Agronomy Highlights

Recorded: 11/21/24

In this episode, we're diving into the world of organic field crop production with Kristen Loria, Extension specialist at Cornell University. Kristen shares her broad expertise in building successful organic field cropping systems, including her experience in reducing tillage and improving crop diversity in organic field crop rotations. Kristen also discusses her experiences producing organic dry beans in New York (starting @ 40 min).

Hosts: Ryan Spelman and Justin Brackenrich, Penn State Extension
Guest: Kristen Loria, Cornell University

Links:
Penn State Organic Crop Production Guide
OGRAIN - Organic Grain Resources and Information Network
Buttermilk Bean

Photo Credit: Kristen Loria

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Recorded: 11/21/24

Let’s talk crap! As harvest season wraps up and manure pits continue to fill, farmers may be wondering how and if manure may be applied to cropland in winter conditions. In this episode, we are joined by Penn State Extension experts Dr. Robb Meinen and Leanna Duppstadt to discuss how to safely and effectively spread manure in the winter. We also discuss the value of writing manure management plans.

Hosts: Ryan Spelman and Justin Brackenrich, Penn State Extension
Guests: Robert Meinen and Leanna Duppstadt, Penn State Extension

Links:
The Do's and Don'ts of Winter Manure Spreading
Manure Management Plan Overview and Connections to Resources
Manure N-P-K Economic Value Calculator

Photo Credit: Ryan Spelman 

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Recorded: 10/28/2024

Ever wondered what it takes to become a successful multi-generation farm? In this episode, Ryan and Justin investigate the often-tricky process of farm succession and transition planning. Guests Joy Kirkpatrick and Darlene Livingston discuss what farm succession and transition planning means to producers, tensions that may arise during the process, and how to start your own farm plan. 

Hosts: Ryan Spelman and Justin Brackenrich, Penn State Extension
Guests: Joy Kirkpatrick and Darlene Livingston

Links:
Cultivating Your Farm’s Future
Pennsylvania Farm Link Resource Hub
Farm Succession with Pennsylvania Farm Link

Photo Credit: Ryan Spelman

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Recorded 10/2/2024

As corn and soybean harvest season is in full swing here in Pennsylvania, there is no better time to have a conversation about grain marketing strategy than the present! In this episode, our grain marketing novices, Ryan and Justin, invite grain marketing expert Jon LaPorte of MSU Extension to discuss the basics of grain marketing. We discuss grain marketing terms like basis and futures, contract options available to farmers, as well as market trends. 

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

Links:
Michigan State University Extension DEMaND Series
Grain Marketing Evaluation Tool
Commonly Used Grain Contracts

Photo credit: Ryan Spelman, Penn State Extension

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Recorded: 10/7/24

Have you ever wondered how a meteorologist predicts the weather? In the agricultural community, we understand the importance of accurate weather prediction and rely on forecasts to plan management decisions. In this episode, we are talking to Penn State meteorologist Kyle Imhoff about how weather is predicted, the innovative work his team does to improve weather prediction, and his forecast for the fall and winter seasons. 

Hosts: Ryan Spelman and Justin Brackenrich, Penn State Extension
Guest: Kyle Imhoff, Penn State University

Links:
The Penn State Climatologist service: Agricultural Interests
Climate Zones
What are El Niño and La Niña?
Keystone Mesonet

Photo credit: Ryan Spellman, Penn State Extension

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Recorded: 9/26/24

On this bonus episode, Ryan and Justin chat with fellow extension agronomy educators about 2024 crop conditions and silage dry-down. Dr. Heidi Reed discusses the results of the statewide crop conditions tour, projecting soybean and corn yields across Pennsylvania, and Zack Curtis discusses the findings from his silage dry-down reports this season.

Hosts: Ryan Spelman and Justin Brackenrich, Penn State Extension
Guest(s): Dr. Heidi Reed, Zack Curtis, Penn State Extension

Links:
2024 Crop Conditions Tour: Corn Suffers Statewide, Hope for Soybeans
Corn Silage Dry Down Update: Week of September 2, 2024
Troubleshooting Abnormal Corn Ears

Photo credit: Heidi Reed, Penn State Extension

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Recorded: 9/25/24

We cannot believe we made it to Season 3 without a silage episode! Today that all changes, as Ryan and Justin talk with forage systems specialist Joe Lawrence of the Cornell PRO-DAIRY team. Joe Lawrence draws upon his years of experience with Cornell and as a private certified crop adviser to chat about the science of corn silage management and hybrid selection, and reflects on lessons learned from the 2024 silage season. 


Hosts: Ryan Spelman and Justin Brackenrich, Penn State Extension
Guest: Joe Lawrence, Cornell University

Links:
Corn Silage Management
Spreadsheet to Price Standing Hay-crop Forage
Understanding Silage Management
Cornell Field Crop Variety Trials
PDMP Pennsylvania Corn Silage Hybrid Trials
Cornell Maximizing Forage Quality in Bunk Silos
Managing for Quality Silage: Bunk Silos and Piles. Joe Lawrence, Forage Specialist, Cornell PRODAIRY

Photo credit: Ryan Spelman, Penn State Extension

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Recorded: 8/26/24

In part two of our two-part series, we are exploring new and emerging agricultural technologies. In this episode, Dr. Charlie White shares his lab’s research on nitrogen decision support tools and variable rate fertilizer prescriptions, and Dr. Daniela Carrijo shares her lab’s work on using drones to calculate cover crop nitrogen contributions and new short-stature corn genetics.

Hosts: Ryan Spelman and Justin Brackenrich, Penn State Extension
Guest(s): Dr. John Wallace, Dr. Daniela Carrijo, Penn State University

Links:
Nitrogen Recommendations for Corn That Credit Cover Crops and Soil Organic Matter
Soil Fertility Testing

Photo credit: Charlie White, Penn State 

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Recorded: 8/26/24

In part one of a two part series, Ryan and Justin explore new and emerging agricultural technologies. On this episode Dr. Paul Esker shares his lab’s reseacrh on drone technology and fungicide application and Dr. John Wallace shares his lab’s research on exact-apply herbicide application technology.

Hosts: Ryan Spelman and Justin Brackenrich, Penn State Extension
Guest(s): Dr. Paul Esker and Dr. John Wallace, Penn State University

Links:
The Esker Lab
John Wallace
Exploring Emerging and Advanced Technology in Agriculture

Photo credit: Ryan Spelman, Penn State Extension

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Recorded: 8/26/24

Season three of Agronomy Highlights is here! Hosts Ryan and Justin take the time to officially introduce themselves, and chat about the future ideas and plans for season 3. Big things to come this season!

Hosts: Ryan Spelman and Justin Brackenrich, Penn State Extension

Links:
Penn State Extension Agronomic Crops
Penn State Extension Cover Crops
Penn State Extension Forages

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