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
Frost Seeding for Cover Crop or Forage Establishment
Frost seeding is an economical method to establish legume cover crops into small grain stands or to fill in run-down pastures. - Articles
Winter is the Time for Planter Maintenance
Here are some tips and videos on no-till planter design features, adjustment, and maintenance. - Articles
Grazing Cropland
Interest in grazing crop residues and cover crops is increasing. What is the potential benefit and what about its effects on soil? - Articles
Fall is the Time to Start Managing Marestail
Marestail emergence patterns make management challenging. Controlling marestail in the fall is a critical first step for effective management of this species in no-till production systems. - Articles
Dairy Sense: Pricing Feed from Field – Moving Past Thumb Rules
Precision pricing forages and grain directly out of the field can be a benefit to both seller and buyer. - Articles
Managing Flood-Damaged Crops
How to manage crops in lowland fields and when damaged by floods. - Articles
Broadcasting Cover Crops into Soybeans: Encouraging but Elusive
This article summarizes year one of the Pennsylvania Soybean Board On-Farm Network study of broadcasting cover crops into standing soybeans. - Articles
What is Your Corn Fodder Worth?
This article helps explain the benefits and disadvantages of different corn fodder management practices. - News
Evaluating Corn Planting Mistakes: Sidewall Smearing and Compaction
Date Posted 7/15/2020Mistakes at planting can affect the corn crop throughout the season and lower the final yield. - News
Post Herbicide Applications: Mistakes are Happening
Date Posted 7/15/2020Watch out for mistakes being make during herbicide applications. Have you made any of these? - Articles
Improving Knowledge of Soilborne Pathogens in PA Soybean Production Systems
Improved recommendations for soilborne diseases requires a well-rounded look at the risk in relation to other soil parameters using different analytical and quantitative methods! - Online Courses
$126.65
Agronomy Scout School: Crop Scouting Fundamentals
Length 20 hoursLearn field scouting fundamentals for corn, soybeans, forages, and small grains. Learn about equipment, growth stages, calculations, and pest and disease identification. - Workshops
Crops Day
Explore the latest seasonal innovations, gain pesticide recertification credits, and stay informed about cutting-edge agronomic research, products, and technology updates - Online Courses
$84.15
Pennsylvania Certified Crop Adviser Study Guide
Sections 4Length 15 hoursStudy soil and water, and crop, pest, and nutrient management, the agronomy areas you are required to know for the Pennsylvania Certified Crop Adviser exam. - Articles
Malting Barley in Pennsylvania
Demand for locally sourced malted barley, for local craft beer, has led to the development of malt houses in PA and other states in our region. - Articles
Calibration of Grain/Seed Drills
The 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
Seed and Seedling Biology
In order to grow food with a minimum of external inputs, organic producers need to understand much about the biology of plants and ecological systems. - Articles
Mowing with a Scythe
The scythe is an instrument used to cut grass or shrub. This article gives a description of different types of scythes, the parts of the scythe, and sharpening and mowing techniques. - Articles
Camelina Production and Potential in Pennsylvania
Camelina (Camelina sativa L.) was first cultivated in northern Europe during the Bronze Age. - Articles
Spring Canola in Pennsylvania: Production and Agronomic Recommendations
Canola's origins date back to an oilseed crop called rapeseed, which was grown in the thirteenth century. - Articles
Winter Canola in Pennsylvania: Production and Agronomic Recommendations
Canola's origin dates back to an oilseed crop grown in the 13th century called rapeseed. - Articles
Inoculation of Forage and Grain Legumes
Legumes have the ability to form a mutually beneficial (symbiotic) relationship with certain soil bacteria of the type or "genus" Rhizobia. - Articles
Crop Rotation Planning for Dairy Farms
An effective crop rotation meets the feed needs of the operation, improves crop yields, reduces pest problems, and effectively uses on-farm nutrients.