Keeping It Independent

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Cloudy with a Chance of Planting Stalls Apr 22, 2025

Show notes

Just when you think it's time to plant, Mother Nature has other ideas.

Corn planting got off to a strong start across much of the Corn Belt in mid-April, but recent rains have slowed down progress. This week's weather was expected to be favorable, but spotty showers could delay planting into next week.

The Wyffels agronomy team discusses the 2025 Planting Progress Report, weather trends, the Growing Degree Unit (GDU) calculator, and the state of Midwest corn planting as we approach May.

Links discussed in this episode:
Wyffels Hybrids - Planting Progress Report
Wyffels Hybrids - Growing Degree Unit (GDU) calculator
National Water Prediction Service
Between the Rows® - Choosing the Right Planting Rate
Between the Rows® - Optimize Plantability
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.

The One Where We Talk About Planting Apr 09, 2025

Show notes

Planting season is here! Well, almost. The planters might not be rolling for most of the Corn Belt yet, but it's the perfect time to make sure everything's ready for go-time. On this week's episode, Wyffels agronomy managers Eric Wilson, Ryan Gentle, and Robby Meeker discuss current conditions, early corn planting considerations, and Wyffels' tools and resources for the spring.

Links discussed in this episode:
Wyffels Hybrids - Corn Rootworm Monitoring Program
Between the Rows® - Early Planting Considerations
Between the Rows® - Choosing the Right Planting Rate
Between the Rows® - Optimize Plantability
Wyffels Hybrids - Our Corn Products
University of Illinois - WARM
ISU Soil Moisture Network

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.

The Good, the Bad, and the Bugly Mar 20, 2025

Show notes

Today, we're talking pests with University of Illinois' Kelly Estes.

Kelly coordinates the Illinois Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS) program which focuses on the early detection and surveillance of harmful or economically significant exotic plant pests, diseases, and weeds that have eluded first-line of defense inspections or have been identified as threats to U.S. agriculture and/or the environment.

Kelly and Wyffels Agronomy Manager Ryan Gentle discuss the Illinois insect trapping network and dive into updates on corn rootworm, Asian beetles, corn borer, and more.

Links discussed in this episode:
Wyffels Hybrids - Corn Rootworm Monitoring Program
Illinois Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS) program
Corn ipmPIPE
Illinois Natural History Survey
The Water and Atmospheric Resources Monitoring (WARM) Network

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.

Is That Spring I See? Mar 11, 2025

Show notes

Is that spring we see out there? The planters might not be rolling yet, but recent warm weather has us thinking about spring management decisions. On this week's episode, Wyffels agronomy managers Eric Wilson and Robby Meeker discuss continuous corn considerations, and tips for managing nitrogen and tillage.

Links discussed in this episode:
Wyffels Hybrids - Corn Rootworm Monitoring Program
Between the Rows® - Agronomic Library
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.

Product Ratings: How the Sausage is Made Feb 26, 2025

Show notes

When you're thumbing through a seed corn product guide, do you ever wonder where the "product ratings" come from? Or what those numbers actually mean?

On this week's episode, we answer those burning questions. Agronomy experts Eric Wilson and Brent Tharp are joined by Wyffels corn breeder Devin Nichols to discuss. They explain how the Wyffels team uses multiple years of data and in-field observation to develop these product ratings.

Links discussed in this episode:
Between the Rows® - Agronomic Library
Wyffels Hybrids - Independent Corn Breeding Program
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.

Flex Appeal Feb 12, 2025

Show notes

Ear flex is a key factor in a corn plant's ability to adapt to environmental conditions and maximize yield potential.

On this week's episode, we explore all things ear flex. Agronomy Managers Eric Wilson and Robby Meeker dive into our internal yield component trials, look at how different hybrids flex, and remind listeners that RM isn't the only factor in building a diverse package. You can find yield component analysis details for our corn products in the Wyffels Hybrids product guide (2025 - Page 35).

Links discussed in this episode:
Between the Rows® - Agronomic Library
Understand Ear Flex - AgWeb

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.

Inhibitors, Safeners, and Stabilizers…Oh My! Jan 21, 2025

Show notes

Agronomy Managers Eric Wilson and Ryan Gentle explore the world of stabilizers/inhibitors. They talk about best practices for using the different products that slow down nitrification. These are valuable tools, but not magic cure-alls for poor nitrogen management. A lot of variables can impact effectiveness, so making sure farmers understand each product's capabilities is vital.

Links discussed in this episode:
Between the Rows® - Understanding Nitrogen Loss
University of Illinois - Water and Atmospheric Resources Monitoring Program (WARM) Soil Data
UMN Extension Nutrient Management Podcast - Nitrification inhibitors in detail: Important information to help delay N loss

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.

What’s the Best Form of Nitrogen? Jan 16, 2025

Show notes

Nitrogen isn't a simple topic. With multiple forms, and multiple variables impacting effectiveness, it can feel overwhelming.

On this week's episode, the we dive into the pros and cons of nitrogen forms. Agronomy Managers Eric Wilson and Jared Goplen dive into manure, anhydrous ammonia, urea, urea-ammonium nitrate (UAN), and discuss the when/where/why for each approach.

Links discussed in this episode:
Between the Rows® - Sidedress Nitrogen in Corn
Between the Rows® - Spring Anhydrous
Between the Rows® - Understanding Nitrogen Loss

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.

Control the Controllables: Fungicide Dec 17, 2024

Show notes

It's time to hit the rewind button and unpack what happened in 2024, and discover what we can learn from it.

On today's episode, Agronomy Managers Eric Wilson and Ryan Gentle discuss fungicide. The duo dives into Wyffels' homegrown research/timing studies to offer advice on fungicide decisions.

Fungicide applications are tools corn growers can use to achieve maximum corn yields. Fungicide treatments are proven to protect yield potential when leaf diseases are present and improve plant health and standability at harvest.

Scouting for disease is the best way to determine which fields would show a positive response to a fungicide application. But considering other factors such as field history, weather, and hybrid disease tolerance is also important.

Links discussed in this episode:
Between the Rows - Making the Fungicide Decision

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.

Controlling the Controllables: All About Nitrogen Dec 10, 2024

Show notes

It's time to hit the rewind button and unpack what happened in 2024, and discover what we can learn from it.

On today's episode, Agronomy Managers Eric Wilson and Jared Goplen discuss denitrification. Any time the Corn Belt experiences large amounts of rain (like some areas did this spring) it raises questions about possible N loss and the need for supplemental N applications. Understanding the factors which influence nitrogen loss can help you determine your specific situation and aid in making informed decisions.

Nitrogen is one of the most expensive inputs in corn production. So, it is a decision that needs careful attention, because when we fall short on nitrogen it can be a very costly mistake.

Links discussed in this episode:
Between the Rows - Understanding Nitrogen Loss
Between the Rows - Sidedress Nitrogen in Corn

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.

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