Kick'N Dirt with Mike and The Kevins

Spend $7 to Protect $100: Why Moisture Wins This Spring

What if your best input for ROI this season is as simple as turning on the pivot? One of the driest starts in decades has growers facing tough calls before the planter even rolls. In this episode, the Kick'N Dirt team breaks down how to manage through it. From better emergence and stronger herbicide performance to more uniform stands, they explore how a small investment in moisture could deliver big returns. The conversation covers real numbers, real scenarios, and real decisions growers are making right now to protect yield potential. Listen for practical strategies for both irrigated and dryland acres, and for the key lessons from 2025 that matter most this spring. Kick'N Dirt is a podcast about Agriculture in the U.S.  This show hosts industry professionals to talk about corn and soybean production, including growers, agronomists and researchers.  Kick'N Dirt is hosted by Pioneer Agronomists Mike Wardyn, Kevin Keller, and Kevin Kowalaski, who are based in Nebraska.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ag’s Next Big Battles Will Be Water, Trade, and Farm Consolidation

In this episode of Kick'N Dirt, the hosts welcome agricultural economist, speaker, and podcast host Damian Mason of the The Business of Agriculture Show to unpack the big forces shaping the future of farming. From fertilizer prices and energy volatility to the role of government programs and the future of global trade, Damian offers an unfiltered perspective on the economic realities facing modern agriculture. Drawing from his background in ag economics and decades of observing the industry, he challenges some of the assumptions farmers often hear—about volatility, exports, and the “feed the world” narrative. The conversation digs into long-term issues that could reshape production agriculture, including water scarcity, consolidation of farms, shifting population trends, and changing global markets. Whether you agree with his take or not, Damian brings a thought-provoking viewpoint that encourages growers to look at agriculture through the lens of economics, policy, and global competition. What to Listen For in This Episode: “Volatility” in agriculture isn’t new - Damian explains that market volatility is constant in ag and that markets actually require movement to create opportunity. The role of fuel and energy prices in farm profitability - Energy costs could be one of the biggest wildcards for producers in the near term, influencing fertilizer, fuel, and overall input costs. Crop insurance and government programs as risk tools - Agriculture is one of the few industries where producers can insure revenue with taxpayer-supported programs—something Damian argues fundamentally changes risk compared to other businesses. Water could become agriculture’s biggest regulatory battle - Water access, especially irrigation tied to aquifers like the Ogallala, may become a major policy fight as cities, tech companies, and agriculture compete for limited resources. The future structure of farming in the U.S. is in question - Damian predicts continued consolidation, with a smaller number of large commercial farms producing most commodities while niche and specialty farms fill other market segments. There's am uncertain future of export-driven growth - He argues agriculture shouldn’t rely on massive export growth, especially from China, as global production capacity and geopolitical strategies shift. Population trends could reshape food demand - Falling fertility rates in many developed countries could slow long-term demand growth, challenging the traditional “feed a growing world” narrative.   Kick'N Dirt is a podcast about Agriculture in the U.S.  This show hosts industry professionals to talk about corn and soybean production, including growers, agronomists and researchers.  Kick'N Dirt is hosted by Pioneer Agronomists Mike Wardyn, Kevin Keller, and Kevin Kowalaski, who are based in Nebraska.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Climate Signals for the 2026 Growing Season with Meteorologist Don Day

Pioneer agronomists sit down with meteorologist Don Day of DayWeather Inc., to break down the 2026 crop weather outlook, from winter snowpack and irrigation concerns to spring planting conditions, summer heat, and fall finish. The conversation unpacks La Niña, El Niño, and neutral patterns in plain language, explores why recent seasons have felt anything but “normal,” and examines the lingering global impacts of the Hunga Tonga volcanic eruption on long-range forecasting.  Don also explains how soil moisture, humidity, and nighttime temperatures influence crop development, disease pressure, and yield potential—plus what recent weather volatility could mean for precipitation timing this spring and summer.   Kick'N Dirt is a podcast about Agriculture in the U.S.  This show hosts industry professionals to talk about corn and soybean production, including growers, agronomists and researchers.  Kick'N Dirt is hosted by Pioneer Agronomists Mike Wardyn, Kevin Keller, and Kevin Kowalaski, who are based in Nebraska.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Should 2025 Change the Way We Plan for 2026?

Listen for:  The 2025 Weather Whiplash * One of the driest planting seasons on record, followed by heavy rains, humidity, and flooding. Disease Pressure Across Nebraska * Southern rust outbreaks and why 2025 was so severe * Tar spot expansion, especially in eastern Nebraska * Ear rots driven by late-season humidity and fog * Why southern rust is more aggressive than tar spot Fungicide Strategy * R1 vs. R3 timing: what worked best * When a second fungicide pass makes sense * Why waiting too long costs yield * Hybrid tolerance vs. chemical protection Nitrogen & Fertility Decisions * Early-season drought causing growers to pull back * How lost N and sulfur hurt disease resistance * Why “defense mode” can leave yield on the table Kernel Weight & Late-Season Stress * Why great ear counts didn’t turn into great yields * The importance of sunlight during grain fill * “Third and fourth quarter” of corn development Herbicide Injury & Crop Stress * Dicamba, growth regulators, and rapid weather swings * Twisting, stunting, and plant metabolism overload * Why pre-emerge weed control matters more than ever Soybean Diseases in 2025 * Why white mold didn’t explode despite perfect conditions * Sudden death syndrome showing up * Low levels of bacterial and foliar disease Hybrid Selection & Placement * Disease-tolerant vs. susceptible genetics * Why seed choice is critical as diseases intensify Application Methods * Aerial, ground rig, drones, and pivot chemigation * Why uniform coverage matters more than the tool Planning for 2026 * Don’t farm “average” — every year is different * Why flexibility beats rigid plans * How to prepare if southern rust shows up again Kick'N Dirt is a podcast about Agriculture in the U.S.  This show hosts industry professionals to talk about corn and soybean production, including growers, agronomists and researchers.  Kick'N Dirt is hosted by Pioneer Agronomists Mike Wardyn, Kevin Keller, and Kevin Kowalaski, who are based in Nebraska.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Scouting Ear Molds and Managing Mycotoxins in Nebraska Corn

In this episode, Pioneer field agronomists discuss harvest conditions, ear mold trends and what growers should be watching for in both grain and silage. Forage veterinarian Dr. Adam Kroll joins the conversation to unpack how different ear molds develop, when they become toxic, and what that means for feed quality, animal health, and storage management. From field scouting tips to safe feed strategies, this episode dives deep into what growers can do right now to manage mold risks and protect their herds. Listen for discussion about: 🌽 Ear mold identification and scouting tips 🐄 Mycotoxins and livestock health 🔥 Grain drying, temperature, and storage management 🥶 Why silage fermentation helps stop mold growth 🧪 Testing and feed management best practices Kick'N Dirt is a podcast about Agriculture in the U.S.  This show hosts industry professionals to talk about corn and soybean production, including growers, agronomists and researchers.  Kick'N Dirt is hosted by Pioneer Agronomists Mike Wardyn, Kevin Keller, and Kevin Kowalaski, who are based in Nebraska.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.