Agronomy Highlights

Recorded: 5/11/26 

Rising fertilizer prices are top of mind for producers this spring. As we approach first cutting, how should you be thinking about fertility management to ensure successful hay production throughout the season? Join us for a discussion with Andrew Frankenfield as he shares strategies to help you maximize your fertility inputs and get the most out of your hay crop.

Hosts: Justin Brackenrich and Dwane Miller, Penn State Extension
Guest(s): Andrew Frankenfield, Penn State Extension

Links:
First-Cut Forage Considerations
Manure N-P-K Economic Value Calculator
University of Georgia Fertilizer Calculator

Photo credit: Dwane Miller

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Recorded: 3/16/26 

Grain sorghum is gaining attention as a resilient, drought-tolerant crop with potential to diversify crop rotations across Pennsylvania. In this episode, Justin and Dwane are once again joined with Dale Stoltzfus, Sorghum grower and owner of Specialty Grains LLC. They will continue to dive deeper into grain sorghum management and discuss some opportunities and challenges of producing high-yielding grain sorghum.

Hosts: Justin Brackenrich and Dwane Miller, Penn State Extension
Guest(s): Dale Stoltzfus 

Links:
Specialty Grains

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Recorded: 3/30/26 

As planting season approaches, preparation and decision-making can set the tone for the entire growing year. In this episode, the hosts invite Del Voight, Lebanon County Agronomy Extension Educator, to discuss key considerations for planting corn and soybeans. Topics include evaluating planting conditions, deciding how early to start planting, and optimizing planter setup for uniform emergence and strong early-season growth.

 Hosts: Ryan Spelman, Justin Brackenrich, and Dwane Miller, Penn State Extension
Guest: Del Voight, Penn State Extension

Links:
Planter and Drill Maintenance
Growing Corn and Corn Silage on a Budget
Assessing Corn and Soybean Populations and Replanting Decisions

Sponsor:
Call/text Mark  1-618-521-6805

Photo credit: Tosh Mazzone 

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Recorded: 3/16/26 

Grain sorghum is gaining attention as a resilient, drought-tolerant crop with potential to diversify crop rotations across Pennsylvania. But how well does it really fit our climate and management systems? In this episode, Justin and Dwane are joined by Dale Stoltzfus, sorghum grower and owner of Specialty Grains LLC, to explore the opportunities and challenges of growing grain sorghum in Pennsylvania.

Hosts: Justin Brackenrich and Dwane Miller, Penn State Extension
Guest: Dale Stoltzfus

Links:
Specialty Grains
Sorghum: Herbicide Options and Considerations if Corn Crop Fails

Sponsor:
Call/text Mark  1-618-521-6805

Photo credit: Ryan Spelman

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Recorded: 3/6/26

As spring is coming fast, it is time to start making our fertility management plans! In this episode, we dive into the P of N-P-K. Penn State soil fertility management specialist Dr. Charlie White and Chief Administrative & Sustainability Officer of Phospholutions, Stephen Levitsky, join us to discuss phosphorus management, selecting fertilizers, and new high-efficiency phosphorus fertilizer technology. 

Hosts: Ryan Spelman and Dwane Miller, Penn State Extension
Guest(s): Dr. Charlie White, Stephan Levitsky

Links:
Soil additive devised by Penn State researchers may cut farm phosphorus runoff
Managing Phosphorus for Crop Production
Phospholutions

Photo credit: Charlie White, Penn State

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Recorded: 2/23/25 

Are you looking for opportunities to pack more crops into your rotation? Double crop soybeans may be for you! Double-cropping soybeans refers to growing soybeans immediately following a cereal grain crop. In this episode, we invite Dr. Carrie Knott of the University of Kentucky to discuss the agronomics of growing double-crop soybeans and the potential for double-cropping in Pennsylvania.  

Hosts: Ryan Spelman and Justin Brackenrich, Penn State Extension
Guest: Dr. Carrie Knott, University of Kentucky

Links:
Carrie Knott
Considerations for Double-Crop Soybean Production
Financial Considerations for Double-Cropping

Photo credit: Del Voight, Penn State Extension

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Recorded: 2/6/2026 

When a fire emergency happens on the farm, it is important to be prepared to stop the fire at the source! In this episode, we discuss Enforcer One fire-control systems with our sponsor, Mark Twenhafel of Midwest Ag Risk Kontrol LLC (MARK). 

Hosts: Ryan Spelman and Justin Brackenrich
Guest(s): Mark Twenhafel 

Photo credit: Mark Twenhafel 

Links:
Enforcer One
Fire Demonstration
Midwest Ag Risk Kontrol 

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Recorded: 1/14/2026 

Spring is coming soon, and the increased use of farm equipment this time of year can increase risk of fire. In this episode, Justin and Ryan chat with Rob Nese, Assistant Fire Chief of Centre Region Fire Protection and Emergency Management, about farm fire safety. We discuss common causes of fire on-farm, fire prevention, and what to do in an emergency.  

Hosts: Ryan Spelman and Justin Brackenrich
Guest(s): Rob Nese 

Photo Credit: Alpha Fire Company  

Links:
Rob Nese, Centre County, Pennsylvania
Fire Prevention in Barns

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Recorded: 1/15/2026 

Are you wondering how you can reduce costs and increase profit on your commodity farm? In this episode, we tackle this question by introducing the utility of an enterprise budget and invite Clint Schroeder and Rachel Cochran, extension specialists at Ohio State and hosts of the Green Fields Green Dollars Video Series, to discuss creative production strategies to save money.  

Hosts: Ryan Spelman, Justin Brackenrich, and Dwane Miller Penn State Extension
Guests: Clint Schroeder, Rachel Cochran OSU Extension

Links:
Agronomy Highlights Podcast: Become a Sponsor!
Enterprise Budgets
FINBIN
Green Fields Green Dollars

Photo credit: Ryan Spellman

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Recorded: 12/17/25

Plant disease can be difficult to diagnose, and thankfully, you don’t have to do it alone! In this episode, Ryan and Justin sit down with Dr. Sara May, Manager of Penn State’s Plant Disease Clinic, to discuss utilizing the clinic, identifying crop disease, and disease trends. 

Hosts: Ryan Spelman and Justin Brackenrich
Guest: Sara May, Penn State

Links:
Plant Disease Clinic
National Plant Diagnostic Network

Photo credit: Amy Duke, Penn State

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