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

Educational Events

Private Pesticide Applicator Recertification Programs

Commercial Pesticide Applicator CCH Programs (OISC)

Click month to display events. Click again to close.

(3 Mar)
Strategic Farming 2021: Making every acre pay
Online crop production 30-minute Webinars hosted by the Univ. Minnesota Extension. Pre-register to receive login details.

(4 - 6 Mar 2021)
Commodity Classic - Digital Experience
Originally scheduled to be held in San Antonio, TX, the Classic transitions to a virtual format for 2021 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Presented by national corn, soy, wheat, and sorghum associations plus the Association of Equipment Mfgrs.

(4 - 6 Mar)
Indiana Small Farm Conference
This year's conference will be 100% online. Organized by Purdue Extension.

(9 - 11 Mar)
Fort Wayne Farm Show
CANCELLED DUE TO CONTINUING COVID-19 HEALTH CONCERNS.

(9 - 12 Mar)
Conservation Tillage & Technology Conference
The annual Conservation Tillage & Technology Conference in March 2021 will be virtual. Instead of the usual 2-day conference at Ada, Ohio. Organized by Ohio Extension.

(10 Mar)
Strategic Farming 2021: What insects are bugging your corn?
Online crop production 30-minute Webinars hosted by the Univ. Minnesota Extension. Pre-register to receive login details.

(17 Mar)
Strategic Farming 2021: SCN: So tough a threat, it warrants a coalition
Online crop production 30-minute Webinars hosted by the Univ. Minnesota Extension. Pre-register to receive login details.

(24 Mar)
Strategic Farming 2021: SCN: Stand establishment for corn and soybean
Online crop production 30-minute Webinars hosted by the Univ. Minnesota Extension. Pre-register to receive login details.

(31 Mar - 3 Apr)
National Farm Machinery Show
CANCELLED DUE TO CONTINUING COVID-19 HEALTH CONCERNS

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

UPDATED Tri-State (IN/MI/OH) Fertilizer Recommendations for Corn, Soybean, Wheat, and Alfalfa now available in hard copy or as a free PDF download.

Timely News Articles

(24 Feb)
Minnesota Crop News
Univ. of Minnesota Extension
What the latest research says about nutrient management in tile drainage systems Is It Cold Enough Yet? What Winter Can Tell Us About Insects in 2021

(23 Feb)
the Bulletin: Pest mgmt & crop development information for Illinois
Univ. of Illinois
Additional Illinois-Specific Dicamba Restrictions For Applications In Soybean Midwestern Hemp Database: 2020 Research Report

(18 Feb)
Kansas Agronomy E-update
Kansas State Univ.
Potential for winterkill to the Kansas wheat crop Expectations for a late-emerged winter wheat crop Factors involved in winter survival of canola in Kansas Late winter kochia control in fields going to soybeans, sunflowers, and wheat Soil temperature impacts on western corn rootworm 2020 Kansas Performance Tests with soybean varieties report Herbicide application practices in Kansas Soybean seedling diseases webinar series to begin on Feb. 23 Great Plains Cotton Conference, February 23 & 24 Crop Talk webinar series for northwest and north central Kansas

(17 Feb)
Iowa Integrated Crop Management Newsletter
Iowa State Univ.
2020 Summary of Foliar Fungicide Trials on Corn in Iowa

(16 Feb)
Ohio C.O.R.N. Newsletter
The Ohio State Univ.
Health and Safety Recommendations for On-Farm Grain Bin Facilities Summary of Multi-State State Research on Soybean Row Width, Planting Date, and Plant Population Corn and Soybean School: Q and A on Corn Disease Management with Fungicides Considerations of a Flexible Lease Arrangement Certified Livestock Manager Training Webinar Series Register Now for Virtual CTC Updated Tri-State Fertilizer Recommendation Webinar Lady Landowners Leaving a Legacy Series

(15 Feb)
Everything in Moderation When Applying Potash
Jim Camberato and Shaun Casteel, Purdue Univ. Agronomy

(11 Feb)
Kansas Agronomy E-update
Kansas State Univ.
Late winter kochia control in fields going to corn or grain sorghum Cover crop termination considerations 2020 Kansas Performance Tests with Corn Hybrids report now available corn Save the Date - Great Plains Cotton Conference, February 23 & 24 New Crop Talk webinar series for northwest and north central Kansas

(12 Feb)
Considerations for Frozen Ground Nitrogen Applications
Edwin Ritchey, John Grove, and Josh McGrath; KyGrains.info, Univ of Kentucky

(11 Feb)
Iowa Integrated Crop Management Newsletter
Iowa State Univ.
2020 Summary of Herbicide Evaluations for Marestail (Horseweed) Control in Soybean ISU SCN-resistant Soybean Variety Trial Program results for 2020 Summary of 2020 Insecticide Evaluations for Soybean Pests

(9 Feb)
Minnesota Crop News
Univ. of Minnesota Extension
What is the best soil test option for phosphorus? Gopher Coffee Shop podcast: Phosphorus and potassium

(5 Feb)
Filter the Kool-Aid Before You Drink It!
RL (Bob) Nielsen, Purdue Univ.: YouTube video (60:00 mins)

(4 Feb)
Purdue Crop Chat: More Precipitation is Needed
Shaun Casteel, Bob Nielsen, and Eric Pfeiffer. Purdue Extension & Hoosier Ag Today.

(2 Feb)
Pennsylvania Agronomic Crop News
Pennsylvania State Univ. Extension
Comparing Xtend and Enlist E3 Soybean Systems

(2 Feb)
Ohio C.O.R.N. Newsletter
The Ohio State Univ.
Ag Tech Tuesday Webinars Highlight 2020 eFields Results Soil Health Webinar Focuses on Cover Crop Management Corn College and Soybean School Upcoming Cold Temperatures and Winter Wheat Herbicide Resistance in Ohio Waterhemp Populations Fertility Calculator for Ohio Recommendations - Version Update Crop Diversification to Improve Your Bottom Line Conservation Tillage and Technology Conference Will Be Virtual Spraying Done Right!

(26 Jan)
Crop Resilience to "Normal" Weather
RL (Bob) Nielsen, Purdue Univ.: YouTube video (25:05 mins)

(21 Jan)
Kansas Agronomy E-update
Kansas State Univ.
Sunflower disease management in Kansas 2021 wheat variety fall forage yield comparison Emergency measures to control wind erosion World of Weeds: Marestail 2021 Kansas Corn School webinar series - Feb. 4 and 11 North Central Experiment Field Winter Update - January 27

(20 Jan)
Pennsylvania Agronomic Crop News
Pennsylvania State Univ. Extension
Updated Crop Management Guides Available for 2021 Did I Sell My Grain Too Soon? What’s New for Agronomic Weed Control in 2021

(20 JAN)
Ohio C.O.R.N. Newsletter
The Ohio State Univ.
Gibberella Ear Rot and Vomitoxin in Corn Upcoming Agronomy Team Programs Soil Health Seminar Focuses on What Soil Health Tests Tell You Improved Soil Health Linked to Nitrogen Fertilizer Efficiency Across Corn Belt Northwest Ohio Corn and Soybean Day - January 21 New Private Pesticide Applicator Virtual Training Water Quality Wednesday OSU Extension to Host "Planning for the Future of Your Farm" Workshop

(14 Jan)
2020 Univ. of Kentucky Corn Research Report
KyGrains.info, Univ of Kentucky

(14 Jan)
2020 Univ. of Kentucky Soybean Research Report
KyGrains.info, Univ of Kentucky

(14 Jan)
South Dakota Pest & Crop Newsletter
South Dakota State Univ.
SDSU Extension’s Soybean Week Dives Into Pest Management, Soil Health and 2021 Outlook SDSU Southeast Farm Virtual Annual Meeting New Training Options Available for Pesticide Applicators in 2021 South Dakota Pest Management Guides

(14 Jan)
the Bulletin: Pest mgmt & crop development information for Illinois
Univ. of Illinois
Make Sure You Know ALL The Changes For 2021 Dicamba Applications In Soybean

(13 Jan)
Minnesota Crop News
Univ. of Minnesota Extension
Over-application of potash containing chloride can hurt soybean yields Reducing Bt-trait acres in 2021 Minnesota corn production? Implications for European corn borer

(13 Jan)
Covered Cropland vs. Cover Crops: Broadening the Perspective
Carl Zulauf, Gary Schnitkey, Krista Swanson, Nick Paulson, and Joe Janzen, Univ of Illinois farmdocDAILY

(11 Jan)
Iowa Integrated Crop Management Newsletter
Iowa State Univ.
SCN-resistant Soybean Variety Trial Program results for 2020 Summary of 2020 Insecticide Evaluations for Soybean Pests

(6 Jan)

High Yield Corn: Philosophies & Strategies

RL (Bob) Nielsen, Purdue Univ.

Full YouTube video (1:04:03)
Shorter viewing options: Part 1 (24:10), Part 2 (27:30), Part 3 (26:28)

(6 Jan)
On-farm Research: Why and How?
RL (Bob) Nielsen, Purdue Univ.: YouTube video (56:13)

(5 Jan)
Ohio C.O.R.N. Newsletter
The Ohio State Univ.
Agricultural Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage for the 2021 Crop Year Let the 2020 eFields Report Help You Reach Your Farm’s New Year’s Resolutions Register Now for Upcoming Virtual Agronomy Team Programs Water Quality Wednesday Farm Office Live Winter Edition Organic Production Winter Webinar Series

(5 Jan)
Minnesota Crop News
Univ. of Minnesota Extension
How to take a good manure sample Reducing weed seed and foreign material in soybeans for export

(5 Jan)
Average Corn and Soybean Yields Across the Midwest
Gary Schnitkey, Carl Zulauf, Nick Paulson, and Krista Swanson, 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

Tri-State Fertilizer Recommendations for Corn, Soybean, Wheat, and Alfalfa: Order hard copy; Download PDF copy (free)

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)