In this episode of the Iowa Ag Podcast, host David Geiger sits down with Meaghan Anderson, agronomist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, to discuss what farmers should be thinking about as the 2026 planting season approaches. From the lessons of last year's Southern Rust outbreak to hybrid selection and disease management planning, the conversation explores how growers can prepare for the unexpected.

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But the discussion goes beyond agronomic strategy. Meaghan shares what it's like to serve as a trusted advisor to farmers, balancing research-based recommendations with the realities of uncertain weather, volatile markets, and high-stakes decisions. The episode also touches on invasive species concerns, including Palmer Amaranth and Japanese knotweed (spoiler: it IS a weed), and the importance of communication between farmers and consumers in an increasingly complex agricultural landscape.

Chapters:

00:00 - Welcome + Meet Extension Agronomist Megan Anderson

00:55 - Planting Season Mindset for 2026

02:07 - Southern Rust in 2025: Why It Hit Iowa and What to Watch Next

03:47 - Hybrid Resistance & Fungicide Strategy

05:13 - Decision Paralysis in Agronomy: How Extension Helps Farmers Choose with Confidence

08:30 - "60% Agronomist, 40% Therapist": Being a Trusted Advisor on Call

10:59 - Why Megan Chose Agronomy: Family Roots, Bob Hartzler, and the Battle Against Weeds

12:54 - Explaining Complex Ag Topics Simply: What Extension Communication Really Means

13:59 - Talking 'Weeds' in Plain Language

14:34 - Winter Meeting Season: ICM, Crop Advantage, and Planner U

16:50 - Pesticide Training & the Invasive Species Conference Circuit

17:59 - Invasive Spotlight: Japanese Knotweed vs. Teasel (and the 'Worst Weed' Bracket)

18:42 - New Threat on the Radar

19:40 - Palmer Amaranth Returns

22:55 - Heading Into Planting: Sharing Spring Guidance, Residue Hopes, and Field Prep

25:16 - Big-Picture Agronomy: Bridging Farmers, Consumers, and Tough Conversations

27:06 - Wrap-Up

Diving into the Weeds (Literally!) in Farm Science and Communication