshybrids/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wyffelshybrids

11-21
22:23

Story of the Season: Part 1

So, what just happened?Today's podcast focuses on the 2025 growing season in eastern South Dakota, southern Minnesota, and into Iowa. To the north, corn growers saw favorable conditions and spots with record yields, but Iowa fields struggled with Southern Rust and other challenges amid hot, wet conditions.With corn harvest in the rearview, the Wyffels Agronomy team is ready to break it all down. They take a look at the factors that influenced hybrid performance, and share what lessons can be applied going forward. Part 2 of our mini-series will cover Wisconsin, Illinois, and eastern Iowa.Links discussed in this episode:Between the Rows® - Fungicide Use on Wyffels HybridsWyffels Hybrids Trial ResultsIowa Environmental MesonetWe want to hear from you. Have questions you want us to address on future episodes? Ideas for how we can make this better? Email us at agronomy@wyffels.com. Wyffels Hybrids. Fiercely independent, and proud of it.►  Let’s ConnectFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/WyffelsHybridsX: https://www.x.com/WyffelsHybridsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/wyffelshybrids/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wyffelshybrids

11-18
31:21

What (And What Not) to Learn from 2025

Harvest is in full swing across the Corn Belt! And yield results are looking extremely variable. A wild season of heat, drought, excessive rainfall, and other environmental challenges have made for a unique corn harvest. On this week's podcast, the Wyffels agronomy team discusses harvest progress, yield component analysis, fall fertilizer, and more.Links discussed in this episode:Between the Rows® - Fungicide Use on Wyffels HybridsBetween the Rows® - Ear Rots and Kernel MoldsWyffels Harvest Progress Report MapWe want to hear from you. Have questions you want us to address on future episodes? Ideas for how we can make this better? Email us at agronomy@wyffels.com. Wyffels Hybrids. Fiercely independent, and proud of it.►  Let’s ConnectFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/WyffelsHybridsX: https://www.x.com/WyffelsHybridsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/wyffelshybrids/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wyffelshybrids

10-10
27:34

Digging Deeper on Hybrid Evaluation

Harvest is coming in hot! Combines are rolling in parts of the Corn Belt and we're seeing a mixed bag of results. Southern Rust, drought, extreme heat, fungicide decisions, and more are impacting yields in significant ways. On this week's podcast, the Wyffels agronomy team discusses disease management, early harvest returns, and what we should (and should not) take from 2025 as we look ahead to 2026.Links discussed in this episode:Between the Rows® - Fungicide Use on Wyffels HybridsBetween the Rows® - Ear Rots and Kernel MoldsWyffels Grain Drying CalculatorWe want to hear from you. Have questions you want us to address on future episodes? Ideas for how we can make this better? Email us at agronomy@wyffels.com. Wyffels Hybrids. Fiercely independent, and proud of it.

09-17
21:56

Live from FPS: Best Bang for the Buck

Yield is important, but so is ROI. When budgets get tight, what are the best management decisions for your corn acres? What tools and tips make those decisions easier?On this week's episode, the Wyffels agronomy team discuss what corn growers can do to finish 2025 strong, management suggestions as we look ahead to 2026, and they give a brief update on current crop conditions.Links discussed in this episode:Wyffels Yield CalculatorWyffels Grain Drying CalculatorBetween the Rows® - Corn Pollination and Grain FillBetween the Rows® - Southern Rust

09-01
21:43

Live from FPS: Looking Through The Crystal Ball

After a blazing hot summer, what's next for the corn crop as we head into September? How does this time of year impact yields and harvest timing? On this week's podcast, the Wyffels agronomy team discusses disease pressure, grain fill, and what to expect ahead of harvest.Links discussed in this episode:Wyffels Yield CalculatorWyffels Grain Drying CalculatorBetween the Rows® - Corn Pollination and Grain FillWe want to hear from you. Have questions you want us to address on future episodes? Email us at agronomy@wyffels.com. Wyffels Hybrids. Fiercely independent, and proud of it.►  Let’s ConnectFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/WyffelsHybridsX: https://www.x.com/WyffelsHybridsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/wyffelshybrids/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wyffelshybrids#Corn #SeedCorn #Agronomy #Agronomics #Midwest #Farming #rowcrops #fungicide #tarspot #podcast #farmtalk #agribusiness #grainfill #pollination #seedcorn #harvest2025 #southernrust 

08-29
25:01

Extra Special Episode: An "Extreme" Pollination Window

August is coming in hot! After an "extreme" start to pollination with high temps and lots of rain for much of the Corn Belt, we're entering an uncertain period. Will we see extra special yields come harvest? Or will the wild weather deny us?On this week's podcast, the Wyffels agronomy team discusses pollination, grain fill, and the late season fungicide decision.Links discussed in this episode:Wyffels Yield CalculatorBetween the Rows® - Corn Pollination and Grain FillBetween the Rows® - Fungicide Use on Wyffels HybridsWe want to hear from you. Have questions you want us to address on future episodes? Ideas for how we can make this better? Email us at agronomy@wyffels.com. Wyffels Hybrids. Fiercely independent, and proud of it.

08-07
15:41

Down and Dirty on Disease

August is shaping up to be a game of disease whack-a-mole. Recent heat and rain in the Central Corn Belt have fueled Southern Rust development, but the upcoming cool-down looks ideal for tar spot. Are you prepared to manage it all? On this week's podcast, Wyffels Agronomy Managers Eric Wilson and Jared Goplen talk about late summer disease threats, and touch on the impact of recent storms. Now’s the perfect time to scout for disease and assess fungicide needs.Links discussed in this episode:Crop Protection Network - Fungicide Efficacy Between the Rows® - Southern RustBetween the Rows® - Tar SpotBetween the Rows® - Damage from Summer StormsWe want to hear from you. Have questions you want us to address on future episodes? Ideas for how we can make this better? Email us at agronomy@wyffels.com. Wyffels Hybrids. Fiercely independent, and proud of it.

07-30
20:17

Did my corn pollinate?

It's the story of July. There’s been a lot of chatter in the field this week about corn pollination. While no Wyffels products are currently experiencing this issue, it remains something to monitor amid the Corn Belt's high temperatures.On this week's podcast, Wyffels Agronomy Managers Robby Meeker, Ryan Gentle, and Eric Wilson talk us through what's happening, what it looks like, and what you can expect as a result.Now’s the perfect time to get out and see how your crop is progressing.Links discussed in this episode:How to Check Corn Pollination - VideoBetween the Rows® - Tar SpotBetween the Rows® - Corn Pollination and Grain FillWyffels Hybrids - Corn Rootworm MapWe want to hear from you. Have questions you want us to address on future episodes? Ideas for how we can make this better? Email us at agronomy@wyffels.com. Wyffels Hybrids. Fiercely independent, and proud of it.

07-22
25:00

Disease, Storm Damage, & CRW Monitoring

July weather in the Corn Belt? Let’s just say…temperamental. Storms here. Dry there. Lots of heat. Foggy mornings. Mother Nature is throwing everything at us, and it could lead to a tricky end to the growing season.  On this week's show, the Wyffels agronomy team covers disease management, wind damage from recent storms, and closes out the episode with a corn rootworm pressure check-in. Links discussed in this episode:Between the Rows® - Damage from Summer StormsBetween the Rows® - Tar SpotBetween the Rows® - Fungicide Use on Wyffels HybridsCrop Protection Network - Crop Disease Forecasting ToolWyffels Hybrids - Corn Rootworm MapWe want to hear from you. Have questions you want us to address on future episodes? Ideas for how we can make this better? Email us at agronomy@wyffels.com. Wyffels Hybrids. Fiercely independent, and proud of it.

07-15
26:48

Rapid Growth, Fungicide Decision, and Tar Spot

Things are heating up as we enter the heart of the growing season. Corn is growing rapidly and disease is popping up in fields across the Central Corn Belt. On this week's episode, the Wyffels agronomy team is digging into everything you need to know when it comes to making that fungicide decision. They also take a closer look at tar spot and gray leaf spot - how common it is, what kind of damage it can do, and what you can do about it. Links discussed in this episode:Between the Rows® - Tar Spot Crop Protection Network - Crop Disease Forecasting ToolIowa State University - "Tar Spot in Central Iowa Should Not be a Surprise"We want to hear from you. Have questions you want us to address on future episodes? Ideas for how we can make this better? Email us at agronomy@wyffels.com. Wyffels Hybrids. Fiercely independent, and proud of it.

06-24
14:43

Corn Rootworm, Hail, and Tar Spot

As summer heats up, the corn is growing fast and corn rootworm hatching has reached its peak. In today's episode, the Wyffels agronomy team tackles best practices for monitoring and managing corn rootworm pressure. Plus, they take a look at hail damage's impact on yield, and give a quick update on tar spot popping up on the fringes of the central Midwest. Links discussed in this episode:Between the Rows® - Monitoring CRW Populations Iowa State - Rootworm Eggs Reaching Peak HatchWyffels Hybrids - CRW Monitoring MapUSDA - Corn Loss Adjustment Standards HandbookWe want to hear from you. Have questions you want us to address on future episodes? Ideas for how we can make this better? Email us at agronomy@wyffels.com. Wyffels Hybrids. Fiercely independent, and proud of it.

06-18
18:57

Post Apps, Cool Temps, and Dish Soap

With planting season all but wrapped up across the Corn Belt, our attention shifts to post apps. On this week's episode, the Wyffels agronomy team discusses best practices for managing early-stage corn, stress concerns, and seeing the crop through its "ugly duckling" phase. Links discussed in this episode:Between the Rows® - Herbicide Injury in Corn Is It Herbicide Injury or Environmental Leaf Wrap? - VideoKeeping It Independent - "All Things Post Applications with Kurt Maertens, BASF"Why is My Corn so Yellow and Floppy Right Now? - VideoWe want to hear from you. Have questions you want us to address on future episodes? Ideas for how we can make this better? Email us at agronomy@wyffels.com. Wyffels Hybrids. Fiercely independent, and proud of it.

05-28
16:59

Rotary Hoeing, Corn Replant, and a Soggy Southern Illinois

As planting season winds down for much of the Central Corn Belt, new challenges arise.Wyffels Hybrids agronomy managers Ryan Gentle and Eric Wilson dive into crusting issues, rotary hoeing, replant considerations, and more. They also do a quick check in on southern Illinois where persistent rains have made for a slow and tricky planting season.Links discussed in this episode:Between the Rows® - Replant ConsiderationsWyffels Hybrids - Corn Replant CalculatorUsing Stand Counts to Assess Corn Replant - VideoWyffels Hybrids - Planting Progress ReportWe want to hear from you. Have questions you want us to address on future episodes? Ideas for how we can make this better? Email us at agronomy@wyffels.com. Wyffels Hybrids. Fiercely independent, and proud of it.

05-15
14:43

We Read the Planter Manuals so You Don't Have To

We get it. No one wants to read all the planter user manuals. That's why at Wyffels, we've done some of the work for you. This week on "Keeping It Independent," the Wyffels agronomy team covers planter optimization and provides a Midwest corn planting update. Accurate singulation and seed placement are critical to maximizing corn yield. A planter that is properly maintained and set up will help optimize accuracy, but changing field conditions and seed sizes will require in-field adjustments.Links discussed in this episode:Between the Rows® - Optimize PlantabilityEvaluating Seed Corn Planting Depth & Seed-to-Soil Contact - VideoWyffels Hybrids - Planting Progress ReportWyffels Hybrids - Our Corn ProductsWe want to hear from you. Have questions you want us to address on future episodes? Ideas for how we can make this better? Email us at agronomy@wyffels.com. Wyffels Hybrids. Fiercely independent, and proud of it.

04-30
18:47

Cloudy with a Chance of Planting Stalls

Just when you think it's time to plant, Mother Nature has other ideas. Corn planting got off to a strong start across much of the Corn Belt in mid-April, but recent rains have slowed down progress. This week's weather was expected to be favorable, but spotty showers could delay planting into next week. The Wyffels agronomy team discusses the 2025 Planting Progress Report, weather trends, the Growing Degree Unit (GDU) calculator, and the state of Midwest corn planting as we approach May.Links discussed in this episode:Wyffels Hybrids - Planting Progress ReportWyffels Hybrids - Growing Degree Unit (GDU) calculatorNational Water Prediction ServiceBetween the Rows® - Choosing the Right Planting RateBetween the Rows® - Optimize PlantabilityWyffels Hybrids - Our Corn ProductsWe want to hear from you. Have questions you want us to address on future episodes? Ideas for how we can make this better? Email us at agronomy@wyffels.com. Wyffels Hybrids. Fiercely independent, and proud of it.

04-22
11:44

The One Where We Talk About Planting

Planting season is here! Well, almost. The planters might not be rolling for most of the Corn Belt yet, but it's the perfect time to make sure everything's ready for go-time. On this week's episode, Wyffels agronomy managers Eric Wilson, Ryan Gentle, and Robby Meeker discuss current conditions, early corn planting considerations, and Wyffels' tools and resources for the spring.Links discussed in this episode:Wyffels Hybrids - Corn Rootworm Monitoring ProgramBetween the Rows® - Early Planting ConsiderationsBetween the Rows® - Choosing the Right Planting RateBetween the Rows® - Optimize PlantabilityWyffels Hybrids - Our Corn ProductsUniversity of Illinois - WARMISU Soil Moisture NetworkWe want to hear from you. Have questions you want us to address on future episodes? Ideas for how we can make this better? Email us at agronomy@wyffels.com. Wyffels Hybrids. Fiercely independent, and proud of it.

04-09
18:46

The Good, the Bad, and the Bugly

Today, we're talking pests with University of Illinois' Kelly Estes. Kelly coordinates the Illinois Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS) program which focuses on the early detection and surveillance of harmful or economically significant exotic plant pests, diseases, and weeds that have eluded first-line of defense inspections or have been identified as threats to U.S. agriculture and/or the environment.Kelly and Wyffels Agronomy Manager Ryan Gentle discuss the Illinois insect trapping network and dive into updates on corn rootworm, Asian beetles, corn borer, and more. Links discussed in this episode:Wyffels Hybrids - Corn Rootworm Monitoring ProgramIllinois Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS) programCorn ipmPIPEIllinois Natural History SurveyThe Water and Atmospheric Resources Monitoring (WARM) NetworkWe want to hear from you. Have questions you want us to address on future episodes? Ideas for how we can make this better? Email us at agronomy@wyffels.com. Wyffels Hybrids. Fiercely independent, and proud of it.

03-20
20:04

Is That Spring I See?

Is that spring we see out there? The planters might not be rolling yet, but recent warm weather has us thinking about spring management decisions. On this week's episode, Wyffels agronomy managers Eric Wilson and Robby Meeker discuss continuous corn considerations, and tips for managing nitrogen and tillage.Links discussed in this episode:Wyffels Hybrids - Corn Rootworm Monitoring ProgramBetween the Rows® - Agronomic LibraryWyffels Hybrids - Our Corn ProductsWe want to hear from you. Have questions you want us to address on future episodes? Ideas for how we can make this better? Email us at agronomy@wyffels.com. Wyffels Hybrids. Fiercely independent, and proud of it.

03-11
19:31

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