Mississippi Crop Situation Podcast

Bugcast: New Hopper Species in Southern Row Crops

Don and Tyler couldn’t stay away, so we have another Bugcast this week.  In this episode, Don and Tyler sat down with Tom and Jason to break down the latest information on new species of hoppers that have been identified across the southern U.S.  These tiny invaders don’t pose an imminent threat for 2025, but are worth considering moving toward the 2026 crop.  

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

Chester McWhorter and the War on Johnsongrass

From the Crop Doctors’ Podcast studio in Stoneville, Jason and Tom travel back to the Mississippi Delta of the mid-20th century to uncover the groundbreaking research of Dr. Chester G. McWhorter at the Delta Branch Experiment Station (Delta Research and Extension Center in Stoneville). Facing one of the South's most stubborn agricultural pests—johnsongrass—McWhorter led pioneering studies that changed how herbicides were applied and understood. His work laid the foundation for modern weed science, and he was the world’s foremost expert on johnsongrass.

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

 

Bugcast: What To Do As the Season Winds Down

Don and Tyler visited the Crop Doctors’ Podcast studio in Stoneville for one last Bugcast for the year.  They team up to break down the final push of insect pressure as the growing season winds down. From stink bugs in soybeans to rice stink bugs on rice, they cover what growers need to watch for, how to assess thresholds, and the most effective late-season management strategies. 

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

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