Mississippi Crop Situation Podcast

How does the general public really view pesticides and modern agriculture—and where do those perceptions come from?  From December’s Row Crop Short Course in Starkville, Tom and Jason are joined by John Byrd of Mississippi State University Extension and Eric Prostko of the University of Georgia to unpack common misconceptions, public concerns, and the communication challenges facing today’s agricultural professionals. The conversation explores how media narratives, social values, and scientific literacy shape opinions about pesticide use and why transparent, science-based outreach has never been more important. 

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

Spray drones are moving fast from novel to normal—but how do we keep pace on safety and regulation? From the 2025 MS Row Crop Short Course, Terry Spurlock (University of Arkansas) and Madison Dixon (MSU Agricultural Autonomy Institute) sat down with Jason and Tom to break down the current regulatory landscape and practical safety considerations surrounding agricultural spray drones. From FAA rules to risk reduction, this conversation cuts through the confusion to help ag professionals understand what responsible drone-based application really looks like—and where it’s headed next.

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

Drew Gholson and John McKee of Friars’ Point, Mississippi, sat down with us last December at the MS Row Crop Short Course to share a grower’s perspective on irrigation innovation in the Mississippi Delta and the value of working closely with Mississippi State University Extension. They discuss how on-farm trials, new irrigation technologies, and data-driven approaches are improving water-use efficiency while protecting yield and profitability.  This episode offers real-world insight into how collaboration and innovation help producers make confident decisions in an increasingly resource-conscious agricultural landscape.

 

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

Back in the Crop Doctors' Podcast studio in Stoneville, Jason and Tom make a first run at unpacking some of the details on the newly released labels for the dicamba products for use in Xtend crops.  A press release appeared February 6 with information on information on those labels.  Notable updatetes include changes to the total application rate, use of volatility reducing agents, conservation practices, application cutoffs based on temperature.

 

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

 

#mscrops #MSUext

From the MS Row Crop Short Course in Starkville last December, Justin Calhoun and Bill O’Neal of Bolivar County dive into the Soybean On-Farm Variety Demonstration Program led by Mississippi State University Extension and why it has become such a valuable decision-making tool for growers. They discuss how real-world, on-farm data complements university research, helping growers evaluate soybean varieties under conditions that closely match their own fields.  From trial design to practical takeaways, this episode shows how local data, shared through Extension, turns research into actionable insight on the farm.

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

From the MS Row Crop Short Course in Starkville, we’re joined by Stanley Culpepper of the University of Georgia and Jeff Smith of Valent USA to unpack some of the most pressing regulatory and perception challenges facing modern agriculture. Together, they explore how the Endangered Species Act (ESA) is reshaping pesticide policy, what the EPA’s Herbicide Strategy means for growers and applicators, and how pesticide labeling may evolve in the years ahead.  The discussion also takes a candid look at the relationship between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the agricultural community—where trust has eroded, where misunderstandings persist, and what practical steps could help improve transparency, communication, and credibility moving forward.  Whether you’re a grower, consultant, regulator, or ag professional, this episode offers thoughtful insight into balancing environmental protection with real-world farming needs.

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

 

 

Jeremy Watts and George Huckaby visit with Tom and Jason in Starkville as Platinum sponsors of the 2025 Row Crop Short Course.  Find out more at https://www.vivecrop.com/ 

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

Justin McCoy visits with Tom and Jason in Starkville as a Platinum sponsor of the 2025 Row Crop Short Course.  Find out more at https://simplotgrowersolutions.com

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

Andy White and Andrew Stolte visit with Tom and Jason in the Crop Doctors’ Podcast studio in Stoneville as Platinum sponsors of the 2025 Row Crop Short Course.  Find out more at https://www.basf.com/us/

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

Kaelin Saul and Christopher Whatley visit with Tom and Jason in Starkville as Platinum sponsors of the 2025 Row Crop Short Course.  Find out more at https://www.basf.com/us/

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