Production and Harvesting
Agronomic crops provide food, feed grain, oil, and fiber for domestic consumption and are a major component of US export trade. In Pennsylvania, agriculture is one of the most important industries. Visit Penn State Extension’s vast resources to find information on planting, growing, and harvesting agronomic crops such as corn, barley, canola, rye, soybeans, hemp, and wheat. Find the best tips on no-till crop management and crop rotation.
Agronomic Crops Production
A wide variety of agronomic crops are grown in the United States, including corn, soybean, small grains, specialty crops such as malting barley, canola, and industrial hemp, rye, and wheat.
Different factors have to be considered if you want good quality crops and high production. For example, sweet corn production requires a low initial investment and many field operations can be custom-hired. Corn can be grown and harvested for silage where cropland is limited. Nutrient management is also fundamental when it comes to corn and bean production. An integrated pest/crop management strategy also plays an important role in successful agronomic production.
For optimum yield, planting at the right time, temperature, and spacing are crucial. Small grain crops, for example, are currently maturing earlier than normal, thanks to warmer temperatures during the winter and a higher growing degree day accumulation than normal. Wet weather can delay wheat planting, but issues such as these can be overcome if you factor variety selection, rotations, seeding depth and rate into your planting decisions.
Soybeans have a long history of production in Pennsylvania and because of the climate, it’s a crop that lends itself well to double-crop soybean production. Penn State Extension offers a number of different resources for anyone interested in soybean production, such as a Soybean Production Field Days and Soybean Production Workshops.
A number of specialty crops are also being grown such as winter barley, malting barley, and industrial hemp. The successful production of these types of crops requires specialist knowledge and understanding. For the production of industrial hemp, for example, a waiver is required from the USDA and the state must also pass legislation approving hemp production and research. In Pennsylvania, Senate Bill 50 was passed out of committee and this allows and promotes trial hemp production in the state.
Anyone thinking about becoming a producer doesn’t have to make all the decisions on their own. There are lots of resources available such as The Penn State Agronomy Guide, which provides comprehensive information on agronomic crops, soil, and pest management for farms of all sizes.
Crop Days, crop conditions reports and Crop Conferences also provide opportunities for you to learn about pesticide and nutrient management, the latest innovations for the coming seasons as well as courses to help you become a Pennsylvania Certified Crop Adviser. These professionals are well-versed in the crop scouting fundamentals for all the agronomic crops grown in the US today.
Seed Choice and Crop Rotation
If you want a healthy crop next season, there are decisions to be made before you put a single seed in the ground. Hybrid (corn) or variety (soybean) selection is important for successful crop production.
Should you, for example, base your decision on disease resistance ratings? Is it better to look for corn insect-resistant traits? Equally important is the quality of the seed, as it can serve as a vehicle for unwanted pathogens and weeds.
Crop rotation can play a vital role in maximizing profitability of agronomic crops. It increases crop yields by improving soils conditions and reducing weed and insect populations and helps producers use conservation tillage successfully.
No-till Agronomic Crops Production and Best Practices
No-till farming isn’t a new farming practice, but there are lots of things to be aware of when transitioning to that method. No-till is becoming more popular because it’s considered a more sustainable way to produce crops, as it improves soil and water conservation. However, it’s a method that requires commitment and perseverance and you could benefit from access to no-till crop management tips.
Field Crops Harvesting and Yield Assessment
Being able to estimate grain yield, field corn yield, and soybean yield early in the growing season is vital for agronomic crop producers. It’s required for crop insurance purposes, delivery estimates, planning harvest and storage requirements, and cash-flow budgeting.
Knowing the optimum time to harvest crops is another skill producers have to learn. Picking the right moment means losses will be minimal and profits increased. With some crops, the harvesting window is just a few days, making it all the more crucial to get the timing right.
- News
Tosh Mazzone Joins Crops Team in Franklin County
Date Posted 1/9/2024The Field and Forage Crops Team welcomes new Extension Educator, Tosh Mazzone, of Franklin County. - Guides and Publications
Starting at Free
2023 Agronomy Research Report
A research report highlighting the results of new, continuing, and completed agronomic projects conducted by Penn State investigators and their collaborators in 2023. - Articles
Industrial Hemp Production
This publication provides information about hemp, including production history, policies, uses, market challenges, and production practices. It also includes sample budgets for production. - News
Is Corn Fodder Chopping Necessary?
Date Posted 11/28/2023Let's think about the need to chop corn fodder. - News
How to Become a Private Certified Pesticide Applicator
Date Posted 11/28/2023New applicator? First time using restricted-use pesticides? Fumigants? Retesting after a lapsed license? These are the simplified steps to obtain a private pesticide license. - Articles
Sunflower Chronicles: Part 3 – "Sunsetting Sunflowers for 2023"
Penn State's sunflower trial in western Pennsylvania is coming to a close. What can be learned from this experiment? - Articles
Planter Maintenance Tips and Video Resources
Winter is the time to work on planter maintenance so your planter does not suffer from breakdowns or poor performance at planting time. - News
Scout Fields for Palmer Amaranth and Waterhemp to Prevent Spread with the Combine
Date Posted 10/17/2023Make plans now to prevent the spread of Pennsylvania's herbicide-resistant weeds. - Articles
Managing Drought Stressed Corn
Drought can be common in PA. That does not mean it eases the stress when deciding to chop or leave corn for another day. - News
Herbicide Recommendations for Winter Small Grains
Date Posted 10/3/2023Small grain establishment and growth can be hindered by weeds, below are some herbicide options to consider for problem weeds species. - Articles
Avoiding Soil Compaction During Fall Harvest Season
Avoiding soil compaction this fall is going to be key to maintaining soil productivity. - News
2023 Crop Conditions Tour Shows Good Potential if Rain Falls
Date Posted 9/6/2023Educators noted better-than-expected corn yield estimates considering early-season drought, but some soybeans need rain urgently for pod fill. - News
Fall Weed Control in Forages
Date Posted 9/5/2023Fall is an excellent time to manage biennial and perennial weeds and Japanese stiltgrass in pastures and hay and to control problem weeds after silage harvest. - Articles
Intensive Grazing Management of Cover Crops for Soil Health
With the new interest in grazing cover crops, are there effects on soil health and compaction? The results of an on-farm Pennsylvania study looking into this are presented here. - Articles
Estimating Corn Grain Yields
The yield component method allows you to make quick and relatively close corn yield estimates. - Articles
Reducing the Risk of Nitrate and Prussic Acid Poisoning in Livestock
Nitrate and Prussic Acid poisoning can be dangers to ruminant livestock when feeding warm season annual forages during certain times of the year. - News
Can Burcucumber be Controlled at this Time of Year?
Date Posted 8/21/2023If corn fields are infested with burcucumber, consider chopping it for silage. If not, herbicides used as grain harvest aids are generally not effective on burcucumber. - News
Weed Seeds This Fall Means More Weeds Next Spring
Date Posted 8/21/2023Control annual weeds now in fallow areas to prevent seed set. Also, now is the time to start considering ways to manage perennials in small grain stubble. - Articles
Sunflower Chronicles: Part 2 – "Progress and Problems"
Growing Sunflowers in Western Pennsylvania for Oil Seed Production. Management and Observation. - Articles
Soybean Stem Diseases: What are the Different Symptoms and Signs?
Are soybean growth and development variable? Take a close look at the roots and stems to determine what may be the cause. - News
Double-Crop Soybeans: Weed Management Considerations
Date Posted 6/19/2023As small grain harvest begins, double-crop soybean planting will soon follow in some areas of the state. Below are considerations for weed control. - Articles
Evaluating Nodulation in Soybeans
Early-season assessment of soybeans can reveal potential nodulation issues. - News
Postemergence Soybean Herbicide Options
Date Posted 6/6/2023Below are some early season soybean herbicide options to consider for controlling problem weeds in the crop.