Spilling the Beans | A Grow Smart® Live Podcast
Welcome to Spilling the Beans a Grow Smart® Live Podcast hosted by a Team of BASF Experts and designed to boost your soybean profitability! Each episode breaks down the genetics, traits, and agronomic strategies that drive higher yields and better returns. Whether you're battling pests, managing fertility, or exploring new soybean traits, we’ve got you covered. Tune in weekly for expert insights that will help you grow smarter and maximize your profits.
Episodes
We’re back in the field with Nate Quam, BASF Technical Service Representative for Western Iowa and Eastern Nebraska, to talk all things crop protection. From slow-starting soybeans to early tar spot pressure in corn, this episode dives into the threats growers are seeing—and the tools and timing to manage them.
Key Takeaways:
- Start with strong seed selection: Disease-tolerant corn hybrids and soybean varieties are ...
After a short break, we're back in the field—and back on the mic—for our first monthly update of the season. In this episode, hosts Bill Backus and Jeff Mueller reflect on what they’ve seen across the region throughout May and share insights to help growers stay ahead as June kicks off. From early stand evaluations to fast-growing soybeans and prepping for post-emerge applications, this is your boots-on-the-groun...
Frogeye Leaf Spot (FLS) may sound harmless, but it can quietly take a serious toll on your soybean yields. In this episode, we welcome back Daren Mueller to dive into this increasingly common and often misdiagnosed disease. Learn why FLS is gaining ground in regions once thought safe, how resistance is developing, and the most effective strategies to identify, manage, and stay ahead of the threat.
Key Takeaways:
- Fro...
Charcoal rot may not be the flashiest disease in soybeans, but it’s a sneaky yield-robber that thrives in hot, dry conditions—exactly what many growers could face in 2025. In this episode, we welcome back Mark Storr, BASF Senior Technical Service Representative, to spotlight this often-overlooked threat. From identifying charcoal rot in the field to exploring management strategies like fertility, residue, and variety ...
Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS) may sound like a horror story for soybean growers—and in many ways, it is. In this episode, we unpack the science and the strategy behind beating SDS before it takes hold. Joining us is Daren Mueller, Professor and Extension Plant Pathologist at Iowa State University, who shares expert insights on how this disease operates and what you can do to stay ahead of it.
Key Takeaways:
- Understand...
In this episode, BASF Senior Technical Service Representative Mark Storr joins us to dive into the crucial topic of managing herbicide resistance, focusing on the proper use of PPO and MTZ herbicides to ensure effective weed control and protect crop yields.
Key takeaways:
- Understanding the role of PPO and MTZ herbicides in weed control
- Discussing the resistance challenges faced with PPO and MTZ herbicides
- Best practic...
Continuing our coverage from Commodity Classic 2025 in Denver, this episode brings you another engaging discussion straight from America’s premier agricultural event. As growers focus on maximizing yields in 2025, effective disease management is essential for protecting crop potential. In this episode, we sit down with BASF Technical Marketing Manager Dr. Albre Brown to dive into the critical role of fungicides in hig...
Kicking off Part 1 of our special coverage from Commodity Classic 2025 in Denver (March 2-4, 2025), this episode takes you straight to the heart of America’s premier agricultural event. Recorded live, we dive into insightful conversations with industry experts, thought leaders, and innovators shaping the future of farming.
As growers look ahead to 2025, maximizing soybean yields while navigating economic and environmen...
We tackle the critical battle against early-season weeds and their impact on maximizing yield, emphasizing the importance of weed management. This episode features Brent Wiersma, BASF Business Representative, as we discuss winter annuals and other early-season weeds, sharing effective strategies for control in no-till and minimum-tillage systems. Learn how the right tactics, tools, and timing can keep fields clean and...
We discuss the pivotal discussion between optimal seed placement and maximum yield, emphasizing the importance of maintaining and adjusting planters for effective planting. The episode focuses on critical factors that enhance crop success, such as planting depth, spacing, and soil conditions, aimed at helping listeners achieve their farming goals.
• Starting the conversation on planter setup and seed depth <...
Protecting soybean yields through effective seed treatments is our main focus as we discuss critical strategies for maximizing profits. Seed treatments are a pivotal part of achieving healthier plants and higher yields.
- Exploring the evolution of seed treatment practices
- Importance of understanding early season threats
- Navigating different seed treatment options and brands
- The role of ...
We dive into the intricacies of row spacing and its profound impacts on soybean yields, management, and weed control. Discussing different row configurations, we uncover the benefits and challenges that come with selecting the right spacing for optimal productivity.
• Focus on the importance of row spacing in soybean production
• Exploration of latest trends and historical changes in row spacing
• D...
Early planting can significantly increase soybean yields, but it comes with both advantages and risks. Bill and Jeff discuss the importance of planting timing, the impact on pod and node development, and essential management strategies such as weed control and seed treatments.
Topics Covered:
• Importance of early planting in maximizing yields
• Historical planting trends shifting toward early soybeans
•...
In this episode, we explore the critical importance of managing soybean seeding rates to optimize yield and profitability. By understanding the specific characteristics of soybean varieties, soil types, and environmental factors, growers can tailor their seeding strategies for better production outcomes.
• Seeding rate management for maximizing soybean yield
• Importance of variety-specific recommendatio...
Unlock the secrets to smashing the 80 bushels per acre barrier with strategic soybean fertility management. Ever wondered how a simple nutrient misstep can turn your lush soybean dreams into a tangled mess? Join us, Jeff Mueller and Bill Backus, as we spill the beans on avoiding common pitfalls and maximizing your yield, especially when commodity prices aren't in your favor. Learn about the vital G by E by M yiel...
Our conversation sheds light on the complex life cycle of white mold, with an emphasis on its overwintering capabilities and infection process. We explore how environmental conditions, such as dense canopies and high organic matter, fuel its development and discuss emerging research on managing root infections through seed treatments. By understanding the unique behavior of white mold, you can craft effective strategi...
Phytophthora root rot (PRR) is more than a challenge—it's a persistent threat capable of crippling your soybean yields if left unchecked. In this episode, we uncover the hidden dangers of PRR, its devastating impact on soybean plants, and why recognizing and controlling this disease is vital for every grower. From the role of geography to groundbreaking advancements in seed treatments and genetic resistance, we a...
Unlock the secrets to maximizing your farm’s profitability even in challenging economic times! Join us as we explore innovative strategies with Joan Jordan, product manager for BASF's soybean fungicide portfolio, and Kanlaya Barr, head of the economics team at John Deere. Joan and Kanlaya bring their expertise to the table, discussing how to balance agronomics and economics to ensure farm success. From understand...
What if understanding the intricacies of soil pH could transform your soybean farming? Join us as we delve into the complexities of managing iron deficiency chlorosis (IDC) and high pH levels in soybean fields across notable U.S. regions such as Minnesota, Iowa, and Nebraska. We promise that by the end of this episode, you'll gain practical insights into choosing the right soybean varieties and management strateg...
What if Iowa's soybeans are worth more than just their weight in gold? On this episode of "Spilling the Beans," we're joined by Grant Kimberly, a leading figure in the soybean industry, to explore the monumental impact of soybeans on the U.S. economy. Listen as Grant uncovers the $17 billion powerhouse that is Iowa's soybean contribution, revealing how strategic choices in agronomy and biodies...
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