Agronomy Highlights

Recorded: 8/25/23

Of all the things that are in a farmer's control to produce a healthy crop, unfortunately, the weather is not one of them. This year, several farms across Pennsylvania encountered hail damage from strong storm systems, and when that happens, it can be challenging to determine what the next best move is. Thankfully, Justin McMechan from the University of Nebraska Extension joins us on to discuss how to assess a hail-damaged field and what management options a grower has going forward. 

Useful Links:
7-Day Time Lapse of Corn Recovery from Hail Damage
Hail Damage Evaluation and Management in Corn
Evaluating Early-Season Hail Damage in Corn

Hosts: Joseph Akins and Dwane Miller, Penn State Extension
Guest: Justin McMechan, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Photo credit: Pixabay.com

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Recorded: 8/1/23

It takes a tremendous amount of mechanical power to keep a modern farm operation running, and in this episode, we dive into all aspects of farm machinery. We're covering which pieces of equipment are necessary for an operation, the tradeoffs of owning equipment vs. hiring a custom applicator, and how to manage equipment once you have it. A special "thank you" to fellow educator Zach Curtis for joining us and weighing in on our discussion.

Useful Links:
New & Used Farm Equipment For Sale
Ag Decision Maker

Hosts: Joseph Akins and Dwane Miller, Penn State Extension
Guest: Zachary Curtis, Penn State Extension


Photo credit: Pixabay.com

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Recorded: 7/19/2023

There is certainly no shortage of livestock in Pennsylvania, and ensuring that those valuable farm animals have access to safe feed is of the utmost importance. In this episode, we discuss some of the most common forage toxicity problems and how they can be avoided. Listen in as we discuss everything from nitrate to toxicity, prussic acid to bloat, and toxic fescue. If you are interested in maintaining animal health or currently raising livestock, this one is for you!

Useful Links:
Warm Season Annuals and Alfalfa after Frost
Reducing the Risk of Nitrate and Prussic Acid Poisoning in Livestock
Spectrum Analytic Analysis Services
Rock River Laboratory
Dairy One
Cumberland Valley Analytical Services

Hosts: Joseph Akins and Dwane Miller, Penn State Extension
Guest: Leanna Duppstadt, Penn State Extension

Photo credit: Leanna Duppstadt

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Recorded: 7/12/2023

In this episode, we are speaking with Dr. Paul Vincelli from the University of Kentucky on the fascinating and often controversial topic of GMOs. We're discussing the history of genetically modified crops, how things have progressed over time, and the benefits and risks of this technology. Dr. VIncelli is a thoughtful scholar whose perspective on this makes for a balanced, productive, and thought-provoking conversation. 

Useful Links:
Dr. Paul Vincelli

Hosts: Joseph Akins and Dwane Miller, Penn State Extension
Guest: Dr. Paul Vincelli, University of Kentucky

Photo credit: Pixabay.com

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Recorded: May 16, 2023

In this episode, we are fortunate to be joined by Dr. Debalina Saha from Michigan State University to discuss the fascinating concept of allelopathy. Many plants produce compounds that inhibit the growth of other plants around them, and dissecting how that process works could yield some interesting opportunities moving forward. Tune in if you’re curious about what allelopathy is, how it works, and how it could be harnessed in an agronomic system!

Hosts: Joseph Akins and Dwane Miller, Penn State Extension
Guests: Dr. Debalina Saha, Michigan State University

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Recorded: May 1, 2023

Slugs can be a challenging pest to deal with early in the growing season. We sat down with one of our fellow Penn State Extension educator, Anna Hodgson, to discuss what to look for in the field when dealing with slugs. Learn how to manage slugs in row crops as we discuss species you might find to sampling and control methods.

Useful Links:
Scouting for Slugs in Corn Fields
2023 Pennsylvania Slug Monitoring Project
Slugs as Pests of Field Crops

Hosts: Joseph Akins and Dwane Miller, Penn State Extension
Guest: Anna Hodgson, Penn State Extension

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Photo credit: Penn State Extension

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Recorded: April 21, 2023

In this episode, renowned entomologist Dr. Peter Ellsworth from the University of Arizona joins us to discuss the valuable role beneficial insects play in our cropping systems. We cover the differences between predators and parasitoids, how to scout fields to assess insect populations, as well as interesting, cutting-edge techniques such as beneficial insect releases via drone. Tune in to this in-depth conversation on all key aspects of biological insect control.

Useful Links:
About Peter C. Ellsworth
Crop Capsules

Hosts: Joseph Akins and Dwane Miller, Penn State Extension
 Guest: Dr. Peter Ellsworth

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Recorded: 3/27/23

Today we are joined by Dr. Jarrod Miller, a scientist from the University of Delaware with a great deal of experience using drones in agriculture. We're discussing the benefits and challenges of using drones in a crop production system and what the future may hold for drone technology. Thinking about flying a quad-copter over your fields? Then tune in now!

Useful Links:
So You Want to Fly A Drone
Dr. Jarrod Miller

Hosts: Joseph Akins and Dwane Miller, Penn State Extension
Guest: Dr. Jarrod Miller, University of Delaware

 

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Recorded: 4/12/2023

With the massive number of pesticides, adjuvants, and liquid fertilizers on the market today, it’s no surprise that the list of potential tank mix combinations is simply staggering. In this episode, we discuss the basic do’s and don'ts of tank mixing and how to promote synergy and avoid antagonism. Our guest, Dr. Eric Prostko, is highly versed in this area and delivers a valuable discussion of properly mixing your agricultural chemicals to maximize your efforts.

Useful Links:
Check antagonism before pulling trigger on tank-mixed herbicides
Mix Tank App
Herbicide Resistance Action Committee

Hosts: Joseph Akins and Dwane Miller, Penn State Extension
Guest: Dr. Eric Prostko, professor and weed specialist, University of Georgia 

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Recorded: 5/25/2023

Nitrogen fertilizer is one of the most critical inputs for a variety of crops and ensuring that it is not lost is essential for maintaining good yields. With so many different N fertilizer sources and N loss prevention products on the market, it can be challenging to make sense of it all and decide what to use. Fortunately, our resident soil fertility expert, Dr. Charlie White, joins us to discuss all aspects of how to make the most of our valuable N fertilizer applications.

Useful Links:
Re-calibrating the Pre-Sidedress Soil Nitrate Test for Modern Corn Production
Diagnostic Tools for Determining Appropriate Sidedress Nitrogen Rates

Hosts: Joseph Akins and Dwane Miller, Penn State Extension
Guest: Dr. Charles White, Penn State

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