Boots In The Field Report
342 episodes - English - Latest episode: 7 days ago - ★★★★★ - 35 ratingsOne of the founding pillars of Crop-Tech Consulting is integrating a systems approach to farming. Crop-Tech is continually adding to their expertise and services. To aid in this process, CTC conducts over 150 test plots every year and works in conjunction with Farm Journal to gather research data on the industry’s equipment, practices, and technology. The Boots in the Field Report features Crop-Tech Consulting agronomist Ken Ferrie. He will keep you up-to-date by describing what he is seeing while in the field.
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Episodes
Boots In The Field Report for October 13th
October 13, 2017 00:00 - 7 minutes - 11 MBKen looks into yield data that shows just how close some fields got to giving up parts of this years crop due to drought stress. He also discusses the replant numbers that are coming in, as well as some advice about on-farm storage use. Ken issues a warning about crown rot, already present in a lot of fields, will become more of an issue moving forward after receiving all the moisture this week. Ken ends the report by stressing the importance of staying on top of changing field condi...
Boots In The Field Report for October 6th
October 06, 2017 00:00 - 11 minutes - 19.3 MBKen relays what growers across our growing area are projecting for how far along harvest is in their area. He also gives some yield results for fields that had shown Dicamba damage this year as well as a word of caution on yield monitor results when going through tougher cutting spots in beans. Ken also warns about slowing down the combine to minimize harvest loss and an increase in rootworm pressure. His final piece of advice is to not to take the current standability for granted an...
Boots In The Field Report for September 29th
September 29, 2017 00:00 - 8 minutes - 13.1 MBKen starts with the weekly crop report and then moves into two issues farmers have been calling in: shortened husks and twisted/down corn.
Boots In The Field Report for September 22nd
September 22, 2017 00:00 - 11 minutes - 19.7 MBIn this week’s Boots In The Field Report, Ken relays the numbers coming in from farmers who have started harvest. He also describes some of the different bugs that will be hitting the combine windshield and which ones we need to pay attention to. He touches on what these recent rains mean for cover crop establishment, and explains why we need orders in ASAP for any growers needing fall testing done. Finally he advises farmers in our plot program that need help harvesting, what kind o...
Boots In The Field Report for September 18th
September 18, 2017 00:00 - 5 minutes - 10.7 MBKen discusses the variable yields being reported across our customer base, and gives a warning about sudden death and aphids.
Boots In The Field Report for September 18th
September 18, 2017 00:00 - 5 minutes - 10.7 MBKen discusses the variable yields being reported across our customer base, and gives a warning about sudden death and aphids.
Boots In The Field Report for September 11th
September 11, 2017 00:00 - 9 minutes - 17.7 MBYields slipped a little this week. In this week's Boot’s In The Field Report Ken explains what he saw this week that brought on that conclusion. He covers sudden death, ear mold, aspergillus, crown rot, top kill, and uneven turning of fields. Now is the time to make notes of what is happening in the field while the evidence is still there to tell the story.
Boots In The Field Report for September 5th
September 05, 2017 00:00 - 6 minutes - 12 MBKen covers what he has been seeing this past week as he tours farms from the field and from the air in this week’s Boots In The Field Report. Ken warns to be on the lookout for Southern Rust and Soybean aphids and invites clients to attend the Yield Monitor Clinic this Thursday, September 7th at the Crop-Tech Office.
Boots In The Field Report for August 25th
August 28, 2017 00:00 - 13 minutes - 15.5 MBIn this Boots In The Field Report, Ken covers what he has been seeing this week as he goes on farm visits. It includes: corn fields that won’t black layer, beans that are dying, what will and won't be helped with some rain, increased rootworm pressure in the south, using your imagery to discuss with landlords the state of your crops, and how field edge scorching can be confused with drift damage.
Boots In The Field Report for August 18th
August 21, 2017 00:00 - 11 minutes - 12.7 MBKen reports what he has seen in his travels through IN and OH as well as his field visit in central IL. In this week’s Boots In The Field Report he covers: spider mite pressure, how to calculate the percent reduction in your soybean yields from white mold, what weed escapes he has been seeing, why diplodia is showing up on second ears and what that means for harvest precautions.
Boots In The Field Report for August 11th
August 14, 2017 20:31 - 8 minutes - 9.19 MBIn this week’s Boots In The Field Report Ken covers what he has been seeing as he does field visits throughout IL and IA. He walks through our ET and GDU rates as compared to last year. Ken also touches on: dicamba drift issues, rust and gray leaf in corn, and what we need to finish off this soybean crop.
Boots In The Field Report For August 4th
August 07, 2017 00:00 - 12 minutes - 14.5 MBKen catches up on information in this week’s Boots In The Field Report. He gives a crop report from the groups that went through our site in the last two weeks and covers what issues he is seeing while out doing farm visits. Ken covers: spider mites in corn, what pollination troubles he has been seeing like throwing the tips and also advises what to be on the lookout for if these fall like temperatures are here to stay.
Boots In The Field Report for July 14th
July 14, 2017 00:00 - 9 minutes - 10.7 MBKen covers the gamut in this week’s Boots In The Field Report including Rootworm and Japanese Beetles, Aphids, fungicide, low growth concerns, and spot checking your nitrogen program.
Boots In The Field Report for July 7th
July 07, 2017 00:00 - 8 minutes - 8.93 MBKen gives tips for the Pest Boss in your operation in today’s Boots In The Field Report. He covers when you need to be scouting and what you need to be scouting for, including Western Bean Cutworm and Aphids. Ken also encourages you to stop mowing and to make sure you are scouting before spraying fungicides. He also tackles what short beans and short corn will mean come harvest and what he is seeing out in the fields for disease pressure.
Boots In The Field Report for June 30th
June 30, 2017 00:00 - 10 minutes - 11.3 MBKen talks moisture, ear counts, and Japanese Beetle feeding in this week’s Boots In The Field Report.
Boots In The Field Report for June 23rd
June 23, 2017 00:00 - 19 minutes - 19.3 MBKen has some catching up to do after being gone fishing. He covers it all in this week’s Boots in the Field Report. He starts with an area wide crop report and then moves into drift issues we have been seeing. He also covers stand counts and yield estimates as we to start to look towards the finish line.
Boots In The Field Report for June 9th
June 09, 2017 00:00 - 13 minutes - 13.3 MBIn this week’s #BIFR Ken spends time discussing your options for Rootless Corn, and Holcus Spot. It is also time to get out your Corn Borer traps!
Boots In The Field Report for June 2nd
June 02, 2017 00:00 - 17 minutes - 16.9 MBIn this week's Boots In The Field Report Ken gives a multi-state crop and scouting report, and warns of Armyworms, Nitrogen Penalty, and Drift Issues.
Boots In The Field Report for May 26th
May 26, 2017 00:00 - 9 minutes - 8.96 MBKen walks through how much new growth is needed for beat up plants before post spraying and why you can expect to see more crazy top this summer. He also walks through what he is seeing from the nitrate perspective and his prediction that we will be into Ugly Corn Week next week.
Boots In The Field Report for May 26th
May 26, 2017 00:00 - 9 minutes - 8.96 MBKen walks through how much new growth is needed for beat up plants before post spraying and why you can expect to see more crazy top this summer. He also walks through what he is seeing from the nitrate perspective and his prediction that we will be into Ugly Corn Week next week.
Boots In The Field Report for May 19th
May 19, 2017 00:00 - 19 minutes - 24 MBGet a cup of coffee, because Ken has a lot to say in this week’s Boots In The Field Report. Ken talks about the death certificates he gave out this week for Flooding, Washouts, Severe Crusting, Herbicide Damage, Pests, and Sandblasting. He also talks about steps to take when considering a replant. He also talks about soil erosion and soil conservation.
Boots In The Field Report for May 12th
May 12, 2017 00:00 - 5 minutes - 4.05 MBKen spent the day driving around to corn fields to see how they were fairing. Check out this week’s Boots In The Field Report as Ken covers what he saw.
Boots In The Field Report for May 5th
May 05, 2017 00:00 - 11 minutes - 12.8 MBKen does a recap of where the water fell and what the current conditions are for most of the state of IL. He also offers what kind of weather conditions can help and hurt us to get this crop out of the ground. He walks through the items to think about when considering replanting and what to expect out of beans that are already planted.
Boots In The Field Report for April 28th
April 28, 2017 00:00 - 4 minutes - 4.69 MBKen outlines some things to think about during this rain delay in this week’s Boots In The Field Report.
Boots In The Field Report For April 21st
April 25, 2017 00:00 - 8 minutes - 9.06 MBIn this week’s Boots In The Field Report Ken covers: seed chilling in beans, what he means by teaching the planter to dance, and current insect sightings.
Boots In The Field Report for April 14th
April 14, 2017 00:00 - 6 minutes - 5.74 MBKen covers planting temps, seed chilling, cutworm flights, insecticide applications, the bean leaf beetle, and reiterates the importance of tillage passes being done now.
Boots In The Field Report for April 7th
April 07, 2017 00:00 - 55 minutes - 9.62 MBKen covers what the water means for this growing season, what we need to think about to get ready for spring, the importance of patience, and goes over what we will be covering at Farm Journal Corn and Bean College 2017.
Boots In The Field Report for March 31st
March 31, 2017 00:00 - 6 minutes - 6.37 MBThis week Ken gives an insect report for the 2017 growing season and recaps how the mild winter will play into insect pressure.
Boots In The Field Report for March 24th
March 24, 2017 00:00 - 3 minutes - 3.34 MBListen for Ken's answer to this week's question, how low can we go in soybean populations?
Boots In The Field Report for March 17th
March 17, 2017 00:00 - 3 minutes - 3.05 MBWhich is better ESN or Sidedressing? Listen to this week's Boots In The Field Report for Ken's answer.
Boots In The Field Report for March 10th
March 10, 2017 00:00 - 3 minutes - 3.13 MBIs your seed passing the grade? Ken talks the importance of seed grading in this week’s Boots In The Field Report.
Boots In The Field Report for March 3rd
March 03, 2017 00:00 - 4 minutes - 4.1 MBThis weeks question is about reducing seed expenses.
Boots In The Field Report for February 17th
February 17, 2017 00:00 - 5 minutes - 4.6 MB70° in February, to till or not to till, that is the question answered in this week's Boots In The Field Report!
Boots In The Field Report for February 10th
February 10, 2017 00:00 - 2 minutes - 2.7 MBIn this week's Boots In The Field Report, Ken dissects the strengths and weaknesses of the FurrowJet.
Boots In The Field Report February 3rd
February 03, 2017 00:00 - 2 minutes - 4.25 MBIn this week's podcast, Ken discusses if it is too late for tillage and fall burn down?
Boots In The Field Report December 9th
December 09, 2016 00:00 - 7 minutes - 7.07 MBIn this week’s Boots In The Field Report Ken covers what to do if you didn’t get your fall anhydrous on and what to consider when making spring anhydrous decisions. He also comments on the war on weeds and what we need to start planning for this winter to win the battle next growing season. Ken reminds growers that we will be having our Basic and Advanced Basic meetings next Wednesday and Thursday.
Boots In The Field Report for November 18th
November 18, 2016 17:58 - 5 minutes - 5.3 MBThis week in the Boots In The Field Report Ken covers several topics. He touches on plot wrap up, when you can harrow after fall burndown, what we learned from August weather, and the major no-no of fall stripping 28%.
Boots In The Field Report for November 11th
November 11, 2016 00:00 - 58 minutes - 6.01 MBIn this week’s Boots In The Field Report Ken covers his thoughts on fall burn down. He also shares the responses he has received from last week’s #AnhydrousWatch2016 and what the guidelines are for when is the right time to apply anhydrous. He also shares the date for this year’s Hand Harvest date. We need all hands on deck to help us count, weigh, and handshell all the ears for the Fix vs Flex data on different hybrids. If you are interested, please contact the office.
Boots In The Field Report October 28th
October 28, 2016 22:05 - 6 minutes - 6.09 MBListen this week to the Boots in the Field Report as Ken covers what he found from the inquiry into the sudden drop in bean yields and what to do about it next year. He reminds anyone dealing with ruts that we want to get those taken care of this year and not wait until next spring. He also reiterates his warning about waiting for the right temperature for anhydrous applications.
Boots In The Field Report October 21st
October 21, 2016 00:00 - 7 minutes - 7.25 MBKen gives a harvest update, breaks down what he thinks is the cause for the drop in bean yields and taking a harvest by the hour approach, and reminds farmers to wait until soil temps have dropped before applying anhydrous ammonia.
Boots In The Field Report October14th
October 15, 2016 00:00 - 12 minutes - 11.4 MBIn this week’s harvest report Ken covers that tough cutting beans seem to be the story everywhere. He also shares information on what green stem syndrome is and what it looks like in the field. Ken also reminds farmers to continually check for header loss and as they move into tillage make sure they are getting full shatter.
Boots In The Field Report October 7th
October 07, 2016 00:00 - 12 minutes - 11.5 MBKen touches on the flooding up north in this week’s harvest report as well as the pattern his is seeing with April planted beans. Harvest numbers coming in are showing the importance of knowing if a hybrid is a fix or flex when making replant decisions and that bigger beans and more pods don’t always mean more yield. Ken mentions the high disease pressure showing up in beans fields and what that means for decisions on crop rotation and asks farmers who are seeing a lot of ear droppag...
Boots In The Field Report September 30th
September 30, 2016 00:00 - 2 minutes - 9.24 MBKen gives an updated harvest report and touches on: stalk quality and how it is holding up, watching header loss, a charcoal rot look alike, and some of the data coming out of plots harvested.
Boots In The Field Report September 23rd
September 23, 2016 00:00 - 12 minutes - 11.8 MBKen gives an update on what has been called in for yield reports in our testing area. Strong yields in both corn and beans coming in, but for most areas still 10-20 bushel less for farm averages than they saw in 2014. Also getting some reports of 4-16% damage on corn, mainly from diplodia. Ken also reminds farmers that along with this nice warm weather we have had his week, it brings along some concerns: Make sure you’re calibrating every time you drop 5 points or more in moisture in...
Boots In The Field Report September 19th
September 16, 2016 00:00 - 9 minutes - 8.33 MBKen gives a harvest update for central IL and explains the barren stalk occurrence he has been seeing. He advises farmers to take note of final ear counts and shoot for only a 6% drop from planted population and to pay attention to stalk quality as it is falling apart rapidly. He also reminds everyone to call into the office with a heads up on plots ready to harvest and fields ready to test.
Boots In The Field Report for September 9th
September 09, 2016 00:00 - 7 minutes - 6.43 MBIn this week’s Boots in The Field Report Ken gives a harvest report of yield and moisture as they are being called in. Ken warns about your diplodia ear rot fields, mixing or drying them before going to town could cause more of a dock. He has also had reports of quarries starting to run out of lime or long lines, so make sure you have inquired about your fall lime needs. And he reminds everyone to communicate with the office if you need to order a field for fall testing or schedule a...
Boots In The Field Report September 6th
September 06, 2016 00:00 - 6 minutes - 6.05 MBKen gives some tips for prioritizing your fields for harvest order. A lot of growers are planning on starting harvest this week to get some of the fields that have started falling apart and have standability issues. Ken also recommends checking to see if corn borers have started to weaken the shanks causing ears to fall on the ground. He also talks about taking the time to ground truth aerial images to help understand what is going on in the field and what that will mean for next yea...
Boots In The Field for August 29th
August 29, 2016 00:00 - 6 minutes - 5.94 MBIn this week’s Boots in The Field report Ken gives a crop report from Iowa and Northern Illinois. Ken also covers how crucial sunshine is to finish out this season, how important timing will be for harvest aids used to help harvest bean fields with heavy waterhemp pressure, and gives an update on aphid pressure. He also reminds those doing fix/flex plotS to stop by the office for supplies and those needing fields testing this fall to send in their orders.
Boots In The Field Report August 19th
August 19, 2016 00:00 - 16 minutes - 15.2 MBKen covers a lot in this week’s Boots In The Field Report. He starts off with a crop report from his recent travels and then moves on to the biggest concerns for finishing off the 2016 crop. The recent weather pattern has raised some serious disease concerns along with insect concerns. Ken’s assessment is that a big crop could be out there but it needs to be reality checked with boots in the field scouting and the right weather to finish it off.
Boots In The Field Report August 5th
August 09, 2016 00:00 - 6 minutes - 5.5 MBThis week’s Boots in The Field Report is done by Isaac Ferrie. He starts the podcast giving an update on the bean growth stages and what to be scouting. He also mentions to be on the lookout for SDS and White Mold spots in the field, to avoid surprises later in the season. Isaac also gives some tips on what to be scouting for in both weeds and insects. Isaac also gives a warning about tip back in corn, as well as some application advice.