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.
- Articles
Cutting Height in Forages: How Low Can You Go?
Want to harvest higher quality forages, have better regrowth and stand longevity? Take a look at your cutting height. - Articles
Subsoiling Benefits Yields on Soils with Shallow Fragipans
While in-row subsoiling may have little effect on well-drained soils, it can increase yields on fragipans without substantially increasing erosion risk. - Articles
Residue Distribution Critical for No-till Success
Did you know that no-till planting starts at harvest? Uniformly distributed crop residue is critical to obtaining a good stand of the next crop. - Articles
Armoring Your Fields to Avoid Erosion
Soil erosion continues to be a concern on our cropland. The four types of soil erosion are discussed, what they mean, and what to do about them. - Videos
Small Grain Growth and Development in Central Pennsylvania: Fields are Getting Closer to Anthesis
Length 4:53In this video, Dr. Paul Esker, Penn State Extension Field Crops Plant Pathologist tells us about the current growth stages in small grains, focusing on barley and winter wheat. - Videos
Check Your Small Grain Growth Stage For Management Decisions
Length 9:07Crop management decisions are based on knowledge of the crop development stage. Here are some tips to know the growth stages in small grains. - Articles
Effectiveness of Neonicotinoid Seed Treatments in Soybean
This publication reviews research regarding the efficacy of these neonicotinoid seed treatments, their non-target effects, and the potential role for neonicotinoid seed treatments in soybean production. - News
Early Spring Weeds in No-Till Fields
Date Posted 4/4/2023As the weather warms, weeds grow quickly. Below is an overview of commonly found weeds during the early spring season, especially in no-till settings. - Articles
Understanding Grain Discount Schedules
Discount schedules vary from mill to mill and can be hard to understand; this article will give you confidence in interpreting this year's weigh tickets and marketing next year's grain. - Articles
Successful Grass-Fed Production with High Quality Forage
High quality forage should be the main component of a successful grass-fed beef operation. - Articles
Grazing Corn Stalks with Beef Cattle
Feeding stored feeds in winter months is a major cost of beef cow-calf and backgrounding operations. Extending the grazing season by grazing corn crop residue may be an economically viable option for beef producers in Pennsylvania. - Articles
Adjust Your Mower-Conditioner Before You Head to the Field
There are several adjustments you should check before you begin cutting hay in spring. - Articles
Fall Forage Establishment
Pasture managers and hay producers have a window of opportunity in the late summer and early fall to improve existing or establish new stands through seeding. - Articles
Grazing Cover Crops Prior to Planting Corn
Grazing cover crops can be an efficient way to extend the grazing season earlier in the spring. If you plan to plant corn after grazing, there are some important management considerations to help you get the most out of this system. - Articles
Growing Corn and Corn Silage on a Budget
Whether you grow corn for grain or silage, learn about some management factors you can control. - Articles
Vomitoxin Levels and Testing in Wheat
Test your wheat for vomitoxin contamination to determine potential issues and quality. - Articles
No-till Innovations in Tobacco
New No-Till equipment helps Tobacco farmers reduce soil erosion. - Videos
No-Till Innovations in Tobacco
Length 10:36Learn about no-till tobacco production in Lancaster County PA. - Articles
No-till Farming and Healthy Soils Work Hand in Hand
No-till and cover crops are essential for healthy soils, but also require some additional management and attention to detail. - Articles
Wheat Stand Assessment
Scouting tips for wheat given late planting and some poor stands being reported. - Articles
Understanding Growing Degree Days
A brief review of how to calculate growing degree days and a summary of their use in agronomic crop production. - Articles
Potential for Hemp Production in Pennsylvania
A brief history of hemp, its potential uses and the legality of growing hemp in PA are discussed. - News
Drought Watch Update – Conditions Back to Normal
Date Posted 1/30/2023After ending 2022 with a drought watch for several Pennsylvania counties, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced that hydrologic conditions are normal statewide on January 20, 2023. - Videos
Precut Rye Straw
Length 4:50Precut rye straw is a good alternative to conventional small grain straw since it is made in late spring and many crops can be planted after it's harvest. - Articles
AgrAbility – A Critical Service for PA's Agricultural Community
Do you have a disability or long-term health condition? Are you having challenges managing daily chores on your farm? Look into the AgraAbility program for services and support.