Agronomy Highlights

Recorded: 12/18/2025 

Nitrogen may be one of the most mysterious nutrients that we deal with in agriculture. The dynamic elements of the nitrogen cycle make nitrogen quite a fickle nutrient in our systems. In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Richard Mulvaney of the University of Illinois to discuss how Soil Organic Matter and Microbial activity drive N availability to our crops. We also discuss the question, are we applying too much chemical N? 

Hosts: Ryan Spelman and Dwane Miller
Guest(s): Dr. Richard Mulvaney

Links:
Soil Organic Matter and Cover Crop-based Nitrogen Recommendations for Corn

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Recorded: 12/11/2025 

With the winter meeting season fast approaching, it is a good time to highlight some of the Penn State Extension resources that will be available at meetings and conferences upcoming across the state. Linda Fetzer shares information about the AgrAbility program, Shane Williams discusses respirator fit testing, and Ginger Fenton shares Farm Stress Resources. 

Hosts: Ryan Spelman and Justin Brackenrich
Guest(s): Linda Fetzer, Shane Williams, Ginger Fenton

Photo credit: Steve Williams 

Links:
S4E10 Links 

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Recorded: 11/17/25 

In this episode, our forage team educators and specialists sit down to answer commonly asked questions about forage production. In part 2, they discuss making your last fall cutting, and early spring fertility and management. 

Hosts: Ryan Spelman, Justin Brackenrich, and Dwane Miller

Links:
Hay and Pasture Renovation Decisions
Soil Fertility Management for Forage Crops: Pre-establishment

Photo credit: Ryan Spelman, Penn State Extension

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Recorded: 11/17/25

In this episode, our forage team educators and specialists sit down to answer commonly asked questions about forage production. In part 1, they discuss establishing a new forage stand, fertility timing, and strengthening a weak stand.  

Hosts: Ryan Spelman, Justin Brackenrich, and Dwane Miller

Links:
Hay and Pasture Renovation Decisions
Soil Fertility Management for Forage Crops: Pre-establishment

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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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