Episode 165 – Which to plant first?

Each planting window brings the same question- Should I plant corn or soybeans first? Perhaps you have heard it referred to as the Battle for the Belt. Dr. Osler Ortez joins us for an update on his research based competition with soybean specialist Dr. Laura Lindsey to determine when the best windows are for planting corn and soybeans. They are also looking at where the largest yield losses occur when planting is delayed. These results can help farmers make decision on when to switch between corn and soybeans based on the calendar, maturity and conditions.

Follow updates on YouTube, the C.O.R.N. Newsletter and X (Dr. Ortez and Dr. Lindsey).

Episode 157 – eFields 2024

The 2024 eFields report is here! With 260 on-farm research sites across 42 counties, there is sure to be something of interest to everyone. In this episode, we highlight a few of the projects included in this year’s report.

To view the online version, visit: digitalag.osu.edu/efields. For a print copy, contact your local OSU Extension office or email digitalag@osu.edu.

To suggest topics for 2025, email Amanda at douridas.9@osu.edu and let us know what you want to hear about!

Episode 154 – Fertility Decisions

While fertilizer prices have come down somewhat, crop prices have many farmers considering where to cut budgets. Fertilizer can be an option and in this episode we talk about how to do it strategically. We cover where to start with soil testing, how lime might be your cheapest option and where to cut P and K if need be.

P & K Fertility Decision with Tight Margins
Tri-State Fertilizer Recommendations
Ohio Agronomy Guide
Corn Nitrogen Rate Calculator

Soil Testing Resources:
Soil Sampling to Develop Nutrient Recommendations
Interpreting a Soil Test Report
Choosing a Laboratory for Nutrient and Soil Health Testing

Soil pH:
Soil Acidity and Liming for Agronomic Production (AGF-505)
Understanding Value in Lime
Soil Acidification: How to Lower Soil pH
Lime Application Rate Calculator (excel)

Episode 144 – Dealing with DON

There is nothing more frustrating than getting rejected at the elevator due to high vomitoxin (aka DON) levels. DON is produced by a fungi produced on the ear and is usually infected at the time of pollination. To give farmers a better perspective of what happens behind the scenes at a grain elevator, we interview 3 grain merchandisers on their process when DON test levels start creeping up.

Jason Beckman (Poet), Lisa Mitchell (Gerald Grain), and Seth Miller (The Anderson) take us behind the scenes of their operations to look at testing, grain flow and market impacts. We end with some quick reminders about DON management and to check the C.O.R.N. Newsletter for updates and research on corn fungicide and disease.

Episode 138 – Planting Green

We caught up with Drs. Alyssa Essman and Dan Quinn at Conservation Tillage and Technology Conference to pick their brains about planting corn and soybeans into green cover crops. They share information on how to ensure good seed furrow conditions at planting and how to manage the cover crop at different stages. We also discuss herbicide strategies and advantages when planting green.

Episode 132 – 2023 eFields

Our topic for this podcast is on-farm research and the 2023 eFields report. The eFields program is OSU Extension’s on-farm research network. Ohio farmers are encouraged to learn with us by partnering to conduct trials and share data through the annual report. Elizabeth give us a summary of the 2023 report and we talk with Wayne Dellinger and Nick Eckel, county Extension Educators and fellow contributors, about projects they have conducted over the years. 

You can view the 2023 report, along with previous years, at efields.osu.edu. The Knowledge Exchange provides unique ways to sort through all eFields research projects: kx.osu.edu/efields.

Episode 127 – Corn Drydown In-field

Many areas are struggling with higher corn moisture levels than normal at harvest. While it may be tempting to leave corn standing to gain more natural drying, Elizabeth and Amanda will share why that is a high risk, low return venture.

Check out the U2U GDD Tool and make use of it next year: https://mygeohub.org/groups/u2u/purdue_gdd.

For more information, here’s a list of our past podcasts on grain storage: https://podcast.osu.edu/agronomy/?s=storage

Episode 123 – Tar Spot

If you grow or scout corn in Ohio, you have probably heard rumblings of a new disease called Tar Spot. Pictures from neighboring states to the north and west show bleak images of entire corn fields dead before their time. While researchers are still assessing the threat potential for tar spot in Ohio, it has made appearances across the state and has many farmers quite concerned. To tell us more about this new disease, Dr. Stephanie Karhoff joins us to share what she has seen and learned in her time in NW Ohio.

Stay up-to-date on the latest in agronomic issues by subscribing to the C.O.R.N. Newsletter.

Episode 121 – Corn and Soybean Diseases

Mid to late summer attentions quickly turn to fungicide applications and talk of what needs sprayed for that particular year. This year is no exception with the varying weather conditions that seem to appeal to each and every disease. Dr. Horacio Lopez-Nicora and Jason Hartschuh talk about which diseases in corn and soybeans we should watch out for and provide more information on scouting and pulling the trigger on application.

If you are interested in sending soybean samples in for disease analysis, address them to:

OSU Soybean Pathology and Nematology Laboratory
Attn: Horacio Lopez-Nicora
110 Kottman Hall
2021 Coffey Rd. Columbus, Ohio 43210

You can reach Horacio at lopez-nicora.1@osu.edu and Jason at Hartschuh.11@osu.edu.

Episode 119 – Delayed Growth Stages: What does it mean for crop yield?

Some of the corn and soybeans across Ohio are upwards of two growth stages behind due to early drought conditions followed by cool weather. What does this mean for the rest of the season and ultimately crop yield? Jonah Johnson, CCA with PCT Sunrise attempts to answers those questions based on his agronomy knowledge and past experiences in the field.

Follow Jonah on Twitter @JJAgronomy.