Pioneer Agronomy: Illinois

What really happens after you send a plant sample to the lab, and how does it impact what happens back in the field? In this episode of Outstanding in Your Field , the team sits down with Corteva Plant Pathology Technology Lead Krystel Navarro to pull back the curtain on the diagnostic lab and the critical role it plays in modern agriculture. From identifying crop diseases with molecular precision...

Planting season is go-time! But the biggest wins aren’t about speed, they’re about precision where it matters most. If you’re chasing yield this season, start here, and press play. In this episode of Outstanding in Your Field , the Pioneer agronomy team breaks down what really impacts yield before the crop ever emerges. From dialing in planting depth to understanding soil moisture vs. temperature,...

As planting season approaches, the details behind planter setup can make or break your crop before the first seed even emerges. In this episode of Outstanding in Your Field , hosts Bryan Schrader, Carl Joern, and Crystal Williams bring together planter technology specialists and from Indiana and Illinois to walk through the most critical planter maintenance checks growers should make before headin...

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 se...

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 beyond Fun fact: At publication of this episode, the global leader growing cano...

🎯 Topics covered: Tar spot, gray leaf spot, and northern corn leaf blight updates Fungicide timing: spray early, wait, or plan for two passes? Insect pressure: rootworm, Japanese beetles, and more Fertility tips: sulfur on soybeans, residue management at harvest What to watch in late July and August   🎧 Listen to more episodes at: pioneer.com/podcasts Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. Se...

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. Hosted by Simplecast...

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...

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.   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for...

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 w...

💡 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 plan...

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 Tech...

"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...

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 gre...

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:360...

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 America Wheat Management to Maximize Yi...

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 an...

“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...

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 Mc...

History of the corn breeding program at Pioneer Seed: https://www.pioneer.com/us/agronomy/corn-yield-gains.html  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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 Regg Field Agronomist Scott Eversgere...

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...

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. Resources Website: Sudden Death Syndrome of Soybeans   Website: Red Crown Rot in Soybeans   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz compa...

In this episode of the Illinois podcast, Ken O'Brien, North America Agronomy Innovation Leader, joins to talk about his role in Pioneer Agronomy Innovation. Agronomy Innovation has a focus of improving seed performance through science-backed innovative agronomy. The group discusses how Agronomy Innovation touches many aspects of agronomy within the business, including Decision Sciences — which is...

In this episode of the Illinois Pioneer Agronomy Podcast, Rachel Fulton, Agronomy Innovation Manager, Jason McVicker, Field Agronomist, Pat Reeg, Field Agronomist, Brad Mason, Field Agronomist, Matt Montgomery, Field Agronomist and  Scott Eversgerd, Field Agronomist provide crop updates from each of their areas and provide scouting tips for issues they are seeing.  Resources Article: Corn and Soyb...