Recorded: 11/05/25

In our back to basics series, our hosts discuss the foundational agronomic principles that will improve crop management on your farm. In this episode, Ryan, Justin, and Dwane discuss the importance of soil fertility testing, how to take a soil test, and interpreting a soil test.  

Hosts: Ryan Spelman, Justin Brackenrich, and Dwane Miller

Links:
Soil Fertility Testing
Interpreting Your Soil Test Reports
Soil Sampling

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Recorded: 10/22/25

With wheat planting well underway across Pennsylvania, there is no better time to review the basics of wheat fertility and management. In this episode, Ryan and Dwane invite Dr. Edwin Ritchey, Extension Professor of soil and nutrient management at the University of Kentucky, to discuss wheat fertility management. He shares practical advice on N-P-K application timing and rates, discusses sulfur management, micronutrient management, and more.

Hosts: Ryan Spelman and Dwane Miller, Penn State Extension
Guest(s): Edwin Ritchey, University of Kentucky

Links
Wheat Stand Assessment
University of Kentucky nutrient recommendations
Kentucky Wheat Guide
Sensor Technology for Variable-Rate Nitrogen Applications on Wheat in Kentucky

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Recorded: 9/25/25

Drones have come onto the agricultural scene hard and fast here in Pennsylvania. In the last few years, interest in operating drones for fungicide, herbicide application, and cover cropping has increased immensely. In this episode, Ryan and Dwane sit down with Ephraim Riehl, Matthew Riehl, and David Stoltzfus, founders of a Lancaster-based agricultural drone business to discuss the basics of operating drones in 2025.  

Hosts: Ryan Spelman and Dwane Miller 
Guests: Ephraim Riehl, Matthew Riehl, David Stoltzfus

Links:
Drone Seeding Cover Crops into Standing Soybeans
How to Become an Aerial (Drone) Pesticide Applicator
Riehl Way Ag Instagram
In Amish country, drone dream takes flight

Photo credit: Ephraim Riehl 

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Recorded: 9/18/25

Have you ever harvested your crop just to reveal a major weed problem? Are you wondering whether a fall burndown is worth it or if you should wait for spring? In this episode, we chat with weed specialist Dwight Lingenfelter about fall burndown best practices, weeds that can be managed at this time, and tackling certain pasture weeds. 

Hosts: Ryan Spelman and Justin Brackenrich, Penn State Extension
Guest(s): Dwight Lingenfelter, Penn State

Links:
Fall Burndown of Weeds and Declining Forage Stands
Fall Weed Control in Pastures, Hay, and Other Forages
Burndown Herbicide Selection Before Early-fall Cover Crop Seeding
The Penn State Agronomy Guide

Photo credit: Ryan Spelman, Penn State Extension

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Recorded: 9/11/2025

As we quickly approach the harvest of soybean and grain corn across Pennsylvania, it is a good time to consider harvest best practices. In this episode, Justin and Dwane are joined by three guests from Penn State Extension. Linda Fetzer joins us to discuss safety considerations, Dr. Sjoerd Duiker discusses compaction, and Del Voight discusses harvest equipment management

Hosts: Dwane Miller and Justin Brackenrich, Penn State Extension

Guest(s): Linda Fetzer, and Del Voight, Penn State Extension, Dr. Sjoerd Duiker, Penn State

Links:
Diagnosing Soil Compaction Using a Penetrometer (Soil Compaction Tester)
Best Practices and Products to Reduce Grain Bin Entry
On-Farm Grain Bin Inspection Guidance for Safe Entry Lifeline and Anchor Point Retrofit
Practical Ways to Prevent Hearing Loss on the Farm
AgrAbility

Photo credit: Ryan Spelman, Penn State Extension

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Recorded: 8/20/25

In part two of our Ag Innovations segment, we're highlighting research at Penn State’s Cover Crop Cocktails field site. We chat with PhD student Theo Newbold about how cover crops and management drive fungal endophyte communities, or “dormant” disease communities. We also chat with Master’s student Allie Rice about incorporating perennial systems into a rotation for weed management.  

Hosts: Ryan Spelman and Justin Brackenrich, Penn State Extension

Guest(s): Theo Newbold and Allie Rice, Penn State

Links:
Plant Guide

Photo credit: Ryan Spelman, Penn State Extension

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Recorded: 8/20/25

Not only do cover crops influence soil microbiology, but they can also change the odor molecules that the following crop emits! In this first episode of season 4, Justin and Ryan chat with Dr. Jared Ali, an entomology professor at Penn State, who shared how cover crops can influence the way that pest insects perceive and feed on corn. They also sit down with PHD student Jennifer Harris to discuss how cover crop mixtures can modify the soil microbiome.  

Hosts: Ryan Spelman and Justin Brackenrich, Penn State Extension

Guest(s): Dr. Jared Ali and Jennifer Harris, Penn State

Links:
Northeast Cover Crop Decision Support Tool
MULTI-TROPHIC INTERACTIONS & CHEMICAL ECOLOGY

Photo credit: Ryan Spelman, Penn State Extension

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Recorded: 4/19/2021

Looking to grow something different? We go back to the archives for a conversation between Dr. Heidi Reed and Dr. Wade Thomason, former Grain Crop Specialist with Virginia Tech and current head of the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences at Oklahoma State University, about growing hard red winter wheat. They discuss the characteristics, uses, and breeding goals of hard red winter wheat, as well as the challenges faced by growers in adapting this crop to the region.  

Hosts: Ryan Spelman and Heidi Reed, Penn State Extension
Guest: Wade Thomason, Oklahoma State University

Links:
Heritage and Alternative Wheat

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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 ryelage production system, revisiting the alfalfa agronomic management practices in Pennsylvania, and improving tall fescue variety selection.  

Hosts: Ryan Spelman and Justin Brackenrich, Penn State Extension
Guest: Dr. Guojie Wang, Penn State 

Links:
2024 Agronomy Research Report

Photo credit: Ryan Spelman, Penn State Extension

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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 Frankenfield promotes Pennsylvania’s corn and soybean yield contests.  

Hosts: Ryan Spelman and Justin Brackenrich, Penn State Extension
Guest: Heidi Reed, Alyssa Collins, and Andrew Frankenfield, Penn State Extension

Links:
2025 Wheat Tour Predicts Average Yeilds and Quality
Updated 2025 Fungicide Efficacy Tables
An Overview of Tar Spot
New Crop Risk Tool Enhances Disease Management Decisions
Disease Severity and Insect Defoliation Training
PA Soybean Yield Contest

Photo credit: Ryan Spelman, Penn State Extension

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