Seedbed Preparation and Planting Methods - The number one objective for getting a successful stand of any crop established is good seed-soil contact. This means for the seed to get off to a good start, it must be in good and firm contact with enough but not too much fertile soil. As a general rule it is best to plant the seed a depth of 1 to 1½ times the length of the seed. That may mean 1/8th to 1/4 inch planting depth for many forage seeds and up to 1½ to 2 inches for large seeds such as corn.

With respect to tillage, that goal of creating a good seedbed is met with a variety of management techniques:
First is the conventional tillage method, where the soil is moldboard plowed, and disked/harrowed into a firm but loose seedbed.

Second is the minimum tillage method, where the soils are chisel plowed or deep disked to create a soil exposed seedbed.

Row Width - Again just like variable planting dates, there are variable planting methods that have proven successful for Pennsylvania farmers. Most crops are planted in rows, using either a grain drill or more specialized planter such as a corn planter. Row widths vary as well, ranging from 7 inches for small grains and forages clear up to 40 inches for corn. Generally though the following applies:

Small Grains, Soybeans and Forages - 7-10 inches
Corn and Soybeans - 15 - 38 inches (Most soybean producers like 7-15 inch wide rows)

Some broadcasting of seeds over a suitable seed bed also can be successful. Crops established successfully via broadcasting usually are small seeded crops, such as forages. Usually this seeding is done as a "frost" seeding, taking advantage of bare soils, and cold nights in the late winter. For more details about frost seeding, contact your local Penn State Cooperative Extension Agriculture Educator.

Fertility - Required fertility for the various agronomic crops is dependent on potential and expected yields of the various crops. For example, grain crops remove from the soil approximately 1.1 lbs. of N (nitrogen), .5 lb. of P (phosphorus) and 1.1 lbs. of K (potassium) per bushel of grain. Forages remove 50 lbs. of N, 15 lbs. of P and 50 lbs. of K per ton of field dried hay equivalent.

Specific crops need more or less depending on their individual requirements or their ability to manufacture nutrients. Legumes such as soybeans, alfalfa, clovers, etc. can supply almost all of the nitrogen they need, thereby reducing the costs of fertility maintenance for legume based crops.

Other than the macro elements, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and calcium, secondary elements and micro nutrients are also needed for successful crop production. However, other than magnesium, best applied in a high magnesium lime, the availability of other secondary and micro nutrients is usually not an issue in most of Pennsylvania.

Specific nutrient requirements for each crop are best satisfied when farmers follow soil test recommendations and a nutrient plan for their farm and fields.

HARVESTING CROPS

The harvest of agronomic crops depends on the portion of the crop being harvested. If harvesting only the grain or seed portion of the crop, a combine is the machine of preference on most Pennsylvania farms. Some corn pickers are also still in use. Corn pickers harvest the whole ear of corn, while combines harvest the grain only.

If harvesting forage is the goal, several methods are utilized:

The fodder is often grazed by animals that will glean any corn that was missed by the harvesting process. Animals will also consume the stalks to some extent. In other operations, the stalks can be baled and used as bedding or added to a balanced feed ration.

CROP STORAGE

The harvest method usually dictates the storage method. High moisture forage crops need a controlled environment storage system to facilitate a good fermentation curing process. Sun dried hay crops need only a dry area with some ventilation to facilitate final curing of a crop that will remain stable while in storage.

Some high moisture (18-30%) hay crops can also be treated with propionic acid based preservatives, and/or bacterial, enzyme based additives to assist with the hay curing process. Significant experience is needed to adequately use these products to create an acceptable end product.

SUMMARY

1. The process of growing, harvesting and storing agronomic crops is very technical and involved. The information discussed in this publication is quite basic; additional knowledge and experience is needed to determine what may work best on individual farms. Soil types, climate, management styles, variety selection, and attention to detail are very important variables that play a major factor in producing good and profitable agronomic crops.
2. Unless grazing is the management style, for small farmers, the most economical route to successful crop production may involve the use of neighboring farmers or custom operators to assist with planting and harvesting the crops.
3. The Penn State Agronomy Guide is a comprehensive reference that Pennsylvania farmers use to answer many crop related questions.

Soybeans
UCO57 Pennsylvania Soybean Performance Report

This publication is available in alternative media on request.

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