University of Missouri crop specialists have launched a new podcast for growers in the Missouri Bootheel region. “MO Crops Podcast,” a bimonthly, half-hour program, is hosted by Justin Calhoun, Justin Chlapecka and Bradley Wilson, soils, rice and cotton specialists, respectively. The podcast will highlight crop news, information and research projects important to growers of the Missouri Delta. 

“Our vision for the podcast is to interview people from both the university and the general public that are involved in Missouri agriculture — especially in the Delta,” Calhoun said. “This may include producers, industry reps, state extension specialists, and others who impact agriculture in our region.” 

Find MO Crops Podcast

The podcast launched on April 7. You can listen to episodes on Audible, Spotify and Amazon Music. “MO Crops” will soon be available on Apple Podcasts, as well. Calhoun said for now new episodes will drop every other Thursday. 

The podcast is recorded at the Fisher Delta Research, Extension and Education Center in Portageville, Mo. Calhoun, Chlapecka and Wilson have all joined the MU faculty housed at the Delta Center within the past year. 

The podcast is funded in part by a grant aimed to disseminate information about furrow-irrigated rice. Calhoun anticipates future episodes featuring row rice producers who can share their experiences with fertility management, weed control and challenges with switching from flooded to furrow irrigation. However, topics will cover the range of crops grown in the Missouri Delta, as well as agricultural policy issues that impact Midsouth producers. 

“We’re going to be focusing on Missouri, but I think anyone who is interested in agriculture in the surrounding region will hopefully be able to tune into this podcast and come away with some helpful information for their farm operation or business,” Calhoun said. “That’s the goal — to share good information.”