Purdue Extension Agriculture Agronomy the Chat 'n Chew Cafe
Cup of Coffee

The Chat 'n Chew Cafe

Timely Agronomic News & Information for the U.S. Corn Belt

The Chat ’n Chew Cafe was developed in honor of all the small town coffeeshops where farmers and business folk have congregated for years to shoot the breeze and share gossip about corn, soybean, wheat, cows, hogs, bankers, basketball, lawyers, and the like.
In its current iteration, the Cafe offers direct access to timely agronomic newsletters from land-grant universities around the Midwest, an up-to-date calendar of major educational events around the Midwest, direct access to Purdue Extension field crop specialists and field crop Web sites. You can also access the archive of my Corny News Network articles.
... R.L. (Bob) Nielsen, Purdue Agronomy

Weather & ClimateClick me!

Upcoming Educational Events

Private Pesticide Applicator Recertification Programs
Commercial Pesticide Applicator CCH Programs (OISC)

Click month to display events. Click again to close.

(16 - 19 Nov)
Mid-Atlantic Crop Management School
Due to COVID-19, this year's conference will be online. Organized by the University of Delaware, University of Maryland, and West Virginia University Cooperative Extension Systems in conjunction with the Mid-Atlantic CCA Board, and the USDA-NRCS. Pre-registration ends Nov 11.
(18 - 19 Nov)
North Central Extension-Industry Soil Fertility Conference
Due to COVID-19, this year's conference will be online. The conference includes invited presentations from university and industry leaders, research reports from university soil fertility researchers, and posters outlining research by graduate students at universities across the North Central region.
(8 - 10 Dec)
Minnesota Crop Pest Management Connect
A virtual replacement for the traditional Crop Pest Management Short Course. Organized by Minnesota Extension.
(9 Dec)
Grain Post-Harvest & Recertification Workshop
Agronomy Center for Research & Education, near West Lafayette. Organized by Purdue's Crop Diagnostic Training & Research Center. PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED.
(15 - 16 Dec)
Indiana CCA Virtual Conference
Organized by Purdue Extension & the Indiana CCA Program. Due to lingering COVID-19 pandemic, this year's conference will be virtual. Program and registrations are pending.
(15 - 16 Dec)
Soil Management (Virtual) Summit
St. Cloud, MN. Organized by Univ Minnesota Extension.
(15 - 17 Dec)
The InfoAg Conference
Union Station, St. Louis, MO. This conference was postponed from it usual July date due to COVID-19 concerns. Pre-register online.
(16 - 17 Dec)
Manitoba Agronomists Conference
University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, CANADA. Pre-register by Dec 11.
(6 - 7 Jan)
Ontario Agricultural Conference
A virtual conference organized by a combined effort of The Southwest Agricultural Conference, Guelph and Eastern Ontario Crop Conferences. Registration opens Nov. 2.
(8 Jan)
Purdue Top Farmer Virtual Conference
Registration for the three-hour virtual conference is free. Space is limited to 300 participants. This conference will not be recorded. Organized by Purdue Extension.
(12 - 15 Jan)
National No-Tillage Conference
Indianapolis, IN. Organized by No-Till Farmer Magazine.
(28 Jan)
Purdue IPM Virtual Crop Management Workshops
Beck Ag. Center, near West Lafayette, IN. Organized by Purdue IPM and Purdue Extension. Attendance limited due to COVID-19 restrictions. Program will be live streamed. HOLD THE DATE. Registration information coming soon.
(10 - 13 Feb)
National Farm Machinery Show
Kentucky Exposition Center, Louisville, KY.
(4 - 6 Mar 2021)
Commodity Classic
San Antonio, TX. Presented by national corn, soy, wheat, and sorghum associations plus the Association of Equipment Mfgrs.
Corny News CompendiumClick me!
A repository of information focusing on corn growth & development, corn response to stress, crop diagnostics, and general corn management topics, authored primarily by your friendly neighborhood Purdue Extension Corn Specialist.
Purdue Crop ChatClick me!
Purdue Crop Chat is a regular podcast from Hoosier Ag Today and the Purdue University Extension Service, featuring Purdue Extension Corn Specialist Dr. Bob Nielsen and Extension Soybean Specialist Dr. Shaun Casteel.
Field Crop ExpertsClick me!
Purdue Extension field crop specialists who can answer your agronomic questions.
Field Crop InfoClick me!
Other Purdue Extension Web sites with useful information about field crop production and economic issues.
USDA Crop InfoClick me!
USDA Crop Production reports and data.

Serving all of your "corny" needs since 1995, the Chat 'n Chew Cafe offers a comprehensive "menu" of timely agronomic information from Purdue and other land-grant universities around the U.S. The Cafe is owned and operated by R.L. (Bob) Nielsen, State Extension Corn Specialist at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana.

Timely News Articles

(27 Oct)
Ohio C.O.R.N. Newsletter
The Ohio State Univ.
  • Planting Fall Cover Crops
  • Fall-Applied Herbicides: Odds and Ends
  • Soybean Cyst Nematode (SCN) has Made Itself at Home in Ohio
  • For Safety’s Sake: Don’t Take Drying Shortcuts with Stored Corn
  • 2020 Ohio Soybean Performance Trial: Henry County, Preble County, and Clinton County Yield Results Available
  • Ohio Certified Crop Adviser Pre-Exam Training
  • Agricultural Policy and Outlook Conference
  • Farmer and Farmland Owner Income Tax Webinar
(26 Oct)
Soil Temperatures And Fall Ammonia Application
Emerson Nafziger, Univ. Illinois
(23 Oct)
Michigan Extension Field Crops News
Michigan State Univ.
(23 Oct)
Kansas Agronomy E-update
Kansas State Univ.
  • Replanting decisions for winter wheat
  • Management adjustments when sowing wheat late
  • Considerations for fall applications of anhydrous ammonia
  • Can dry soils affect anhydrous ammonia applications in Kansas?
  • Cooler weather brings the return of the Mesonet Freeze Monitor
  • Save the Date - Crop Pest Management Schools in Russell, Phillipsburg, and Oakle
(22 Oct)
Wheat Grain and Straw Yield, Grain Quality, and Disease Benefits Associated with Increased Management Intensity
Mitchell G. Roth, Spyridon Mourtzinis, John M. Gaska, Brian Mueller, Adam Roth, Damon L. Smith, and Shawn P. Conley; Univ. of Wisconsin
(20 Oct)
Ohio C.O.R.N. Newsletter
The Ohio State Univ.
  • First Widespread Freeze Arrives; Wetter Pattern Sets In
  • Extended Drydown in Corn
  • Stalk Rots Showing Up in Some Corn Fields
  • 2020 Ohio Soybean Performance Trial: Henry County and Preble County Yield Results Available
(20 Oct)
Michigan Extension Field Crops News
Michigan State Univ.
(19 Oct)
Corn Yields Continue to Surprise
Bob Nielsen, Shaun Casteel; Purdue Crop Chat Podcast
(16 Oct)
Purdue Pest & Crop Newsletter
Purdue Univ.
  • Free Frogeye Leaf Spot Sampling Offered
  • Switchgrass Livestock And Wildlife Forage, Landscaping Plant And Potential Fuel For People
  • Identify and Eliminate “Gremlins” From Yield Monitor Data
  • Wandering Hybrid Syndrome: Yield Monitor Errors
  • Wandering Swath Width Syndrome: Yield Monitor Errors
  • 2021 Crop Management Workshop
  • Recent Freeze Event May Have Marked End To Growing Season
(16 Oct)
Nebraska Crop Watch Newsletter
Univ. of Nebraska.
(16 Oct)
Kansas Agronomy E-update
Kansas State Univ.
  • Rate of dry down in sorghum before harvest
  • Emergency measures to control wind erosion
  • Musk thistle control in the fall
  • What does a La Nina winter mean for Kansas?
  • Don't miss the 2020 Kansas Soybean Yield and Value Contest
(15 Oct)
Minnesota Crop News
Univ. of Minnesota Extension
(15 Oct)
Identify and Eliminate "Gremlins" From Yield Monitor Data
R.L. (Bob) Nielsen, Purdue Univ.
(15 Oct)
Wandering Hybrid Syndrome: Yield Monitor Errors
R.L. (Bob) Nielsen, Purdue Univ.
(15 Oct)
Wandering Swath Width Syndrome: Yield Monitor Errors
R.L. (Bob) Nielsen, Purdue Univ.
(14 Oct)
Michigan Extension Field Crops News
Michigan State Univ.
(14 Oct)
Iowa Integrated Crop Management Newsletter
Iowa State Univ.
(13 Oct)
Ohio C.O.R.N. Newsletter
The Ohio State Univ.
  • Still Planting Wheat?
  • Be Prepared for Combine Fires during Harvest Season
  • Are those Mosquitoes on Steroids…No, They are just Crane Flies
(13 Oct)
Corn Drying Slowly in 2020
Chad Lee, Sam McNeill; KyGrains.info, Univ of Kentucky
(13 Oct)
Acreage Shifts in Illinois
Gary Schnitkey, Nick Paulson, Krista Swanson, and Jonathan Coppess, Univ of Illinois farmdocDAILY
(12 Oct)
South Dakota Pest & Crop Newsletter
South Dakota State Univ.
  • Soybean Cyst Nematode Management Plans Should Include Proactive Weed Management
  • Cover Crop Considerations When Dealing With Soybean Cyst Nematode
  • Oat Variety Trial Results
(9 Oct)
Purdue Pest & Crop Newsletter
Purdue Univ.
  • Fall Applied Herbicides And Winter Weed Control
  • Reduce The Fear – Managing Prussic Acid In Sorghum
  • Frost And Hemp, Should Growers Worry?
  • Purdue Crop Chat Episode 10, Strong Early Yields
  • Grain Test Weight Considerations For Corn
  • Post-Harvest Grain Management Strategies For The Fall
  • Maintenance Is Crucial To Prevent Combine Fires
  • Dryness Continues While A Strengthening La Niña More Likely For This Winter
(9 Oct)
Nebraska Crop Watch Newsletter
Univ. of Nebraska.
(9 Oct)
Kansas Agronomy E-update
Kansas State Univ.
  • Wheat planting conditions: Early October 2020
  • Control annual weeds with fall-applied herbicides ahead of corn and sorghum
  • Stop spreading weed seed during harvest activities
  • Ag-Climate Update for September 2020
  • Commercial applicator recertification training changes for 2020
  • Update: 2021 soybean planting intentions survey - Producer input requested
(8 Oct)
Minnesota Crop News
Univ. of Minnesota Extension
(7 Oct)
Pennsylvania Agronomic Crop News
Pennsylvania State Univ. Extension
(6 Oct)
Ohio C.O.R.N. Newsletter
The Ohio State Univ.
  • Harvest to Spring Weather Outlook
  • Gibberella Ear Rots Showing up in Corn: How to Tell It Apart from Other Ear Rots
  • Tar Spot Showing up Again in 2020
  • Ohio Farm Custom Rates 2020
(5 Oct)
South Dakota Pest & Crop Newsletter
South Dakota State Univ.
  • Roadway Safety During Harvest
  • Spring Wheat Variety Trial Results
  • Grain Bin Safety Improvements
(5 Oct)
Grain Test Weight Considerations for Corn
RL (Bob) Nielsen, Purdue Univ.
(2 Oct)
Strong Early Yields
Bob Nielsen & Shaun Casteel, Purdue Crop Chat Podcast, Hoosier Ag. Today
(2 Oct)
Purdue Pest & Crop Newsletter
Purdue Univ.
  • Don’t Get In A Rush – Evaluate Forage Species And Varieties Before Purchase
  • Call For Hemp Russet Mites – Are You Willing To Share?
  • Recent Temperatures And Moisture For Indiana
(2 Oct)
Nebraska Crop Watch Newsletter
Univ. of Nebraska.
(2 Oct)
Kansas Agronomy E-update
Kansas State Univ.
  • Considerations when planting wheat into dry soil
  • Small grain forage options for this fall
  • After harvest is the optimal time for Soybean Cyst Nematode
  • Interim decision announced regarding atrazine registration review
  • Dicamba update: XtendFlex soybeans gain final approval
  • Check for stalk rots prior to grain sorghum harvest
(1 Oct)
Confirmed Resistance to Herculex RW in Wisconsin
Bryan Jensen, Univ. of Wisconsin Extension
(1 Oct)
Michigan Extension Field Crops News
Michigan State Univ.
(30 Sep)
the Bulletin:
Pest mgmt & crop developmt information for Illinois
Univ. of Illinois
(29 Sep)
Ohio C.O.R.N. Newsletter
The Ohio State Univ.
  • Decent Harvest Weather Likely to Continue into October
  • Farm Office Live Scheduled for October 7, 2020
  • Precautions for Feeding Frosted and Drought-Stressed Forages
(29 Sep)
Fall is the Perfect Time for Soil Sampling
Charles White, Penn. State Univ. Extension
(29 Sep)
Fall Weed Control in Small Grains
Dwight Lingenfelter, Penn. State Univ. Extension
(29 Sep)
Corn and Soybean Yield in 2020
Gary Schnitkey, Nick Paulson, Krista Swanson, and Carl Zulauf, Univ of Illinois farmdocDAILY
(28 Sep)
Economics of Various Winter Wheat Management Strategies
Jordan Shockley, KyGrains.info, Univ of Kentucky
(28 Sep)
South Dakota Pest & Crop Newsletter
South Dakota State Univ.
  • Avoiding Field Fires During Fall Harvest
  • Corn Ear Rots and Stalk Rots: The Last Issues To Check for in Corn Before Combining
  • Winter Wheat Variety Trial Results
(28 Sep)
Purdue Pest & Crop Newsletter
Purdue Univ.
  • Learning To Identify Plants Is A Worthy Skill
  • Purdue Crop Chat Episode 9, Preparing For Harvest
  • Yield Monitor Calibration: Garbage In, Garbage Out
  • Converting Wet Corn Weight To Dry Corn Weight
(25 Sep)
Kansas Agronomy E-update
Kansas State Univ.
  • Soybean dry down rate before harvest
  • Sorghum development and potential freeze injury
  • Control woody plants on rangeland: Basal bark and cut-stump herbicide applications
  • Fall control of bindweed
  • World of Weeds: Bur ragweed or woollyleaf bursage
  • K-State wheat specialists release informative videos on wheat production
(25 Sep)
Nebraska Crop Watch Newsletter
Univ. of Nebraska.
(23 Sep)
Minnesota Crop News
Univ. of Minnesota Extension
(23 Sep)
Converting Wet Corn Weight to Dry Corn Weight
RL (Bob) Nielsen, Purdue Univ.
(23 Sep)
Yield Monitor Calibration: Garbage In, Garbage Out
RL (Bob) Nielsen, Purdue Univ.
(22 Sep)
Preparing for Harvest
Bob Nielsen & Shaun Casteel, Purdue Crop Chat Podcast, Hoosier Ag. Today
(22 Sep)
Ohio C.O.R.N. Newsletter
The Ohio State Univ.
  • Visit the Agronomic Crops Team at the (Virtual) Farm Science Review on September 22-24th
  • Improved tool can help Midwest farmers with cover crop decisions
  • Fall-applied herbicides - what goes around comes around
  • Fall Forage Management Tips
  • H2Ohio Reminder
(21 Sep)
South Dakota Pest & Crop Newsletter
South Dakota State Univ.
  • HG Type Testing: A Management Strategy for Soybean Cyst Nematode Control
  • Calibrate Your Combine Yield Monitors!
(21 Sep)
Minnesota Crop News
Univ. of Minnesota Extension
(21 Sep)
Coronavirus Food Assistance Program, Part 2
Jonathan Coppess, Joe Janzen, Gary Schnitkey, Nick Paulson, Krista Swanson, Carl Zulauf; Univ of Illinois farmdocDAILY

Handy Resources

To Bt or not to Bt: Is That Your Question? (WI)
Useful information for folks considering a switch back to non-Bt corn hybrids.
Applied Research in Field Crop Pathology Indiana - 2019
Converting between Mehlich-3, Bray P, and Ammonium Acetate Soil Test Values
Corn & Soybean Diagnostics - Mobile apps (Purdue)
IOS or Android smartphones
iPad
Corn GDD Estimation Tool
Estimate GDD from planting to various corn growth stages for different regions of the Midwest.
Corn Nitrogen Management for Indiana
Corn Nitrogen Rate Calculator
Calculate economic optimum N rates for several Corn Belt states.
Corn Plant Population Guidelines for Indiana
Corn Yield Response to Sulfur in Indiana
Crop Cost & Return Guide (Purdue)
Crop Protection Network - Resources
A collaborative land-grant university effort.
Iowa State Univ. Nebraska Univ. Michigan Ohio State Purdue Univ.
Differentiating 2,4-D and Dicamba Injury on Soybeans (Purdue)
Farm Analysis Solutions Tools (IL)
Forecast and Assessment of Cropping Systems
A project developed by Iowa St. Univ. to forecast and evaluate soil-crop dynamics in real-time.
Corn Soybean Foliar diseases Soybean Seedling Diseases Wheat
Herbicide Classification Chart
Herbicide Resistant Weeds Chart
Hybrid Bt Trait Reference Guide
iNaturalist
A crowd-sourced species identification system for plants and pests.
Integrated Pest Information Platform
Info on the development of soybean rust, southern rust, etc. in the U.S.
Int'l Survey of Herbicide Resistant Weeds
Midwest Cover Crop Council
Seed Treatment Reference Guide (WI)
Soybean Cyst Nematode Field Guide (IA)
Soybean Cyst Nematode Info (IA)
Soybean Research & Information Network
Take Action Against Resistant Pests
Weed Control Guide for Ohio, Indiana, & Illinois - 2020
Purchase PDF version or printed hard copy
Weed Identification Field Guide (IA)
Yield Data Processing & Cleaning (NE)
Yield Monitor Operation & Calibration (NE)