The Future of Fungicide Decision-Making

And that's a wrap on the 2023 growing season! In this episode of the Illinois Agronomy Podcast, hosts Crystal Williams, Brad Mason, Matt Montgomery and Scott Eversgerd put a bow on the 2023 season. The group recap the first season of the podcast, highlighting working across the state and across state lines throughout each episode. Also discussed are agronomic highlights and what has been learned from another growing season. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Illinois Pioneer Agronomy team!

Illinois Pioneer Agronomists Crystal Williams, Matt Montgomery and Scott Eversgerd discuss setting your operation up for success in 2024. The trio also provide harvest updates for the state as harvest gets closer to wrapping up for the 2023 season. For setting growers up for a successful 2024, the agronomists discuss optimal conditions for tillage, whether cover crops are right for your operation, fall burndown priorities and fertility planning. Growers are making decisions on whether to apply fertilizer yet this year or wait until spring 2024. 

1:22 - 3:57 Northern Illinois Agronomy Update

3:58 - 6:22 Western Illinois Agronomy Update

6:22 - 9:22 Southern Illinois Agronomy Update

9:23 - 17:32 Optimal Conditions for Tillage

17:33 - 24:46 Cover Crops

24:47 - 32:27 Fall Burndown Considerations

32:28 - 43:44 Fertility Planning for Fall and Spring

Resources:

Illinois Voluntary Limestone Program: https://agr.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/agr/about/documents/limestone/2022limestonebook.pdf

10 Tips for Making the Switch to Strip-Till Farming: https://www.pioneer.com/us/agronomy/10-tips-for-switching-to-strip-till.html

10 Tips for Making the Switch to No-Till: https://www.pioneer.com/us/agronomy/10-tips-for-switching-to-no-till.html

Winter Cover Crops for Corn and Soybean Cropping Systems: https://www.pioneer.com/us/agronomy/winter_cover_crops_cropfocus.html

Managing Winter Cover Crops in Corn and Soybean Cropping Systems: https://www.pioneer.com/us/agronomy/managing_winter_cover_crops.html

Phosphorus and Potassium Fertility for Corn and Soybean: https://www.pioneer.com/us/agronomy/phosphorus_potassium_fertility.html

Sulfur Fertility for Crop Production: https://www.pioneer.com/us/agronomy/sulfur_fertility_for_crop_production.html

Illinois Pioneer Agronomists Crystal Williams, Cody Pettit, Brad Mason, Matt Montgomery and Scott Eversgerd dive into fall nitrogen management and considerations for growers. Joining this episode are Heather Vosburgh, Corteva Agriscience Territory Manager and member of the Nutrient Maximizer Team, and Mike Koenigs, Pioneer Sales Representative and member of the Nutrient Maximizer Team. The group fall nitrogen and how growers can better protect their investment, overall nitrogen management for this fall and 2024 growing season, and they dip into nutrient stabilizers.  

0:43 - 2:19 Northern Illinois Agronomy Update

2:20 - 3:43 Western Illinois Agronomy Update

3:44 - 5:46 Eastern Illinois Agronomy Update

5:47 - 8:07 West-Central Illinois Agronomy Update

8:08 - 10:08 Southern Illinois Agronomy Update

10:09 - 15:47 Nutrient Reduction Strategies and Nitrogen Regulation

15:48 - 24:24 Fall Nitrogen Applications

24:25 - 31:25 Nitrogen Stabilizers  and Inhibitors

31:26 - 38:02 Changes in Nitrogen Through the Years

Resources

Video - Nitrogen Best Management Practices: https://youtu.be/pgFwSnpBJ7M?si=WIiLOq6astIzdan-

Nitrogen Application Timing in Corn Production: https://www.pioneer.com/us/agronomy/nitrogen_application_timing.html

Nitrogen Fertilizers and Stabilizers for Corn Production: https://www.pioneer.com/us/agronomy/common_n_fertilizers_stabilizers.html

5 Tips to Get Fall Nitrogen Applications Right: https://www.corteva.us/Resources/crop-protection/corn/get-fall-nitrogen-applications-right-anhydrous-manure.html

Illinois Pioneer Agronomists Crystal Williams, Matt Montgomery and Scott Eversgerd discuss fall wheat planting and preparation for growers. Wheat variety selection and seed treatment are important considerations, especially to control diseases like head scab. Fall fertility plans are also important to make before planting. As for planting dates, northern fields a traditionally planted first. Observe the “fly-free” date for your area. Optimum planting date will be on or within 10 days after that date. According to University of Illinois research, little yield loss occurs if wheat is planted within 10 days after the fly-free date. Planting too early encourages lush fall growth which puts the wheat at increased risk of Hessian fly, aphids, viruses, and fall infection of foliar diseases. 

0:58 - 3:29 Northern Illinois Agronomy Update

3:30 - 4:57 West-Central Illinois Agronomy Update

4:58 - 7:05 Central Illinois Agronomy Update

7:06 - 12:52 Eastern Illinois Agronomy Update

12:53 - 23:10 Selecting the right wheat variety

23:11 - 32:44 Wheat fertility management

32:45 - 46:19 Hessian Fly Free Dates for Illinois and crop establishment

46:20 - 51:50 Pioneer Wheat Breeding and Planting Tips

Resources

Fall Wheat Recommendations: https://www.pioneer.com//agronomy/cropfocus_pdf/fall_wheat_recommendations_.pdf

Wheat Management 101: https://pioneer-agronomy-illinois.simplecast.com/episodes/wheat-management-101

Illinois Pioneer Agronomists discuss ear and stalk rots as growers begin prioritizing fields for harvest. Ear and stalk rots cause damage and yield loss in many corn fields across North America each year. Scouting fields and harvesting those with more severe rot can reduce harvest losses. Agronomists Crystal Williams, Matt Montgomery and Scott Eversgerd also discuss the importance of proper timing and conducting stalk push/pull tests as well as other field checks. 

1:06 - 4:49 Northern Illinois Agronomy Update

4:49 - 5:59 Western Illinois Agronomy Update

5:59 - 7:58 Central Illinois Agronomy Update

7:58 - 10:21 Southern Illinois Agronomy Update

10:21 - 13:03 Corn Ear Molds in Illinois

13:07 - 14:42 What Triggers Ear and Stalk Rot?

14:42 - 28:10 Identifying and Managing Ear Rot

28:10 - 46:10 Identifying and Managing Stalk Rot

Resources

Common Ear Corn Rots: https://www.pioneer.com/us/agronomy/common_corn_ear_rots_cropfocus.html

Uncommon Ear Corn Rots: https://www.pioneer.com/us/agronomy/uncommon-corn-ear-rots-cropfocus.html

Common Stalk Rots of Corn: https://www.pioneer.com/us/agronomy/common-stalk-rots.html

Identifying and Managing Stalk Rots: https://www.pioneer.com/us/agronomy/managing_stalk_rot.html

10 Tips for Harvest Timing, Field by Field: https://www.pioneer.com/us/harvest-timing.html

Timing Corn Harvest: https://www.pioneer.com/us/agronomy/timing-corn-harvest.html

Illinois Pioneer Agronomists discuss mid-August scouting tips as growers get into their fields and look to determine yield come harvest. Scouting this time of year can provide an indicator of yield in the fall. While the combine will be the final yield decider, walking through fields can provide an idea of final yield. Agronomists also go around the state of Illinois and provide agronomic updates. 

0:37 - 2:13 Northern Illinois Agronomy Update

2:16 - 4:02 Eastern Illinois Agronomy Update

4:07 - 7:01 West-Central/Central Illinois Agronomy Update

7:05 - 9:29 Southern Illinois Agronomy Update

9:33 - 39:52 Performing Yield Checks Before Harvest

Resources

Corn Maturity and Drydown: https://www.pioneer.com/us/agronomy/corn_maturity_drydown_northcentral_cropfocus.html

VT Corn Growth Stages and Scouting Tips: https://www.pioneer.com/us/agronomy/corn-vt.html

Pioneer Corn Yield Estimator Tool: https://www.pioneer.com/us/tools-services/corn-yield-estimator.html

0:00 - 0:28 Introduction

0:28 - 2:55 Northern Illinois Agronomy Update

2:55 - 5:37 Central Illinois Agronomy Update

5:37 - 7:39 Eastern Illinois Agronomy Update

7:39 - 11:42 West-Central Illinois Agronomy Update

11:42 - 14:10 Southern Illinois Agronomy Update

14:10 - 39:39 When is soybean yield built?

Resources

• Agronomy Article: Understanding and Increasing Soybean Yields
• Agronomy Article: Soybean Growth Stages
• Iowa State University Extension: Soybean Growth Stages

00:00 - 03:28 Introduction

03:30 - 04:49 Western Illinois Agronomy Update

04:50 - 07:13 Central Illinois Agronomy Update

07:14 - 09:57 South-Central Illinois Agronomy Update

10:00 - 36:44 New tools for fungicide timing and decision-making

Resources

• Agronomy Article: Maximizing the Value of Foliar Fungicides in Corn
• Agronomy Article: Effects of Foliar Fungicide Timing on Corn Yield
• Agronomy Article: Glyphosate and Fungicide Application Timing in Soybean
• Video: Corn Fungicide Timing and Optimizing Yield with Digital Tools from Pioneer
• Video: Determining the Appropriate Time to Spray Fungicide on Corn
• Video: Current Thoughts on Fungicide Timing & Current Research
• Video: Soybean Fungicide: Yield Benefits and Timing