Agronomy Highlights

Recorded: 10/14/26 

This episode of Penn State's Agronomy Highlights features Dr. Mark Licht from Iowa State University, who discusses relay cropping, an innovative system that combines small grains with corn and soybeans to produce three cash crops over two years while improving soil health, reducing nutrient losses, and suppressing weeds. The conversation explores the practical management, timing, equipment needs, profitability considerations, and weather-related challenges involved in successfully integrating relay cropping into existing farming operations. Hosts Dwane Miller and Justin Brackenrich also examine how this system could fit into Pennsylvania agriculture and offer growers a potential alternative to traditional double-cropping systems.

Hosts: Justin Brackenrich and Dwane Miller 
Guest:   Dr. Mark Licht, Associate Professor and Extension Cropping Systems Specialist, Iowa State University 

Links:
Cereal Rye and Soybean Relay Intercropping Trials: 2024 and 2025
Dr. Mark Licht, Iowa State University

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Recorded: 10/7/26 

This episode of the Agronomy Highlights Podcast explores the PA and Mid-Atlantic 4R Nutrient Stewardship Association and how its programs help farmers improve nutrient management through the principles of applying the right source, rate, timing, and placement of fertilizers. Host Justin Brackenrich and co-host Dwane Miller are joined by Jenell McHenry and Mitchell Shirk to discuss practical strategies for increasing nutrient use efficiency, improving profitability, protecting water quality, and leveraging voucher programs that reduce the financial risk of trying new practices. The conversation highlights the importance of trusted advisors, sound agronomic fundamentals, and small, data-driven changes that can help farmers build more resilient and profitable operations. 

Hosts: Justin Brackenrich and Dwane Miller
Guests: Mitchell Shirk, Agronomist with Rosetree Consulting, and Jenell McHenry, Mid-Atlantic 4R Nutrient Stewardship Program Executive Director

Photo credit: Penn State Extension 

Links:
Mid-Atlantic 4R Nutrient Stewardship Association
4R Voucher & Implementation Program: Winter Enrollment Opens August 18

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Recorded: 9/24/26

Join Penn State Extension Agronomy Educators for a timely and practical conversation on current crop conditions across Pennsylvania. In this episode, the team shares on-the-ground observations from fields spanning multiple regions. They highlight how recent weather patterns, soil moisture variability, and crop growth stages are shaping corn, soybean, and forage performance.

The discussion wraps up with a review of the 2026 Statewide Crop Conditons Tour, summarizing yield trends in corn and soybean fields across Pennsylvania. 

Hosts: Justin Brackenrich and Dwane Miller

Guest(s): Erin Cuprinka, Heidi Reed

Photo credit: Justin Brackenrich

Links:
2026 Crop Conditions Tour Summary

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Recorded: 9/10/26 

In this episode of the Agronomy Highlights Podcast, Penn State climatologist Kyle Imhoff joins the team to break down Pennsylvania’s 2026 growing season, from spring freeze events and summer rainfall patterns to what producers can expect heading into harvest and winter. The discussion explores how weather has affected crops across the state, explains the science behind El Niño and its influence on regional weather, and outlines potential implications for field conditions, precipitation, and harvest timing.

Hosts: Justin Brackenrich and Dwane Miller, Penn State Extension
Guest: Kyle Imhoff, Penn State

Links:
The Pennsylvania Observer Newsletter
NOAA Weather Forecast Homepage
Weather Outlook

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Recorded: 8/25/26 

Join Penn State Extension Agronomy Educators for a timely and practical conversation on current crop conditions across Pennsylvania. In this episode, the team shares on-the-ground observations from fields spanning multiple regions. They highlight how recent weather patterns, soil moisture variability, and crop growth stages are shaping the performance of corn, soybean, and forage. 

The discussion includes two questions about timely decisions happening on the farm: how to conduct a yield estimate on corn and soybean, and keeping an eye on silage moisture levels. Educators will outline practical tools and approaches farmers can use right now.

Hosts: Justin Brackenrich and Dwane Miller, Penn State Extension
Guests: Erin Cuprinka and Heidi Reed, Penn State Extension

Links:
S3E19: Silage Inoculants & Small Grain Silage

Photo credit: Zack Curtis, Penn State Extension

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Recorded: 8/5/26

Join Penn State Extension Agronomy Educators for a timely and practical conversation on current crop conditions across Pennsylvania. In this episode, the team shares on-the-ground observations from fields spanning multiple regions. They highlight how recent weather patterns, soil moisture variability, and crop growth stages are shaping corn and forage performance. 

The discussion includes two questions about timely decisions happening on the farm: soil testing and seeding fall forages. Educators will outline practical tools and approaches farmers can use right now. 

Host: Justin Brackenrich, Penn State Extension
Guests: Erin Cuprinka and Heidi Reed, Penn State Extension

Links:
How Late Can Cool-Season Perennial Forages Be Planted?
Grain Drill Calibration
S4E7: Back to Basics: Soil Fertility Testing

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Recorded: 7/1/2026

Join Penn State Extension Agronomy Educators for a timely and practical conversation on current crop conditions across Pennsylvania. In this episode, the team shares on-the-ground observations from fields spanning multiple regions. They highlight how recent weather patterns, soil moisture variability, and crop growth stages are shaping corn and forage performance.

The discussion includes a question about one of the most critical in-season decisions: cover crops following small grains. Educators will outline practical tools and approaches farmers can use right now.  

Hosts: Justin Brackenrich and Dwane Miller, Penn State Extension
Guests: Erin Cuprinka and Heidi Reed, Penn State Extension

Links:
A Cover Crop Selection Tool for Northeast US Farmers
Crop Protection Network
Agronomy Highlights S1E4: Tarspot in Corn
Agronomy Highlights S4E16: Double Crop Soybeans

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Recorded: 6/22/26 

As we prepare for small grain harvest, join us as we talk with Penn State experts about the latest approaches to assessing small grain health and productivity. In this episode, we dive into head scab (Fusarium head blight), including how to identify it and understand its impacts. 

Hosts: Justin Brackenrich and Dwane Miller, Penn State Extension
Guests: Dr. Daneila Carrijo, Dr. Alyssa Collins, Penn State

Links:
Home Stretch: Evaluating Your Small Grain Crops
Crop Protection Network
Fusarium Head Blight of Wheat
Scab Risk Tool
Fungicide Efficacy for Control of Wheat Diseases

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Recorded: 6/2/26

Join Penn State Extension Agronomy Educators for a timely and practical conversation on current crop conditions across Pennsylvania. In this episode, the team shares on-the-ground observations from fields spanning multiple regions. They highlight how recent weather patterns, soil moisture variability, and crop growth stages are shaping corn and forage performance. 

The discussion includes a question about one of the most critical in-season decisions: nitrogen management in corn. Educators will outline practical tools and approaches farmers can use right now.  

Hosts: Justin Brackenrich and Dwane Miller, Penn State Extension
Guest(s): Erin Cuprinka and Heidi Reed, Penn State Extension

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Recorded: 5/21/26 

What should growers look for when evaluating early-season corn and soybean stands to decide whether replanting is worth the time and cost? In this episode, expert Zack Curtis discusses replanting decisions for corn and soybeans, emphasizing the importance of objective assessment, cost analysis, and strategic planning to optimize yields and profitability. 

Hosts: Justin Brackenrich and Dwane Miller, Penn State Extension
Guest: Zack Curtis, Penn State Extension

Links:
Assessing Corn and Soybean Populations and Replanting Decisions

Photo credit: Dwane Miller

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