Recorded: 6/2/26

Join Penn State Extension Agronomy Educators for a timely and practical conversation on current crop conditions across Pennsylvania. In this episode, the team shares on-the-ground observations from fields spanning multiple regions. They highlight how recent weather patterns, soil moisture variability, and crop growth stages are shaping corn and forage performance.

The discussion includes a question about one of the most critical in-season decisions: nitrogen management in corn. Educators will outline practical tools and approaches farmers can use right now.

Hosts: Justin Brackenrich and Dwane Miller, Penn State Extension
Guest(s): Erin Cuprinka and Heidi Reed, Penn State Extension

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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 and soybeans, emphasizing the importance of objective assessment, cost analysis, and strategic planning to optimize yields and profitability.

Hosts: Justin Brackenrich and Dwane Miller, Penn State Extension
Guest: Zack Curtis, Penn State Extension

Links:
Assessing Corn and Soybean Populations and Replanting Decisions

Photo credit: Dwane Miller

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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? Join us for a discussion with Andrew Frankenfield as he shares strategies to help you maximize your fertility inputs and get the most out of your hay crop.

Hosts: Justin Brackenrich and Dwane Miller, Penn State Extension
Guest(s): Andrew Frankenfield, Penn State Extension

Links:
First-Cut Forage Considerations
Manure N-P-K Economic Value Calculator
University of Georgia Fertilizer Calculator

Photo credit: Dwane Miller

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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, Sorghum grower and owner of Specialty Grains LLC. They will continue to dive deeper into grain sorghum management and discuss some opportunities and challenges of producing high-yielding grain sorghum.

Hosts: Justin Brackenrich and Dwane Miller, Penn State Extension
Guest(s): Dale Stoltzfus

Links:
Specialty Grains

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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 considerations for planting corn and soybeans. Topics include evaluating planting conditions, deciding how early to start planting, and optimizing planter setup for uniform emergence and strong early-season growth.

Hosts: Ryan Spelman, Justin Brackenrich, and Dwane Miller, Penn State Extension
Guest: Del Voight, Penn State Extension

Links:
Planter and Drill Maintenance
Growing Corn and Corn Silage on a Budget
Assessing Corn and Soybean Populations and Replanting Decisions

Sponsor:
Call/text Mark 1-618-521-6805

Photo credit: Tosh Mazzone

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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 episode, Justin and Dwane are joined by Dale Stoltzfus, sorghum grower and owner of Specialty Grains LLC, to explore the opportunities and challenges of growing grain sorghum in Pennsylvania.

Hosts: Justin Brackenrich and Dwane Miller, Penn State Extension
Guest: Dale Stoltzfus

Links:
Specialty Grains
Sorghum: Herbicide Options and Considerations if Corn Crop Fails

Sponsor:
Call/text Mark 1-618-521-6805

Photo credit: Ryan Spelman

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Recorded: 3/6/26

As 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 & Sustainability Officer of Phospholutions, Stephen Levitsky, join us to discuss phosphorus management, selecting fertilizers, and new high-efficiency phosphorus fertilizer technology.

Hosts: Ryan Spelman and Dwane Miller, Penn State Extension
Guest(s): Dr. Charlie White, Stephan Levitsky

Links:
Soil additive devised by Penn State researchers may cut farm phosphorus runoff
Managing Phosphorus for Crop Production
Phospholutions

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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 episode, we invite Dr. Carrie Knott of the University of Kentucky to discuss the agronomics of growing double-crop soybeans and the potential for double-cropping in Pennsylvania.

Hosts: Ryan Spelman and Justin Brackenrich, Penn State Extension
Guest: Dr. Carrie Knott, University of Kentucky

Links:
Carrie Knott
Considerations for Double-Crop Soybean Production
Financial Considerations for Double-Cropping

Photo credit: Del Voight, Penn State Extension

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