Agronomic Crops

Agronomic crops are grown on most of the United States harvested cropland and provide the food, feed grain, oil, and fiber for domestic consumption. They are also a major component of the US export trade. Use Penn State Extension’s comprehensive range of resources to broaden your knowledge of field crop production. Topics covered include producing, marketing, and selling corn, grain, beans, barley, hemp, and more. Understand how to manage pests, weeds, and diseases and improve soil quality for agronomic crops.

Field Crops Production in Pennsylvania

One of the most important industries in Pennsylvania is agriculture. A census conducted in 2012 recorded a total of 59,309 farms in the state that covered an area of more than 7.7 million hectares. The average farm size was calculated to be 130 acres.

Pennsylvania grows important crops such as grain and silage corn, soybeans, winter wheat, oats, barley, sorghum, and hemp.

Best Practices in Producing Agronomic Crops

With agriculture having such a vital role to play in the US economy, its success depends on farms being able to produce high-quality crops efficiently. Many factors have to be taken into account, such as crop, soil, and pest management for farms of all sizes.

All stages of production, from choosing the seeds and planting to soil and weed management and harvesting agronomic crops are important. A Certified crop adviser can help farm owners and managers make important decisions relating to soil and water, crop management, pest management, and nutrient management. Successful crop scouts can also help with decisions relating to equipment, growth stages, calculations, pest and disease identification for agronomic crops such as corn, soybeans, small grains, and specialty crops such as industrial hemp, canola, and malting barley.

Agronomic Crops Integrated Pest Management

There are many external influences that can decimate a crop. Being able to identify pests and diseases can help reduce the chances of a failed crop. Issues with mold, fungal diseases, rot, and bacteria can be devastating if not kept under control. The successful management and control of weeds is also fundamental.

Nutrient Management and Soil Health for Agronomic Crops

Production of good quality crops very much depends on the quality of the soil health and the nutrients it provides for agronomic crops through all stages of growth. Use Penn State Extension resources to help you understand soil and water quality management, no-till and conservation tillage, cover crops and planting green, as well as soil fertility and management.

Sustainable and Organic Farming of Field Crops

Being able to produce organic crops or apply sustainable methods of field crop production is now seen as a big opportunity for many farm owners. Sustainable agriculture includes practices such as crop rotation, conservation tillage, interseeding, and extending the grazing season.

Today’s consumer wants to be able to buy organic wherever possible, which means modern farming methods have to meet these needs. A strict certification process is in place to ensure the consumer has access to certified organic crops.

Agronomic Crop Insurance, Marketing, and Pricing

There’s more to agronomic crop production than the hands-on side of the industry. There’s also a business side of industrial agronomic crop production. Understanding crop economics, crop yield and insurance, land management, and farm transition are just as important.