The Crop Science Podcast Show

In this special re-run episode of The Crop Science Podcast Show, we bring back our conversation with Dr. John Jones from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, who explains how phosphorus and potassium recommendations are developed and why nutrient test methods vary by region. He explores nutrient behavior in soils, calibration approaches, and how agronomists can make better data-driven fertilizer decisions. Learn how to fine-tune your nutrient management strategies and why accurate soil testing matters. Listen now on all major platforms!

"We treat phosphorus and potassium as more immobile nutrients that remain in the soil for years or even decades, which makes soil testing a reliable tool for guiding fertilization decisions."

Meet the guest: Dr. John Jones is an Assistant Professor of Agronomy and Soil Fertility Extension Specialist at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign. His work focuses on soil fertility, nutrient management, and water quality, with experience across major cropping systems. His research connects soil testing, nutrient cycling, and practical agronomic decisions to improve crop production. 

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What you will learn:
(00:00) Highlight
(00:51) Introduction
(02:05) Guest background
(05:38) P and K calibration
(08:26) Nutrient interaction effects
(13:20) Regional test differences
(18:51) Data-driven decisions
(24:16) Final three questions

The Crop Science Podcast Show is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:

- Loam Bio
- KWS

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.
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In this episode of The Crop Science Podcast Show, Dr. Rachel Vann, Associate Professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, shares how national soybean research networks deliver practical, science-based recommendations. Learn key topics including planting timing, seeding rates, fertility strategies, and multi-state trial design. Dr. Vann highlights cost-effective decisions under tight margins. Listen now on all major platforms!

“Planting date selection strongly influences soybean yield outcomes across regions, requiring careful alignment with environmental conditions and avoiding extremes that reduce productivity potential.”

Meet the guest: Dr. Rachel Vann is an Associate Professor of Cropping Systems at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, specializing in soybean production, applied research, and Extension outreach. With experience leading national initiatives like Science for Success, research focuses on improving crop management and farmer decision-making. 

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What you will learn:
(00:00) Highlight
(00:48) Introduction
(01:49) Career path
(03:30) Initiative origin
(06:08) Research focus
(07:56) Biological results
(13:55) Planting timing
(22:45) Final Questions

The Crop Science Podcast Show is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:

- Loam Bio
- KWS

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.
Website: The Crop Science Podcast Show
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In this special episode of The Crop Science Podcast Show, marking Earth Day, Dr. Fabian Menalled, Professor at Montana State University, explains how ecological principles shape weed management across cropping systems. He discusses herbicide resistance, crop weed competition, and diversified strategies such as cover crops and trait-based approaches. Dr. Menalled highlights how management decisions influence weed communities and long-term system resilience. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Integrating ecological and evolutionary perspectives is necessary to fully understand and manage weed dynamics in modern agricultural systems."

Meet the guest: Dr. Fabian Menalled is a Professor of Weed Ecology and Management at Montana State University, with training in ecology from Argentina and the United States. His work focuses on sustainable agriculture, crop weed competition, and integrated weed management across conventional and organic systems. His research explores ecological drivers shaping weed communities and resistance.

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What you will learn:
(00:00) Highlight
(00:59) Introduction
(07:12) Resistance challenge
(08:15) Cover crops timing
(11:39) Weed community drivers
(13:49) Management complexity
(17:06) Evolution pressure
(18:30) Final Questions

The Crop Science Podcast Show is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:

- KWS

- Loam Bio

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.
Website: The Crop Science Podcast Show
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LinkedIn: The Crop Science Podcast Show

In this episode of The Crop Science Podcast Show, Dr. Dean Steele from North Dakota State University discusses irrigation water management and precision irrigation systems. He covers variable-rate irrigation, soil moisture sensors, pulse-width modulation, evapotranspiration, and water-scheduling strategies for corn and potato production. Dr. Steele also shares insights into how sensor data and water-balance models improve irrigation efficiency. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Variable-rate irrigation reduces water application in low-lying areas and prairie potholes, preventing overwatering that leads to disease in potato fields and storage losses."

Meet the guest: Dr. Dean Steele is an Associate Professor in the Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Department at North Dakota State University. Professional interests include irrigation and environmental engineering, and irrigation water management. Research focuses on soil water sensors, variable-rate irrigation systems, and water-use efficiency in irrigated crop production, with applied work supporting producers and conservation professionals across the Northern Plains.

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What you will learn:
(00:00) Highlight
(00:58) Introduction
(04:43) Variable-rate irrigation systems
(09:43) VRI application precision
(14:53) Irrigation scheduling methods
(19:14) Evapotranspiration
(21:58) Teaching programs at NDSU
(27:01) Final questions

The Crop Science Podcast Show is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:

- KWS

- Loam Bio

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.
Website: The Crop Science Podcast Show
Instagram: The Crop Science Podcast Show
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In this episode of The Crop Science Podcast Show, Dr. Chase Floyd, Assistant Research Professor and State Extension Crop Protection Specialist at the University of Missouri, explains pest management challenges in cotton and rice systems in the Mid-South. Dr. Floyd discusses key insect threats, resistance concerns, economic thresholds, and new application strategies that improve pesticide targeting while reducing off-target movement. Listen now on all major platforms!

“Cotton production systems in the Mid-South face intense insect pressure, where thrips, plant bugs, and spider mites regularly threaten yield retention and require careful monitoring throughout the growing season.”

Meet the guest: Dr. Chase Floyd is an Assistant Research Professor and State Extension Crop Protection Specialist at the University of Missouri. His work focuses on insect management in row crops, including cotton, rice, soybean, and corn. Research emphasizes economic thresholds, pesticide efficacy, and technologies that help producers control pests while protecting yield and profitability across Mid-South cropping systems. 

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What you will learn:
(00:00) Highlight
(00:44) Introduction
(10:55) Cotton insect pressure
(14:03) Rice pest threats
(15:40) Insecticide resistance monitoring
(17:00) Economic injury thresholds
(20:17) Targeted spray technology
(26:33) Final Questions

The Crop Science Podcast Show is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:

- Loam Bio
- KWS

𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺.
Website: The Crop Science Podcast Show
Instagram: The Crop Science Podcast Show
LinkedIn: The Crop Science Podcast Show