Keeping It Independent

Latest Episodes:

Live from FPS: Looking Through The Crystal Ball Aug 29, 2025

Show notes

After a blazing hot summer, what's next for the corn crop as we head into September? How does this time of year impact yields and harvest timing?

On this week's podcast, the Wyffels agronomy team discusses disease pressure, grain fill, and what to expect ahead of harvest.

Links discussed in this episode:
Wyffels Yield Calculator
Wyffels Grain Drying Calculator
Between the Rows® - Corn Pollination and Grain Fill

We want to hear from you. Have questions you want us to address on future episodes? Email us at agronomy@wyffels.com.

Wyffels Hybrids. Fiercely independent, and proud of it.

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Extra Special Episode: An "Extreme" Pollination Window Aug 07, 2025

Show notes

August is coming in hot! After an "extreme" start to pollination with high temps and lots of rain for much of the Corn Belt, we're entering an uncertain period. Will we see extra special yields come harvest? Or will the wild weather deny us?

On this week's podcast, the Wyffels agronomy team discusses pollination, grain fill, and the late season fungicide decision.

Links discussed in this episode:
Wyffels Yield Calculator
Between the Rows® - Corn Pollination and Grain Fill
Between the Rows® - Fungicide Use on Wyffels Hybrids

We want to hear from you. Have questions you want us to address on future episodes? Ideas for how we can make this better? Email us at agronomy@wyffels.com.

Wyffels Hybrids. Fiercely independent, and proud of it.

Down and Dirty on Disease Jul 30, 2025

Show notes

August is shaping up to be a game of disease whack-a-mole. Recent heat and rain in the Central Corn Belt have fueled Southern Rust development, but the upcoming cool-down looks ideal for tar spot. Are you prepared to manage it all?

On this week's podcast, Wyffels Agronomy Managers Eric Wilson and Jared Goplen talk about late summer disease threats, and touch on the impact of recent storms.

Now’s the perfect time to scout for disease and assess fungicide needs.

Links discussed in this episode:
Crop Protection Network - Fungicide Efficacy
Between the Rows® - Southern Rust
Between the Rows® - Tar Spot
Between the Rows® - Damage from Summer Storms

We want to hear from you. Have questions you want us to address on future episodes? Ideas for how we can make this better? Email us at agronomy@wyffels.com.

Wyffels Hybrids. Fiercely independent, and proud of it.

Did my corn pollinate? Jul 22, 2025

Show notes

It's the story of July. There’s been a lot of chatter in the field this week about corn pollination. While no Wyffels products are currently experiencing this issue, it remains something to monitor amid the Corn Belt's high temperatures.

On this week's podcast, Wyffels Agronomy Managers Robby Meeker, Ryan Gentle, and Eric Wilson talk us through what's happening, what it looks like, and what you can expect as a result.

Now’s the perfect time to get out and see how your crop is progressing.

Links discussed in this episode:
How to Check Corn Pollination - Video
Between the Rows® - Tar Spot
Between the Rows® - Corn Pollination and Grain Fill
Wyffels Hybrids - Corn Rootworm Map

We want to hear from you. Have questions you want us to address on future episodes? Ideas for how we can make this better? Email us at agronomy@wyffels.com.

Wyffels Hybrids. Fiercely independent, and proud of it.

Disease, Storm Damage, & CRW Monitoring Jul 15, 2025

Show notes

July weather in the Corn Belt? Let’s just say…temperamental. Storms here. Dry there. Lots of heat. Foggy mornings. Mother Nature is throwing everything at us, and it could lead to a tricky end to the growing season.

On this week's show, the Wyffels agronomy team covers disease management, wind damage from recent storms, and closes out the episode with a corn rootworm pressure check-in.

Links discussed in this episode:
Between the Rows® - Damage from Summer Storms
Between the Rows® - Tar Spot
Between the Rows® - Fungicide Use on Wyffels Hybrids
Crop Protection Network - Crop Disease Forecasting Tool
Wyffels Hybrids - Corn Rootworm Map

We want to hear from you. Have questions you want us to address on future episodes? Ideas for how we can make this better? Email us at agronomy@wyffels.com.

Wyffels Hybrids. Fiercely independent, and proud of it.

Rapid Growth, Fungicide Decision, and Tar Spot Jun 24, 2025

Show notes

Things are heating up as we enter the heart of the growing season. Corn is growing rapidly and disease is popping up in fields across the Central Corn Belt.

On this week's episode, the Wyffels agronomy team is digging into everything you need to know when it comes to making that fungicide decision. They also take a closer look at tar spot and gray leaf spot - how common it is, what kind of damage it can do, and what you can do about it.

Links discussed in this episode:
Between the Rows® - Tar Spot
Crop Protection Network - Crop Disease Forecasting Tool
Iowa State University - "Tar Spot in Central Iowa Should Not be a Surprise"

We want to hear from you. Have questions you want us to address on future episodes? Ideas for how we can make this better? Email us at agronomy@wyffels.com.

Wyffels Hybrids. Fiercely independent, and proud of it.

Corn Rootworm, Hail, and Tar Spot Jun 18, 2025

Show notes

As summer heats up, the corn is growing fast and corn rootworm hatching has reached its peak.

In today's episode, the Wyffels agronomy team tackles best practices for monitoring and managing corn rootworm pressure. Plus, they take a look at hail damage's impact on yield, and give a quick update on tar spot popping up on the fringes of the central Midwest.

Links discussed in this episode:
Between the Rows® - Monitoring CRW Populations
Iowa State - Rootworm Eggs Reaching Peak Hatch
Wyffels Hybrids - CRW Monitoring Map
USDA - Corn Loss Adjustment Standards Handbook

We want to hear from you. Have questions you want us to address on future episodes? Ideas for how we can make this better? Email us at agronomy@wyffels.com.

Wyffels Hybrids. Fiercely independent, and proud of it.

Post Apps, Cool Temps, and Dish Soap May 28, 2025

Show notes

With planting season all but wrapped up across the Corn Belt, our attention shifts to post apps.

On this week's episode, the Wyffels agronomy team discusses best practices for managing early-stage corn, stress concerns, and seeing the crop through its "ugly duckling" phase.

Links discussed in this episode:
Between the Rows® - Herbicide Injury in Corn
Is It Herbicide Injury or Environmental Leaf Wrap? - Video
Keeping It Independent - "All Things Post Applications with Kurt Maertens, BASF"
Why is My Corn so Yellow and Floppy Right Now? - Video

We want to hear from you. Have questions you want us to address on future episodes? Ideas for how we can make this better? Email us at agronomy@wyffels.com.

Wyffels Hybrids. Fiercely independent, and proud of it.

Rotary Hoeing, Corn Replant, and a Soggy Southern Illinois May 15, 2025

Show notes

As planting season winds down for much of the Central Corn Belt, new challenges arise.

Wyffels Hybrids agronomy managers Ryan Gentle and Eric Wilson dive into crusting issues, rotary hoeing, replant considerations, and more. They also do a quick check in on southern Illinois where persistent rains have made for a slow and tricky planting season.

Links discussed in this episode:
Between the Rows® - Replant Considerations
Wyffels Hybrids - Corn Replant Calculator
Using Stand Counts to Assess Corn Replant - Video
Wyffels Hybrids - Planting Progress Report

We want to hear from you. Have questions you want us to address on future episodes? Ideas for how we can make this better? Email us at agronomy@wyffels.com.

Wyffels Hybrids. Fiercely independent, and proud of it.

We Read the Planter Manuals so You Don't Have To Apr 30, 2025

Show notes

We get it. No one wants to read all the planter user manuals. That's why at Wyffels, we've done some of the work for you.

This week on "Keeping It Independent," the Wyffels agronomy team covers planter optimization and provides a Midwest corn planting update.

Accurate singulation and seed placement are critical to maximizing corn yield. A planter that is properly maintained and set up will help optimize accuracy, but changing field conditions and seed sizes will require in-field adjustments.

Links discussed in this episode:
Between the Rows® - Optimize Plantability
Evaluating Seed Corn Planting Depth & Seed-to-Soil Contact - Video
Wyffels Hybrids - Planting Progress Report
Wyffels Hybrids - Our Corn Products

We want to hear from you. Have questions you want us to address on future episodes? Ideas for how we can make this better? Email us at agronomy@wyffels.com.

Wyffels Hybrids. Fiercely independent, and proud of it.