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How to Manage Abiotic Stresses During Pollination

Corn, soybeans and canola have entered the critical reproductive phase where the production of corn grain, soybean pods and canola kernels will be determined. If it’s really hot or the crop is under other stress, it can negatively affect reproduction. With rising temperatures and crushing heat waves, it is essential for farmers to understand how to approach these stressors to save their crop and yield.

On August 3 at 12:00 CDT, Seed Speaks is addressing how to manage abiotic stresses during pollination. Joining us are:

Tom Koch, research manager at Beck’s Hybrids. Koch joined Beck’s in 2017 with over 15 years of working in the seed and biotechnology industries. Receiving his MBA from University of Notre Dame and PhD in plant breeding from University of Wisconsin-Madison, Koch brings expertise in life sciences, data analysis, strategic planning, crop protection and genetics. He lives in Sheridan, Indiana, with his wife Katie, and his children Helen, Adam and Lucy.

Wayne Fithian, agronomy manager at Rob-See-Co. Fithian has been in the seed business for 38 years, all of them in a technical support role. His experiences include roles in field agronomy, research agronomy and biotechnology trait development. Fithian’s responsibilities at Rob-See-Co include development of agronomic materials, support of product characterization efforts, development of educational product materials and management of strip trials and the database used to analyze strip trials. He is originally from Fort Morgan, Colorado and earned his BS and MS in Crop Protection/Plant Pathology at Colorado State University.

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USDA Feb Crop Report a WIN for Soybeans + 1 Year Trade Truce Extension

Video: USDA Feb Crop Report a WIN for Soybeans + 1 Year Trade Truce Extension


USDA took Trumps comments that China would buy more U.S. soybeans seriously and headline news that the U.S./China trade truce would be extended when Trump/Xi meet in the first week of April was a BIG WIN for soybeans this week! 2026 “Mini” U.S. ethanol boom thanks to 45Z + China’s ban of phosphates from Feb. – August of 2026 will not help lower fertilizer prices anytime soon! 30 mmt of Chinese corn harvest is of poor quality and maybe a technical breakout in wheat futures.

*Apologies! Where we talk about the latest CFTC update as of 10th Feb 2026, managed money funds covered their net short position in canola to the tune of +42,746 week-on-week to flip to net long 145 contracts and not (as we mistakenly said) +90,009 wk/wk to 47,408.