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 Sign up for our newsletter, Field Crop Ne...

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 Mi...

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: ...

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...

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...

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 Newbol...

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 Spel...

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. ...

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 ...

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...

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, P...

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 Gu...

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 Brac...

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...

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 Gue...

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 You...

Recorded: 3/5/25 As any Pennsylvania farmer can tell you, deer can cause significant damage to crops and are a primary pest in our agricultural landscape. In this episode, we sit down with Law Enforcement Supervisor Brian Singer of the Pennsylvania Game Commission to discuss the legal and lethal options that farmers can take advantage of to manage deer populations. Hosts: Ryan Spelman and Justin Brackenrich, Penn State Extension Guest: Brian Singer, Pennsylvania Game Commission L...

Recorded: 3/11/25 Cornell Forage Systems Specialist, Joe Lawrence, returns to discuss small grain silage and silage inoculants. We discuss the agronomics of producing high-quality grain silage, and Joe walks us through the different types of silage inoculants, when to use them, and how to use them effectively. Hosts: Ryan Spelman and Justin Brackenrich, Penn State Extension Guest: Joe Lawrence, Cornell University Links: Using a Microwave Oven to Test Moisture Content of Forage Silage in...

Recorded: 2/26/25 Get ready for spring green-up with this two-episode series on assessing your spring small grain and forage stands! In this episode, we talk to extension educator Zack Curtis about the technical aspects of taking qualitative and quantitative stand assessments. Hosts: Ryan Spelman and Justin Brackenrich, Penn State Extension Guest: Zachary Curtis. Penn State Extension Links: Wheat Stand Assessment Evaluation and Considerations on Newly Established Forages ...

Recorded: 2/19/25 Get ready for spring green-up with this two-episode series on assessing your spring small grain and forage stands! In this episode we talk to extension specialists Dr. Daniela Carrijo and Dr. Guojie Wang about making management decisions based on your early spring stand assessments. Hosts: Ryan Spelman and Justin Brackenrich, Penn State Extension Guests: Dr. Daniela Carrijo, Dr. Guojie Wang, Penn State Links: Wheat Stand Assessment Evaluation and Considerations on Newl...