Agronomy Highlights

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 insights and considerations for you.

Useful links:
Penn State Agronomy Guide, new 2023-2024 edition coming soon!
Palmer Amaranth and Waterhemp Identification
Marestail Management
Herbicide Recommendations for Noxious Pigweeds
Postemergence Soybean Herbicide Options

Hosts: Joseph Akins and Dwane Miller
Guest: Dwight Lingenfelter, Extension Associate, Weed Science



Follow us on Facebook!

Sign up for our newsletter, Field Crop News, and follow us on Facebook!

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 Akins and Dwane Miller
Guest: Dr. Burton Johnson and Dr. Hans Kandel, North Dakota State University

Photo credit: National Sunflower Association

Sign up for our newsletter, Field Crop News, and follow us on Facebook!

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’s possible in a row crop field.  

Useful Links: 

• Georgia Cover Crop Nitrogen Availability Calculator
• Penn State Cover Crop and Soil Organic Matter Nitrogen Credit
• Northeast Cover Crop Decision Tool
• Managing Cover Crops Profitably Book

Hosts: Joseph Akins and Dwane Miller
Guest: Dr. Nicholas Basinger, University of Georgia

About our guest:
Nicholas Basinger is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences at the University of Georgia. Dr. Basinger received his Ph.D. from North Carolina State University, where he studied the impacts of weed interference on biomass accumulation of weed and crop species as well as the impacts on crop yield.

At the University of Georgia, he focuses on the alteration and manipulation of the agroecosystem and ecosystems surrounding non-cropland areas to reduce the impacts of weeds. His research interests include exploring aspects of weed interference and crop-weed interactions, herbicide efficacy, remote sensing of weeds, and developing novel management systems for both cropland and non-cropland areas.

Episode photo credit: University of Georgia

Sign up for our newsletter, Field Crop News, and follow us on Facebook!

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 increase your awareness of a key pest that could be robbing you of those extra bushels you’re after.   

Helpful Links
Scouting for SCN
General SCN information
Free SCN testing for PA farmers

Hosts: Joseph Akins and Dwane Miller
Guest: Dr. Adriana Murillo-Williams

Photo credit: Craig Grau, University of Wisconsin 

Sign up for our newsletter, Field Crop News, and follow us on Facebook!

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: Concepts and Practices

Hosts: Joseph Akins and Dwane Miller
Guest: Dr. Mary Barbercheck, Penn State Professor of Entomology 

Sign up for our newsletter, Field Crop News, and follow us on Facebook!

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 Residual Herbicides
• Cover Crop Termination Tips
• Cover Crops: An Effective Herbicide-Resistance Management Tool
  
  
• Hosts: Joseph Akins and Dwane Miller 
• Guest: Dr. John Wallace, Penn State Weed Management Specialist  

Sign up for our newsletter, Field Crop News, and follow us on Facebook!

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 their mental health. 

Helpful Links and Resources:
Stress and Mental Health
Mental Health First Aid Webinar
Mental Health and Stress for Agricultural Producers
Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Number: 988 
Agri Stress Helpline: 833-897-2474 

Hosts: Joseph Akins and Dwane Miller
Guest: Dr. Ginger Fenton, Penn State Extension dairy educator 

Photo credit: United Soybean Board

Sign up for our newsletter, Field Crop News, and follow us on Facebook!

Recorded: 8/29/22

In this episode, we dive into the topic of carbon sequestration. How do we sequester carbon? What are carbon credits, and how do I begin to learn more about the possibility of selling carbon credits? Tune in to find out more! 

Helpful Links:
Penn State’s Center for Agricultural and Shale Law h
Penn State Extension Article on Carbon Sequestration and Credits 
“Carbon Markets in PA” webinar recording from November 10, 2021

Hosts: Joseph Akins and Dwane Miller
Guests: Dr. Charlie White, Penn State Soil Fertility Specialist and Anne Miller, Penn State Extension

Sign up for our newsletter, Field Crop News, and follow us on Facebook!

Recorded 7/29/22

Today, we are talking about field corn assessment late in the season. We’ll cover how to assess pollination, the importance of the grain-fill process, insect and disease issues, and evaluating fields as we finish off this season’s crop. 

Helpful Links:
Determine corn pollination with Bob Nielsen, Purdue University with this ear shake test video.
Handy Bt Trait Table
Abnormal corn ear information, Ohio State University
Corn, soybean, wheat, and forages field guide from Penn State and Ohio State

Hosts: Joseph Akins and Dwane Miller
Guests: Dr. Daniela Carrijo, Penn State Grain Crops Specialist and Del Voight, Penn State Extension Educator

Sign up for our newsletter, Field Crop News, and follow us on Facebook!

Date Recorded: 7/26/22

The dynamic disease duo of Dr. Alyssa Collins and Dr. Paul Esker join us on this episode to discuss a newer disease of interest in corn, tar spot. We start off by covering the general level of disease pressure currently being observed across the state, and soon after, get into all things tar spot. Listen in to find out the history, distribution, symptoms, and control of this fungal pathogen.

Useful Links:
Crop Protection Network - Tar Spot Fact Sheet
Corn Fungicide Efficacy
Tar Spot Reporting - Google Doc
Tar Spot Article
Plant Disease Clinic Website 

Hosts: Joseph Akins and Dwane Miller 
Guests: Dr. Alyssa Collins and Dr. Paul Esker, Penn State Plant Pathologists 

Sign up for our newsletter, Field Crop News, and follow us on Facebook!