Golden Harvest Agronomy "Focus Friday"

On today’s episode, I’m going to cover three practical topics:1. What I’m seeing as I travel the territory this week,2. Two early-season pests showing up—seed corn maggot and black cutworm,3. And finally, some corn replant considerations, because a few fields are asking that question right now.

Join me on my travels this past week. Hear what I've been seeing for crop progress across the area and learn how many days will be needed for emergence if you are planting today.

Don't miss this week's podcast where I review some of the reasons "why" we do test plots, and then take the time to review my responses to questions I've gotten from farmers this past week. Enjoy!

Some of us are hitting it hard today, while others are still waiting for drier soils. In today’s podcast, we’ll provide a quick area update, go in-depth on when we can expect crops planted today to actually emerge based on heat unit accumulation, and finally, discuss the “why” behind corn and soybean population considerations.

This week, let's talk about what the cold weather and frost means for the few acres that are actually emerged, dive deep into the unfounded panic regarding switching out corn & soy maturities, and finally, learn about the big flight counts of cutworm and armyworm headed our way.

Welcome back to the 2026 Season of the Golden Harvest "Agronomy In Action" Podcast. Today, we’re going to talk about why "fast" isn't always "better," why your soybean planter or drill might need to lead the charge this year, and finally, how to handle some “slimy critters” that tend to thrive in these wet conditions.

As we get to the end of October, and the end of the 2025 growing season, this will be my FINAL PODCST OF THE YEAR. Listen to what I’m seeing in my travels across the area, and hear a review of the podcast topics we covered throughout 2025, as well as find out the final heat unit accumulation update for 2025.

With October half over, take a minute to listen to what I’m seeing in my travels across the area, and learn about ear molds that you too might just be finding this year in your own fields as you start to pull back those husks and evaluate your upcoming corn harvest. Plus, get the latest heat unit update in this week’s podcast.

In this week’s podcast, catch up on what I am seeing in my travels across the area, learn about “green stem” issues in soybeans and hear from TC Huffman, our Eastern Agronomy Manager, on fertility management going into next year. Plus, get caught up with our heat unit accumulation update.

Want to know more about "Phantom Yield Loss" and what delayed harvest might be costing you? Want to better understand how to do a corn "push test"? Want an update on heat units in the area? If so, enjoy this week's podcast.

Interested in finding out more about our Genetics by Environment by Management trials? Curious about what I am seeing for service calls for corn this week? Want a heat unit accumulation update? If so, be sure to listen to this week's podcast.

Interested in optimizing the harvest factors that help maximize soybean yields? Want to hear from our Enogen Specialist to get an update on how to make the best possible feed out of this year’s silage harvest? And, want to get a quick update on the latest heat unit accumulations? If so, don't miss this week's episode.

Listen this week to better understand why our soybeans are looking purple from the roadside and what’s going on with all those dead soybean plants sticking their heads up through the canopy all of a sudden this week. Plus, hear the heat unit accumulation update and hear what to be watching for next.

With the recent rains, let's answer the question on all our minds – was the recent rain helpful, or was it too little, too late? I also go in depth on Red Crown Rot, and give you the weekly heat unit update - it's not the same trend this week. Enjoy!

So, I'm seeing some yellow color in soybeans right now – is it disease such as SDS or Red Crown Rot, or natural maturing of the crop? With Southern Rust and Tar Spot, is it too late to spray a fungicide on my corn? These questions are answered this week, plus a heat unit update and some insights on my trip to Ireland last week. Enjoy!

So, has the heat and drought hurt yield? Do you know if you too have Sudden Death Syndrome in your soybeans? ...or could it be Brown Stem Rot? And, how far ahead are we really in heat units vs the 5 year average? Listen to this week's podcast to find out!

Big things are happening, and because I took off last week for the county fair, I decided to do a "Special Edition" of the weekly podcast today to catch you up on what I was getting calls on last week.Physoderma Brown Spot, Spider Mites, and Southern Rust are all showing up. Listen today to get the latest on all three, including a special guest to tell us more about Southern Rust, now in the area.

Curious about where we are for heat unit accumulation? Interested in what I am seeing in my agronomy travels this past week? Want to know more about “tasse wrap” and “corn sweat”? If so, enjoy the listen in this week's podcast.

In this week’s podcast, I share our current heat unit accumulation, talk about a unique phenomenon found this past week called “Green Kink,” update you on our Tar Spot progress, and also discuss our latest insect find; true armyworm. Plus, we hear from a special guest to get an update on overall crop progress in Northern Indiana and Ohio.

In this episode, get your weekly heat unit accumulation update, learn about tar spot management now that it is confirmed in Michigan and Indiana, discuss ear mold management timing, and did you know, Spider Mites are here! Learn how to identify and manage this yield robbing soybean pest.

Temperatures have moderated a little out there this week, but did we catch up on heat unit accumulation? I also had an interesting service call this past week in my travels across Michigan and Northern Ohio. Take a listen to learn what happened.

Did we finally catch up on heat units this week? Want to know what 2 different soybean issues I saw this past week in my travels and what to do about them to increase yields this year, and into the future? If so, take a listen to this week's episode.

It’s been a hot one out there this week, so let’s get an update on heat unit accumulation, talk about how this heat is affecting our growing crop in reference to the concept of Leibig’s Barrel, and lightning bugs were spotted earlier this week, so let’s discuss what’s going on in our corn fields based on this observation.

For this week’s podcast, I’ll update you on heat unit accumulation, talk about all the interesting colors I've been seeing in our corn crop lately, discuss "rolling" soybeans, and talk about what to expect in your field walks next week with the high heat coming at us this weekend. Enjoy!

Get up to date on heat unit accumulations, hear about the recently observed Tar Spot in NW Indiana, get insights on recent slug damage, and learn some news on our newest corn rootworm trait coming to the industry – Durastak Trait Technology.

This week's podcast looks at an update on our heat unit accumulation, insights on service calls from the week, and a discussion around scouting for Black Cutworm. Check it out!

Want to know how far ahead or behind we are on heat units? Want to know what I am seeing around the state for service calls? Want some insight on changing corn maturities now that we are about to hit June 1st? If so, enjoy this week's podcast.

Are you noticing yellow corn as you drive around? Are you curious what diseases might be in store for your emerging crops due to this cold, wet weather? If so, check out my latest podcast this week.

Interested in how to evaluate your newly emerged stands, think you might have a crusting issue, or were wondering about when to switch out hybrids or varieties this spring? If so, enjoy this latest podcast episode.

Interested in our progress for heat unit accumulations for emergence, watching for cutworms and true armyworms, and taking a deeper dive into Nitrogen management to tie back into last week’s discussions? If so, take a listen to this week's podcast.

This week I cover crop progress from MI to Kansas in my travels, plus a review of growing degree days needed for emergence and how this week's cold weather might affect that emergence. Finally, a quick discussion on nitrogen needs for success.

This week, I share current soil temperatures and conditions, some thoughts on managing lower germ soybeans and considerations for early planted soybeans. Enjoy!

For this week's podcast, I wrap up the 2024 growing season with a few final field observations and a quick trip down memory lane in a “2024 Season in Review”. Enjoy!

This week's podcast highlights an interview with Dr. Marty Chilvers about his thoughts on Tar Spot progress in Michigan this year as well as some thoughts on double crop soybean development and why you might be seeing scattered green plants in your soybean fields lately. Enjoy.

This week's podcast focuses in on yield and agronomic observations from around Michigan. "Green" ears of corn and estimating yields along with updates on Growing Degree Day accumulations are top of mind currently. Enjoy!

This week's podcast shares some of the first soybean yields reported for the 2024 growing season across Michigan, and includes a discussion of harvesting green stem soybeans to reduce yield loss this season. Enjoy!

This week's Podcast focuses in on crop observations across Michigan this past week, an update on heat unit accumulation and some insight on soybean cyst nematode testing. Enjoy!

This week's travels had me digging deeper into some of the results of the strong winds from a week ago and its effect on silage corn as well as a review of conversations from field days across Michigan this past week. Enjoy!

In addition to an update on heat units across Michigan, this week's podcast focuses on hot topics such as questions around "how far our crop is from maturity," a deep dive into the cost of harvesting soybeans "too dry" and what things influence “kernel depth development” in corn. 

This week's podcast looks at the finding of Downey Mildew in soybeans, runts and stunts in corn, and an overview of why soybeans are starting to turn yellow. Enjoy!

Sudden Death Syndrome started showing up this week - learn how to identify it, and manage it. This episode also puts Tar Spot into perspective historically - these next few weeks are critical to a successful harvest. Enjoy!

Directly from the Shiawassee County Fair, this week's episode keeps you up to date on current agronomy issues around Michigan. Enjoy!

Lots of agronomic happenings in both corn and soybeans right now! This week's episode is solid agronomy. If you are walking your fields, be sure to take a listen to this week's podcast before you head out.

Crop progress weekly update, answers to agronomy questions including when to actually pull the trigger for spraying for Tar Spot, and the finding of both white mold and spider mites across the state in soybeans. Plus, a special guest to discuss using bio-stimulants this time of the year. Enjoy this week's episode!

Crop progress and agronomic questions from the field are again the focus of this week's podcast. Feeding on corn and yellow leaves get diagnosed as well as a visit from my special guest to discuss making the fungicide decision with current lower commodity prices. Take the time to give it a listen.

In addition to my weekly crop progress update and agronomy call insights, this week my special guest discusses in-depth how recent heavy rains effected possible Nitrogen loss and what to do about it.

In this week’s podcast, we review crop progress, discuss yellow soybeans and how to determine if it’s a N or Mn deficiency and how to scout for Tar Spot.  Additionally, my special guest gives you insights on the GHX app and why you might want to get it on your own phone.  Enjoy!

Current crop progress and agronomic topics to keep "top of mind" are a focus of this week's podcast. Actionable items for white mold and corn rootworm are key points discussed in this week's episode. Enjoy!

In addition to crop progress and agronomy service call updates, I talk this week to MSU's Dr. Marty Chilvers about Tar Spot being found on Michigan's doorstep (in Indiana) and what we need to do about it.

Enjoy this week's crop progress update, listen to lessons learned from service calls in the field, and get a better understanding of what we need to be thinking as far as weed control this time of the year with my special guest.