Agronomy Highlights

Recorded: 7/19/2023 There is certainly no shortage of livestock in Pennsylvania, and ensuring that those valuable farm animals have access to safe feed is of the utmost importance. In this episode, we discuss some of the most common forage toxicity problems and how they can be avoided. Listen in as we discuss everything from nitrate to toxicity, prussic acid to bloat, and toxic fescue. If you are...

Recorded: 7/12/2023 In this episode, we are speaking with Dr. Paul Vincelli from the University of Kentucky on the fascinating and often controversial topic of GMOs. We're discussing the history of genetically modified crops, how things have progressed over time, and the benefits and risks of this technology. Dr. VIncelli is a thoughtful scholar whose perspective on this makes for a balanced,...

Recorded: May 16, 2023 In this episode, we are fortunate to be joined by Dr. Debalina Saha from Michigan State University to discuss the fascinating concept of allelopathy. Many plants produce compounds that inhibit the growth of other plants around them, and dissecting how that process works could yield some interesting opportunities moving forward. Tune in if you’re curious about what allelopath...

Recorded: May 1, 2023 Slugs can be a challenging pest to deal with early in the growing season. We sat down with one of our fellow Penn State Extension educator, Anna Hodgson, to discuss what to look for in the field when dealing with slugs. Learn how to manage slugs in row crops as we discuss species you might find to sampling and control methods. Useful Links: Scouting for Slugs in Corn Fields 2...

Recorded: April 21, 2023 In this episode, renowned entomologist Dr. Peter Ellsworth from the University of Arizona joins us to discuss the valuable role beneficial insects play in our cropping systems. We cover the differences between predators and parasitoids, how to scout fields to assess insect populations, as well as interesting, cutting-edge techniques such as beneficial insect releases via d...

Recorded: 3/27/23 Today we are joined by Dr. Jarrod Miller, a scientist from the University of Delaware with a great deal of experience using drones in agriculture. We're discussing the benefits and challenges of using drones in a crop production system and what the future may hold for drone technology. Thinking about flying a quad-copter over your fields? Then tune in now! Useful Links: So Y...

Recorded: 4/12/2023 With the massive number of pesticides, adjuvants, and liquid fertilizers on the market today, it’s no surprise that the list of potential tank mix combinations is simply staggering. In this episode, we discuss the basic do’s and don'ts of tank mixing and how to promote synergy and avoid antagonism. Our guest, Dr. Eric Prostko, is highly versed in this area and delivers a v...

Recorded: 5/25/2023 Nitrogen fertilizer is one of the most critical inputs for a variety of crops and ensuring that it is not lost is essential for maintaining good yields. With so many different N fertilizer sources and N loss prevention products on the market, it can be challenging to make sense of it all and decide what to use. Fortunately, our resident soil fertility expert, Dr. Charlie White,...

Recorded: 6/1/23 The 2023 growing season has been a dry one across the Commonwealth. Hay yields are down, weed control is challenging, and crops everywhere are progressing slowly. In this episode, we are bringing in several team members to discuss the various challenges our farmers are currently facing with this lack of rainfall and what we might do about it.  Useful Links: Thoughts for Drought: F...

Recorded 4/3/23 In this episode, we have the privilege of speaking to author, speaker, and farmer extraordinaire Mr. Joel Salatin. Joel provides a unique perspective on what a farming operation can be and challenges the mentality commonly used to manage the traditional row crop field. This is a longer episode, but it’s very rich with discussion which just might provide you with some interesting id...

Recorded: 3/24/2023 Today we are joined by two true experts, Dr. Guojie Wang and Dr. Shiran Benzeev, to discuss the ancient grain known as Teff. Teff is critically important to nations such as Ethiopia, and could have a lot to offer to farmers here in the U.S. We discuss what conditions Teff performs best under, its inherent forage value, and whether or not folks in Pennsylvania should consider gr...

Recorded: 3/20/23 In this episode we get into all those other important crop nutrients that aren’t represented by the three numbers on a fertilizer bag. Learn how micronutrients are used by crops, what farmers can do to test their micronutrient levels, and the best application methods for micronutrients. If you’ve already covered all your other bases and are going after those last few hard to get...

Recorded: 3/24/23 With planting season just around the corner, there is a great need to reach out to one of our most knowledgeable Penn State Extension educators, Del Voight, to discuss how to get our crops started off right. Good stand establishment tremendously affects final crop yields, so tune in to hear about planting equipment tune-ups, populations, row spacing, and much more. Useful Links:...

Recorded: 3/16/2023 In this episode, two of Penn State’s finest plant pathologists, Dr. Paul Esker and Dr. Alyssa Collins, join us to discuss fungicide-resistant field crop diseases. We cover how resistance develops, which diseases to look out for, and which fungicides to select. We also touch on non-chemical agronomic management practices that growers can employ to help with disease issues. Usefu...

Recorded: 2/9/2023 Listen in as Joey and Dwane sit down with fellow agronomy educator Justin Brackenrich to discuss the ideal pasture. Pastures may be considered simple, but when you try to manage one properly, you’ll find this could not be further from the truth! Learn more as different aspects of species selection, weed control, fertility management, and more are discussed. Anyone that is raisin...

Recorded: 2/6/2023 In this episode, we receive an education on all things weather from Eric Snodgrass of Nutrien Ag Solutions. We start by looking at things from a broad perspective, discussing how the weather we get in the United States comes to be. We then get more specific and get into what we’ve seen so far in 2023 and what may come to pass during the spring planting season. Farmers are always...

Recorded date: 1/9/2023 In this episode, we are focusing on the key differences between managing rented cropland as opposed to owned cropland. We also get into how the trend of fewer farmers managing an increasingly large number of acres has become more prevalent over time. If you’re curious about how much it costs to rent an acre of cropland in PA, we tried to shed some light on that as well!  Us...

Recorded date: January 4, 2023  In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Mike Boehm, Vice President and Vice Chancellor of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska. Our conversation is wide-ranging and enriching. Dr. Boehm provides a useful breakdown of the valuable role the Cooperative Extension system plays in the United States, as well as great information on the history of...

Date recorded: December 8, 2022 Listen in as we discuss the fundamentals of herbicide resistance with one of our resident weed control experts, Mr. Dwight Lingenfelter. Beginning with the basics,  we go through several scenarios of different resistant weeds in a variety of cropping systems. If you think you’ve got resistant weeds in your fields, then this episode will have some very valuable insig...

Date recorded: 11/30/2022 From planting to variety selection to pest management and end utilization, all aspects of producing this interesting plant were covered in depth. If you’ve ever wondered what it might take to grow a crop of sunflowers, then give this one a listen! Useful Links:  North Dakota State Sunflower Production Guide   North Dakota Sunflower Nitrogen Calculator   Hosts: Joseph Akin...

Recorded: 11/8/2022 In this episode, we discussed the interesting concept of growing cover crops as living mulch within a cash crop. This advanced cover cropping technique is both thought-provoking and challenging. From the establishment of such a system to pest management and all the benefits and obstacles in between, this conversation with Dr. Nick Basinger is sure to make you wonder about what’...

Recorded: 10/25/2022 Today's episode is focused on one of the most damaging but often overlooked pests of soybeans, the infamous Heterodera glycines , better known as the Soybean Cyst Nematode (SCN). We discuss the distribution of SCN, common symptoms associated with an infestation, how to sample for SCN, as well as tactics producers can employ to reduce the damage from this pest. Tune in and...

Recorded: 10/25/22 We are digging deep into the value of maintaining healthy soil biology. Our topics range from tiny microbes to the mighty ground beetle, with every springtail and protozoa in between! This discussion is valuable for folks who are just as interested in the below-ground portion of their fields as the above-ground portion.    Helpful Links: Soil Your Undies Managing Soil Health: Co...

Recorded: 9/23/22 This episode focuses on the potential benefits of using cover crops as a tool for weed suppression. Topics include species selection and mixes, interseeding, termination strategies, residue management and more. Whether you’re thinking of getting started with cover cropping or already using them, this episode has valuable information for you.  Helpful Links: Cover Crops and Residu...

Recorded: 8/31/22 In this episode, we speak with Ginger Fenton from Mercer County about the emotional roller coaster that is farming. We begin with the basics of what mental health is and how to maintain it. We then venture into the specifics of what makes managing a farm both very challenging and rewarding. Join us to find out more about the resources available for producers seeking to improve th...