Ken Ferrie - Podcast Details

Shows

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report July, 14, 2025 In this week’s Boots In The Field Report, Ken Ferrie covers how current weather patterns are setting the stage in Tar Spot Alley and shares an update on three new counties where tar spot has been confirmed. Ken also dives into pollination concerns showing up in hybrids planted around April 14th and warns how upcoming weather could further hinder pollination success. With sightings of winged aphids on the rise, Ken urges growers to stay alert for disease pressure and pest activity—scouting now could make all the difference. 2025-07-1511 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report June 20, 2025In this week "Boots In The Field Report" Ken Ferrie dives deep into the "carbon penalty." He explains what this is, what specific conditions trigger it, and why growers are seeing a significantly worse impact this year compared to previous seasons.Additionally, Ken warns growers that current weather patterns are creating ideal conditions for tar spot to emerge later in the season. He stresses the urgency for growers to begin scouting their fields now and to start making proactive management decisions to mitigate this potential issue.2025-06-2018 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report June 13, 2025In this week’s Boots In The Field Report, Ken Ferrie catches up with Matt Duesterhaus in the western part of the state and they talk about beans caught in the carbon penalty, herbicide carryover, sulfur deficiency, in season look at plot fields, insect pressure, and how the clock starts now for how much tar spot pressure we might see late season.2025-06-1318 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report May 16, 2025In this week’s Boots In The Field Report Ken Ferrie covers why timeliness is important when it comes to making replant decisions and how accurate stand counts and ear counts are crucial in making the right call. For beans, the count is more for weed control concerns in most fields, but for corn a grower needs to look not only at emergence but uniform emergence to get an accurate ear count. If it is 1 collar behind it counts as a half ear and if more than 2 collars behind doesn’t get counted in your ear count at all. It c...2025-05-1907 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report May 2, 2025In this week’s Boots In The Field Report, Ken Ferrie covers the good coming from this rain delay for spreading out our crop stages and reducing risks. He also reminders growers to switch up planting order for beans now that we are back in the normal planting window and gives a heads up on bugs the pest team should be scouting for. 2025-05-0205 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report April 8, 2025In this week’s Boots In The Field Report Ken Ferrie talks about thinking through conserving water with your tillage decisions, reminds growers to hoe before they know and recaps what the seed results that are back are indicating about this year’s seed.2025-04-0910 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report March 17, 2025This week in the Boots In The Field Podcast, Ken Ferrie talks spring anhydrous warnings, compaction from 1st pass reminder and tips to think about with early beans 2025-03-2406 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report March 10, 2025With current commodity prices, several growers are looking at switching some fields to corn on corn for a better ROI. In this week’s Boots In The Field Report Ken Ferrie issues some reminders of things to think about or plan for when switching to corn on corn for the first time in a field.2025-03-1009 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report March 3, 2025While we don’t plan for a drought, we can make sure we are picking the right hybrid for the ground and our management style that will mitigate risks like a drought. Matching defensive ground with a defensive hybrid and offensive ground with offensive hybrids can be the best advantage to getting every bushel from an acre while also minimizing risk. Ken Ferrie covers this and more in this week’s Boots In The Field Report.2025-03-0309 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report February 7, 2025In this weeks episode Ken Ferrie gives an update on where we stand with 45Z 2025-02-0707 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report January 21, 2025This winter growers are asking about what to do when they notice they have stand issues and Ken Ferrie gives some tips for how to hunt down the root of the problem in this week’s Boots In The Field Report. Yield maps can tell us where a problem is and how much that problem is costing in yield, but it can’t tell us what the problem is. It can guide us where to look but not answer the why. If the problem is an emergence issue, the closer the scouting is to emergence the more likely you are t...2025-01-2206 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report January 3, 2025In this week’s Boots In The Field Report, Ken Ferrie answers a grower’s question about if you can create enough efficiency in banding fertilizer in beans to be able to reduce the amount of product applied. There are several factors that play into what the correct answer to that question is which are specific to a farming operation. Ken walks though things to consider to help growers come up with an answer for their operation.2025-01-0306 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report December 12, 2024In this week’s Boots In The Field Report Ken Ferrie covers some things to consider when evaluating how many acres to allot for new hybrids that are winning yield contests. He also has an interview discussing farming in Utah from a recent meeting he did out West.2024-12-1210 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report November 22, 2024In this week’s Boots In The Field Report Ken Ferrie walks through considerations for fall tillage and if the window closes, plan Bs for getting ready next spring. He explains the different considerations for growers this fall depending on if they are in a horizontal tillage system or a vertical tillage system and also covers the question of liming ground that is on an unsecured lease. 2024-11-2206 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report November 1, 2024A 4R nitrogen plan starts now. In this week’s Boots In The Field Report Ken Ferrie reminds growers that if they are applying anhydrous this fall that they need to do it in conditions that will allow it to seal and conserve the nitrogen being applied, not letting it gas off.2024-11-0106 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report October 28, 2024In this week’s Boots In The Field Report Ken Ferrie talks early plot results from fields harvested last week and also walks growers through options on fall tillage for the dry conditions we are facing.2024-10-2809 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report October 11, 2024In this week’s Boots In The Field Report Ken Ferrie advises growers to have a harvest fire plan, and make sure everyone is aware of the plan and their part in the plan. In the dry areas he also recommends not just doing the stalk push test but also to check shank strength to make sure there aren’t fields hiding that Need to move up the priority list. Ken also reminds growers to take a moment to recharge in this furious fall to help keep everyone safe.2024-10-1105 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report September 27, 2024In this week’s Boots In The Field Report, Ken Ferrie says yield information is coming in slow, but yield reports are strong. How yields are affected by this late season drought depends on soil type, compaction present, and health of crop coming into the drought. Ken encourages scouts to start doing push tests in fields and monitoring stock quality to make sure harvest order can be set appropriately and combine operators need to be on the lookout for rubbery tips to make sure harvest loss doesn’t get too high. While the moisture can help crops still working on fi...2024-09-2807 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report August 5, 2024Ken Ferrie covers crop conditions from his farm visits in this week’s Boots In The Field Report. He reports cases of SDS, white mold, red crown rot, aphids, and tar spot. He mentions that this is the heaviest corn aphid year he has seen and encourages growers to do accurate ear counts to know if adjusting your yield expectations is needed.2024-08-0509 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report May 30, 2024In this week’s Boots In The Field Report Ken Ferrie covers planting progress, replant reports, stand evaluations, sidedressing information and predictions of the ugly corn phase. He also gives his perspective on the wind and water erosion we have seen this spring.2024-05-3009 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report May 9, 2024Ken Ferrie walks through considerations for planting strategies for this time of year and field moisture conditions in this week’s Boots In The Field Report. Since the window for pre-solstice flowering has passed, focus for planting switches to getting the corn in the ground. Areas that have bathtub rings might need a strip freshener to open up those soils to dry out and whether it is the strip freshener or the planter, make sure they are dancing on top to avoid putting in compaction in these wet fields. Covers that escaped a timely kill, will cause a bigger ca...2024-05-1006 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report April 30, 2024How well or long seeds will survive underwater depends on many factors including hybrid/variety type, seed quality, how far along the crop is, and temperature. In this week’s Boots In The Field Report Ken Ferrie walks through steps to take as fields dry out including using drones/scouting to figure out how much replant seed might be needed, noting fields that need to be scouted or ponding spots that need nitrates pulled before sidedressing. He also advises growers to get hoes ready to help fields before they develop a crust, utilize spray drones to help take care of...2024-05-0106 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report March 27, 2024As growers start to roll on planting early beans, Ken Ferrie walks through considerations for deciding when the right time for your operation is. Planting beans in March doesn’t show a large yield advantage over waiting to plant the first week in April but can provide some advantages for operations that only have the ability to plant one crop at a time, then having some bean planting done when the ground is also fit to plant corn could bring more benefit. He encourages growers to ask themselves: Are you insured? Are the beans fully treated? Are you a on...2024-03-2705 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report February 23, 2023In this week’s Boots In The Field Report Ken Ferrie advises growers, if they haven’t gotten their wheat top-dressed, the window to get that on is closing fast. He comments, if tougher wheat stands are going to corn in case of a winter kill, he would still top-dress it, but if going to beans, might want to hold up on top-dressing. Due to Iowa’s drought conditions, they can start rolling on some field work as long as the soil is dry enough, but he warns to make sure you are not creating a cloddy seedbed or leaving...2024-02-2306 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report February 13, 2024In this week’s Boots In The Field Report Ken Ferrie answers the question of if freezing and thawing will take out a compaction layer and if it could actually make it worse. He also speaks with University of Tennessee State Specialist Ryan Blair on how the growing season went last year and about the expansiveness of the Extension system throughout Tennessee.2024-02-1408 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report January 25, 2024In this week’s Boots in the Field Report Ken Ferrie answers some questions coming in from winter meetings: Will a spring or fall horizontal tillage pass put in more of a density layer?, Was it allelopathic toxins in the cereal rye ahead of corn that caused such a yield ding?, Will there be a cap to CI payments per farm operations?2024-01-2506 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report January 5, 2024In this week’s Boots In The Field Report Ken Ferrie answers a question from a Beyond The Basics viewer from Southwest Ontario. The viewer was asking about nitrogen carryover in red clover, where is the best place to reduce nitrogen in the overall nitrogen program when using red clover, and does it pay to use a nitrogen stabilizer in that situation.2024-01-0508 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report December 21, 2023In this week’s Boots In The Field Report Ken Ferrie shares his concern on the December 12th drought map for the “I” states and advises growers to close tile gates, if they haven’t already, to keep what water they have from getting away. He also answers the question from a Beyond the Basics viewer about how deep to pull samples in long term no-till fields. Ken advises that it could be beneficial to pull a couple of stratification samples, checking the top three inches compared to the next three. A good amount of uptake of nutrients happens in the t...2023-12-2109 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report November 22, 2023In this week’s Boots In The Field Report Ken Ferrie covers the last of the Hybrid Ear Flex plots that came out this past week, hard pulling conditions, and considerations for growers contemplating going from narrow to wide row beans.2023-11-2207 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report November 14, 2023In this week’s Boots In The Field Report Ken Ferrie takes a peek into the results that came off the host of plots that came out last week, from N rate, planter fertility, corn nematode, fix/flex, to bean tillage and row spacing plots.2023-11-1410 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report November 1, 2023The rain events are creating some delay for harvest and tillage work and but it also brought lower soil temperatures to get growers closer to safer anhydrous application conditions. While more often growers are concerned in dry falls about sealing for anhydrous, Ken Ferrie warns that too much moisture can create smearing from the knives, preventing a good seal and creating Nitrogen loss. In this episode he is able to share Sullivan Agro’s results of their 8 variety, 3 planting date bean study done in Canada. Ken also covers plot results on bean fungicide, using AMS and starter on beans an...2023-11-0107 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report October 20, 2023In this Boots In The Field Report Ken Ferrie covers harvest recaps getting called in. Fields that got that heavy rain in August have high ground out yielding low ground, beans that turned too quickly showing premature death from disease, and harvest loss proving to be an issue for some field conditions. Ken recaps the fungicide and insecticide plot that came out and the outcome of 2 fix/flex plots that came out this week. In addition, he advises growers to check their WAAS satellite if having issues with GPS signal.2023-10-2107 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report October 13, 2023In this Boots In The Field Report Ken Ferrie reports on initial review of soybean plot data that came out this week. He advises that the research crew will have to look at a lot of variables: planting dates, varieties, maturities, row spacing, rainfall timing, rainfall amount, tillage, use of covers and more. While the data may vary widely this year, it will give growers excellent data to find field advantages and identify field weaknesses if they take the time to make sure they are collecting good data and noting the anomalies in the field.2023-10-1307 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report October 6, 2023In this week's Boots In The Field Report Ken Ferrie reports on harvest progress and recounts yields getting called in throughout IL and IA. Wide swings in yield not only throughout the state be in single fields. He also updates on lime shortages and replant bean plot results. 2023-10-0607 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report September 28, 2023Join us for this week’s episode of Boots in The Field Report with Ken Ferrie, where he provides a plot and harvest update that's both informative and timely. Ken dives into the ongoing issue of lime shortages that some growers are grappling with.Furthermore, Ken underscores the importance of keeping a close eye on harvest loss and the correct calibration of your yield monitors. He walks us through the meticulous process Crop-Tech employs for scaling yield monitors, especially when transitioning between different hybris.Tune in to ensure you're well-prepared to ma...2023-09-2807 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report September 21, 2023In this week’s Boots In The Field report Ken covers why it is more important than usual this year to calibrate the yield monitor to make sure growers are capturing spatially accurate yield maps. These dry years can give clues to where perched water tables and sand lenses are located out in the field. Ken also advises harvest scouting teams to stay on top of the push test, as some hybrids are flat coming apart. He recommends if scouts find that hybrid failing the push test, that they check the other fields it is planted in as well. If...2023-09-2109 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report September 12, 2023In this week’s Boots In The Field Report Ken Ferrie covers the range of yields being called in as harvest kicks off and reminds growers to stay on top of the push test when letting corn dry down in the field. Due to the variability in fields, combine operators will have to continuously check for harvest loss as they change fields and change hybrids. Ken also warns, with the dry June, growers will need to watch out for carry over issues on those products with 10 month cropping restrictions.2023-09-1310 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report September 1, 2023In this week’s Boots In The Field Report Ken Ferrie covers reasons for seeing so much top die back in the corn. 1. Disease issues like anthracnose top kill will be on sporadic plants in the field, show black spores on outside of stalk on full dead plants, and behind the leaf sheaths on top killed plants. Can be hybrid and stress related.2. Insect issues like corn borer. Will have dead tops, maybe even broken over from wind and with tunneling into nodes.3. Heat Stress. More consistent across all plants in field not just sporadically. Doesn’t sho...2023-09-0212 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report July 10, 2023In this week’s Boots In The Field Report Ken Ferrie touches base with Matt Duesterhaus to get more insight in how fields are looking in the areas hit by the derecho that went through and how crops and growers are fairing in the week since. Ken also covers what the short corn means for yield potential and why the rule of thumb about plants being more than a collar behind is different this year than when looking at years with uneven emergence. Ken also gives a run down of the pest reports and shares that they found Tar sp...2023-07-1127 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report June 19, 2023Grab a cup of coffee or a cold bottle of water, Ken has two weeks to cover in this week’s Boot’s In The Field Report. He walks through frost reports in NE Iowa, drought map getting bigger and uglier, and corn hitting the rapid growth stage amid water concerns. In these challenging conditions the sins of spring are coming to light, and while many may have gotten away with the same practices in other years without a penalty, not everyone is getting away with it this year without a cost. Growers are starting to se...2023-06-1923 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report May 26, 2023This week’s Boots In The Field Report covers issues popping up in fields as this crop starts to take off. Ken Ferrie reports on heavy cutworm pressure causing growers to spray, dry conditions causing herbicide carryover and a number of conditions causing good but not great ratings for corn stands. Ken also reminds growers of the difference between the ugly corn phase and the carbon penalty. He recommends that now is the time to be in the fields documenting conditions, checking for rootless corn, insect presence/feeding, and diagnosing dead plants to help make improvements for next year.2023-05-2613 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report May 10, 2023Ken Ferrie covers planting progress and emergence in this week’s Boots In The Field Report. Much-needed rain came for most of the Midwest and will help reduce a lot of service calls on all the seed that was sitting in dry soil. Bean stands are looking good and indicating a lot will make early flowering. While corn stands look good from the road, Ken advises stretching a tape to see what your stand count and ear count are. While industry standard says growers should shoot for a 13% or less reduction from planted to ear count, Ken cha...2023-05-1009 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report May 2, 2023It is finally here! In this week’s Boots In The Field Report Ken Ferrie gives the green light locally for planting corn and encourages growers to get this planting season in the books. But he does caution growers to make sure they are planting into moisture. He gives the following advice if still needing to do tillage before plating:Horizontal tillage: make sure the planter is on the tail of the tillage pass to make sure moisture doesn’t get away. Vertical Tillage: If have to run, run shallow with little to no gang angl...2023-05-0208 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report April 26, 2023In this Boots In The Field Report Ken Ferrie covers the calls coming in on the crops planted April 3-10th that took the hardest hit from the freeze. The first step to evaluating replant decisions is to have accurate counts for what plants survived. For beans checking that the stem below the cotyledon is firm. If soft, it gets counted in the dead column. If firm, it gets counted in the maybe column and growers will have to watch for new growth to confirm (70-90 GDUs – so could be next Friday before you know). On corn Ken recommends ch...2023-04-2607 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report March 31, 2023This week on the Boots In The Field Report podcast Ken Ferrie advises that now is the time for the pest boss to lay down the first line of defense. He recommends cutworm and armyworm traps going out wherever you have green cover, setting up wireworm and grub bait stations, and putting out gopher and vole bait traps. Most problems are very manageable if caught early enough. When the population grows too big, then you start to run out of options to manage and avoid a reduction in yields. Scouting for the 2023 crop starts now.2023-03-3108 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report March 15, 2023The question to ask: “Is the soil dry enough?” In this week’s Boots In The Field Report Ken Ferrie covers why this questions is so important, with 80% of the service calls for compaction that he goes on can all be traced back to this first pass in the spring. If growers are doing vertical tillage, asking is the soil dry enough to handle the weight of the equipment without creating compaction? If doing tillage, what is the moisture like below the tillage layer, is it too moist and will create compaction? This also applies to when to run the bu...2023-03-1507 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report March 10, 2023In this Boots in The Field Report, Ken Ferrie stresses that harvest starts now. A little planning now can alleviate a lot of pressure and stress come harvest. He suggests picking for yield first and then narrowing that down based on ear flex and leaf structure to help manage known conditions in the field. Ken advises breaking down maturity groups into: early, mid and full season varieties, to stagger pollination and harvest windows. He also suggests staggering ear flex within the maturities to help mitigate weather risks. Putting pencil to paper to figure out what your operation needs for...2023-03-1011 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report February 24, 2023In this week’s Boots In The Field Report Ken Ferrie walks through why 2022 was such a nitrogen friendly year for central IL. While reminding growers it didn’t take less N to grow a bushel last year, it did take less applied N for most due to the decrease in losses and the increase in mineralization. He also encourages growers to not only make their spring plan, but to make sure it is written down and shared with all the players to make sure everyone is operating from the same play book when game time comes around.2023-02-2408 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report February 6, 2023In this week’s Boots In The Field Report Ken Ferrie tackles the question: “If I have organic matters of 3.5% or higher do I need to apply sulfur?” Despite higher organic matter soils having the ability to provide sulfur later in the season, due to a reduction of sulfur naturally occurring in most environments, they often struggle in having enough available for early season. Ken covers the basis on a 4R approach to sulfur and reminds growers to switch to thinking of sulfur more as a macronutrient instead of a micronutrient.2023-02-0609 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report January 13, 2023In this week’s Boots In The Field Report Ken Ferrie covers some of the questions that came in during the Virtual College. In particular the topic of Tar Spot and what the difference is in pressure and management of “home grown” Tar Spot and “blown in.” The conditions must be right for Tar Spot but when it is, it can cause a huge yield hit. Ken talks through what we have learned so far and how we will continue to learn about this disease in the future.2023-01-1309 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report December 22, 2022In this week’s Boots In The Field Report Ken Ferrie covers several questions about what kind of efficiencies are gained with banding fertilizer and what he has been seeing as they kick off the yield map review season.2022-12-2211 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report December 9, 2022In this week’s Boots in The Field Report podcast Ken Ferrie takes some time to answer questions that have been coming in: “Switching to corn on corn or beans on beans due to market and yields, what should be considered?” and “If growers find urea priced right can they use it as their N source?” He covers what concerns or questions growers need to think about to help make the right choice for their operation.2022-12-0912 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report November 23, 2022Ken takes a little more time this week to catch up with the Matt Duesterhaus in Quincy, Il to see how their harvest finished up and then speaks with Isaac Ferrie on what they saw on the plot side this year during this week’s Boots In The Field Report. Matt commented on higher-than-average corn yields, surprising a lot of growers for how dry they got in August. He also covers some wind events, wildlife damage and fungicide results that he saw in his area. Isaac touches on the plot program results and what the research department is working on...2022-11-2335 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report November 16, 2022In this week’s Boots in The Field Report Ken Ferrie recaps the last of the plots coming out, highlighting a fungicide plot out of this year’s tar spot alley, NE Iowa. He also goes over some of the yield data coming out of the ear flex plots and why some areas that experienced a flash drought in the rapid growth stage may be disappointed in the yields of their L1 hybrids. Ken reminds growers to mitigate risk with their hybrid selection and know the weaknesses of the chosen hybrids so they can farm around them.2022-11-1610 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report September 8, 2022Ken Ferrie recaps 2,700 miles of crop touring over the last week on what he saw on the way up to Canada and coming back. He also reports April planted corn locally is hitting black layer and causing some growers to think about harvesting soon to cash in on premiums. Ken additionally comments on how corn that is stressed now, is hustling to black layer and that will come at the cost of grain fill.2022-09-0807 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report July 25, 2022In this week’s Boots In The Field Report Ken Ferrie tells how water in the next 60 days will tell the rest of the story, how despite being able to pollinate in 5 days the heat wreaked some havoc on even pollination, and warns about checking for spider mites in the corn before spraying a fungicide.2022-07-2504 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report June 20, 2022Ken Ferrie starts this week’s Boots In The Field Report with a fishing recap, followed by a crop report of how crops looked on the drive. He talks heat stress and what that means for these rolled up corn plants, and what pests to be on the lookout for. And despite a lot of farmers not getting into the fields to plant beans as early as they would like, he is still seeing pre-solstice flowering in several fields. Ken also puts out the call for those seeing tar spot to call the sightings into the office so we ca...2022-06-2110 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report May 18, 2022In this week’s Boots In The Field Report Ken Ferrie reports the ground that didn’t get hoed but is struggling to get make it out of the ground might have to be hoed twice and that still might not be enough to help the plants break through the crust. Replant decisions need to be made quickly with facts and not emotion. Ken reminds growers they will need to know both stand count and ear count when factoring in if they should replant. He also advises using their own knowledge from their hybrid fix/flex plots and the hybr...2022-05-1809 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report May 4, 2022Cold wet weather has brought planting progress to a crawl. In this week’s Boots In The Field Report Ken Ferrie warns growers about ground getting hard with recent rains causing planters to ride out of the ground and concern for crusting on crops already in the ground. He also covers how row fresheners can help with the less than desirable seed bed conditions and warns about running spring strip-till this late in the season with potential of drying out the soil and causing salt burn to the seed. Next week looks promising for planting and Ken advises growers to...2022-05-0507 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report April 22, 2022In this week’s Boots In The Field Report, Ken Ferrie discusses the closing window for achieving early planted beans. While there often isn’t a yield difference between strip-till and no-till beans, this year might prove to be the exception. Strip-tilling may create a 2-3 week earlier window for planting which may allow an opportunity for some pre-solstice flowering that the no-till couldn’t take advantage of because it was too wet to plant. Ken warns to switch from beans to corn when it is fit to plant corn, but not to jump the gun because replant decisions could...2022-04-2207 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report March 25, 2022In this week’s Boots In The Field Report Ken Ferrie covers seed test results and what pest scouts should be on the lookout for including: 13-lined ground squirrel, voles, wireworm, cutworm, and armyworm.2022-03-2507 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report March 18, 2022In this week’s Boots In the Field Report Ken Ferrie covers rootworm resistance and how the pressure has been increasing over the last couple of years.2022-03-1811 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report March 9, 2022In this Boots In The Field Report Ken Ferrie stresses using this time to put thought into diversifying hybrid line up and strategizing placement of hybrids to take advantage of a field’s strengths and farm around the weaknesses.2022-03-1007 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report January 11, 2022In this week’s Boots in The Field Report Ken Ferrie breaks down planting conditions for beans in an ideal situation and how that changes when you are trying to plant early beans. The focus, when planting early beans, changes from soil temperatures to soil conditions in order to attempt to get the beans to the unifoliate stage quick enough to pressure the bean to flower before the solstice. Ken also walks through how to adjust the timing window for different maturity groups.2022-01-1109 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report November 11, 2021In this week’s Boots In The Field Report Ken Ferrie warns about making sure the anhydrous is sealing as it is too expensive to let gas off. He reports that some strip-till growers are struggling to get good strips in current weather conditions and advises that they might have to move to a plan B. Ken encourages keeping the seedbed sacred and he reminds growers that seedbed preparations for next year’s crop start this fall. He also extends a heartfelt thank you to all Veterans and their families for their service and sacrifice.2021-11-111h 03

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report October 19, 2021In this Boots in The Field Report Ken Ferrie covers multiple adjustments growers can make to their combine settings to reduce the record amount of harvest loss happening this year. He also advises growers to calculate in bushels what it cost to apply for removal of phosphorus and potash. The grain leaving the field is worth more and the cost to replace the nutrients leaving the field cost more. Looking at it in bushels from last year to this year can help put the cost in perspective and keep growers from putting on the brakes too soon.2021-10-2009 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report October 13, 2021In this week’s Boots In The Field Report Ken Ferrie talks with Matt Duesterhaus, a Crop-Tech Consulting regional agronomist, in Quincy, IL to see how the harvest is going. Matt points out that planting date/ear count, nitrogen management, and disease management are areas that are standing out as yields roll in. He explains that yields in general are looking good for both corn and beans in his area and he will be analyzing plot data to figure out if the yield increases are enough to cover the cost of application/implementation and create a positive ROI. Ken an...2021-10-1316 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report October 7, 2021In this Boots In The Field Report Ken Ferrie covers calls coming in from OH, WI, and IA about yields, moisture, and how much is left to harvest. Much of the Midwest is coming out fairly low in percent of moisture, which could help reduce some pinch points this fall. Ken also shares some plot results that came out this week, with higher populations showing an advantage in some of the disease riddled areas. He advises that in learning and remembering the past we help improve the future, but with all the pocket environments and special circumstances of this...2021-10-0709 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report September 13, 2021On this week's #BIFR Ken Ferrie says the wheels have come off the bus on fields with Tar Spot. The crop is falling apart and quickly dying before being able to pack on the starch. He says tar spot seems to be varying by hybrid and a Harvest Plan is a MUST! 2021-09-1310 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report July 29, 2021In this week’s Boots In The Field Report Ken Ferrie covers: Field day recap, increase in beetle pressure, why fields are turning yellow at pollination, delays in getting air planes and what are other spraying options, how the haze/smoke from last week has affected the crops and what he is seeing for pollination issues, early season wind damage, and truncated/beer can ears. 2021-07-2911 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report July 9, 2021In this week’s Boots In The Field Report Ken Ferrie covers: replant populations for weed control, where nitrates are showing the nitrogen to be after the massive amounts of water, and what insects and disease to be on the lookout for when scouting pollinating fields.2021-07-0909 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report July 2, 2021Ken covers what the massive amounts of rain in central IL means for growers and what to be on the lookout for. He uses the experiences in 2015 to give guidelines for how long the crops can survive underwater and in standing water, mapping out gulley’s while still visible, and warns about letting the ponded-out areas going to weeds. Some of the premium of early planted soybeans has been lost with this water stress and Ken advises that iron chlorosis, Rhizoctonia, Phytophthora can start to cause issues in the saturated areas. Ken also covers Nitrogen loss in corn, high ri...2021-07-0216 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report June 4, 2021Ken Ferrie recaps the reports from the north on frost damage from the past weekend and a planting update from the Quincy area. The beans at the Corn College Campus are starting to flower and Ken warns growers with early planted beans to make sure they aren’t knocking off these early flowers with miss-timed sprays that burn back the beans. He reports on calls concerning strong reactions from post sprays due to current weather patterns, heavy cutworm feeding, and damaged fields from 13 lined ground squirrels. Ken also explains the difference between the carbon penalty and the ugly corn syndrome in...2021-06-0413 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report August 5, 2020In this week’s Boots In The Field Report, Ken shares yield check numbers and pollination issues he is finding during field visits due to drought and wind damage. He covers why it is important to take note of how hybrids handled the heavy wind pressure and encourages growers with the option to put up drones to check how fields survived heavy wind to make sure yield checks don’t need to be adjusted. During field visits this week, most beans were in the R3-R5 stage. Ken warns that once most beans hit R5 they are going to stop...2020-08-0608 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report July 28, 2020In this week’s podcast Ken gives a pollination report and details the difference between the April planted corn pollination window in comparison to the May planted corn. He advises growers when taking stand counts which ones they should only give half credit to get more realistic yield estimates. Ken also urges growers to make sure they aren’t letting an opportunity to improve their operation pass them by. He is seeing a lot of wind damage, but in this podcast he outlines what that damage can tell growers about their field conditions and how they can shore it up f...2020-07-2809 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report June 29, 2020As the season is now off and running, Ken Ferrie gives a crop report from around the Midwest.2020-06-2956 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report April 25, 2020In this week’s #BIFR Ken Ferrie starts with an update on the corn and bean planting progress across central IL. Ken alerts scouts to be on the lookout for seed chilling issues, cutworms, and armyworms. He also warns them to be on the lookout for soil crusting, “Hoe Before You Know”. He ends with a warning about knowing your inhibitor!2020-04-2506 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report November 29, 2019In this week’s Boots In The Field Report Ken Ferrie advises that you can't just dream of planting early beans, you have to put a plan in place to make it a reality. He walks through what conversations and plans need to be happening now. He also covers fall burn down questions and gets insights on how NE Iowa farmers are fighting to finish #harvest19 2019-11-2912 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report for May 24, 2018Ken went on several SOS calls for fields this week which led to a lot of things to cover in this week’s podcast, prepare yourself. In this week’s Boots In The Field report Ken covers: Iron chlorosis in areas that got rain, growth standing still and slowed down metabolism in dry areas, and the catch 22 of dinging corn or killing weeds. Ken also spends a lot of time in this podcast discussing what your options are if you have bean fields that got planted in dry dirt.2018-05-2418 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report for May 11, 2018In this week’s Boots In The Field Report Ken covers what a difference 350 miles makes in planting progress. He touches on the need for pest teams to be hitting the fields to spot issues before they get worse and document what happened while the evidence is still there to tell you. Ken also shares times that will most likely have high cutworm pressure and advises to be on the lookout for bean leaf beetle. He also touches on getting either an NDVI or Thermal image on fields that will have windmill damage both this year and next year to be...2018-05-1109 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report for November 10thKen starts this week’s Boots In The Field Report off with a plot harvest update and sends out a BIG thank you to all the farmers and plot partners that put time and resources into making the plots such a successful program for all to learn from. He also extends a reminder about getting yield data in ASAP so we can start processing it. Ken looks at the weather data from Nov. 8th showing that some parts of the state finally hit the mark for being able to apply anhydrous using the 4R standards. Ken also talks about the vi...2017-11-1004 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report for October 13thKen 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 conditions in both corn and beans to minimize any harvest loss.2017-10-1307 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report for November 3rdIn this week’s Boots in the Field report Ken gives a report as areas are finishing up harvest 2016. He reminders farmers of a couple of things to think about before making plans to move lime applications up a year. Ken also issues a challenge that we are all in this together and we need to apply a little peer pressure if you notice neighbors and retailers failing to follow best management practices where anhydrous is concerned. Ken shares that a good portion of new acres coming in to test are showing pretty poor on their soil test results and re...2016-11-0305 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report October 7thKen 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 droppage to email into the office with the field and hybr...2016-10-0712 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report September 23rdKen 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 yield monitors that use multi point calibration. Also watching for shatter lo...2016-09-2312 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report, July 29thKen starts this week with a crop update from around the Midwest. He discusses the ear fill damage that will accompany the green snap he is seeing in some fields. Ken also gives an update on corn and soybean aphids and explains the reduced risk for spider mites. Finally, Ken discusses the sudden death and gray leaf that he is finding in fields.2016-07-2913 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report June 29thSpider Mite Update: Ken has officially seen Spider Mites in fields around Tazewell, Mclean, and Springfield areas. The dry and hot temperatures have led to a decrease in the Spider Mite’s natural predators and fungi. Ken covers how to scout, and gives an approach to treat the Spider Mites. Ken also gives a pollination and disease update.2016-06-2912 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report for June 27thIn this week’s Boots In The Field Report, Ken gives a corn and soybean growth update, and a weather update. Ken also covers some options when dealing with resilient waterhemp. Ken ends the podcast with an insect and weed update.2016-06-2705 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report June 8thKen covers a lot in this week’s Boots In The Field Report. Ken discusses the current ugly phase that corn is in, and that soybeans are about to be in. Ken also helps identify the difference between the zinc and sulfur deficiencies. On the insect front, Ken warns about cutworm, corn borer, and the corn rootworm hatch. Ken also gave a warning about the roundup resistant waterhemp that is not being completely killed off. Finally, Ken reassures farmers about the heat that is coming for central Illinois.2016-06-0808 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report: Frost EditionKen gives a recap of planting progress across our testing area in Illinois. He has received a lot of calls concerning this weekend’s frost and covers what that means for both corn and beans. Ken talks about the added dangers of frosted crops in saturated soil and cautions against applying your post herbicide on newly frosted corn. Ken explains how making the planter dance can help you get in to plant beans, what he is seeing from the nitrates already sent in, and the need to get any summer soil testing orders in.2016-05-1708 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report for October 31stIn this week’s Boots In the Field Report, Crop-Tech Consulting agronomist Ken Ferrie talks about getting started with anhydrous applications.2014-10-3103 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report for October 24thIn this week’s episode of Boots In The Field, Crop-Tech Consulting agronomist, Ken Ferrie talks about managing ruts and replacing wheat with a cover crop.2014-10-2404 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report for October 10thIn this weeks Boots In The Field Report, agronomist Ken Ferrie discusses how Goss's Wilt is starting to really hit some fields. Ken also talks about how leaf structures are making differences in the plots.2014-10-1004 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report for October 3rdIn the weeks report Crop-Tech Consulting agronomist Ken Ferrie discusses the importance of keeping an eye on harvest lost and staying ahead of down corn.2014-10-0304 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report for September 26thKen Ferrie talks about the soybean harvest and the drop in corn moisture levels.2014-09-2607 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report for September 12th.Crop-Tech Consulting agronomist, Ken Ferrie, gives the Boots In The Field Report for the Week of September 12th.2014-09-1205 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report For September 9thCrop-Tech Consulting agronomist Ken Ferrie discusses the conditions he observed in Ohio, Indiana, Iowa, and Illinois. He also comments on finding sudden death, stalk quality issues, harvesting issues, and heat stress 2014-09-0504 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field Report for August 15thCrop-Tech Agronomist Ken Ferrie discusses crop conditions and outlook on his trip form Illinois to New York.2014-08-2903 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field for August 8thCrop-Tech Consulting agronomist Ken Ferrie shares an update on what he is seeing out in the field.2014-08-2937 min

Boots In The Field ReportBoots In The Field for July 28thCrop-Tech Consulting agronomist Ken Ferrie shares an crop update on what he is seeing out in the corn field at the end of July.2014-08-2903 min