Listen for why shallow planting can cost you more than going too deep, how to confidently decide when conditions are “fit,” and why uniform emergence might be the most underrated yield driver on your farm.

Plus: corn vs. soybeans. Which gets planted first when time is tight?

Outstanding in Your Field is the podcast created for farmers and powered by Pioneer Agronomy—bringing you trusted insights and proven solutions to fuel forward-thinking farming.

Hosted by agronomists Brian Schrader (eastern Indiana), Carl Joern (northwest Indiana/northeast Illinois), and Crystal Williams (northern Illinois), this show delivers timely, practical agronomic advice you can apply directly to your fields across the Eastern Corn Belt.

Guests Matt Risley of Petersen Ag Service and brothers Jake and Connor Finley of Finley Farms bring both shop wisdom and field reality—covering the wear parts growers tend to ignore until they’re a problem, how to dial in planting depth the right way, and why even the fanciest planter tech still needs a human to hop down and check what’s actually happening in the row.

From disc openers and gauge wheels to firmware updates and closing wheel setups, the crew digs into the small tweaks that lead to better seed placement, more uniform emergence, and stronger yield potential. If you’re about to drag the planter out of winter hibernation, this episode is your friendly reminder: a few minutes in the shop now can save you a lot of colorful language in the field later. 

What to Listen For in This Episode:

The most overlooked planter wear parts: Learn why disc openers, seed tube guards, gauge wheels, and parallel arms should be the first components inspected during planter maintenance.

Why consistent planting depth matters more than perfect spacing: Hear why some agronomists argue that depth uniformity can have a greater yield impact than seed spacing in certain soils.

How to properly calibrate planter depth: Jake and Connor explain a practical method using static seed blocks or simple shop tools to ensure every row unit is truly planting at the intended depth.

Common maintenance issues technicians see in the shop: From bent row-unit shanks to severely worn parallel arms, the guests share real examples of how far planter components can drift out of spec.

Choosing the right closing wheel system: A discussion on popular closing wheel options—including poly spike wheels and two-stage systems—and how soil type, speed, and budget influence the best choice.

Technology checks before planting begins: Why updating monitor firmware, verifying GPS connections, and confirming farm/field data can prevent costly delays once the planter hits the field.

The importance of “ground truthing”: Even with advanced sensors and automation, successful growers still get out of the cab early in the season to dig seeds and verify performance.

Why soybean planters deserve the same attention as corn planters: As soybean seed costs rise and planting becomes more precise, proper planter setup for beans is becoming just as critical as for corn.

Outstanding in Your Field is the podcast created for farmers and powered by Pioneer Agronomy—bringing you trusted insights and proven solutions to fuel forward-thinking farming.

Hosted by agronomists Brian Schrader (eastern Indiana), Carl Joern (northwest Indiana/northeast Illinois), and Crystal Williams (northern Illinois), this show delivers timely, practical agronomic advice you can apply directly to your fields across the Eastern Corn Belt.

Scott shares deep expertise on high-management wheat systems, including:

• Setting up strong fall establishment and even emergence
• Target seeding rates for high-yield wheat
• Spring nitrogen strategies, split applications, and managing lodging risk
• Sulfur and micronutrient considerations
• Fungicide timing for stripe rust, flag leaf protection, and head scab
• Harvest timing strategies to protect quality and maximize double-crop soybean opportunities
• What hybrid wheat could mean for the future of wheat production

From growth stage timing (timing, timing, timing!) to practical scouting checkpoints, this episode is packed with actionable recommendations for growers looking to elevate wheat from a rotation crop to a high-performing profit center.

For more episodes and agronomic resources, visit pioneer.com/podcasts.

Outstanding in Your Field is the podcast created for farmers and powered by Pioneer Agronomy—bringing you trusted insights and proven solutions to fuel forward-thinking farming.

Hosted by agronomists Brian Schrader (eastern Indiana), Carl Joern (northwest Indiana/northeast Illinois), and Crystal Williams (northern Illinois), this show delivers timely, practical agronomic advice you can apply directly to your fields across the Eastern Corn Belt.

In this kickoff minisode, meet your hosts:

• Brian Schrader, Eastern Indiana agronomist with nearly 25 years at Pioneer
• Carl Joern, covering Northwest Indiana and Northeast Illinois
• Crystal Williams, serving Northern Illinois along the I-88 corridor

Together, this trio represents deep roots in agriculture—from dairy farms and Purdue soil fertility legacies to growing up in the Pioneer brand itself. They share how they got started, what fuels their passion for agronomy, and yes… what they like least about the job (spoiler: muddy boots and pollinating corn make the list).

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• The personal journeys that led each host to Pioneer
• Why walking fields with growers is still the best classroom
• How they explain “agronomist” to non-farmers (think: plant doctors, IT support for corn and soybeans)
• The challenges of solving complex field problems with no easy answers
• A shared commitment to education, actionable insights, and helping growers raise their yield bar

Consider it the modern evolution of the classic “Walking Your Fields” newsletter, now in audio form. Whether you farm in Indiana, Illinois, or anywhere across the Eastern Corn Belt, this podcast is built to help you make confident decisions in your fields.

Listen in, share your feedback, and let us know what agronomic topics you want covered next!

Outstanding in Your Field is the podcast created for farmers and powered by Pioneer Agronomy—bringing you trusted insights and proven solutions to fuel forward-thinking farming.

Hosted by agronomists Brian Schrader (eastern Indiana), Carl Joern (northwest Indiana/northeast Illinois), and Crystal Williams (northern Illinois), this show delivers timely, practical agronomic advice you can apply directly to your fields across the Eastern Corn Belt.