2026 Planting Season Update: On-the-Ground Reports from Iowa & Wisconsin

2026 Corn Emergence Check-In: Crusting, Cold Injury & What to Scout For

Lead agronomist Craig Allaman joins host Juan for a season check-in on corn and soybean emergence across the Cornelius footprint. After a challenging spring marked by narrow planting windows, sporadic heavy rains, and an unusual stretch of cool nighttime temperatures, Craig breaks down what's actually happening underground — and what growers should be watching for right now. Timestamps: 0:00 Intro 1:47 How Plant 2026 Started — Craig's Overview 2:37 Corn vs. Soybeans: Sitting Out the Cold Windows 7:13 What Actually Causes Crusting (It's Not Just Dryness) 8:45 Corn vs. Soybeans: Which Is More Impacted by Crusting? 9:30 The Coleoptile Explained — Shepherd's Crook & Leaf Scarring 12:39 Cold Injury: Leafing Out Underground 16:06 Seed Treatments & the Cold, Wet Start 17:23 What Should Growers Be Scouting For Right Now? 21:05 How to Scout: Dig Those Seedlings Up 24:27 #1 Mistake When Evaluating Emergence 26:55 3 Things to Do Before Calling a Replant 27:46 Key Takeaways & Closing

2026 Planting Season Update: On-the-Ground Reports from Iowa & Wisconsin

Host Juan checks in with three Cornelius Seed District Sales Managers who also farm in their own territories — Brad Grandgeorge (Central Iowa), Joe Braudt (Southwest Wisconsin), and Mike Lund (Southwest Iowa) — for a real-time planting season update. The conversation covers planting progress, field conditions, and the challenges of a cool, wet spring. Topics include soil fitness, crusting concerns, emergence watch-outs, the value of seed treatments in cold conditions, cover crop strategies, biological inputs, and the importance of patience over rushing to beat the neighbors. Each guest shares what good operators are doing right this spring and what agronomic lessons 2026 is already teaching.0:00 – Intro & Welcome0:33 – Brad Grandgeorge | Central Iowa (Wright County)1:35 – Planting progress & field conditions in Central Iowa2:58 – Early emergence & crusting concerns4:21 – What good operators are doing this spring5:16 – Planter prep tips & precision equipment checks8:23 – Joe Braudt | Southwest Wisconsin (Grant County)9:10 – Cold, wet conditions & delayed planting progress10:37 – Cover crops, rye planting, and soil moisture15:58 – Seed treatments & seedling disease watch-outs17:44 – Agronomy lessons from a tough spring start19:52 – Biologicals & non-GMO corn strategy22:01 – Mike Lund | Southwest Iowa (Pottawattamie & Shelby Counties)22:24 – Strong conditions in Southwest Iowa & planting progress26:07 – Final advice: don't rush, stick to the plan

Planting Fundamentals: Patience, Soil Fit, and the right Seed Depth

On the Cornelius Seed Podcast, host Juan is joined by DSM Tyler Sprain (north central Iowa) and RSM Cliff Lane (west central Illinois) to discuss what matters most as planters start rolling for corn and soybeans. They emphasize patience with volatile spring weather, avoiding cold-wet conditions, and watching soil temperature trends (around 50°F) along with tillage and residue effects. Key fundamentals include equipment readiness and maintenance, driving appropriate speeds, getting out to check behind the planter, and prioritizing consistent seed placement—especially planting depth (measuring where the seed sits, not just the trench bottom). They note early soybeans can be a “free” yield opportunity if conditions are fit and seed has a strong treatment package, and they discuss soybean population, emergence variability, and avoiding rushed replant decisions. The episode closes with advice to be safe and focus on small details that stack up to protect yield.00:25 Meet The Guests01:53 Patience And Soil Temps04:06 Corn Vs Beans Timing05:36 Cold Dry Vs Cold Wet08:34 Stand Basics And Depth10:24 Get Out And Check11:52 Maintenance And Speed15:57 Tools And Calling Help17:22 Early Soybean Advantage20:15 Soybean Treatment Packages21:05 Planting Depth Basics21:46 Population Sweet Spots24:53 Replant After Hail Frost27:15 Slow Emergence Decisions29:03 Measuring True Seed Depth32:15 Weather Gut Check37:04 One Key Planter Tip39:15 Fundamentals Closing Wrap

Unlocking New Yield Potential with Pivot Bio's Nitrogen-Fixing Solutions

In this Cornelius Seed podcast episode, host Juan talks with Pivot Bio’s Nick Fischer and Alex Obermier about Proven® G3, a third-generation nitrogen product using nitrogen-fixing microbes that continue fixing nitrogen in the presence of synthetic N and continuously release it to the plant. They explain how G3 adds two methylotrophs- one to stimulate bigger roots and one to make nutrients more available- along with results from 300+ full-field trials showing more frequent yield increases versus prior “yield parity” outcomes. The conversation covers new delivery options (on-seed, liquid in-furrow, and a new dry planter-box formulation), mixing and planting windows for the dry product, storage considerations, compatibility guidance, and how the microbes attach to roots, feed on plant exudates, and produce nitrogen through roughly VT-R1. Chapters: 00:00 Gene Edited Nitrogen Fixers00:43 Podcast Setup And Guests02:34 Pivot Bio Background And Adoption03:43 What G3 Adds05:30 Dry Planter Box Delivery07:04 Handling And Storage Windows09:22 Trial Data And Proven It10:52 Best Management Practices13:58 Soil Tests And Compatibility15:57 How The Microbes Work20:28 On Seed Treatment Tips23:36 ROI And Nitrogen Volatility27:55 2026 Planning Advice31:38 Rapid Fire Career Lessons34:35 Future Crops Organic And Next Gen36:29 Final Recap And Sign Off

The Biodefense Revolution with Meristem Crop Performance

In this episode of the Cornelius Seed Podcast, host Juan sits down with Shane Brockhoff of Meristem Crop Performance to break down what Meristem calls the “Biodefense Revolution.”From EPA-registered biologicals delivered through the planter box to innovative starter fertilizer technology, this conversation dives into practical, field-ready solutions for protecting yield in corn and soybeans.Shane explains Meristem’s patented Bio-Capsule™ delivery system, designed to keep biological products alive all the way to the furrow — while making it easy for growers to stack multiple layers of protection.We cover:🌱 Guard X – An EPA-registered bacterial insecticide for corn rootworm that works by disrupting larvae host-location signaling, with discussion around timing (mid-June through mid-July), root regeneration response, and future label expansions (pending EPA approval).🌾 Prephyte – A broad-spectrum biological fungicide labeled for 90+ diseases, functioning season-long as an endophyte to help manage root rots, crown rot, and more.🌽 Excavator – A residue management tool designed to enhance mineralization, improve nutrient cycling (including phosphorus availability), and potentially reduce fertilizer costs — plus guidance on fall vs. spring application timing.🚜 Upshift C+ – A concentrated starter fertilizer featuring phosphatase enzyme technology, zinc, stress-mitigating amino acids, and a low salt index for planter safety and improved nutrient efficiency.If you’re looking for practical insights into biological crop protection, planter-box delivery systems, and next-generation fertility strategies, this episode delivers real-world perspective straight from the field.Be sure to view our webpage for all of these offerings: https://www.corneliusseed.com/driving-profitability/meristem-crop-performance/ ⏱ Episode Chapters00:00 – Why Biodefense Matters: Protecting Yield from the Start00:36 – Welcome to the Cornelius Seed Podcast01:14 – Meet Shane Brockhoff: Agronomist, Farmer & Meristem Leader02:45 – Corn Rootworm Pressure & The Biodefense Revolution05:14 – Guard X: How This EPA-Registered Biological Insecticide Works07:56 – Application Timing, Root Regeneration & Field Fit10:51 – Prephyte: Season-Long Biological Disease Protection14:24 – Soybeans: FNI Pail Concept, Inoculants & Replant Protection15:55 – Excavator: Residue Breakdown & Nutrient Unlock18:26 – Fall vs. Spring Application Strategy21:59 – Upshift C+: Concentrated Starter Fertility with Enzyme Tech25:28 – What’s Next in Biological Innovation27:50 – EPA Labels, Trust & On-Farm Learning