Corn Belt Conversations

Our goal has always been to provide agricultural information that is timely and relevant across the corn belt. In keeping with that mission, we are debuting a name change for this podcast… Starting next week, this program will be renamed “Hertz Ag Talk“. We are looking forward to the new season!

Eric Snodgrass, Senior Research Fellow with Nutrien, joins us to talk about what we can expect for weather patterns over the next several weeks as we head into the 2023 planting season.

Lance Tarochione, Technical Agronomist with DEKALB/Asgrow, Joins us to provide an update on what he’s seeing out in the field. Increasing levels of disease, as well as some insect issues are popping up around the region. Lance shares his insight on what to expect as we progress towards harvest.

Jason McVicker, Field Agronomist with Pioneer, joins us to provide a crop status update for the area. The current disease outlook & fungicide applications are covered, as well as current insect and weather issues.

Gary Schnitkey, Professor of Farm Management at the University of IL, joins us to provide his insight on the increasing costs of crop inputs and 2023 profitability.

Devin Nichols, Corn Breeder with Wyffels Hybrids, joins us for a fascinating discussion about the history of corn breeding and the newest tools & technology being used in the industry.

With the corn rootworm hatch well underway in the Midwest, Dr. Nick Seiter, entomologist with the University of Illinois, joins us to provide his insight on not only the corn rootworm outlook and management recommendations for 2022, but we touch base on some other insects as well.

Don’t hit the panic button just yet… Lance Tarochione, Technical Agronomist with DEKALB and Asgrow joins us to talk about the cold, wet conditions that have held up planting in much of Illinois and how to manage around it.

Kevin Gale, Regional Sales Agronomist with AgriGold, joins us to talk about planting considerations as we get ready for the 2022 season. Topics include getting a good stand establishment, tips for maximizing soybean yield, nitrogen management, and more!

Eric Snodgrass, Science Fellow with Nutrien, joins us to give his insight on current weather patterns and the outlook for the next several weeks as we head into planting season.

James Mickley, owner and agent with Hanford Insurance Agency, joins us to give some background and an overview of crop insurance, as well as some basic information on the ARC and PLC government programs and how they relate to crop insurance.

Naomi Blohm, Senior Market Advisor with Total Farm Marketing shares her insight on the most recent USDA report and the current key factors in the commodities markets: where we are at today, and what to be looking for in the near term.

Lauren Lurkins, Director of Environmental Policy at the IL Farm Bureau, joins us for an in depth discussion about Carbon Markets… The background, how they work, and considerations for farmers and landowners.

Doug Hensley, President of Real Estate Services for Hertz Farm Management, joins us to talk about farmland values in the Midwest over the past 12 months and looking ahead into 2022 - as well as the services Hertz offers.

District Conservationist Erika Luft with the NRCS offices in Bureau/Marshall/Putnam/Stark counties in Illinois joins us to talk about the primary conservation programs available to farmers and landowners.

Steve Hiniker, Farm Manager with Hertz Farm Management in Mankato, MN and Bruce Potter, Integrated Pest Management Specialist with the University of MN Extension join us to recap the Southern Minnesota growing season and update us on harvest progress and issues in that region.

Ryan Kay, Farm Manager with Hertz Farm Management in Mount Vernon, Iowa joins us to talk about harvest progress and current agronomic issues in East Central Iowa.

For the third episode in our Harvest Update series, Farm Manager Scott Arens from Hertz Farm Management in Norfolk, NE joins us to recap the growing season and talk about harvest progress and current agronomic issues in the Northeast Nebraska and Southern South Dakota geography.

Jason McVicker, Pioneer Field Agronomist joins us to give an update on the harvest in North Central Illinois and the issues he has been seeing.

Lance Tarochione, Technical Agronomist with Dekalb/Asgrow in Central Illinois joins us to give a harvest update for his region. Topics include the extreme variability in corn yields and the factors behind that, as well as better than expected soybean yields we’ve been seeing in that area. This is the first in a series of episodes that will cover regions across the corn belt.

Krista Swanson, Research Associate from the University of Illinois joins us to talk about the current climate with regard to grain markets and rising input costs, and how that may impact profitability in 2022.

Dr. Nathan Kleczewski, Technical Agronomist and plant pathologist with Growmark joins us to give an update on the corn and soybean disease situation in the region. We discuss tar spot, stalk rots, white mold and more.

Illinois State Climatologist Dr. Trent Ford joins us to recap key weather events of the 2021 growing season and look ahead to the harvest/fall weather outlook.

University of Illinois Extension entomologist Nick Seiter joins us to talk about the current status of corn and soybean insect pressure in the central corn belt. We discuss the resurgence of corn rootworm in Northern Illinois as well as fall armyworm in Southern Illinois, soybean gall midge in Iowa, and more!

Thank you to everyone who’s been listening to us over the years. We have a new title and a new look coming soon, but one thing that isn’t changing is our mission to bring you relevant, up-to-date agronomic information for the central corn belt. We have some exciting guests lined up and we look forward to talking with you again very soon!