Pioneering Wisconsin's Ag Future

Connecting the Dots On Hybrids That Deliver, or Disappear

In this episode, Pioneer Territory Manager Alex Weldon and Pioneer Field Agronomist Aricka Wech pull back the curtain on how corn hybrids and soybean varieties are selected, tested, and ultimately brought to market — or phased out Joined by Product Lifecycle Manager Mike Johnston, the conversation digs into the full journey: from early-stage breeding and years of field testing to the tough calls that determine which products make the cut. Along the way, you’ll hear how data, local insight, and good old-fashioned gut instinct all play a role in building a lineup that performs across real-world environments. Listen for: * Why yield is king—but not the only factor that matters * The hidden “art” behind hybrid selection beyond the data * How products are stress-tested across geographies and years * What drives decisions to retire a favorite hybrid * Why broad adaptability often beats hyper-local performance 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.

NEXTA Biologicals in Action: Timing, Stress Mitigation and ROI for 2026 Planting

Cold soils. Wild weather swings. Tight margins.  In this episode, we dig into how biologicals can help crops handle early-season stress and set the stage for stronger yields in 2026. Biologicals Innovation Specialist Chris Voeltz breaks down where these products actually fit, how to time them right, and why they work best when paired with what you’re already doing in the field.  From achieving more uniform emergence to protecting crops during heat and pollination, this conversation is all about using the right tool at the right time—and getting a real return on it. If you’re looking to farm smarter (not harder) this season, start here.  Episode Notes:  Start with Your Biggest Problem — Don’t adopt biologicals broadly—start by identifying your most consistent yield-limiting factor (cold soils, emergence issues, pollination stress, etc.). Build a prescriptive plan around that specific challenge.  Timing Is Everything — Applying too early or too late reduces effectiveness. Products must align with specific plant growth stages and hormone activity to deliver ROI. Mis-timed applications = missed yield opportunity.  Focus on Stress Mitigation Early — Early-season stress (cold, wet soils, uneven emergence) is one of the biggest yield limiters. Biologicals can help protect the crop during conditions you can’t control.  Use “Rider” Applications to Maximize Efficiency — Many biologicals are designed to be added to existing passes (in-furrow, seed treatment, fungicide applications).This reduces cost and increases adoption efficiency—no extra trip required.  Watch for Early Warning Signs in the Field — Yellowing plants, purple corn, and uneven emergence are key stress indicators. Always rule out agronomic issues (depth, compaction, etc.) before adjusting inputs.  Understand Product Types (and Expectations) — Synthetic growth hormones: More consistent, predictable ROI. Live biologicals: Can deliver big gains, but results vary depending on soil biology.  ROI Can Be Significant — When Applied Correctly - Seed treatments and in-furrow products showed strong returns (up to ~12:1 and 5–6:1 in trials). Success depends on matching the right product to the right problem.  Think of Biologicals as a Tool, Not a Replacement — They complement fertility and crop protection programs—not replace them. Best used to enhance performance under stress conditions. 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.

Planning Smarter Weed Control for 2026

After two challenging seasons marked by heavy seed production, shifting weed pressure, and extended emergence windows, the message is clear: start clean, stay clean, and spray dirt. In this episode of Pioneering Wisconsin’s Ag Future, powered by Pioneer Agronomy, host Alex Weldon sits down with Corteva Agriscience Corteva Agriscience Crop Protection Territory Manager Jeremy Hunt and TruChoice Engagment Lead Conner Geurts to help growers plan smarter, more proactive weed control programs for 2026. According to this team of agronomists: robust pre-emerge + layered residuals = long-term success. The foundation of resistance management starts with a strong pre-emergent program followed by timely post applications. With weeds like waterhemp emerging over a 2–3 month window, a single pass won’t hold. Layering residuals and overlapping applications helps maintain control throughout the season. Select pre-emerge and residuals recommended by Pioneer Agronomy:  * Resicore® REV herbicide – Adds more horsepower to your tank mix. Resicore® REV herbicide is an advanced premix of three proven active ingredients and modes of action for premier control of the toughest broadleaf and grass weeds. With its wide application window and extended residual, Resicore REV can fit as a pre- and postemergence herbicide, so your corn fields get off to a strong, clean start.  * Enversa™ – Is a residual herbicide for soybean and cotton with a proprietary formulation of encapsulated acetochlor to handle some of the toughest hard-to-control broadleaf and grass weeds that farmers face today. This is the first soybean and cotton herbicide solution in the Corteva Agriscience portfolio to feature encapsulated acetochlor. In addition to having encapsulated acetochlor, Enversa delivers long-lasting residual and provides tank-mix flexibility, giving growers the ability to customize their weed control programs. Enversa herbicide is the preferred residual tank-mix partner of choice with Enlist One® herbicide for Enlist E3® soybeans. * Kyber® Pro –  Is a preemergence soybean herbicide that boasts three effective modes of action, including a group 15 active ingredient, giving farmers the opportunity for a clean start to season-long weed control. Kyber Pro delivers the broad-spectrum control of resistant broadleaf and grass weeds that retailers and farmers have been asking for. Kyber Pro offers long-lasting residual activity to control tough weeds, widening the postemergence application window. During this episode, the team also emphasizes that timing is everything. If you’re debating whether to spray this week or next week — go now, and don’t overlook the details. Success can hinge on proper water volume, correct adjuvant packages (MSO, crop oil, etc.), and following label guidance as regulations evolve.  Cutting rates or skipping a burndown may look good on paper in January, but June rescue treatments often cost two to three times more. 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.

Wisconsin Harvest Recap: Insights from the 2025 Growing Season

From soybeans that exceeded expectations to a corn crop heavily shaped by nitrogen management, southern rust, and local variability, this episode delivers local agronomic insights to help growers plan for a successful 2026 season. 01:04 — MEET MIKE BRONSKI Mike shares his background, including nearly a decade with Pioneer, his prior retail agronomy experience, and a glimpse into his personal interests (including snowmobiling). 02:38 — SNAPSHOT OF THE 2025 GROWING SEASON Mike breaks down the 2025 season by crop—highlighting impressive soybean performance, localized white mold pressure, and more variable results in corn due to nitrogen management and weather. 05:13 — CORN MANAGEMENT: WHAT WORKED AND WHAT DIDN’T A deep dive into nitrogen timing, placement, manure valuation, disease pressures, and the year’s “death by a thousand cuts” effect across multiple pathogens. 08:53 — BIGGEST CHALLENGES & BRIGHT SPOTS Fertility emerges as the top challenge, while strong stand establishment becomes one of the year’s major wins. 12:30 — WEATHER’S INFLUENCE ON 2025 OUTCOMES The group unpacks how cool early weather, delayed GDUs, mid-summer heat, and a fast finish affected maturity, test weight, and harvest moisture across the state. 21:18 — REGIONAL DIFFERENCES ACROSS WISCONSIN Disease patterns varied dramatically, especially southern rust near the Mississippi and Wisconsin Rivers. Mike discusses disease heat maps and where proactivity outperformed ground-truth scouting. 23:12 — SOUTHERN RUST: WHAT GROWERS NEED TO KNOW Mike explains why southern rust exploded in 2025, the conditions that enabled it, and how growers should think about hybrid selection in 2026 without overcorrecting. 27:06 — PRODUCT STANDOUTS: SOYBEANS Top performers include 004s, 9806s, 8308s, 05G60s, and the powerhouse 16Z25—with placement notes, white mold considerations, and where varieties shined. 32:26 — PRODUCT STANDOUTS: CORN From early maturities to full-season power players, the team breaks down high performers like 78150, 70834, 85199, 87340, 92399, 9466, 96567, 98125, and 02405. Surprises, placement tips, and disease interactions included. 45:16 — PLANNING FOR 2026 Key recommendations include: – Don’t make knee-jerk decisions based solely on 2025 – Prioritize fundamental fertility – Leverage variable rate seeding – Maintain seed treatments – Strengthen weed control strategies 49:39 — LOOKING AHEAD Mike reflects on what keeps him inspired—Wisconsin growers, teamwork, resiliency, and the pace of genetic and agronomic advancement. 51:22 — FINAL TAKEAWAYS & WRAP-UP Erica summarizes three core lessons: avoid recency bias, focus on foundation agronomy, and remember that weather remains the ultimate wildcard. The hosts close with gratitude and a safe-harvest sendoff. 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.

Maximizing Fertility in a Tight Farm Economy

Hosts Alex Weldon (Pioneer Territory Manager, Northeast WI) and Aricka Wech (Pioneer Field Agronomist, Southwest WI) sit down with Haily Sand (Nutrient Management Specialist and GPS Specialist with Source Laboratories), to talk soil tests, nutrient prioritization and practical ways to stretch fertility investments without sacrificing yield. In this episode, you’ll hear about: 🌽 A quick 2025 harvest recap: corn, beans, and field conditions across Wisconsin 🧪 Why soil testing this fall is more important than ever in a tight-margin year 📉 How to decide when (and what) fertilizer applications are truly worth it 🧭 The nutrients to prioritize: why potassium is the “gatekeeper” of the plant 💰 Liming strategies and why lime is “the cheapest fertilizer” 🌧️ Managing nitrogen losses and the role of stabilizers or split applications 💩 Using manure effectively in fall fertility plans 🌱 The ROI of cover crops: cost today vs. soil health tomorrow 📊 How soil test trends, yield maps, and technology can guide smarter fertilizer planning 🔁 Evaluating whether your farm is building, maintaining, or mining fertility This episode offers local, data-driven advice to help Wisconsin growers make every nutrient and dollar count.   #fertility #nitrogen #potassium #soil #nutrients #yield #soiltest 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.