Agronomy
Barbell, beer can and banana are descriptive names for abnormal ear shapes that show up every season and cause yield losses — problems growers could avoid more often by tuning into three factors researchers refer to as GEM.
After decades of planting beans after beans, Greg Anderson continues to test maturity groups, planting dates and harvest timing to spread risk and capture more value.
Environmental factors are behind this year’s crown rot surge. The disease is appearing in hybrids that agronomists say are rarely prone to having the problem.
Red crown rot is now active in at least eight Midwest states. The significance of the disease is building. The Crop Protection Network estimates 7.7 million bushels of soybeans were lost in 2025 versus 121,000 bushels in 2024.
Yield champions Randy Dowdy and David Hula saw hybrid performance differ significantly this season in the same fields under the same management practices. Their evaluation process went beyond yield and can help corn growers working on their seed decisions for 2027.
Research from Michigan State University links an early seeding window and 5‑inch row spacing with more wheat heads per square meter and double‑digit bushel gains.
Iowa State research reveals PI 88788 resistance is losing effectiveness at 2% per year, with yield losses potentially reaching 9 bushels per acre by decade’s end if management practices are unchanged.
Saturated soils and high winds have downed corn and sparked disease risks for it and soybeans. Here is how to adjust your harvest equipment and strategy now to save yield.
Pro Farmer National Forecast: Corn Falls Short of Last Year’s Record, But Soybeans Eye New Milestone
Scouts say early-season weather stress reduced corn ear counts and grain length and cut stands across the Corn Belt, but above-average soybean pod numbers mean farmers could harvest a record bean crop this fall.