The Dirt: an eKonomics podKast

In this episode of The Dirt Mike Howell is coming to you live from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Tune in to hear interviews with NASCAR driver A.J. Allmendinger, Kentucky farmer Danny Liggett, Nutrien Ag Solutions representatives Eric Snodgrass and Ryan Imbrock, Nutrien Marketing Representatives Stephen Johnson and John Niemeyer, and six national FFA student officers.   To discover the latest c...

On this episode of The Dirt Eric Snodgrass, Principal Atmospheric Scientist with Nutrien Ag Solutions, joins Mike Howell for an update on the upcoming forecast. From relief for Midwest farmers experiencing drought to a potentially active hurricane season for the Gulf and East Coasts, tune in to hear weather predictions for the month ahead.   To discover the latest crop nutrition research visit nut...

What is the function of zinc within a plant? Dr. Jeff Schoenau, University of Saskatchewan Professor and Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture Soil Nutrient Management Chair joins Mike Howell on this episode of The Dirt to dig into the role of zinc in photosynthesis, common fertilizer sources, plant availability, and soil versus foliar applications.   To discover the latest crop nutrition news and...

How does soil fertility affect a plant's susceptibility to diseases? On this episode of The Dirt Dr. Tom Allen, Plant Pathologist at Mississippi State University, joins Mike Howell to dig into the relationship between soil fertility and plant diseases, including how to identify and manage them.   To discover the latest crop nutrition news and research visit nutrien-eKonomics.com

Many farmers across North America are seeing drought conditions on their farms this summer. In this episode of The Dirt, Nutrien Director of Agronomy Dr. Karl Wyant joins Mike Howell to dig into the different definitions of drought and what farmers can do to monitor and prepare their fields for it.   To discover the latest crop nutrition news and research visit nutrien-eKonomics.com

In this episode of The Dirt, Nutrien Senior Agronomist Dr. Cristie Preston and Mike Howell share crop updates from their respective geographies in Kansas and Mississippi and dig into a discussion on double crop soybeans.   To discover the latest crop nutrition news and research visit nutrien-eKonomics.com

Magnesium is one of the primary macronutrients plants require to meet sufficient crop yield and quality. In this episode of The Dirt Nutrien Director of Agronomy Dr. Karl Wyant joins Mike Howell to dig into the role of magnesium in plants, common fertilizer sources and soil management to avoid nutrient deficiency.   To learn more about essential nutrients such as magnesium and discover the latest...

Agricultural markets have been exceptionally dynamic lately with a number of factors impacting supply and demand. From supply chain disruptions to energy prices and world events, Nutrien Senior Analyst Mark Tully joins Mike Howell to dig into the factors affecting commodity prices, and ultimately, farmers' bottom lines.   To discover the latest crop nutrition research visit nutrien-eKonomics.com

Today's episode of The Dirt takes a look at calcium as one of the essential nutrients for plant growth. Dr. John Halvin of North Carolina State University joins Mike Howell to dig into the role of calcium in plants, common fertilizer sources, the relationship between calcium and soil pH, and nutrient deficiency.   To learn more about essential nutrients such as calcium and discover the latest crop...

Today's episode of The Dirt continues our series on essential nutrients for plant growth with a discussion on sulfur. Nutrien Senior Agronomist Dr. Alan Blaylock and Sulphur Institute Agronomist Ron Olson join Mike Howell live from the Sulphur World Symposium to dig into the role of sulfur in plants, common fertilizer sources, deficiency symptoms and more.   To learn more about essential nutrients...

Today's episode of The Dirt continues our series on essential nutrients for plant growth with a discussion on potassium. Dr. Antoni Mallarino from Iowa State University joins Mike Howell to dig into the role of potassium in plants, common fertilizer sources, plant availability and more.   To learn more about essential nutrients such as potassium and discover the latest crop nutrition research visi...

We can't control the weather, but we can help you understand the key factors that will effect weather conditions this summer. On this episode of The Dirt Eric Snodgrass, Principal Atmospheric Scientist with Nutrien Ag Solutions, digs into severe weather potential in May and shares predictions for the summer forecast that will set the stage for farmers during this highly volatile market.   To disco...

Today's episode of The Dirt continues our series on essential nutrients for plant growth with a discussion on phosphorus. Nutrien Senior Agronomist Dr. Cristie Preston joins Mike Howell to dig into the function of phosphorus in plants, common fertilizer sources, application, and deficiency symptoms.   To learn more about essential nutrients such as phosphorus and discover the latest crop nutrition...

Commodity, fertilizer, and fuel prices are on everyone's minds for the 2022 growing season. In this episode of The Dirt, Mike Howell is joined by Chris Reynolds, Nutrien Senior Vice President of Sales, to dig into supply chain factors driving the commodity and fertilizer markets today.   To discover the latest crop nutrition research visit nutrien-eKonomics.com

Today's episode of The Dirt continues our conversation about the importance of nitrogen in plant growth. Dr. Hunter Frame, Field Agronomist with Virginia Tech, joins the show again to dig into the forms of nitrogen loss, types of nitrogen fertilizers, and application changes during times of high fertilizer and fuel costs.   To learn more about essential nutrients such as nitrogen and discover the...

Today's episode of The Dirt continues our series on essential nutrients for plant growth. Why is nitrogen such an important nutrient for crop production? What does it do within the plant? Dr. Hunter Frame, Field Agronomist with Virginia Tech, joins the show to dig into the role of nitrogen in plants.   To learn more about essential nutrients such as nitrogen and discover the latest crop nutrition...

Today's episode of The Dirt begins a series looking at each of the essential nutrients for plant growth, how the plants obtain them, the different forms of these nutrients, and what they do inside plants. Nutrien Interim Director of Agronomy Dr. Alan Blaylock joins the show to break down these essential nutrients and dig deeper in to three of the major nutrient categories.   To learn more about es...

In this episode of The Dirt we're digging into soil pH—why it's so important, how we manage it, and how we can alter the soil pH. Mike Howell is joined by Dr. Larry Oldham with Mississippi State University and Dr. Clain Jones with Montana State University to dig into this discussion on soil pH.   To learn more about soil fertility and discover the latest crop nutrition research visit nutrien-eKono...

Every growing season brings with it new challenges and opportunities. In this episode of The Dirt, Mike Howell sits down with farmers Taylor Butterworth, William Atkins, and Ted Kendall at the Mid-South Farm & Gin Show to discuss their plans for #Plant22. What are the biggest challenges for this coming year? How will you overcome these challenges? What will you change in your production system? Wh...

Last time on The Dirt we talked about the importance of soil sampling and how to collect good soil samples. In this episode we take what we've learned to the next level and talk about interpreting a soil test report. Dr. Nathan Slaton with the University of Arkansas joins The Dirt to help us better understand how to interpret a soil test report. To learn more about soil test data and discover the...

In the first episode of The Dirt with Mike Howell, Dr. Oscar Ruiz with Waypoint Analytical joins the show to talk through soil sampling. From what a soil sample is to the process of collecting the best sample, Dr. Ruiz shares how farmers and agronomists can ensure they get the most accurate data from each sample.   To learn more about soil sampling and discover the latest crop nutrition research v...