84 episodes

An eKonomics podKast featuring down-and-dirty agronomic science to help grow crops and bottom lines.
Inspired by nutrien-eKonomics.com, farming’s go-to information resource, hear Mike break down the latest crop nutrition research and news— helping farmers make better business decisions through actionable insights.
Let’s dig in.

The Dirt: an eKonomics podKast Mike Howell

    • Science

An eKonomics podKast featuring down-and-dirty agronomic science to help grow crops and bottom lines.
Inspired by nutrien-eKonomics.com, farming’s go-to information resource, hear Mike break down the latest crop nutrition research and news— helping farmers make better business decisions through actionable insights.
Let’s dig in.

    Put Your Soil Test to the Test

    Put Your Soil Test to the Test

    Soil testing offers a great perspective into your soil and nutrient management, but there are some factors to consider for getting the most accurate results. Listen as host Mike Howell visits with Dr. Bryan Hopkins on soil testing and the considerations you should make when testing and analyzing your soil results.
     
    To discover the latest crop nutrition research, visit nutrien-ekonomics.com
    For further resources on soil sampling, check out our Soil Sampling 101 toolkit: https://nutrien-ekonomics.com/agronomics/toolkits/soil-sampling/

    • 25 min
    Decoding the Dicamba Dilemma

    Decoding the Dicamba Dilemma

    A recent court ruling essentially took several dicamba-based herbicides off the market for American farmers growing soybeans and cotton. Host Mike Howell and guest Tom Eubanks discuss the impact this will have on US-based soybean and cotton growers, what the courts have stated about remaining stocks of these products, and how growers can voice their concerns.
     
    To discover the latest crop nutrition research, visit nutrien-eKonomics.com

    • 32 min
    Where Has All the Potassium Gone?

    Where Has All the Potassium Gone?

    Tune in with Mike Howell and returning guest Dr. Alan Blaylock, Senior Agronomist at Nutrien as they discuss the current needs of potassium in soils across the country. You'll learn what trends they've seen in nation-wide soil tests and what growers can do to combat those trends. They also chat about the value that potassium can add to crops beyond an increase in yield.
     
    For more information on the resources discussed in this episode, check out the links below:
     
    Potassium Is Also An Essential Human Nutrient: https://nutrien-ekonomics.com/news/potassium-is-also-an-essential-human-nutrient/
     
    Rise in Potassium Deficiency in the US Population Linked to Agriculture Practices and Dietary Potassium Deficits: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.jafc.0c05139
     
    National Testing Lab Finds More Soils Testing “Low” or “Very Low” for Potassium: https://nutrien-ekonomics.com/news/national-testing-lab-finds-more-soils-testing-low-or-very-low-for-potassium/
     
    Key Growing States See Declining Soil Potassium Levels: https://nutrien-ekonomics.com/news/key-growing-states-see-declining-soil-potassium-levels/#:~:text=Many%20key%20growing%20states%20are%20seeing%20declining,below%20the%20critical%20level.%20Why%20the%20decline?
     

    Declining Potassium Levels: A Growing Concern In The Mid-South eKonomics News Team: https://www.croplife.com/sponsor/nutrien/declining-potassium-levels-a-growing-concern-in-the-mid-south-ekonomics-news-team/
     
    To discover the latest crop nutrition research, visit nutrien-eKonomics.com

    • 34 min
    How Your Water Source Impacts Your Pesticides

    How Your Water Source Impacts Your Pesticides

    Host Mike Howell and returning guest Karl Wyant, Director of Agronomy, Nutrien, discuss the impacts your water sources can have on the effectiveness of your spray applications of pesticides and fertilizers.
     
    To check out the Purdue University study on the impact of water quality on pesticide performance, visit https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/ppp/ppp-86.pdf
     
    To discover the latest crop nutrition research, visit nutrien-eKonomics.com

    • 25 min
    Agriculture + Mental Health: Breaking the Stigma

    Agriculture + Mental Health: Breaking the Stigma

    On this episode of The Dirt, Mike Howell connects with Melissa Ploeckelman, Outreach Specialist with the National Farm Medicine Center. They dive into the topic of on-farm mental health and how the stress of farming can impact the mental health of farmers.
     
    Mental health can sometimes be a taboo subject, especially in the world farmers operate in. Mike and Melissa speak to how to work past the stigma, who to reach out to in times of crisis and how to help others who might be struggling with mental health challenges.
     
    If you or someone you know is struggling, call 988 from anywhere in the United States to reach a trained counselor.
     
    To learn more about virtual QPR training, visit www.agrisafe.org
     
    To learn more about the 9-8-8 crisis helpline, visit https://988.ca
     
    To discover the latest crop nutrition research, visit nutrien-eKonomics.com

    • 35 min
    Liquid Fertilizers: What's In Your Mix?

    Liquid Fertilizers: What's In Your Mix?

    Join our host, Mike Howell as he chats with Dr. Karl Wyant, Director of Agronomy at Nutrien about mixing liquid fertilizers. They'll get into jar testing, the benefits, possible risks, protecting yourself and your crops and who to go to when you have questions.
     
    To discover the latest crop nutrition research, visit nutrien-eKonomics.com.

    • 23 min

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