Agronomy Highlights

Recorded: 6/23/2025 What does the future hold for forage production in Pennsylvania? In this episode, Ryan and Justin are joined by Dr. Guojie Wang, Penn State Extension forage specialist and director of the forage systems lab, to discuss his vision for improving forage systems in the state. Dr. Wang shares his ongoing and upcoming research efforts, including diversifying the corn silage and ryela...

Recorded: 6/27/25 As wheat is being harvested across Pennsylvania, and corn and soybean development is well under way, Ryan and Justin take some time to check in with our army of experts on some timely topics. Dr. Heidi Reed joins to share findings from this year’s wheat crop condition tour, Dr. Alyssa Collins gives us updated scouting and management advice for corn tar spot, and Andrew Frankenfie...

Recorded: 6/1/25 Are you a farmer looking for information about finding a qualified crop consultant? Maybe you are interested in becoming a Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) yourself. In this episode, Ryan and Justin sit down with CCA’s Dean Collamer and Lew Frame to talk about the CCA program.  They discuss what a certified crop adviser does, the value of the certification, the requirements of the cer...

Recorded: 6/5/2025 Winter cover cropping has become commonplace across Pennsylvania; however, few are making the best use of summer cover crops following wheat harvest. In this episode, Ryan and Justin talk to Dr. Heidi Reed about cover crop options and best management practices after wheat harvest. Dr. Dwight Lingenfelter also joins us to discuss considerations for herbicide use in wheat when fol...

Recorded: 5/21/25  While you may be familiar with the benefits of soil nutrient testing, are you familiar with the value of plant tissue testing? In this episode, Ryan and Justin invite Dr. John Spargo, Director of Penn State’s Agricultural Analytical Services Lab, to discuss Plant Tissue (Total) Analysis. John shares the value of this type of testing, how it may fit into your agronomic toolbox, a...

Recorded: 4/21/25  What are biological amendments, and how can I implement them on my own farm? If you find yourself asking these questions, then this episode is for you! Ryan and Justin navigate the wild west of biological products with Dr. Connor Sible, Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois Urbana. Dr. Sible discusses the definition of biological products, deciphers biological “modes...

Recorded: 4/17/25 As the planters get rolling for corn and soybean planting across the state, it can be all too easy to forget about scouting your wheat crops. However, getting ahead of late season small grain diseases is crucial to protecting your yield and profit. In this episode, we discuss small grain disease scouting and management with Penn State plant pathology specialists Dr. Paul Esker an...

Recorded: 4/8/25  Are you wondering how tariffs may impact the grain market? Maybe you want to learn how to build a grain marketing plan in the first place! In this episode, Jon LaPorte, farm business educator with Michigan State Extension, returns to talk about tariffs, building a grain marketing plan, scenario planning, and leveraging your local market.   Hosts: Ryan Spelman and Justin Brackenri...

Recorded: 3/5/25  As any Pennsylvania farmer can tell you, deer can cause significant damage to crops and are a primary pest in our agricultural landscape. In this episode, we sit down with Law Enforcement Supervisor Brian Singer of the Pennsylvania Game Commission to discuss the legal and lethal options that farmers can take advantage of to manage deer populations.   Hosts: Ryan Spelman and Justi...

Recorded: 3/11/25 Cornell Forage Systems Specialist, Joe Lawrence, returns to discuss small grain silage and silage inoculants. We discuss the agronomics of producing high-quality grain silage, and Joe walks us through the different types of silage inoculants, when to use them, and how to use them effectively.  Hosts: Ryan Spelman and Justin Brackenrich , Penn State Extension Guest: Joe Lawrence ,...

Recorded: 2/26/25   Get ready for spring green-up with this two-episode series on assessing your spring small grain and forage stands! In this episode, we talk to extension educator Zack Curtis about the technical aspects of taking qualitative and quantitative stand assessments.   Hosts: Ryan Spelman and Justin Brackenrich , Penn State Extension Guest: Zachary Curtis . Penn State Extension Links:...

Recorded: 2/19/25 Get ready for spring green-up with this two-episode series on assessing your spring small grain and forage stands! In this episode we talk to extension specialists Dr. Daniela Carrijo and Dr. Guojie Wang about making management decisions based on your early spring stand assessments.  Hosts: Ryan Spelman and Justin Brackenrich , Penn State Extension Guests: Dr. Daniela Carrijo , D...

Recorded: 2/11/25  With seemingly ever-increasing fertilizer costs, it is important to apply nitrogen fertilizers with as much precision as possible when growing corn and measuring soil nitrate levels in the early part of the season is a critical step to making these precise applications. In this episode, Ryan and Justin discuss the ins and outs of utilizing a Pre-sidedress Soil Nitrate Test (PSNT...

Recorded: 1/14/25   As farmers and ag workers begin preparations for the upcoming field season, they may be wondering what new pest management technologies and information are available. In this episode, Ryan and Justin sit down with plant pathology specialist Dr. Paul Esker to discuss new alfalfa fungicide recommendations, updated recommendations for soybean white mold and tar spot control, as we...

Recorded: 1/14/25  As farmers and ag workers begin preparations for the upcoming field season, they may be wondering what new weed management technologies and information is available. In this episode, Ryan and Justin sit down with weed specialist Dwight Lingenfelter to discuss new herbicide technologies, products, and resistance issues moving into the upcoming season.   Hosts: Ryan Spelman and Ju...

Recorded: 12/9/24 Winter is here, and temperatures are in the single digits across Pennsylvania, so what better time than now to talk about wintertime livestock feeding and pasture management! Join Ryan and Justin in a conversation with Dave Hartman about the agronomic considerations behind feeding livestock over the winter, reducing livestock damage to pasture, and planning your wintertime grazin...

Recorded: 12/20/24 Happy New Year! On this episode of the Agronomy Highlights Podcast, Ryan and Justin reflect on our favorite episodes of 2024, and quiz each other on the topics covered over the past year. Tune in and play along on this special episode!  Sign up for our newsletter, Field Crop News , and follow us on Facebook !

Recorded: 11/21/24 Pennsylvania winters can bring low temperatures, high moisture, and often fluctuating conditions. These conditions can be abusive to stored farm equipment and machinery. On this episode, extension educators and resident farm equipment experts, Zack Curtis and Andrew Frankenfield, share winter storage tips, discuss how to prepare equipment for storage, and how to minimize problem...

Recorded: 11/21/24 In this episode, we're diving into the world of organic field crop production with Kristen Loria, Extension specialist at Cornell University. Kristen shares her broad expertise in building successful organic field cropping systems, including her experience in reducing tillage and improving crop diversity in organic field crop rotations. Kristen also discusses her experience...

Recorded: 11/21/24 Let’s talk crap! As harvest season wraps up and manure pits continue to fill, farmers may be wondering how and if manure may be applied to cropland in winter conditions. In this episode, we are joined by Penn State Extension experts Dr. Robb Meinen and Leanna Duppstadt to discuss how to safely and effectively spread manure in the winter. We also discuss the value of writing manu...

Recorded: 10/28/2024 Ever wondered what it takes to become a successful multi-generation farm? In this episode, Ryan and Justin investigate the often-tricky process of farm succession and transition planning. Guests Joy Kirkpatrick and Darlene Livingston discuss what farm succession and transition planning means to producers, tensions that may arise during the process, and how to start your own fa...

Recorded 10/2/2024 As corn and soybean harvest season is in full swing here in Pennsylvania, there is no better time to have a conversation about grain marketing strategy than the present! In this episode, our grain marketing novices, Ryan and Justin, invite grain marketing expert Jon LaPorte of MSU Extension to discuss the basics of grain marketing. We discuss grain marketing terms like basis and...

Recorded: 10/7/24 Have you ever wondered how a meteorologist predicts the weather? In the agricultural community, we understand the importance of accurate weather prediction and rely on forecasts to plan management decisions. In this episode, we are talking to Penn State meteorologist Kyle Imhoff about how weather is predicted, the innovative work his team does to improve weather prediction, and h...

Recorded: 9/26/24 On this bonus episode, Ryan and Justin chat with fellow extension agronomy educators about 2024 crop conditions and silage dry-down. Dr. Heidi Reed discusses the results of the statewide crop conditions tour, projecting soybean and corn yields across Pennsylvania, and Zack Curtis discusses the findings from his silage dry-down reports this season. Hosts: Ryan Spelman and Justin B...

Recorded: 9/25/24 We cannot believe we made it to Season 3 without a silage episode! Today that all changes, as Ryan and Justin talk with forage systems specialist Joe Lawrence of the Cornell PRO-DAIRY team. Joe Lawrence draws upon his years of experience with Cornell and as a private certified crop adviser to chat about the science of corn silage management and hybrid selection, and reflects on l...