Season 4 Episodes 1 & 2: Explore the key factors setting the stage for spring success. From evolving weather patterns to the latest developments in trade, tariffs, and fertilizer policy, this lesson offers timely insights to help you plan with confidence.
Season 4 Episodes 3 & 4: Discover practical ways farmers can protect their margins and make informed decisions heading into the season. This lesson breaks down crop prices, input costs, and changing crop acres, plus data-driven strategies for maximizing fertilizer ROI without compromising long-term soil health.
Season 4 Episodes 5 & 7: These episodes unpack the latest university-driven changes to nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium recommendations for grain crops and highlight the growing need to adapt fertility practices to changing soil conditions and crop removal rates. You’ll also learn how to maximize the benefits of starter fertilizers to improve early-season growth, nutrient use efficiency, and long-term ROI.
Season 4 Episodes 6 & 8: These episodes dig into two very different, but equally nutrient-driven topics: how to maximize the agronomic, environmental, and economic value of manure, and how to manage the uniquely demanding inputs of sweet potato production. Listeners will learn about manure’s nutrient cycling, testing, transport, and odor control, alongside practical insights into soil type, fertility planning, and pest management for one of agriculture’s most complex specialty crops.
Season 4 Episodes 9 & 12:These two episodes explore the essential role of potassium in crop health, yield potential, and nutrient efficiency across diverse cropping systems. You’ll learn how to spot potassium deficiency, understand crop-specific demands, and use both proactive and in-season management strategies to correct imbalances and maintain soil fertility over time.
Season 4 Episodes 10 & 16: In these two episodes of The Dirt, you’ll learn how cover crops can enhance soil health, reduce erosion, and support nutrient cycling when used with clear agronomic goals in mind. You’ll also explore why potatoes have uniquely high and precise nutrient demands, and how tailored fertility strategies can improve yield, quality, and long-term soil performance.
Season 4 Episode 13: In this episode of The Dirt, Dr. Fabian Fernandez joins Mike Howell to share practical, research-backed insights on nitrogen management for corn. You’ll learn how to reduce nitrogen loss, optimize application timing, and adapt strategies based on soil type, drainage, and regional growing conditions.
Season 4 Episode 17, 21, 22: This lesson links purpose-driven ag careers, the Calgary Stampede’s role as a year-round bridge between producers and consumers, and practical, science-based agronomy.
Season 4 Episode 19, 23: This lesson covers two tightly linked essentials: protecting people and protecting product. It covers farm-side emergency basics from bleeding control/tourniquets, heat illness, snakebites, and tetanus readiness, then shifts to keeping fertilizer safe and usable with smart storage.
Season 4 Episode 20, 24: A two-episode dive linking ecosystem science with practical agronomy: why sulfur matters, how it sharpens nitrogen use efficiency and canola performance, and how to apply 4R thinking.
Season 4 Episode 25, 29, 30: A three-part exploration of how plants communicate—through growth, stress, and even signal networks. Learn how environmental swings led to tight tassel wrap in corn and what it reveals about pollination timing, then see how biosensor technology is giving crops a literal voice to guide smarter decisions. Finally, discover how farmers in the desert Southwest turn precision, water efficiency, and innovation into resilience in one of the world’s toughest growing environments.
Season 4 Episode 27, 28: A two-part lesson linking field management from stadiums to farm fields. Learn the science behind maintaining safe, natural turf surfaces and see how those same agronomic principles apply at scale through precise nitrogen management across climates. From sand-based football fields to prairie grain farms, it’s all about optimizing conditions, minimizing loss, and managing every nutrient wisely.
Season 3 Episode 1: A new study shows farmers and consumers differ on key agricultural issues. Find out why it matters, how we can bridge the divide and take the quiz to earn credits.
1 CEU credit for Professional Development.
Season 3 Episode 2: Nitrogen loss is a significant challenge for farmers. Complete this lesson to gain valuable insights into the main causes of nitrogen loss and discover practical methods to prevent it.
1 CEU credit for Nutrient Management.
Season 3 Episode 3: Discover the impact of grass varieties, regionality and soil testing for lawns, then dive into actions you can take to improve your lawn and other turf grasses.
0.5 CEU credits for Nutrient Management.
Season 3 Episode 4: Learn how salts accumulate in soil, when they become limiting to plant growth and how salinity can impact your ability to manage your soils.
0.5 CEU credits for Soil and Water
Season 3 Episode 5: Dive into the benefits, risks and precautions to take when mixing liquid fertilizers.
Episode 7: Dig into the effects that your water source can have on those same fertilizers.
1 CEU credit for Nutrient Management
Season 3 Episode 6: Mental health can be a challenging subject to tackle, especially in the world of agriculture. Find out how and why mental health can be a challenge for this industry, who to reach out to in times of need and how to help others who are struggling.
0.5 CEU credits for Professional Development
Season 3 Episode 8: Potassium content varies across the country and even across the same farm. Learn about potassium needs and issues in this lesson.
Episode 10: Gain a deeper understanding of your soils and nutrient management with soil testing, as well as details to consider for getting the most accurate results.
Season 3 Episode 9: New court rulings took dicamba-based herbicides off the market for American farmers in two major crops. Learn about the impacts this will have on US-based growers.
0.5 CEU credit for Professional Development
Season 3 Episodes 15: Take a closer look at forage production in North America and how to best maintain soil fertility for maximum production.
Episode 17: Discover how farmers can positively contribute to the conservation of wildlife using their unproductive land.
1 CEU credit for Nutrient Management
Season 3 Episode 16: Learn how soil moisture can impact your crops and nutrient management plans, then gain valuable insights into how subsurface moisture works and the innovative technologies we can use to measure it.
Episode 18: Dig into the study of soil science and what innovators are doing to teach more people about the importance of soil.
1 CEU credit for Soil & Water Management
Season 3 Episode 20: Learn about the past, present and future of the fertilizer industry and how the past impacts farming today.
1 CEU Credit for Professional Development
Season 3 Episode 21: Learn how essential nutrients are the health of crops, how crop nutrition is changing over the years and how crop nutrition research happens at an academic level.
0.5 CEU for Nutrient Management
Season 3 Episode 22: Learn how the FRST program can help you better understand soil test recommendations using collective soil test data.
0.5 CEU for Nutrient Management
Season 3 Episode 25: How are farmers represented on Capitol Hill? Find out, and discover recent policy priorities for agriculture and what the latest Farm Bill entails.
0.5 CEU for Professional Development
Season 3 Episode 26: Learn more about fall-applied nitrogen, including steps you can take to reduce loss, some common sources of fall-applied nitrogen, and currently available products.
0.5 CEU for Nutrient Management
Season 3, Episode 27: Complete this lesson to learn about the most recent recommendations in potassium and phosphorus levels, how these nutrients impact crop production and how they can support growers in achieving their yield and profitability goals.
1 CEU Credit for Nutrient Management
Season 3 Episode 28: In this lesson, you’ll learn about the logistics of spring and fall applications of both phosphorus and potassium, the impact of weather on your applications and more.
1 CEU credit for Nutrient Management
Season 3 Episode 31: Learn more about nutrient management from Brady Goettl, the Assistant Professor of Extension Soil Science with North Dakota State University. This lesson discusses nutrient management through the lens of building nutrient banks and boosting yields.
0.5 CEU Credit for Nutrient Management
Season 3 Episode 32: In this lesson, we tackle nutrient management through soil test calibration, optimal nutrient application and addressing soil acidity through precise liming practices.
0.5 CEU Credit for Nutrient Management
Season 3 Episode 34: Listen to this podcast episode and discover which crops are commonly grown in the tropics, the challenges tropical growers face and more about farming in Trinidad and Tobago.
0.5 CEU Credit for Professional Development
Season 3 Episode 35: Dive into the history of potash, a valuable crop resource. This lesson covers potash production and mining in the province of Saskatchewan.
0.5 CEU Credit for Professional Development
Season 3 Episode 36: Uncover the relationship between sulfur and nitrogen, from achieving balanced nutrition and addressing deficiencies to the latest industry research.
0.5 CEU Credit for Nutrient Management
Season 2 Episode 1: Dr. Brian Arnall joins Mike Howell to look at ongoing research into the ways biostimulants can improve nitrogen fixing in the soil, reduce nitrogen use, phosphorus, glucose and the challenges and opportunities this technology may offer.
0.5 CEU credit for Nutrient Management.
Season 2 Episode 2: The Dirt looks at a high-yielding corn grower in Virginia and what the fertilizer he is doing there! Mike Howell talks to Heath Cutrell and Fenton Eure about ESN, equipment, tissue-testing and more.
Episode 9: Trent Roberts from the University of Arkansas shares his experience growing rice in the mid-south. The unique crop needs special attention to water and nutrient management.
0.5 CEU credit for Nutrient Management
Season 2 Episode 3: Idaho potato farmer Ryan Christensen talks potato fertility, nitrogen and water management this week on The Dirt.
Episode 6: Dr. Trent Irby discusses the changes in soybean production including more intensive management, changes in planting dates and fertilizer use.
1 CEU credit for Crop Nutrition.
Season 2 Episode 5: Lyle Cowell talks about Canada’s golden crop; Canola. What makes it special and why it grows so well on the Canadian Prairies? We talk timing, fertility, pests & soil health.
Episode 25: DeDe Jones and Jourdan Bell from Texas A&M AgriLife share the financial benefits of deep soil testing and why farmers should consider implementing it on their operations.
0.5 CEU credit for Nutrient Management
Season 2 Episode 7: Dr. Glen Harris from the University of Georgia joins Mike Howell to discuss how good fertilization leads to good crop yields. They take a look at improving cotton and peanut nutrients through fertilization of essential elements such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulfur. Many farmers in southern Georgia rotate their cotton crop with peanuts.
0.5 CEU credit for Nutrient Management
Season 2 Episodes 10 & 11: Mike Howell meets some of the leading researchers and scientists at The Sulphur World Symposium, to discuss what growers need to know about a growing sulfur deficiency around the world.
Some of these guests include:
– Ron Olson, Senior Agronomist, The Sulphur Institute (TSI)
– Dr. Shamie Zingore, Director of Research and Development for the African Plant Nutrition Institute (APNI)
– Rob Mikkelsen, Director, Agronomic Services, YARA
Episode 15: With sulfur deficiencies on the rise, Dr. Karl Wyant, Nutrien’s Director of Agronomy, highlights the need for fertilizer supplementation. Learn what to look for and the different sulfur fertilizer options available.
1 CEU credit for Nutrient Management
Season 2 Episode 13: Dr. Darrin Dodds shares his years of experience managing ag data and statistics. He talks about side-by-side and small plot trials – which provides better statistics? Know the right questions to ask and how to make more informed decisions with data.
0.5 CEU credit for Nutrient Management
Season 2 Episode 14: Learn why chloride is so critical to most plants and crops, how it works and how to manage it.
Episode 17: The Dirt talks about drought. Drought conditions are shifting this year but large portions of the seeded acres are still under drought stress. What does this mean for growers and what are ways to manage this challenge this year and in the long term.
0.5 CEU credit for Nutrient Management
Season 2 Episode 24: Dr. Alan Blaylock, Senior Agronomist with Nutrien shares the 5 key concepts he feels are critical for healthy soil.
0.5 CEU credit for Nutrient Management
Season 1 Episode 1: Dr. Oscar Ruiz with Waypoint Analytical joins the show to talk through soil sampling.
Episode 2: Dr. Nathan Slaton with the University of Arkansas talks about interpreting a soil test report.
Episode 4: Dr. Larry Oldham with Mississippi State University and Dr. Clain Jones with Montana State University dig into this discussion on soil pH.
1 CEU credit for Soil and Water Management.
Season 1 Episode 5: Dr. Alan Blaylock joins the show to break down essential nutrients and dig deeper into three of the major nutrient categories.
Episode 6: Dr. Hunter Frame joins the show to dig into the role of nitrogen in plants.
Episode 7: Dr. Hunter Frame joins the show to continue the discussion on the role of nitrogen in plants.
0.5 CEU credit for Nutrient Management.
Season 1 Episode 9: Dr. Cristie Preston discusses phosphorus, an essential nutrient for plant growth.
Episode 11: Dr. Antoni Mallarino digs into the role of potassium in plants, common fertilizer sources, plant availability and more.
1 CEU credit for Crop Nutrition.
Season 1 Episode 12: Dr. Alan Blaylock and Ron Olson dig into the role of sulfur in plants, common fertilizer sources, deficiency symptoms and more.
Episode 17: Karl Wyant joins The Dirt to dig into the different definitions of drought and what farmers can do to monitor and prepare their fields for it.
0.5 CEU credit for Nutrient Management
Season 1 Episode 13: Dr. John Halvin of North Carolina State University joins Mike Howell to dig into the role of calcium in plants.
Episode 15: Nutrien Director of Agronomy Dr. Karl Wyant joins Mike Howell to dig into the role of magnesium in plants.
Episode 19: Dr. Jeff Schoenau discusses the role of zinc in photosynthesis, common fertilizer sources, plant availability, & soil versus foliar applications.
1 CEU credit for Nutrient Management
Season 1 Episode 18: Dr. Tom Allen joins The Dirt to dig into the relationship between soil fertility & plant diseases, including how to identify and manage them.
Episode 24: Scott Fitchner and Jenna Overmyer walk through the reasons why tissue testing is a critical practice for farmers making fertilizer decisions.
0.5 CEU credit for Nutrient Management
Season 1 – Episode 23: Dr. John Beasley, Professor at Auburn University joins Mike Howell to dig into the critical role of boron in peanut production.
0.5 CEU credit for Nutrient Management
Season 1 – Episode 26: Mike Howell chats with growers and Dr. Karl Wyant. Tune on residue management techniques and how to mitigate nutrient loss after harvest.
Episode 34: Andy Jobman, President of the Nebraska Corn Growers Association discusses this year’s corn harvest, soil sampling and sustainable practices.
0.5 CEU credit for Sustainability
Season 1 – Episodes 27: Dr. Alan Blaylock joins Mike Howell to discuss the benefits, rate, timing and sources of nitrogen application in the fall.
Episode 30: Dr. Cristie Preston discusses the 4Rs and how growers can increase efficiency and profitability by using the program.
0.5 CEU credit for Nutrient Management
Season 1 – Episode 28: Dr. Brian Arnall from joins Mike Howell to dig into the role of iron in plants, how to spot deficiencies, common fertilizer sources and more.
Episode 29: Dr. Vaughn Reed joins Mike Howell to discuss the role of molybdenum in plants, the importance of pH, how to spot deficiencies and more.
0.5 CEU credit for Nutrient Management
Season 1 Episode 31: Michelle Nutting discussed sustainable agriculture and how the 4R Nutrient Stewardship program is helping farmers to be more sustainable.
In episode 32: Dr. Sally Fliss joins Mike Howell to discuss sustainable agriculture practices and how you can implement these practices on your farm.
In episode 33: Dr. Carl Rosen discusses how potato growers become more sustainable, how to minimize nutrient loss and some nitrogen management techniques.
1 CEU credit for Sustainability
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