Ag PhD Full Episodes
6 Seasons
Hosted by Brian and Darren Hefty, Ag PhD brings new information on how to improve crop health throughout the season, protect the environment, and produce more yields at harvest. New episodes weekly.
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How 2,4-D & Dicamba Work, White Mold in Soybeans, Scouting Corn Fields | Ag PhD
Episode 1418
Brian and Darren explain how 2,4-D and dicamba kill weeds. They also discuss ways to reduce white mold pressure, and what to look for in your corn fields this summer.
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Scouting & Scholarships, Treatments for Alfalfa, Volunteer Corn Control | Ag PhD
Episode 1417
In less than 30 minutes the Heftys nurture the next generation of agronomists, save your alfalfa, and vanquish corn's trickiest enemy: itself! The Weed of the Week is henbit, and can you catch Darren's drift in Iron Talk? (Except there is no drift!)
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Short Corn, Flag Leaf & Heading Applications, Plant Tissue Analysis | Ag PhD
Episode 1416
Brian and Darren talk about the advantages and potential drawbacks of having shorter corn plants. They also discuss what you should apply to your wheat at flag leaf and heading time, and how to improve your fertility program by doing plant tissue sampling.
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Satellite Imagery, Post-Emerge Soybean Residuals, In-Crop Soil Testing | Ag PhD
Episode 1415
This week, the Heftys take you from outer space to below your soil's surface, and help you manage your soybeans in between. Saddle up to fight the Weed of the Week, marestail, and we'll end with a lesson from Dad.
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Herbicide Resistance, Post-Emerge Corn Herbicides, Liberty Use in Soybeans
Episode 1414
Brian and Darren discuss how weeds can become resistant to herbicides. They also go over some products you could use to control weeds in corn post-emerge, and how to get the most out of Liberty herbicide in soybeans.
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Products From Soybeans, 2025 Rebate Programs, Weeds in Enlist Soybeans | Ag PhD
Episode 1413
If you're a soybean farmer, Brian and Darren made this show just for you! First they tell you what you can make out of soybeans, then they save you money using reward programs, and later it's how to get better weed control in Enlist beans. Quackgrass and dirty sprayers are also tackled.
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2025 Ag PhD Field Day, Calcareous Soil, Plant Growth Regulators | Ag PhD
Episode 1412
Brian and Darren invite you to attend the Ag PhD Field Day on July 31, 2025. They also discuss how to deal with excess calcium in soil, and how plant growth regulators can improve your crops.
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Row Cleaners, Insecticides Modes of Action, Spring Pasture Management | Ag PhD
Episode 1411
It's that time of the year to make sure your planter does more than plant, your bug killer is not killing the wrong bugs, and your cows can finally enjoy the lush grasses again. The Weed of the Week is black nightshade, and the science of water is revealed in Iron Talk.
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Biological and Natural Products, Soybean Gall Midge, Establishing Alfalfa
Episode 1410
Brian and Darren discuss harnessing nature and using it to grow better crops. They also talk about ways to fight gall midge in your soybeans, as well as how to have a productive alfalfa crop.
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Scouting & Scholarships, Soy Defensive Traits, Incorporating Herbicides | Ag PhD
Episode 1409
Spring fever is on at the Hefty farm, as Brian and Darren share how to improve your soybeans, improve your early herbicides, and an opportunity to improve the next generation of farmers! The Weed of the Week is a real dandy, and Darren is talking iron as always.
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Rhizomes, Stolons, and Tubers, Corn Rootworm Control, First Spray Pass in Wheat
Episode 1408
Brian and Darren explain some different root structures of plants. They also offer tips on controlling corn rootworms, and what you should put in the spray tank for your first pass in wheat.
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Products From Corn, Grain Bins in the Spring, Soybean Seed Treatments | Ag PhD
Episode 1407
The Hefty brothers spring forward, by celebrating corn's many uses, giving bins some attention, and bathing seeds in TLC. Weed of the Week, dame's rocket, is on the launch pad, and Iron Talk takes you from a handful of soil to seeing the big picture this spring.
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Crop Insurance First Plant Date, Talc Products in Corn, Three Pre's in Soybeans
Episode 1406
Brian and Darren explain how crop insurance affects how early a farmer can plant. They also discuss applying products on corn seed with your talc, and keys to getting great weed control in soybeans by using the "Three Pre Program."
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The Drought Monitor, Pop-Up Fertilizer Advice, Burning Down Cover Crops | Ag PhD
Episode 1405
The Hefty brothers help you get tuned up for spring with: an excellent drought data source, a primer on feeding your seeds, and all about how to transition from cover to cash crops. Plus a foxy foe is this week's weed, and planter equipment tips in Iron Talk.
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Allelopathy in Plants, Early Corn Planting, Herbicide Rotational Restrictions
Episode 1404
Brian and Darren discuss how plants protect themselves naturally through allelopathy, how to successfully plant corn early this season, and how you can avoid herbicide carryover issues.
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Water Table, Chemical Component Chart, Tips for Early Planted Soybeans | Ag PhD
Episode 1403
Class is in session, as the Heftys give lessons on the water beneath your feet, the chemistry in your sprayer, and the best way to get a head start on your beans. Plus wheat is a weed this week, and Darren shows us around the Hefty Morton farm shop.
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Crop Rotation, Spray Water Quality, Corn Planting Population | Ag PhD
Episode 1402
Brian and Darren explain why farmers alternate which crops they plant, why the quality of the water you use for spraying is important, and things to consider when increasing or decreasing your corn planting population.
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Kinsey Soil Seminar 2025, Insecticide Modes of Action, XtendFlex Without Dicamba
Episode 1401
Ready for some new ideas? The Hefty brothers invite you to learn soils from a world expert, teach you about insecticide chemistry, and alternatives in soybean weed management. Plus, the Weed of the Week is prickly lettuce, with an Iron Talk on using your computer.
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Insect Life Cycles, Drought-Proof Your Crop, Combination Corn Pre Herbicides
Episode 1400
Brian and Darren discuss how farmers deal with insects differently, depending on their life cycles. They also offer tips on how to help your crop handle dry conditions, and talk about what to consider when choosing a multiple-mode-of-action pre-emerge corn herbicide.
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Ag PhD Soybean Workshop, Comparing the Top Corn Traits, Burning Residue | Ag PhD
Episode 1399
The Heftys help you choose the right corn traits, and the best way to manage residue. Everyone's invited to the free Soybean Workshop. Plus getting one over on clover, and a fert placement two-step that'll save you money.
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2025 Ag PhD Soils Clinic, Herbicide Modes of Action, Corn Pre-Emerge Herbicides
Episode 1398
Brian and Darren invite you to attend the Ag PhD Soils Clinic on February 4, 2025. They also discuss using the Ag PhD Modes of Action app to plan your herbicide program, and then go into detail about Group 15 herbicides you could use in corn.
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Insects Over the Winter, New Products and Tech in Wheat, Row Spacing | Ag PhD
Episode 1397
How do bugs survive the cold, what's new in wheat, and what's the correct planting distance for crops? Plus velvetleaf Weed of the Week, and applying micros in Iron Talk.
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2025 Ag PhD Corn Workshop, Cutting Herbicide Rates, The Importance of Sulfur
Episode 1396
Darren and Brian invite you to attend the Ag PhD Corn Workshop on January 15, 2025. They also discuss whether or not you could cut your herbicide rates and still get effective weed control, then talk about the reasons to apply sulfur and how to get the most out of that application.