Agronomy Highlights
Agronomy Highlights is a biweekly podcast hosted by Penn State Extension field and forage crops educators. The goal of the show is to cover a broad range of pertinent agronomic topics in depth with knowledgeable guests. Farmers, industry professionals, and anyone interested in increasing their knowledge of field crop production and management should find the information useful.
Episodes
104 episodes
S4E22: Stand Assessment and Replant Decisions in Corn and Soybeans
Recorded: 5/21/26 What should growers look for when evaluating early-season corn and soybean stands to decide whether replanting is worth the time and cost? In this episode, expert Zack Curtis discusses replanting decisions for corn...
S4E21: Forage Fertilization After First Cutting
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? Joi...
S4E20: Grain Sorghum 101 (Pt.2)
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, ...
S4E19: Planning for Planting
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 ...
S4E18: Grain Sorghum 101 (Pt.1)
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 e...
S4E17: Phosphorus Fertility and New P Technology!
Recorded: 3/6/26As 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...
S4E16: Double Crop Soybeans
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 e...
S4E15: Sponsor Spotlight: Midwest Ag Risk Kontrol LLC
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 A...
S4E14: Farm Fire Safety
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 Protecti...
S4E13: Reducing Costs, Increasing Profit on the Farm
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 Ra...
S4E12: Identifying Crop Disease with the Plant Disease Clinic
Recorded: 12/17/25Plant 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 ...
S4E11: Managing Nitrogen with Soil Organic Matter and Your Microbial Herd
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 joi...
S4E10: AgrAbility, Respirator Fit Testing, and Farm Stress: Resource Episode!
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 Fetz...
S4E9: Q&A with the Forage Team! (Part 2)
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...
S4E8: Q&A with the Forage Team! (Part 1)
Recorded: 11/17/25In 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 strengthenin...
S4E7: Back to Basics: Soil Fertility Testing
Recorded: 11/05/25In 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 tes...
S4E6: Wheat Fertility Checklist
Recorded: 10/22/25With 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 soi...
S4E5: Operating a Drone business in 2025 w/ RiehlWay Ag
Recorded: 9/25/25Drones 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 th...
S4E4: Fall Herbicide Application: Burndown and Pasture Weed Control
Recorded: 9/18/25Have 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 Lingenfe...
S4:E3: Harvest Do’s and Don’ts: Safety, Compaction, and Equipment
Recorded: 9/11/2025As 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 Exten...
S4E2: Ag Innovations: Fungal Endophytes and Incorporating Perennials for Weed Control
Recorded: 8/20/25In 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 co...
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S4E1: Ag Innovations: How cover crops change the soil biology and the way corn smells!
Recorded: 8/20/25Not 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 pr...
S3E29: Specialty Grain Spotlight: Hard Red Winter Wheat
Recorded: 4/19/2021Looking 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 Pla...
S3E28: Emerging Technology: Improving Pennsylvania Forage Systems
Recorded: 6/23/2025What 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...
S3E27: Mid-Season Check-In: Wheat Condition, Tar Spot, PA Yield Contests
Recorded: 6/27/25As 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 shar...
