Mississippi Crop Situation Podcast

Postharvest Soil Testing and Next Year’s Fertility Blueprint

Bobby Golden visited the Crop Doctors’ Podcast studio in Stoneville to begin a discussion of soil testing and fertility programs for 2026.  As combines roll out of the fields, it's time to shift gears from harvest to the foundations of 2026.  Bobby, Jason, and Tom dig deep into the crucial considerations surrounding soil testing after harvest. They'll unpack why consistent soil test collection is paramount for optimizing fertilizer recommendations and building a robust fertility management plan for the upcoming year. 

For more episodes from the Crop Doctors, visit our website at http://extension.msstate.edu/shows/mississippi-crop-situation

Postharvest and Prevented Planting Weed Control Strategies

Tom Eubank visited the Crop Doctors’ Podcast studio in Stoneville to brainstorm ideas on weed control during late summer and into fall.  Whether it’s postharvest in corn and soybean fields or acres left idle due to prevented planting, managing weed pressure is critical for protecting next year’s crop. The discussion covers herbicide options, timing considerations, and integrated strategies to keep weeds in check from now until frost. 

For more episodes from the Crop Doctors, visit our website at http://extension.msstate.edu/shows/mississippi-crop-situation

What Can Go Wrong with Soybean Seed Quality and Why

Justin Calhoun calls into the Crop Doctors’ Podcast studio in Stoneville to dive into the major factors that influence soybean seed quality at harvest with Tom, Don, and Jason. Topics include how late-season pathogens, insect activity, weather conditions, and harvest timing can all contribute to reduced seed quality. They also share observations from the field and offer tips to help growers minimize losses. 

For more episodes from the Crop Doctors, visit our website at http://extension.msstate.edu/shows/mississippi-crop-situation

 

Clearing the Way for the Combine with Corn Harvest Aids

Erick called into the Crop Doctors’ Podcast studio in Stoneville to discuss the strategic use of harvest aids to desiccate weeds ahead of corn harvest. Erick, Jason, and Tom cover timings, product options, and key considerations for maximizing effectiveness while minimizing risk to yield and grain quality. 

For more episodes from the Crop Doctors, visit our website at http://extension.msstate.edu/shows/mississippi-crop-situation

#mscrops #MSUext

Jay Mahaffey on PGRs and the Calculus of Cotton Management

Jay Mahaffey, manager of the Bayer Crop Science Learning Center in Scott, Mississippi, continues the discussion begun last week on cotton management.  In this episode, Jay, Jason, and Tom dive into the complex world of plant growth regulator (PGR) management in cotton. Jay breaks down how applying PGRs is far from a one-size-fits-all approach — it’s a high-stakes equation involving crop stage, environmental conditions, variety behavior, and yield targets. Jay explores the "cotton calculus" every cotton manager must work through: balancing vegetative growth against reproductive potential, timing versus rate, and risk versus reward.

For more episodes from the Crop Doctors, visit our website at http://extension.msstate.edu/shows/mississippi-crop-situation

Jay Mahaffey on ThryvOn and Mississippi’s 2025 cotton crop

Jay Mahaffey, renowned agronomist and manager of the Bayer Crop Science Learning Center in Scott, Mississippi, is back in the Crop Doctors’ Podcast studio in Stoneville for an in-depth look at the 2025 Mississippi cotton crop. Jay shares insights on how the season has shaped up so far — from planting conditions to pest pressure — and discusses how ThryvOn insect control traits are changing the game for growers across the Midsouth. 

For more episodes from the Crop Doctors, visit our website at http://extension.msstate.edu/shows/mississippi-crop-situation

Bugcast: Bollworms Here, There, and Yonder

Don and Tyler dropped in the Crop Doctors’ Podcast studio last week to visit with Jason and Tom on what’s going on in the insect world.  Don dives into the bollworm situation as corn is drying down.  Tyler describes managing plant bugs in cotton in July. 

For more episodes from the Crop Doctors, visit our website at http://extension.msstate.edu/shows/mississippi-crop-situation

#mscrops #MSUext

 

300th Episode of the Crop Doctors’ Podcast

It’s the 300th episode of the Crop Doctors’ Podcast.  Bobby is back in town, so he and DREC Communications Coordinator Laura Smith joined Jason and Tom for a deep dive into the biggest lessons, laughs, and breakthroughs from the past few years of the podcast. Join us as we reflect on how far the podcast has come and share some possibilities for future content.  Whether you’ve been with us since Episode 1 or just tuned in last week, we appreciate your time. 

For more episodes from the Crop Doctors, visit our website at http://extension.msstate.edu/shows/mississippi-crop-situation

Heat Wave: Late-Season Challenges in Rice

Will Eubank joined Tom and Jason in the Crop Doctors’ Podcast studio in Stoneville to offer an update on Mississippi rice.  As rice heads toward the finish line, late-season obstacles can threaten yield and quality. In this episode, Will, Jason, and Tom unpack how high temperatures during flowering can disrupt pollination and grain fill, the increased severity of diseases like blast in warm, humid conditions, and the lingering risks of herbicide drift from neighboring fields. 

For more episodes from the Crop Doctors, visit our website at http://extension.msstate.edu/shows/mississippi-crop-situation

Managing Yield Potential in Short Soybeans

Bobby Golden visited the Crop Doctors’ Podcast studio in Stoneville to  dig into the case of short soybean plants and what it really means for yield potential. Jason, Tom, and Bobby explore the agronomic implications of short soybeans, late-season plant nutrition, fungicide/herbicide applications no matter the plant height. 

For more episodes from the Crop Doctors, visit our website at http://extension.msstate.edu/shows/mississippi-crop-situation