agronomy highlights

Recorded: 2/5/24

Many farmers have expressed interest in trying to grow hemp in recent years, but understanding the agronomics of producing this crop is essential. In this episode, Dr. David Suchoff joins us to discuss the many aspects of what it takes to grow a successful hemp crop for fiber. We get into his research experience, new possibilities, obstacles, and how to go about growing hemp for the first time.

Links:
Industrial Hemp Production
Hemp Crop Outlook 2024
Potential for Hemp Production in Pennsylvania

Host: Joseph Akins, Penn State Extension
Guest: Dr. David Suchoff, NC State Extension

Follow us on Facebook!

Recorded: 1/19/2024

When it comes to fertilizer, we often discuss things like urea, potash, MAP, and DAP. However, a whole world of organic fertilizer sources exists outside of the traditional inorganic fertilizers most large-row crop producers are accustomed to using. In this episode, we are joined by two very knowledgeable members of our Penn State team to go over the benefits and drawbacks of organic fertilizers. We also discuss how folks interested in organic production might go about making the switch to organic. 

Links:
The National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances
Agricultural Analytical Services Laboratory
Using Organic Nutrient Sources

Host: Joseph Akins  
Guest:  Dr. Elsa Sanchez and Megan Chawner, Penn State University/Penn State Extension

Follow us on Facebook!

Recorded: 1/5/2024

I was once asked a question about whether fungicidal seed treatments negatively impacted beneficial soil fungi. While researching this question, I came across the work of Dr. Jim Germida from the University of Saskatchewan. In this episode, we get into a broad-ranging conversation about the many aspects of soil microbiology with a true expert. This is a valuable conversation for anyone looking to learn more about what’s happening below the soil in their fields!

Links:
James J. Germida's Citations

Host: Joseph Akins, Penn State Extension
Guest: James J. Germida, University of Saskatchewan

Follow us on Facebook!

Recorded: 12/19/23

In this episode we are joined by Dr. Glen Harris from UGA to discuss how, when, and why to apply foliar fertilizers. If you think your crop may be deficient in a key nutrient, a proper foliar fertilizer application can remediate the deficiency and help to achieve higher yields. If you’ve ever considered a foliar fertilizer application, this episode will help give you some great foundational knowledge. 

Links:
Plant Tissue (Total) Analysis
Foliar Application
Glendon Harris

Host: Hosts: Joseph Akins, Penn State Extension
Guest: Dr. Glendon Harris, University of Georgia

Follow us on Facebook!

Recorded: 11/30/23

In this episode, we are joined by two very knowledgeable researchers from UC Davis to discuss the effects fertilizer can have on soil microbial populations. Often, we are told that mineral fertilizers are deleterious to soil microbes, but you might be surprised to find that it’s not quite that simple! In addition to fertilizer impacts, we also discuss the effects of tillage practices, organic matter levels, and how microbes behave in agricultural field settings versus more natural settings.

Links:
Does Long-term Use of Mineral Fertilizers Affect the Soil Microbial Biomass?

Host: Hosts: Joseph Akins, Penn State Extension
Guest:  Dr. Kate Scow and Dr. Daniel Geisseler 

Follow us on Facebook!

Recorded: 11/13/23

Senior agronomist Kevin Fry shares his take on the 2023 growing season in this episode. Everything from the spring drought and Candian wildfire smoke to soybean white mold and weed escapes in corn were covered in the show. Join us to reflect on the 2023 growing season to help you better prepare for the year ahead!

Host: Joseph Akins, Penn State Extension
Guest: Kevin Fry, Pioneer 

Follow us on Facebook!

Recorded: 11/6/23

Tune in as  tackle the management of winter wheat from two perspectives, general agronomics and soil fertility. From planting dates and seeding rates to nitrogen applications in fall and spring, we go over all the basics of successfully growing a crop of winter wheat.

Useful Links:
Planting Winter Wheat
Nitrogen Management in Winter Wheat

Host: Host: Joseph Akins, Penn State Extension
Guests: Guest: Dr. Daniela Carrijo and Dr. Charlie White, Penn State

Follow us on Facebook!

Recorded: September 1, 2023

In this episode, we are joined again by our resident forage specialist Dr. Guojie Wang to discuss forage quality. We talk about why maintaining high-quality feed is essential for good livestock management and, specifically, how to manage forages properly. We also talk about how forage testing labs analyze samples, how to interpret a forage report, and where listeners can get their forages tested. 

Useful Links:
Forage Quality in Perspective
Determining Forage Quality: Understanding Feed Analysis
Why Test Forage Quality?

Host: Hosts: Joseph Akins and Dwane Miller, Penn State Extension
Guest: Dr. Guojie Wang, Forage Specialist, Penn State

Follow us on Facebook!

Recorded: 10/13/2023

Joined by Mike Staton from Michigan State, we discuss how farmers can minimize yield loss during the soybean harvest process. Find out how much loss is typically expected during harvest, routes of pre-harvest loss, and what farmers can do regarding equipment management to prevent losses.

Useful Links:
Pennsylvania Soybeans: Minimize Harvesting Loss and Maximize Cost Per Bushel
Reducing Soybean Harvest Losses
Harvesting Soybeans

Host: Hosts: Joseph Akins, Penn State Extension
Guest: Michael Staton, Michigan State University

Follow us on Facebook!

Recorded: 9/5/2023

Join us as we sit down with one of our best plant pathologists to discuss some of the most common corn ear rots that afflict our Pennsylvania corn crop. Dr. Murillo-Williams explains what typically causes these ear rots to develop, how to identify them, and what farmers can do to manage them. We also discuss livestock safety issues related to mycotoxin production and which corn ear rots produce the most harmful mycotoxins.

Useful Links:
Corn Ear Rots and Mycotoxins
Ear Rots in Your Corn Crop?
An Overview of Ear Rots
Grain and Silage Sampling and Mycotoxin Testing

Host: Hosts: Joseph Akins and Dwane Miller, Penn State Extension
Guest: Dr. Adriana Murillo-Williams, Penn State Extension

Photo credit: Dr. Alyssa Collins, Penn State University

Follow us on Facebook!

Recorded: 8/25/23

Of all the things that are in a farmer's control to produce a healthy crop, unfortunately, the weather is not one of them. This year, several farms across Pennsylvania encountered hail damage from strong storm systems, and when that happens, it can be challenging to determine what the next best move is. Thankfully, Justin McMechan from the University of Nebraska Extension joins us on to discuss how to assess a hail-damaged field and what management options a grower has going forward. 

Useful Links:
7-Day Time Lapse of Corn Recovery from Hail Damage
Hail Damage Evaluation and Management in Corn
Evaluating Early-Season Hail Damage in Corn

Hosts: Joseph Akins and Dwane Miller, Penn State Extension
Guest: Justin McMechan, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Photo credit: Pixabay.com

Follow us on Facebook!

Recorded: 8/1/23

It takes a tremendous amount of mechanical power to keep a modern farm operation running, and in this episode, we dive into all aspects of farm machinery. We're covering which pieces of equipment are necessary for an operation, the tradeoffs of owning equipment vs. hiring a custom applicator, and how to manage equipment once you have it. A special "thank you" to fellow educator Zach Curtis for joining us and weighing in on our discussion.

Useful Links:
New & Used Farm Equipment For Sale
Ag Decision Maker

Hosts: Joseph Akins and Dwane Miller, Penn State Extension
Guest: Zachary Curtis, Penn State Extension


Photo credit: Pixabay.com

Follow us on Facebook!

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 interested in maintaining animal health or currently raising livestock, this one is for you!

Useful Links:
Warm Season Annuals and Alfalfa after Frost
Reducing the Risk of Nitrate and Prussic Acid Poisoning in Livestock
Spectrum Analytic Analysis Services
Rock River Laboratory
Dairy One
Cumberland Valley Analytical Services

Hosts: Joseph Akins and Dwane Miller, Penn State Extension
Guest: Leanna Duppstadt, Penn State Extension

Photo credit: Leanna Duppstadt

Follow us on Facebook!

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, productive, and thought-provoking conversation. 

Useful Links:
Dr. Paul Vincelli

Hosts: Joseph Akins and Dwane Miller, Penn State Extension
Guest: Dr. Paul Vincelli, University of Kentucky

Photo credit: Pixabay.com

Follow us on Facebook!

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 allelopathy is, how it works, and how it could be harnessed in an agronomic system!

Hosts: Joseph Akins and Dwane Miller, Penn State Extension
Guests: Dr. Debalina Saha, Michigan State University

Follow us on Facebook!

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
2023 Pennsylvania Slug Monitoring Project
Slugs as Pests of Field Crops

Hosts: Joseph Akins and Dwane Miller, Penn State Extension
Guest: Anna Hodgson, Penn State Extension

Follow us on Facebook!

Photo credit: Penn State Extension

Follow us on Facebook!

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 drone. Tune in to this in-depth conversation on all key aspects of biological insect control.

Useful Links:
About Peter C. Ellsworth
Crop Capsules

Hosts: Joseph Akins and Dwane Miller, Penn State Extension
 Guest: Dr. Peter Ellsworth

Follow us on Facebook!

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 You Want to Fly A Drone
Dr. Jarrod Miller

Hosts: Joseph Akins and Dwane Miller, Penn State Extension
Guest: Dr. Jarrod Miller, University of Delaware

 

Follow us on Facebook!

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 valuable discussion of properly mixing your agricultural chemicals to maximize your efforts.

Useful Links:
Check antagonism before pulling trigger on tank-mixed herbicides
Mix Tank App
Herbicide Resistance Action Committee

Hosts: Joseph Akins and Dwane Miller, Penn State Extension
Guest: Dr. Eric Prostko, professor and weed specialist, University of Georgia 

Follow us on Facebook!

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, joins us to discuss all aspects of how to make the most of our valuable N fertilizer applications.

Useful Links:
Re-calibrating the Pre-Sidedress Soil Nitrate Test for Modern Corn Production
Diagnostic Tools for Determining Appropriate Sidedress Nitrogen Rates

Hosts: Joseph Akins and Dwane Miller, Penn State Extension
Guest: Dr. Charles White, Penn State

Follow us on Facebook!

Follow us on Facebook!