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.
- Guides and Publications
Starting at $15.00
The Penn State Agronomy Guide
Featuring a brand-new look for the 2023 edition, this guide features revised weed-management recommendations. - Articles
Glyphosate (Roundup): Understanding Risks to Human Health
A review of the risk assessment process for evaluating the potential of glyphosate to cause adverse effects on human health. - Articles
How Do I Know When it's Time to Harvest my Corn for Silage?
Timing is key when harvesting quality corn silage. Here's how to make sure you're hitting that window of opportunity. - Articles
Evaluation of Energy Beets as an Ethanol Feedstock in Pennsylvania
Findings from a 2010 study of energy beets as an ethanol feedstock in Pennsylvania - News
Crops Conferences and Crops Days: Sponsor and Exhibitor Opportunities
Date Posted 11/2/2022Enhance your ag-related business by supporting Penn State Extension's agronomy programs. Multiple Pennsylvania sites and options are available for event exhibitors and sponsors! - Videos
Grain Drill Calibration
Length 8:13The seed delivery system in drills is not as precise as that used in planters because they use flutes or sponges to meter seed instead of seed singulation. - Articles
Late Fall Is the Time to Winterize Your Sprayers
Now that most of the field spraying is over for the season and the weather is turning colder it's time to winterize your pesticide sprayer before it gets too cold and causes damage to sprayer components. The following are tips to guide you. - Articles
Ear Rots in Your Corn Crop?
Tips to identify ear rot and action to take if you suspect it on your corn crop. - News
Corn Silage Dry Down Update: Week of September 13, 2022
Date Posted 9/14/2022Follow corn silage dry down rates for various locations in Pennsylvania. - News
Zack Curtis Joins Crops Team in Wayne County
Date Posted 9/13/2022The Field and Forage Crops Team welcomes new Extension Educator, Zack Curtis of Wayne County. - Articles
Corn Ear Rots and Mycotoxins
There are many pathogens that cause ear rots. Identify which ones are associated with mycotoxin contamination! - News
Corn Silage Dry Down Update: Week of August 30, 2022
Date Posted 8/31/2022Follow corn silage dry down rates for various locations in Pennsylvania. - News
Cover Crop Establishment and Burndown Herbicides
Date Posted 8/16/2022Consider herbicide options before cover crop establishment. - Articles
What Is Carbon?
There is so much talk about carbon and agriculture. Have you wondered what carbon is and why it is important? - Articles
Safe Grain Handling and Storage
With harvest season comes an increase in grain handling and storage. Each year, lost-time work incidents and fatalities are reported from grain-related incidents, so it is important to keep proper safety practices the highest priority. - Articles
Poisonous Weeds and Cherry Leaves in Pastures
Below is a summary of common poisonous weeds in pastures; learn about how certain weeds can be toxic to livestock. - News
Pokeweed Control in Corn and Soybean
Date Posted 6/1/2022Here are some considerations for control of pokeweed in corn and soybean. - Articles
Speeding up the Hay Drying Process
What are the factors that affect hay drying, and how can we speed it up? - Articles
Planting Considerations and Stand Assessments
With planting season upon us, now is a great time to review key goals for plant stand assessments. - Articles
Planting a Grass Riparian Buffer With Hay Production Potential
Riparian buffers are great for protecting our waterways, particularly near productive agricultural land, and there are things to consider when establishing a strictly grass-based buffer. - News
Resources for Current and Prospective Hemp Growers and Marketers
Date Posted 5/11/2022Penn State Extension partners with the PA Department of Ag to provide education and to research and evaluate hemp and its many uses. - Articles
Frost Seeding - A Technique for Interseeding Cover Crops and Improving Forage Stands
Describes the timing, species, and equipment for frost seeding cover crops in small grains and for pasture renovation. - News
Burndown Herbicides, Drift, and Vineyards
Date Posted 4/19/2022If you plan to spray burndown herbicides close to vineyards or other sensitive areas, please read the below article for additional details and consider using DriftWatch. - Articles
Carbon Sequestration and Credits for Pennsylvania
Farmers can now get paid for capturing carbon through no-tillage practices and cover crops. However, there are many factors to consider before jumping in.