Agronomy Highlights

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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Recorded: 6/1/25

Are you a farmer looking for information about finding a qualified crop consultant? Maybe you are interested in becoming a Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) yourself. In this episode, Ryan and Justin sit down with CCA’s Dean Collamer and Lew Frame to talk about the CCA program.  They discuss what a certified crop adviser does, the value of the certification, the requirements of the certification, and the value to the farmer. 

Hosts: Ryan Spelman and Justin Brackenrich, Penn State Extension
Guest: Dean Collamer, Growmark FS, and Lew Frame, TeamAg

Links:
Get Certified
Find a Professional
Certified Crop Adviser Exams
Certified Crop Adviser Application
Pennsylvania Certified Crop Adviser Study Guide

Photo credit: Mike Houtz, Penn State Extension

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Recorded: 6/5/2025

Winter cover cropping has become commonplace across Pennsylvania; however, few are making the best use of summer cover crops following wheat harvest. In this episode, Ryan and Justin talk to Dr. Heidi Reed about cover crop options and best management practices after wheat harvest. Dr. Dwight Lingenfelter also joins us to discuss considerations for herbicide use in wheat when followed by a cover crop.  

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

Links:

Cover Crop Establishment and Burndown Herbicides
Double-Crop Soybeans: Weed Management Considerations

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Photo credit: Ryan Spelman

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Recorded: 5/21/25 

While you may be familiar with the benefits of soil nutrient testing, are you familiar with the value of plant tissue testing? In this episode, Ryan and Justin invite Dr. John Spargo, Director of Penn State’s Agricultural Analytical Services Lab, to discuss Plant Tissue (Total) Analysis. John shares the value of this type of testing, how it may fit into your agronomic toolbox, and the technical aspects of taking a tissue test.  

Hosts: Ryan Spelman and Justin Brackenrich, Penn State Extension
Guest: Dr. John Spargo, Penn State

Links:

Plant Tissue (Total) Analysis

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Recorded: 4/21/25 

What are biological amendments, and how can I implement them on my own farm? If you find yourself asking these questions, then this episode is for you! Ryan and Justin navigate the wild west of biological products with Dr. Connor Sible, Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois Urbana. Dr. Sible discusses the definition of biological products, deciphers biological “modes of action”, and provides practical advice for implementing them on-farm.  

Hosts: Ryan Spelman and Justin Brackenrich, Penn State Extension
Guest: Connor Sible, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Links:
Crop Physiology

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Recorded: 4/17/25

As the planters get rolling for corn and soybean planting across the state, it can be all too easy to forget about scouting your wheat crops. However, getting ahead of late season small grain diseases is crucial to protecting your yield and profit. In this episode, we discuss small grain disease scouting and management with Penn State plant pathology specialists Dr. Paul Esker and Dr. Alyssa Collins.  

Hosts: Ryan Spelman and Justin Brackenrich, Penn State Extension
Guests: Dr. Paul Esker and Dr. Alyssa Collins, Penn State

Links:
Fusarium Risk Tool
Updated 2025 Fungicide Efficacy Tables
Scouting Small Grains Diseases for Improved Fungicide Decision Making
Evaluating Late Season Diseases in Small Grains
Check Your Small Grain Growth Stage For Management Decisions
Small Grain Growth and Development in Central Pennsylvania: Fields are Getting Closer to Anthesis

Photo Credit: Adriana Murrillo-Williams, Penn State Extension

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Recorded: 4/8/25 

Are you wondering how tariffs may impact the grain market? Maybe you want to learn how to build a grain marketing plan in the first place! In this episode, Jon LaPorte, farm business educator with Michigan State Extension, returns to talk about tariffs, building a grain marketing plan, scenario planning, and leveraging your local market.  

Hosts: Ryan Spelman and Justin Brackenrich, Penn State Extension
Guest: Jon Laporte, Michigan State Extension

Links:
What's Your Grain Marketing Plan?
The corn-soybean ratio and its potential impact on farm profits
Introduction to Grain Marketing Video Series
Enterprise budgets are useful tools especially during uncertain times

Photo credit: Ryan Spelman,  Penn State Extension

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