The Chat 'n Chew Cafe (Purdue University)

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

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.

(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 - 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.

(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.

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.

Follow @PurdueCornGuy

Timely News Articles

(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.
Tips for late planted wheat

(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.
Using Aerial Imagery to Help Determine the Impact of Cover Crops on Cash Crop Growth and Development Assessing Cover Crop Biomass Using Aerial Imagery: Lessons Learned During the UNL-NRCS Soil Health Initiative Identifying Fall-emerging Weeds

(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
Nitrogen study looks at two cover crops’ potential to reduce nitrate leaching

(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.
Is available grain storage a concern on your farm? Is the market telling you to sell or store your grain?

(14 Oct)
Iowa Integrated Crop Management Newsletter
Iowa State Univ.
Be Cautious When Interpreting Fall Soil-Test Results Following Drought

(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.
Planning 2021 Fertilizer-N Application Following a Dry 2020 New Series on Soybean Micronutrient Management in Southeast Nebraska Common Mullein Control: Herbicide Choice and Application Timing Rejuvra™: A New Herbicide for Battling Cheatgrass Managing Weed Seeds in Manure

(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
5 takeaways on Minnesota's new soybean fertilizer guidelines

(7 Oct)
Pennsylvania Agronomic Crop News
Pennsylvania State Univ. Extension
Tar Spot: A New Corn Disease for Pennsylvania Improving Stakeholder Knowledge and Management in Soybean Using Survey Methods Is Soybean Cyst Nematode (SCN) in Your Fields? Sample Now and Find Out 2020 Farm Custom Rates Available

(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.
A Tribute to Lisa Jasa, CropWatch Editor Since the Beginning Forage Hazards Following a Freeze Event October Alfalfa Harvest Considerations Fall Thistle Control in Pastures

(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.
Recommendations for harvesting lodged soybeans In the Weeds podcast on water quality farming Myth-busting phosphorus in your field

(30 Sep)
the Bulletin: Pest mgmt & crop developmt information for Illinois
Univ. of Illinois
Is Fall a Good Time to Apply Nitrogen?

(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.
Woolly Bears in Late Maturing Soybean Fields Practicing Fire Safety at Harvest Market Your Crop Residue Using the Crop Residue Exchange

(23 Sep)
Minnesota Crop News
Univ. of Minnesota Extension
Fall fertilizer decisions: Research and recommendations to consider this year Prepare for corn harvest

(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
Podcast: Weed management in fall and what to do with weed escapes Corn yield forecasts and grain dry-down guidelines Managing Foreign Material in Soybeans: Pre-harvest preparations

(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.

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.

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)