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.

(12 Aug)
August Crop Production Report Panel Discussion
An online panel discussion immediately following the release of USDA’s August Crop Production and World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) reports. Purdue’ Dean of Agriculture Karen Plaut will be joined by Purdue ag economists James Mintert and Michael Langemeier, Purdue agronomists Bob Nielsen (corn) and Shaun Casteel (soybeans) in addition to Indiana State Climatologist, Beth Hall to discuss findings on the reports and implications for agricultural producers and agribusinesses. Pre-registration is required to obtain the link for the live discussion.

(18 Aug)
Virtual Cover Crop Field Day
Organized by Univ. of Minnesota Extension.

(19 Aug)
Pinney-Purdue Ag. Center VIRTUAL Field Day
This live, albeit virtual, program begins 9:00 CDT / 10:00 EDT. Organized by Purdue Extension. Register to receive the link to the virtual field day and a copy of the field day program.

(20 Aug)
Northeast-Purdue Ag. Center VIRTUAL Field Day
This live, albeit virtual, program begins at 8:00 EDT and ends 11:00 EDT. Organized by Purdue Extension. Registration is required to receive the link to the virtual field day.

(27 Aug)
Davis-Purdue Ag. Center VIRTUAL Field Day
This live, albeit virtual, program begins at 8:00 EDT and ends 12:00 EDT. Organized by Purdue Extension. Register to obtain the login information.

(1 - 3 Sep)
~~Farm Progress Show~~
CANCELLED (COVID-19). near Boone, IA. Organized by Farm Progress Company.

(3 Sep)
Crops Field Day at Purdue's Agronomy Farm
near West Lafayette, IN. Organized by Purdue Extension.

(9 Sep)
Late Season Crop Diagnostic Training
Pinney Purdue Ag. Center, near Wanatah IN. Organized by Purdue Extension.

(15 - 17 Sep)
~~Husker Harvest Days~~
CANCELLED (COVID-19). Near Grand Island, NE. Organized by Farm Progress Company.

(18 Sep)
MSU Agriculture Innovation Day
Forest Biomass Innovation Center, Escanaba, Michigan. Organized by Michigan State Univ. Extension.

(19 Sep)
Southern Indiana Purdue Ag. Center Field Day
Near Patoka Reservoir in Dubois County, IN. Organized by Purdue Extension.

(22 - 24 Sep)
Ohio Farm Science Review
Near London, OH. Organized by Ohio State Univ. College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

(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 Conference
Marriott East Hotel, Indianapolis, IN. Organized by Purdue Extension & the Indiana CCA Program. Pre-registration encouraged.

(15 - 17 Dec)
Indiana Farm Equipment & Technology Expo
Indiana State Fairgrounds, Indianapolis, IN. Organized by Hoosier Ag Today and Farm World.

(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.

(10 - 13 Feb)
National Farm Machinery Show
Kentucky Exposition Center, Louisville, KY.

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

(4 Aug)
Kernel Set Scuttlebutt
RL (Bob) Nielsen, Purdue Univ.

(4 Aug)
Ohio C.O.R.N. Newsletter
The Ohio State Univ.
Drought Conditions Expand but Some Relief Ensues Ten Counties on WBC Scout List as Statewide Numbers Begin to Decrease NRCS Seeks Comments on 590 Nutrient Management Standard Update

(3 Aug)
South Dakota Pest & Crop Newsletter
South Dakota State Univ.
Pest and Crop Q&A Webinar Aphid Populations Are Starting to Show up in Corn Dry Conditions Are Ideal for Spider Mite Activity Winter Wheat Variety Trial Results Southern Rust, Bacterial Leaf Streak, and Eyespot Are Developing in Corn Start Scouting for Grasshopper Activity in Crops and Grasslands

(3 Aug)
Soybean Crop Potential Tempering Demand News
Todd Hubbs, Univ of Illinois farmdocDAILY

(31 July)
Purdue Pest & Crop Newsletter
Purdue Univ.
Rootworm Beetles Are Pollen Feeders...More Than Just Corn! 2020 Western Bean Cutworm Pheromone Trap Report Foliar Disease Update In Indiana Corn And Soybean Communicate Seeding Date Carefully – Someone Is Listening Indiana Climate And Weather Outlook

(31 July)
Nebraska Crop Watch Newsletter
Univ. of Nebraska.
2020 Custom Rates Statewide Summary Available Estimating a Fair Value for Standing Forage USDA Investigates Packages of Unsolicited Seeds from China Identifying Spider Mite Damage and the Species Responsible Managing Spider Mites in Corn and Soybean 2020 Weed Management Field Days Available Online

(31 July)
Kansas Agronomy E-update
Kansas State Univ.
Plant analysis for testing nutrient levels in soybeans Southeast Kansas 2020 wheat variety test results Cover crops grown post-wheat for forage under dryland conditions in the High Plains

(30 July 2020)
Minnesota Crop News
Univ. of Minnesota Extension
Walk, Hoe, Map and Mow: Your best August weed control plan for Minnesota soybeans Double check your forage equipment settings How to ensure efficient crop irrigation management Performance of summer-seeded cover crops Will two-spotted spider mites throw a curve ball at the 2020 Minnesota crop? Nitrogen Smart: Interactive online course can help farmers increase profitability, improve water quality

(30 July 2020)
Keep an eye out for southern rust
Nathan Kleczewski, Univ. of Illinois.

(30 July)
Michigan Extension Field Crops News
Michigan State Univ.
July/August corn water needs Corn and soybean harvest: Make sure to calibrate your yield monitor and get paid for it! Cover crops are on deck as wheat and other small grains are being harvested Identifying risks for COVID-19 exposures in the workplace: Agriculture

(28 July)
Threecornered Alfalfa Hopper Found Cutting Soybeans
Raul T. Villanueva and Gregory K Drake, Univ. of Kentucky.

(28 July)
Ohio C.O.R.N. Newsletter
The Ohio State Univ.
ODA Asks Public to Not Plant any Unsolicited Packages of Seeds Western Bean Cutworm Numbers Continue to Increase 2020 Ohio Wheat Performance Test New Crop Staging Videos Climate and Hydrology Pattern to Relax in August

(28 July)
Iowa Integrated Crop Management Newsletter
Iowa State Univ.
Scout Now for Palmer Amaranth Unsolicited seed packages in mail

(27 July)
South Dakota Pest & Crop Newsletter
South Dakota State Univ.
Pest and Crop Q&A Webinar Summer Severe Weather Safety Corn Rootworm Adults Are Active in South Dakota Caterpillars Active in South Dakota Corn Fields Steps to Prevent Stored Grain Infestations Deciding on Fungicide Application to Manage Mid-Late Season Soybean Leaf Fungal Diseases Cover Crop Considerations for 2020

(24 July)
Purdue Pest & Crop Newsletter
Purdue Univ.
Why Are Corn Leaves Turning White? VIDEO: Scouting Western Bean Cutworm Post-Whorl, Possible But Tedious 2020 Western Bean Cutworm Pheromone Trap Report Decapitation Of Corn Plants By Deer Notched Leaf Edges In Corn Environmental Conditions Affect Time To Safe Hay Baling Be On The Lookout For (Hemp) Borers VIDEO: Volunteer Corn Control In Enlist and Xtend Soybeans Hope For A Heat Wave Relief Period

(24 July)
Nebraska Crop Watch Newsletter
Univ. of Nebraska.
Identifying Spider Mite Damage and the Species Responsible Managing Spider Mites in Corn and Soybean Wheat Stem Sawfly Infestations Continue to Impact Harvest in the Nebraska Panhandle Cercospora Leaf Spot Detected in the Panhandle Blister Beetle in Alfalfa Selecting Winter Wheat Varieties - Best for Your Cropping System Reducing Nitrate Concerns When Grazing Forage Cover Crops

(24 July)
Kansas Agronomy E-update
Kansas State Univ.
Critical timing in Kansas: High temperatures and corn development Learn how to estimate corn yield potential In-season Palmer amaranth control in grain sorghum New cover crop publication discusses planting cereal rye after corn harvest Updated 2020 Wheat Variety Disease and Insect Rating publication 2019 Kansas Summer Annual Forage Hay and Silage Variety Trial final report

(23 July)
Wisconsin Crop Manager Newsletter
Univ. of Wisconsin
Lodged Corn? Can You Dig It? Wisconsin Soybean White Mold Update Corn Silk Clipping Insects and Economic Thresholds Corn Tar Spot Update Soybean Gall Midge Two-spotted Spider Mites

(23 July)
Michigan Extension Field Crops News
Michigan State Univ.
Learn about planting cover crops after wheat on the July 30 Field Crops Virtual Breakfast Million-dollar rain Potato leafhoppers are doing more harm than alfalfa growers may realize White mold management in Michigan dry beans

(23 July)
Planning a Late Summer Perennial Forage Seeding?
Brian Lang, Meaghan Anderson, and Rebecca Vitoe; Iowa State Univ. Extension.

(22 July)
Minnesota Crop News
Univ. of Minnesota Extension
Tissue sampling tips for corn, soybean, sugarbeet and wheat

(22 July)
Southern Rust Confirmed in Kentucky
KyGrains.info, Univ of Kentucky

(22 July)
Phytophthora Root and Stem Rot Being Observed in Some Soybean Fields
KyGrains.info, Univ of Kentucky

(21 July)
South Dakota Pest & Crop Newsletter
South Dakota State Univ.
Pest and Crop Q&A Webinar Late Summer 2020 Climate Outlook Soybean Defoliators Are Active Integrating Perennial Crops in Annual Crop Rotations Monitor Soybean and Sunflower for Alfalfa Webworm Caterpillars Soybean Gall Midge Larvae in South Dakota Soybean Slugs Causing Issues in Some South Dakota Wheat Fields Check Alfalfa for Blister Beetle Activity Start Scouting Fields for Thistle Caterpillar Activity Snails Observed in South Dakota Sunflower Grasshoppers Are Causing Concerns in Close-to-Harvest Winter Wheat Is a Fungicide Applied at Tasseling Profitable in Corn? Monitor Livestock, Pets and Yourself for Eye Gnat Activity Check Fields for Palmer Amaranth

(21 July)
Ohio C.O.R.N. Newsletter
The Ohio State Univ.
Western Bean Cutworm Numbers Continue to Increase Drought Returns to Ohio Heat Alert – Farm Workers at Increased Risk this Summer Leafhoppers, Grasshoppers, and Beetles, Oh My! Late Summer Establishment of Perennial Forages Short-Season Forages for Late Summer Planting

(20 July)
Notched Leaf Edges in Corn
RL (Bob) Nielsen, Purdue Univ.

(20 July)
Decapitation of Corn Plants by Deer
RL (Bob) Nielsen, Purdue Univ.

(20 July)
Mid-summer crop update: Growing conditions and nutrient management
Nutrient Management Podcast, Univ. of Minnesota Extension

(20 July)
Scouting Reminders for Spider Mites
Erin Hodgson, Iowa State Univ. Extension

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)