Made for Agriculture Podcast Show Notes

Episode Date: May 15, 2026 | Runtime: 33 min 18 sec

Hosts & Guests

• Scott Wilburn – Host, MFA Agronomist (Central Missouri)
• Craig D. Russell – MFA Agronomist, Northern Missouri
• Rocky Castlebury – MFA Agronomist, Southwest Missouri
• Garrett Christian – MFA Agronomist, Boot Hill (Southeast Missouri)

Episode Summary

Scott and the MFA agronomy team check in from across Missouri with a mid-May field update. With planting wrapping up in most regions, the conversation centers on corn and soybean growth stages, herbicide timing challenges — particularly with waterhemp and Palmer amaranth — wheat crop progress, and a deeper discussion on the value of early and fall-applied residual herbicides.

Regional Updates

🌽 Northern Missouri – Craig D. Russell (0:56)

• Corn planting largely complete; earliest fields at V2–V3 with nodal roots developing and roots beginning to reach anhydrous fertilizer bands.
• Soybeans range from just planted to V2; some early stand issues from April crusting and a frost on March 2nd.
• Key alert: Post herbicide applications on corn need to stay ahead of label restrictions (V6/30" cutoffs). Waterhemp at peak germination — Group 15 residuals critical for soybeans.
• Wheat fungicide applications wrapped up; crop in good condition.

🌿 Southwest Missouri – Rocky Castlebury (5:20)

• Corn ranging from V8 to nearly V9 in the far south; some post passes still underway after weather delays caused label restriction issues.
• "Buggy whipping" observed in corn after cool-then-hot weather swing; resolved within 3–4 days.
• Soybeans going in steadily, but planting halted west of I-49 due to dry conditions; rain needed.
• Wheat moving into soft-to-medium dough stage; aphid pressure present but below treatment threshold (~1–2 per 15 sweeps). Leaf rust breaking through in lower canopy despite fungicide applications.
• Ryegrass watch: Annual/Italian ryegrass showing up above wheat canopy in fields where post herbicide timing was missed. Rocky recommends fall residual programs (Pyrox/sulfone products, Anthem Flex) to prevent recurrence.
• Hay: First-cut alfalfa quality excellent; fescue being cut early to avoid poor feed scores like last year.

🌾 Boot Hill (Southeast Missouri) – Garrett Christian (11:55)

• Corn from V4 to V9; active top-dressing underway. Early soybeans already at R1.
• Cotton: Most acres in the ground with good stands. Planting window extended — used to be a hard May 15 cutoff, now growers comfortable into late May.
• Cutworms showing up in isolated fields — an unusual occurrence not seen in years.
• Rice in and on second herbicide pass; acreage down slightly this year.
• Peanuts reported in good shape overall.
• Region remains on the drought map at D3; rain chances expected the following week.

🌱 Central Missouri – Scott Wilburn (17:00)

• Busiest uninterrupted field work stretch in months. Corn ranges from just planted to V5; some fields showing anhydrous avoidance patterns.
• Soybeans up to V2–V3; even beans planted March 15 are only at V2 due to cool temps and tough conditions.
• Major topic: Waterhemp and Palmer amaranth pressure has been severe. Received calls about weeds already missed after burndown applications — 6"+ waterhemp, foot-tall escapes, and Palmer with seedheads larger than the plant itself.

Deep Dive: Early & Fall Residual Herbicides for Waterhemp (19:30)

Scott emphasizes a critical lesson from this season's weed pressure:

• Group 14 soil-applied products (Valor/flumioxazin, Authority) are among the best tools for preventing waterhemp emergence — but many operations stopped using them after injury events tied to post-planting timing, pooling on clay pan soils, and hard rains.
• The shift: Applying Valor (flumioxazin) before planting — even as early as March — keeps the product diluted in soil by planting time, reducing injury risk while still providing residual control.
• Bare ground trial data showed some March-applied plots still clean in mid-May; others just now breaking — both outcomes give growers a window to overlap residuals before or at planting.
• Fall application discussion: Rocky confirmed strong results with 2 oz. Valor + Roundup + 2,4-D applied late November/early December in Southwest MO, with residual activity lasting into no-till corn planting. Scott notes geography and winter conditions affect carryover and urges watching results intentionally.
• Takeaway for next season: On acres without cover crops — or where cover is terminated early — consider applying a small rate of flumioxazin ahead of both soybeans and corn. Don't wait until planting.

Pest & Disease Watch

Key Takeaways

1. Get post herbicides on corn now — label restrictions (V6, 30", atrazine at 12") are approaching fast as early corn advances.
2. Prioritize Group 15 residuals on soybeans — waterhemp is at peak germination. Stop it before it emerges.
3. Rethink residual timing — applying Valor/flumioxazin ahead of planting (or even in fall) can reduce injury risk while maintaining effective control.
4. Scout wheat closely — leaf rust, cereal leaf beetle, and aphid pressure all active. Know your thresholds.
5. Ryegrass in wheat? Build a fall residual program — once established on a farm, it returns every year.
6. Rain is critical in southwest and southeast Missouri — herbicides and fertilizers need incorporation; some planting is on hold.

Made for Agriculture is produced by MFA Incorporated. For agronomy questions, contact your local MFA agronomist.