Field Advisor

In this episode, Sunrise FS agronomist Eric Beckett, CCA, examines how increasing weather variability is reshaping agronomic decision making across the Midwest. He discusses the need to reassess traditional tillage and nutrient application strategies to improve efficiency, soil health and risk management under windier conditions. Beckett also addresses the rapid adoption of drone-based application and urges a measured approach as the technology continues to evolve. He emphasizes the importance of understanding how these systems are being operated, including application setup, carrier volume, flight parameters and data transparency, and encourages farmers to have informed conversations with applicators to ensure adequate coverage, label compliance and overall performance in the field.

In this episode, Illinois Soybean Association Agronomist Stephanie Porter, CCA, discusses current field conditions and drought concerns, along with considerations around soybean seed quality, input costs and the economic factors shaping on farm decisions. She also covers soybean planting recommendations, seeding populations, seed treatments and weed management strategies for the 2026 growing season.Here's the link to the Crop Protection Network's Fungicide Efficacy for Management of Soybean Seedling Diseases.

Early soybean planting can boost yield potential, but it also brings added risk. This episode features Logan Miller, research specialist in weed science at the University of Illinois, discussing his IL Soybean checkoff-funded research evaluating which preemergence (PRE) herbicides are more likely to cause crop injury in early planted soybeans.Miller explains how cold, wet conditions impact herbicide metabolism, what his multi-year field research shows across different products and active ingredients, and why PPO based herbicides tend to carry more early season risk. He also shares practical takeaways for farmers, including how to balance weed control with crop safety and what factors such as weather, field conditions, and seed treatments matter most when making herbicide decisions.See all updates and read more about this project by visiting Field Advisor - https://fieldadvisor.org/which-preemergence-herbicides-are-more-likely-to-cause-crop-injury/

In this episode of the Field Advisor podcast, Matt Reardon, senior atmospheric scientist at Nutrien Ag Solutions, discusses what Illinois farmers can expect as winter transitions into spring. He breaks down ongoing drought conditions, the 14-day outlook for rainfall, and how El Niño may influence weather patterns throughout the growing season. The conversation also covers severe weather preparedness, whether there is concern of dust storms, and what these changing conditions could mean for field decisions in the months ahead.

In this episode of Field Advisor, Kelsey sits down with Wisconsin-based crop consultant Kyle Stull of Stull Agronomy to discuss how today’s marketing environment is influencing on-farm decision making and return on investment.With constant exposure to new products, free trials and influencer recommendations, how can growers separate what truly pays from what is simply popular? Kelsey and Kyle explore how marketing and accessibility can shape adoption and offer practical ways to test new practices without putting the whole farm plan at risk.They also touch on current drought conditions in the Midwest, expectations for 2026 corn and soybean acres, and the growing role of artificial intelligence in crop consulting.

New dicamba rules. Farm Bill uncertainty. And a packed legislative agenda in Springfield. In this episode of Field Advisor, Kevin Johnson (KJ), director of government relations and strategy at the Illinois Soybean Association, joins Kelsey Litchfield to break down the latest dicamba news from the EPA, pesticide legislation to watch in Springfield, and other policy issues Illinois farmers should be paying attention to. What’s changing, what’s concerning, and what comes next.

Dr. Matthew Vann, associate dean and director of University of Illinois Extension, stopped by the Field Advisor Podcast booth at the Farm Progress Show to talk about the path that led him to Illinois. A native of rural Florida and graduate of NC State, Dr. Vann shares how his upbringing and academic journey shaped his career and what inspired his move to Illinois. Hear his perspective on leadership, outreach, and the opportunities ahead for Illinois Extension.

How can Illinois farmers more easily find clear, reliable information about conservation programs and practices? In this episode of the Field Advisor podcast, guests Jean Brokish and Kris Reynolds, CCA, discuss how the Illinois Sustainable Ag Partnership (ISAP) helps farmers connect to resources and peer-to-peer learning opportunities. The conversation also highlights the mission of American Farmland Trust and provides an update on Illinois’ Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy.

John Pike joins this Field Advisor episode to share his recommendations for getting started with cover crops. He offers practical examples, discusses the early benefits farmers often see, and explains how to think about cover crops as part of the corn-soybean system.