Winter has arrived with a vengeance in much of Ontario, but that’s not slowing Wheat Pete down! In this podcast episode, he covers everything from Ontario’s record corn yields to the agronomic nuances of manganese, crop sequence vs rotation, and how not to get fooled by big yield plots. There’s also a shoutout to good... Read More

November isn't usually known for being warm and dry, and this year is no exception, as snow begins to fly in parts of Western Canada — even a few spots in Ontario. For this week's episode of Wheat Pete's Word, we're going to start with wet weather, how it complicates corn dry-down, and so much... Read More

Welcome to the Wheat Pete's Word podcast where host Peter Johnson shares plot results, agronomic observations, and answers your agronomy questions. This week: he's got a lot to say, mostly about corn, fertilizer, and soil sampling. Tap above to listen, or download the podcast for listening later. Have a question you’d like Wheat Pete to... Read More

Rain, rain, and more rain! After a warm, too-dry fall, moisture has finally returned to many areas of Ontario, and with it, plenty of wheat, canola, and soybean questions for Wheat Pete to tackle. In this episode of Wheat Pete's Word, host Peter “Wheat Pete” Johnson covers fall crop emergence updates, listener feedback on combine... Read More

Corn harvest, fall crop conditions, and agronomic decisions take centre stage in this week’s Wheat Pete’s Word. With wild swings in corn yield—even within the same field—subsoil moisture is proving to be a major yield driver. Peter Johnson tackles questions on wheat emergence, tillage timing, cover crop management, and leaf burn risk in this week's... Read More

October has started with plenty of activity in the field and in the inbox and Wheat Pete is tackling it all! From safety reminders to the quirks of dry-season harvesting, host of Wheat Pete's Word, Peter Johnson, dives into low-yield soybeans, unusual corn dry-down, and what volunteer beans are really telling you. Plus: get answers... Read More

Ontario’s winter wheat crop has exceeded expectations, as the province has officially surpassed the 100 bushel per acre average yield mark, clocking in at 100.4 bu/ac (yes, the .4 matters!) But while Wheat Pete is celebrating that milestone, there are concerns this week as parts of Ontario are bone dry, mildew is flaring up in... Read More

It’s a mixed bag this week on Wheat Pete's Word! Rain has finally returned for parts of Ontario, which is good news for cover crops and wheat going in the ground. This week, host Peter "Wheat Pete" Johnson discusses harvest numbers, how AI might (or might not) help you diagnose combine issues, and why ryegrass... Read More

From purple corn to phosphorus plans, this week’s Wheat Pete's Word is packed with timely tips and reminders as harvest ramps up and winter wheat planning gets serious in Ontario. Host Peter “Wheat Pete” Johnson covers crop maturity shifts, rootworm alerts, harvest quality updates, and the all-important wheat planting window. Plus, he's got a dose... Read More

In this episode of Wheat Pete’s Word, host Peter Johnson reflects on his time at Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show this week, shares agronomic updates on soybeans, corn, edible beans and cover crops, and reminds listeners to keep checking in on each other. From shifting silage moisture to brittle corn stalks and unexpected purple soybean leaves,... Read More

It’s already September and Wheat Pete’s got a jam-packed podcast this week, covering everything from unexpected rivalries to tillage talk, corn maturity, fleabane control, and red clover root mass. Whether it’s broadcasting wheat soybeans, oat/pea cover crop N considerations, or managing residue of sudangrass, this one’s full of practical agronomic advice and timely reminders. Have... Read More

Cooler temps, sudden fall weather, and harvest-season curveballs dominate this week’s episode. Host Peter Johnson (a.k.a. Wheat Pete) shares insight on the impact of Ontario's drought, crop development, and management decisions for wheat and beyond. Hear some listener shoutouts and travel envy thrown in for good measure. Have a question you’d like Wheat Pete to... Read More

It’s time for another edition of Wheat Pete’s Word! This week, host Peter Johnson reminds us to take stock of how fortunate we are, even as challenging weather and commodity prices weigh heavy. From frost in soybeans in northern Ontario, to four-foot-tall corn, 2025 continues to throw curveballs at growers. Johnson also emphasizes the importance... Read More

In this episode of Wheat Pete’s Word, host Peter Johnson shares crop observations from a dry and stressful growing season, celebrates the benefits of family time for mental health, and digs into listener questions on everything from rooting depth to disease trials. He also flags the growing concern around spider mites—and highlights the urgent need... Read More

Weather woes, wheat wins, and agronomy surprises dominate this week’s podcast, as host Peter “Wheat Pete” Johnson checks in ahead of RealAg’s short summer break. From high-yielding wheat to dry-soil corn struggles and critical fertility reminders, there's no shortage of agronomic insight in this week's Word! Have a question you’d like Wheat Pete to address... Read More

This week, Peter "Wheat Pete" Johnson takes listeners from the tough realities of crop stress to the fun of agronomy problem-solving. From temperature swings in South Africa to drought and green snap at home, Pete stresses the importance of community and agronomic planning in a challenging season. Have a question you’d like Wheat Pete to... Read More

Sweet corn season has arrived in Ontario and Peter "Wheat Pete" Johnson is loving it—but there’s more than just local produce to talk about this week. From armyworm infestations to wheat yields, estimating straw volume, and corn fungicide timing, Pete dives deep into harvest updates, pest alerts, and timely agronomic advice. Have a question you’d... Read More

It’s hot, it’s dry, and Pete "Wheat Pete" Johnson hopes you'll soon be watching it all from the cab of the combine bringing in his favourite crop — winter wheat. In this week’s episode, Johnson digs into crop stress, management mistakes, and what the wheat yields are telling us so far. Plus, hear why vertical... Read More

We’re deep into July and the heat is on — both in the fields and in the agronomic decision-making. In this early July episode of Wheat Pete’s Word, host Peter Johnson dives into drought stress, winter cereal harvest challenges, and the latest in nutrient management. Plus, Pete shares listener questions on pre-harvest spray strategy, potash... Read More

Happy Canada Day! It's time for this week's episode of Wheat Pete's Word! This week, host Peter "Wheat Pete" Johnson reflects on national pride, agricultural progress, and offers a packed episode full of timely agronomy updates, from yield highlights and crop stage tips to weather-driven challenges and in-field observations. Here’s what you’ll hear in this... Read More