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Good afternoon,

I hope this issue of the Hardin County Agriculture and Natural Resources Update finds you in good health. OSU Extension Water Quality Associate Boden Fisher and I have been busy doing some crop yield estimates around the county and have found some very good corn and soybean fields. The two corn fields we checked both came out to about 205 bushels per acre and the two soybean fields had some variation but we look for them to produce about 60 bushel per acre based on our current field checks. You can find videos that we made on the Hardin County OSU Extension Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/hardincountyosuextension)  for these fields on both the western and eastern sides of the county. Of course our estimates of yield potential in these fields depend on rainfall and how the crops finish the growing season. Hardin County is still behind on growing season rainfall and you can find both the June and July Extension rainfall summaries attached to this email. Statewide, according to the Ohio Crop Weather Report from August 16 that also is attached, 81% of the corn is in the good to excellent category, while only 73% of the soybeans are in the good to excellent category.

June 2021 Rainfall Summary

July 2021 Rainfall Summary

Ohio Crop Weather Report

The big concern is that we have found tar spot in corn in the northern part of Hardin County. This is a new disease first spotted in Ohio in 2018 that can decrease yields by 30 bushels per acre. Often infections come later in the growing season during mid to late grain fill (R3-R6) with temperatures of 60-75 degrees and relative humidity greater than 75%. From what we have been able to find from scouting, is that certain hybrids are susceptible to this disease and can still be infected even after treatment with fungicides at R1 growth stage. You can read more about this disease in with a fact sheet at https://crop-protection-network.s3.amazonaws.com/publications/tar-spot-filename-2019-03-25-120313.pdf; an article from Purdue University at https://extension.entm.purdue.edu/newsletters/pestandcrop/article/tar-spot-and-southern-corn-rust-update-in-indiana/; and a fungicide efficacy chart at https://crop-protection-network.s3.amazonaws.com/publications/fungicide-efficacy-for-control-of-corn-diseases-filename-2021-07-14-205804.pdf. So if you haven’t scouted your fields lately, you might want to go out and look at them to see if you have this disease in your corn.

I have included articles that I have submitted to the media since my last e-newsletter that you may want to read if you missed them earlier. These include news releases about the fruit and vegetable Crop Walk, Corn Fungicides, Soybean Foliar Products, and the Totally Tomatoes Master Gardener program. I have also included flyers for an upcoming Drainage Tools Workshop, the Phosphorus Load-Reduction Stimulus Program for the Shallow Run watershed in the Blanchard River watershed, and a save the date flyer for a future Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program.

Crop Walk News Release

Corn Fungicide News Release

Soybean Foliar Products News Release

Totally Tomatoes News Release

2021 Drainage Tools Workshop Flyer

Phosphorus Load-Reduction Stimulus Program Flyer

CSA Conference Save the Date Flyer

Locally, if you haven’t already registered for the Hardin County “Seeding the Harvest” event sponsored by the Hardin County Farm Bureau in partnership with the Hardin County Chamber & Business Alliance, make sure you do that by August 23. The event will feature a three course dinner, door prizes including a quarter of beef, and an educational program on planting, growing, and harvesting crops with equipment displays at DuLynn Farms LLC (9970 Township Road 120, Kenton) on Saturday, August 28 starting at 4:00 pm. Online registration is available at https://ofb.ag/seedingharvestreg with a cost of $20 per adult and $10 per child 12 an under. The Farm Science Review is coming up September 21-23 and we now have tickets to this annual farm show at the Extension office for $7 each. Avoid the rush and get yours at a reduced rate compared to buying them at the gate.  I’ve also included some ag crops articles below for your reading.

Mark

It’s Time To Clean Your Grain Bins (And Everywhere Else Around Your Grain Bins) – Curtis Young

Late spring, summer and early fall are the times of the year that insects are most active, flying and walking around to disperse to new locations near and far, reproducing, building in populations and infesting new food resources. The stored grain infesting insects take advantage of these times of the year as well. With only a few exceptions, most of the store grain infesting insects can fly in the adult stage to move from location to location. If they find a food resource when they arrive at a new location, they can infest that food resource and begin building in population through the rest of the growing season. Read more at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2021-27/it%E2%80%99s-time-clean-your-grain-bins-and-everywhere-else-around-your.

Remember soybean aphids? They might be in your fields – Andy Michel, Kelley Tilmon

Soybean aphids have always been around Ohio, but it has been a while since we have had many fields with high populations.  Based on recent scouting, we have noticed increasing populations of soybean aphids.  As we go into the critical growth stage of soybean, this is also the most important time to check your fields for soybean aphids and see if you have exceeded the threshold of an increasing population of 250 aphids per plant. Continue reading about soybean aphids at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2021-27/remember-soybean-aphids-they-might-be-your-fields.

Don’t get burned by hopperburn—check alfalfa for potato leafhoppers – Andy Michel, Mark Sulc, Curtis Young, Kelley Tilmon

Potato leafhopper (PLH) adults arrived in Ohio during the last week of June and first week of July. Since then, the eggs have hatched and we are now seeing late stage nymphs and adults infesting alfalfa fields.  A few fields are showing the typical “hopperburn”, which is a triangular yellowing from the center of the leaf to the leaf margin. The more mature the crop of alfalfa is since the last cutting, the more the hopperburn symptoms will be showing. Hopperburn will also become more pronounced in areas of the state that are short on rain or are predicted to become drier because the alfalfa will not be able to outgrow the feeding activity of PLH. Finish reading this article at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2021-25/don%E2%80%99t-get-burned-hopperburn%E2%80%94check-alfalfa-potato-leafhoppers.

Get your Waterhemp Populations Screened for Herbicide Resistance – Mark Loux

We have been screening a random sample of waterhemp populations for herbicide resistance over the past two years.  Herbicides used in the screen include mesotrione, atrazine, 2,4-D, fomesafen, and metolachlor.  Results of our research show that it’s possible for Ohio waterhemp populations to have some level of resistance to one, several, or all of these herbicides.  Glyphosate is not included because we assume almost all populations are already resistant to this.  We are also part of a regional project that has been screening for dicamba and glufosinate resistance with populations that we supply, although none has been identified to date. Find out more information regarding screening waterhemp at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/24-2021/get-your-waterhemp-populations-screened-herbicide-resistance.

Does Pipeline Installation have a Lasting Effect on Crop Yields? – Steve Culman, Theresa Brehm

Numerous underground oil and gas pipelines have been installed through Ohio farmland over the past several years. This has left many growers wondering if this installation will have lasting impacts on their soils and crops. Last fall, we collected soil and yield samples from 24 different farms impacted by pipeline installation in seven counties throughout Northern Ohio. The Rover, Utopia, and Nexus pipelines were targeted because of their recent installation, with each pipeline installed within the last 3-4 years. Grain crops like corn and soybeans were the primary focus. Go to https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/24-2021/does-pipeline-installation-have-lasting-effect-crop-yields to learn about the results of this study.

Mark A. Badertscher

Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator

OSU Extension Hardin County

1021 W. Lima Street, Suite 103, Kenton, OH 43326

419-767-6037

hardin.osu.edu

Hello,

Winter wheat harvest in Hardin County is mostly completed with he exception of some fields that were late and have been held back by recent rains. I noticed corn beginning to tassel this past week in some early fields around the county while several soybean fields have begun flowering. According to the latest Ohio Crop Weather report dated July 12, 69% of Ohio wheat has been harvested, 10% of the corn is silking, and 43% of the soybeans are blooming. Wheat yield reports are coming in with high yields around the county, some ranging from 95-120 bushel per acre with good test weights and good grain quality. Later harvested wheat fields may be at risk to lower test weights, decreased yields, and possible grain quality issues if left in the field too long. Rainfall reported in the county for the April 15-30 time period was 1.29 inches less than the ten-year average rainfall as noted by our township rainfall reporters. For the month of May, the average rainfall in the county was 4.08 inches compared with 4.73 inches in 2020. Rainfall for May 2021 was 0.33 inches less than the ten-year average rainfall for the month setting the stage for beginning of the crop season. See the attached April and May rainfall summaries for more information about how local rainfall affected the county crops.

Ohio Crop Weather

April 15-30 Rainfall Summary

May 2021 Rainfall Summary

Since the last Hardin County Agriculture and Natural Resources Update, I have submitted several articles to the local news media that you might be interested in reading if you missed them earlier. These articles included “How Long Will Crop Emergence Take?, Corn Replant Decisions, Recommendations for Soybeans Planted in June, Invasive Pests Topic of Evening Garden Affair, Don’t Delay Wheat Harvest, Double Crop Soybean Recommendations, and Friendship Gardens Open House. Most of these articles touched on timely topics regarding crop production, while others focused on efforts with our consumer horticulture educational programming. Upcoming regional events that you may be interested in include the Manure Science Review being held August 10 at MVP Dairy in Mercer County, the Tri-State Precision Agriculture Conference being held August 11 in Henry County and a Sheep 101 Field Day being held August 14 in Morrow County. I have included flyers for each of these events with this email that includes further details and registration information.

Crop Emergence News Release

Corn Replant Decisions News Release

June Planted Soybeans News Release

An Evening Garden Affair News Release

Wheat Harvest News Release

Double Crop Soybean News Release

Friendship Gardens Open House News Release

Manure Science Review Flyer

Precision Ag Day Flyer

Sheep 101 Field Day Flyer

Other local events that you may be interested in knowing about include tonight’s Allen County Ag Hall of Fame Banquet, where long time Hardin County Extension Agent Gene McCluer is being inducted. Another event that you may be interested in is the Friendship Gardens Open House, hosted by the Hardin County OSU Extension Master Gardener Volunteers happening July 22 starting at 6:00 pm. The Friendship Gardens of Hardin County are located at 960 W Kohler Street in Kenton. The Farm Bureau is having a board meeting the same evening starting at 6:30 pm at Layman Farms. As usual, I have included some ag crops articles from the CORN Newsletter that you may be interested in reading.

Mark

Fungicide Efficacy for Control of Corn Diseases – Pierce Paul, Stephanie Karhoff

Many corn fields in Ohio are rapidly approaching silking (R1), and foliar diseases such as Gray leaf spot have been observed where the environment has been conducive to disease development, prompting growers to consider fungicide applications. The information below was developed by the Corn Disease Working Group as part of the Crop Protection Network. The Crop Protection Network is a multi-state and international collaboration of university and provincial extension specialists, and public and private professionals who provide unbiased, research-based information to farmers and agricultural personnel. Read more at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/22-2021/fungicide-efficacy-control-corn-diseases.

Soybean Defoliation: It Takes a lot to Really Matter! – Curtis Young, Kelley Tilmon

The mid-season defoliators are beginning to show up in soybean fields across Ohio. These defoliators include first generation bean leaf beetles, Japanese beetles, grasshopper nymphs and several different caterpillars such as silver-spotted skippers, painted-lady butterflies and green cloverworms. Since all of these insects collectively add to the defoliation of soybeans, their collective feeding is used in the threshold to determine the need for an insecticide treatment, but it takes a lot of feeding to add up to significant damage. It often looks worse than what it truly is. Continue reading this article at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/22-2021/soybean-defoliation-it-takes-lot-really-matter.

Nutrient Value of Wheat Straw – Laura Lindsey, Ed Lentz

Before removing straw from the field, it is important farmers understand the nutrient value. The nutrient value of wheat straw is influenced by several factors including weather, variety, and cultural practices. Thus, the most accurate values require sending a sample of the straw to an analytical laboratory. However, “book values” can be used to estimate the nutrient values of wheat straw. In previous newsletters, we reported that typically a ton of wheat straw would provide approximately 11 pounds of N, 3 pounds of P2O5, and 20 pounds of K2O. Finish reading this article at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/22-2021/nutrient-value-wheat-straw.

Steps to Speed up Field Curing of Hay Crops – Mark Sulc, Jason Hartschuh, Allen Gahler

The rainy weather in many regions of Ohio and surrounding states is making it difficult to harvest hay crops.  We usually wait for a clear forecast before cutting hay, and with good reason because hay does not dry in the rain! Cutting hay is certainly a gamble but waiting for the perfect stretch of weather can end up costing us through large reductions in forage quality as the crop matures. As we keep waiting for perfect haymaking weather, we will reach the point where the drop in quality becomes so great that the hay has little feeding value left. In such cases, it may be better to gamble more on the weather just to get the old crop off and a new one started. Some rain damage is not going to reduce the value much in that very mature forage. Learn more at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/22-2021/steps-speed-field-curing-hay-crops.

Western Bean Cutworm Numbers Begin to Increase Across Ohio – Amy Raudenbush, Suranga Basnagala , Aaron Wilson, Olivia Lang, Kyle Akred, Angela Arnold, Mark Badertscher, Jordan Beck, Frank Becker, Lee Beers, Bruce Clevenger, Tom Dehaas, Taylor Dill, Nick Eckel, Allen Gahler, Jamie Hampton, Andrew Holden, James Jasinski, Stephanie Karhoff, Alan Leininger, Ed Lentz, Cecilia Lokai-Minnich, David Marrison, Jess McWatters, Sarah Noggle, Les Ober, Maggie Pollard, Eric Richer, Beth Scheckelhoff, Clint Schroeder, Mike Sunderman, Curtis Young, Chris Zoller, Andy Michel, Kelley Tilmon

Western bean cutworm (WBC) numbers for the week ending July 11 have increased to the point where scouting for egg masses is recommended in Fulton, Henry, Lorain and Lucas counties. Traps were monitored from July 5 – 11 and resulted in a statewide average of 3.9 average moths per trap, though higher in the counties noted. Average Western bean cutworm adult per trap followed by total number of traps monitored in each county for week ending July 11, 2021. We used growing degree day calculations to predict approximate percentage of adult WBC flight as of Sunday July 11th. At this time, the majority of counties in NW Ohio are seeing approximately 25% adult flight, whereas counties in central and NE Ohio remain at 10%. Once GDD numbers accumulate to 2704, approximately 50% of WBC flight will have occurred. Go to https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/22-2021/western-bean-cutworm-numbers-begin-increase-across-ohio for more information.

Mark A. Badertscher

Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator

OSU Extension Hardin County

1021 W. Lima Street, Suite 103, Kenton, OH 43326

419-767-6037

hardin.osu.edu

Hello,

This has been an interesting planting season so far. What started out as dry and warm, has changed to wet and cool and even added snow and frost in addition to the latest heavy rains. Statewide, USDA has corn planting at 27% and soybean planting at 20% completed. I believe Hardin County is further along than that number with some corn fields being able to row and a few soybean fields emerging. Hopefully soil temperatures will warmup and fields will become fit again soon so planting can resume. The same attached Ohio Crop Weather report for May 10 has 79% of wheat rated good or excellent.

Ohio Crop Weather

Planting was the topic of conversation at Friday’s Virtual Ag Coffee Hour and June’s meeting will focus on On-farm Research. Speaking of on-farm research, I encourage you to take a look at past studies at https://digitalag.osu.edu/efields or stop by the Extension office for a copy of the latest eFields book for ideas to try on your farm and let me know if you have interest in a field trial. Lately, I have been checking four sets of armyworm and black cutworm traps around the county. See the article below for information about that project. Just this past week, I set two European Corn Borer traps on both the east and west ends of the county to monitor the New York and Iowa strains of this corn pest.

If you haven’t kept up on reading Hardin County OSU Extension AgNR news releases either in the paper or online, I’ve included recent articles about Spring Pesticide Reminders, Anhydrous Ammonia Safety, 2020 County Crop Yields, Alfalfa Weevil Damage, and Cold Weather Corn and Soybean Emergence.

Spring Pesticide Safety Reminders News Release

Anhydrous Ammonia Safety News Release

Crop Yields News Release

Alfalfa Weevil News Release

Cold Weather Corn Soybean News Release

Are you planting any non-GMO soybeans this year and looking for recommendations for weed control? If so, check out the new attached fact sheet written by OSU Extension Weed Scientist Mark Loux. On-farm research and fact sheets are two of the many ways that OSU Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension serves Ohio residents. See the attached ANR infographic for many more examples of impact from our programs.

Herbicides-nonGMO Soybeans Fact Sheet

2020 ANR Inforgraphic

If you are a cattle producer and still need Beef Quality Assurance Certification, I have included a flyer listing both virtual and in-person opportunities being offered by Crawford County Extension. If you are a backyard poultry producer, you may be interested in the upcoming Virtual Poultry Clinic being offered May 25 by Jefferson County Extension that is included with this email.

Beef Quality Assurance Certification

Backyard Poultry Clinic

As I wrap up this edition of the Hardin County Agriculture and Natural Resources Update, I want you to be aware that USDA is improving and retargeting existing programs, creating new efforts to reach a broader set of producers, and bringing a new perspective and outlook to how USDA delivers assistance to producers in need. See the attached information sheet for details of this USDA Pandemic Assistance for Producers. I have also included a flyer for a May 26 webinar “Principles of Soil Health” for dairy feed suppliers sponsored by American Farmland Trust. Below are ag crops articles posted below that you may be interested in reading.

CFAP2 USDA Pandemic Assistance for Producers

Principles of Soil Health Webinar

Mark

Numbers of Black Cutworm and True Armyworm Moths Increasing but Remain Relatively Low – Andy Michel, Kelley Tilmon, Curtis Young, Clifton Martin, Lee Beers, Beth Scheckelhoff, Eric Richer, Cindy Wallace, Mark Badertscher

Over the past few weeks, we have caught an increasing number of both black cutworm and true armyworm moths in our traps (see https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1yl_FeI5IJKkBVfdvKJuE6pWkd58OVhCyHeZ6SZM-ePE/edit?usp=sharing ). While our weekly total may be high (119 for true armyworm, and 111 for black cutworm) the numbers are much lower when we look at the number of moths caught per trap and per day.  Most of our traps are reporting far less than 2 moths trapped per day.  Of course, these traps only indicate that flight is occurring.  As we progress through the season, growers should continue to monitor these counts and check both corn and wheat fields for any early appearance of feeding or damage.  On wheat or a rye cover crop, look for evidence of defoliation. Armyworms can often be found on the ground underneath debris and its best to look for them on cloudy days, or during dusk/dawn.  Black cutworms are more difficult to spot, so look for the presence of corn that has been cut, or holes near the base of the plant.  See our fact sheets at our webpage (https://aginsects.osu.edu/home, under Extension Publications).

Growing Degree Days vs. Calendar Days – How Long Will Emergence Take? – Alexander Lindsey, Greg LaBarge

When we examine crop emergence post-planting, two factors can impact speed of emergence – soil moisture content and soil temperatures. If soil temperatures are lower, it can take more calendar days for emergence to occur meaning rowing corn may take a little more time. In the Ohio Agronomy Guide, emergence should begin to occur after approximately 100 air GDDs. Finish reading this article at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/13-2021/growing-degree-days-vs-calendar-days-%E2%80%93-how-long-will-emergence

Adapting Burndown Programs to Late-Planted Situations – Mark Loux

It’s déjà vu all over again.  We have run this article every few years, and it seems like maybe the frequency is increasing as we deal with wet and cold weather that delays planting.  The questions about this have not changed much, and neither have the suggestions we provide here.  One of the most common questions, predictably, is how to kill glyphosate-resistant marestail and giant ragweed and generally big weeds in soybeans when it’s not possible to delay planting long enough to use 2,4-D ester. Continue reading this article at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/13-2021/adapting-burndown-programs-late-planted-situations

Wheat Between Feekes 8 and 10 and Disease Concerns – Pierce Paul

Additional authors: Maira Duffeck and Marian Luis

Wheat is now between Feekes 8 (flag leaf emergence) and Feekes 10 (boot) across the state. Feekes 8 marks the beginning of the period during which we recommend that you begin scouting fields to determine which disease is present and at what level. Septoria tritici leaf spot is usually one of the first to show up, and it has already been reported in some fields. So far, it is restricted to the lower leaves and severity is low in most of the affected fields. This disease is favored by cool (50-68F), rainy conditions, and although it usually develops early in the season, it really does not cause yield loss unless it reaches and damages the flag leaf before grain fill is complete. Read more at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/12-2021/wheat-between-feekes-8-and-10-and-disease-concerns

Alfalfa Weevil Infestations Becoming Severe in Some Fields – Mark Sulc, Aaron Wilson, Kelley Tilmon, Greg LaBarge, Curtis Young, Andy Michel, Beth Scheckelhoff

Alfalfa fields across Ohio have been observed with alfalfa weevil infestations, some with high numbers and severe feeding damage to the alfalfa. Accumulation of heat units (growing degree days or GDDs) for alfalfa weevil growth have progressed across Ohio and are now in the 325 to 575 heat unit range indicative of peak larval feeding activity. We are about 2 weeks ahead of GDD weevil accumulation last year. Find out more at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/12-2021/alfalfa-weevil-infestations-becoming-severe-some-fields

Mark A. Badertscher

Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator

OSU Extension Hardin County

1021 W. Lima Street, Suite 103, Kenton, OH 43326

419-767-6037

hardin.osu.edu

Good evening,

This week we completed Pesticide and Fertilizer Recertification make-up trainings for 2021. If you have not yet completed your recertification for either 2020 or 2021, the deadline has been moved back to July 1, 2021 because of the pandemic. Online options still exist to get this done if needed at pested.osu.edu or I can still do video recertifications by appointment if needed at the Extension office. Join us for our monthly Virtual Ag Coffee Hour to discuss county agriculture and issues in Hardin County tomorrow morning at 8:00 am. We look forward to you joining the discussion this month to find out what is happening on the farms in your area. I also plan to share information about our online rainfall collection effort through CoCoRaHS, the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail, and Snow Network. Currently, Hardin County has 26 stations with 9 being active so far this spring. See the attached flyer and register for this meeting at go.osu.edu/hardinagnr to join us on Zoom or by telephone.

Virtual Ag Coffee Hour Flyer

Recent articles submitted to local media include information about vomitoxin in corn grain bins, frost seeding red clover, topdressing wheat, projected crop returns for 2021, National Ag Week, and planting forages. These articles have been included with this edition of the Hardin County Agriculture and Natural Resources Update. If you are knowledgeable about cropland values and cash rents, OSU Extension is encouraging you to complete our annual survey at OhioCroplandValuesCashRents202021 which will be used to gather data for the next Western Ohio Cropland Values and Cash Rental Rates document. Also included is a Quick Guide to the Tri-State Fertilizer Recommendations Changes brought about by the recent update of this document by research conducted in Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan.

Grain Bin Vomitoxin News Release

Frost Seeding Red Clover News Release

Wheat Topdress Nitrogen News Release

Crop Projected Returns 2021 News Release

National Ag Week News Release

Planting Forages News Release

Tri-State Fertilizer Recommendations Changes

Speaking of research, currently we are planning on-farm research studies for the 2021 crop year. These trials will be included in the next eFields book. If you are interested in conducting fertilizer, seeding rate, fungicide, soil health, cover crop, or other research, give me a call and we can discuss your ideas. If you would like to see what other producers have already done with on-farm research, we have eFields books at the Extension office. I have also included a flyer for Soil Health for Dairy Feed Suppliers to this e-newsletter. These are programs for supporting dairy feed suppliers in Mercer, Paulding, Van Wert, Allen, Auglaize, Logan, and Hardin Counties. If you are a beef cattle producer and still need Beef Quality Assurance Training, I have included a flyer from Crawford County which includes several opportunities to get certified.

Soil Health for Dairy Feed Suppliers

Beef Quality Assurance Trainings (Virtual/In-Person)

Finally, I am currently looking for fields to put out armyworm, black cutworm, and eventually western bean cutworm traps. Throughout the spring and summer I will check these traps to monitor these insect pests around the county and report results to OSU researchers. Recommendations then will be provided if there are issues with these pests. So let me know if you are interested as this is also a good way to scout crops throughout the growing season. As usual, I am providing articles from the CORN Newsletter that you may be interested in reading.

Mark

Should you expect any freeze damage to winter wheat? Most likely, no. – Laura Lindsey, Alexander Lindsey

The incoming cold temperatures are not likely to impact winter wheat. The magnitude of freeze damage depends on: 1) temperature, 2) duration of temperature, and 3) wheat growth stage. Prior to the Feekes 6 growth stage, the growing point of wheat is below the soil surface, protected from freezing temperatures. Most of the wheat in Ohio is at the Feekes 4 (beginning of erect growth) or Feekes 5 (leaf sheaths strongly erect) growth stage and should be unaffected by the incoming cold temperatures, predicted to be mid- to low 20s on Wednesday and Thursday. Read more at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2021-07/should-you-expect-any-freeze-damage-winter-wheat-most-likely-no

Time is now to purchase the right nozzles for your spraying needs – Erdal Ozkan

This is the time of the year you must complete shopping for nozzles because the spraying season is just around the corner. Each part of the application equipment plays a critical role in achieving maximum performance from the sprayer. Therefore, each component must be selected carefully and must perform successfully the tasks associated with it. Although nozzles are some of the least expensive components of a sprayer, they hold a high value in their ability to influence sprayer performance. Continue reading this article at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2021-06/time-now-purchase-right-nozzles-your-spraying-needs

Spring control of winter weeds in hay and pasture – Mark Loux

Now is the time to scout hay and pasture fields for the presence of winter annual and biennial weeds, especially those that are poisonous to livestock such as cressleaf groundsel.  These weeds are resuming growth that started last fall and they are most effectively controlled with herbicides while still small.  In addition to cressleaf groundsel, weeds of concern that should be treated soon include the following:  poison hemlock, birdsrape mustard (aka wild turnip), wild carrot. Finish reading this article at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2021-07/spring-control-winter-weeds-hay-and-pasture

Wheat Growth Stages and Associated Management– Feekes 6.0 through 9.0 – Laura Lindsey, Pierce Paul, Ed Lentz

It is important to correctly identify winter wheat growth stages to enhance management decisions, avoiding damage to the crop and unwarranted or ineffective applications. Remember, exact growth stage cannot be determined by just looking at the height of the crop or based on calendar dates. Remember to stage several plants from several areas within your field. Read more about wheat growth stages and associated management at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2021-06/wheat-growth-stages-and-associated-management-feekes-60-through

Topdressing Wheat with Liquid Swine Manure – Glen Arnold

Wheat fields are firming up across Ohio and topdressing with nitrogen fertilizer has started. We have had less precipitation than usual, and more livestock producers may be considering applying liquid swine manure as a topdress for wheat. The key to applying the correct amount of manure to fertilize wheat is to know the manure’s nitrogen content. Most manure tests reveal total nitrogen, ammonia nitrogen and organic nitrogen amounts. The ammonia nitrogen portion is readily available for plant growth. The organic nitrogen portion takes considerably longer to mineralize and generally will not be available when wheat uptakes the majority of its nitrogen before mid-June. Finish reading this article at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2021-06/topdressing-wheat-liquid-swine-manure

Mark A. Badertscher

Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator

OSU Extension Hardin County

1021 W. Lima Street, Suite 103, Kenton, OH 43326

419-767-6037

hardin.osu.edu

Good evening,

Are you a beef or dairy cattle producer interested in assuring the best possible bids for your market cattle? If so, you might be interested in participating in our Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) certification training coming up Tuesday, February 23. The webinar starts at 6:00 pm and you need to pre-register to get the link sent to your email. There is limited seating for Hardin County cattle producers who are unable to watch it on a computer because of poor internet or access. See the attached news release and flyer for information about how to participate. Since in-person seating is limited to 10 individuals seated 6 feet apart with a mask, you will need to call me at 419-767-6037 if you are interested in attending at the Extension office in Kenton. No walk-ins are permitted due to the pandemic as per OSU and county health department guidelines.

Beef Quality Assurance Training News Release

Beef Quality Assurance Training Flyer

Have you enrolled your farms in ARC/PLC for the 2021 crop year yet? Producers will need to make sure they have enrolled their FSA farms and made their elections with the FSA office before the March 15 deadline. Don’t wait until the last minute to make your 2021 crop year elections. There is not much information out there yet but it may be in your best interest take a look at how things have changed. You will want to watch the recording of one of our Hardin County OSU Extension ARC/PLC seminars held this past week available now at Hardin County ARC-PLC Webinar for more information. You can view parts of the webinar or the entire program at your own pace, and I have also included the slides with notes with this email in case you are interested in further study. If you have questions, feel free to contact me. In addition, there is another statewide OSU Extension ARC/PLC webinar coming up February 25. You can see the attached flyer for more details about how to connect to this live webinar.

ARC/PLC 2021 Crop Year Decision Slides

Statewide OSU Extension ARC/PLC Webinar Flyer

I heard that the Northwest Ohio OSU Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Newsletter booklet has finally arrived in mailboxes so make sure you take a look at it if you received one to read about available OSU Extension programs and specifically, pesticide and fertilizer recertifications. As explained in previous e-newsletters, there are both online and in-person options for you to get your private applicator licenses renewed if this is your year to get that done. I have included a news article about this subject, describing the options for Hardin County. Make sure you take a look at it as most of these local recertification update classes happen the first week of March and you need to pre-register for whichever method you decide to use to get recertified. Again, there are no walk-ins due to limited seating at the different locations. Also, if you need to get certified for fertilizer for the first time (apply fertilizer on 50 acres or more of crops for sale), there is an upcoming Fertilizer Certification training in Lima on March 3 that I have attached a flyer with details about how to register to attend. Our next Virtual Ag Coffee Hour is coming up Friday, March 5 so check out the attached flyer about how to participate in our roundtable discussion and learn about Ohio Farm Custom Rates.

Pesticde-Fertilizer Recertification News Release

First Time Fertilizer Certification Flyer

Virtual Ag Coffee Hour Flyer

The next “Water Quality Wednesday – Best Management Practices for Water Quality” webinar is coming up February 24. The same day, there is a 2021 Ohio Cattle Feeding School in the evening. The Conservation Tillage & Technology Conference (CTC) is also virtual this year.  This annual agronomy and soil health event, which is normally held in Ada at Ohio Northern University, will be held online March 9-12.  A “new” crop to Ohio, hemp, will be the subject of the 2021 Ohio Land Grant Hemp Conference being held March 5-6 virtually. Participate in this conference if you are curious about the potential of this crop in Ohio. See the attached flyers for information about how to register for these upcoming events. As an added bonus, I have included the latest Ohio Fruit News that you may be interested in looking at if you produce fruit or hops on your property.  In addition, there are some ag crops articles included below for your reading.

Water Quality Wednesdays – BMP Flyer

2021 Ohio Cattle Feeding School Flyer

2021 Virtual CTC Flyer

Virtual Hemp Conference Flyer

Ohio Fruit News – February 2021

Mark

Health and Safety Recommendations for On-Farm Grain Bin Facilities – Wayne Dellinger, Dee Jepsen

In the ten-year period from 2009 to 2018 Ohio had 9 fatalities in grain handling and grain storage facilities. Five of these fatalities were from suffocation and 2 were from falls from the structure, while the others involved auger entanglements. Purdue University reported 38 grain entrapments across the U.S. in 2019. Twenty-three of these entrapments resulted in a fatality. Read more about grain bin safety at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2021-04/health-and-safety-recommendations-farm-grain-bin-facilities.

Summary of Multi-State State Research on Soybean Row Width, Planting Date, and Plant Population – Laura Lindsey

With funding from the United Soybean Board, soybean agronomists across the US came together to summarize soybean row width, planting date, and seeding rate research trials. (Ohio-specific research trials were funded by Ohio Soybean Council.) Here’s what we found: Row width: Soybean row width varies across the US. In Ohio, most farmers plant soybean in 7.5, 15, or 30-inch row widths. Across the US, narrow rows (7 to 15 inch) out-yielded wide rows (≥ 30 inches) 69% of the time. Narrow rows tend to out-yield wide rows due to earlier canopy closure which facilitates light interception and drives photosynthesis. Click on https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2021-04/summary-multi-state-state-research-soybean-row-width-planting to learn more about this multi-state soybean research.

Corn and Soybean School: Q and A on Corn Disease Management with Fungicides – Pierce Paul

On Feb 11, 2021, I gave a talk entitled “Management of Gibberella ear rot and Vomitoxin in Corn with Fungicides: Lessons Learned from Head Scab” as part of the 2021 Virtual Corn and Soybean School. I summarized years of fungicide efficacy research on head scab, a disease of wheat caused by the same fungus (Fusarium graminearum [Gibberella zeae]) that causes Gibberella ear rot (GER) in corn. Head scab and vomitoxin in wheat have been more widely studied than GER and vomitoxin in corn, as a result, a lot more is known about fungicide efficacy against scab/vomitoxin than against GER/vomitoxin. I therefore used lessons learned from head scab research, coupled with data from a limited number of GER fungicide efficacy studies to provide guideline on GER and vomitoxin management in corn. More than 220 people attended the 40-min-long program, asking questions covering various aspects of corn pathology. Continue reading at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2021-04/corn-and-soybean-school-q-and-corn-disease-management-fungicides.

Register Now for Virtual CTC – Mark Badertscher

Have you registered yet for this year’s Conservation Tillage & Technology Conference (CTC)? This annual conference, which is normally held on the campus of Ohio Northern University in Ada will be virtual this year. Four days of topic related programming will be provided March 9-12, 2021 (Tuesday-Friday). There is still time to register and get your snacks ready for this year’s conference. Each day will start at 8:00 a.m. (EST) and will have 5 hours of great value, ending about 2:00 p.m. That adds up to 20 hours of presentations on current topics important for farmers, crop consultants, and educators. Because the program is virtual and therefore travel is not an issue, the planning committee has put together a list of national experts from universities, agencies, industry professionals, and others. Finish reading about the CTC at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2021-04/register-now-virtual-ctc.

Updated Tri-State Fertilizer Recommendation Webinar – Ed Lentz, Eric Richer

A virtual walk through the Updated Tri-State Fertilizer Recommendations for Corn, Soybean, Wheat, and Alfalfa will be offered on February 23 at 8:30-10:00 a.m. and again at 7:00-8:30 p.m. Private and commercial fertilizer recertification 0ne-hour credit will be offered to those who participate during the ‘live’ programs. Each participant will receive in the mail a copy of the Tri-State Fertilizer Recommendations; hardcopy may not arrive prior to class. Cost for the program is $15. Register and pay for the program at the following link: https://osu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_abl3hg2w8MFWmou. The zoom link for the program will be sent to your email one day before the webinar. Instructors and contacts for the program include Eric Richer – 419/337-9210, richer.5@osu.edu and Ed Lentz – 419/422-3851, lentz.38@osu.edu

Mark A. Badertscher

Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator

OSU Extension Hardin County

1021 W. Lima Street, Suite 103, Kenton, OH 43326

419-767-6037

hardin.osu.edu

Hello,

Have you enrolled your FSA farms into ARC/PLC programs for crop year 2021 yet?  The deadline is coming up March 15. This was the subject of our Virtual Ag Coffee Hour this morning. Join Hardin County OSU Extension for an ARC/PLC Farm Bill Decision Virtual Workshop to assist with 2021 Farm Bill Decisions. Phil Lautenschlager, CED of Hardin Farm Service Agency plans be a part of this program to help answer questions. Find out the latest ARC/PLC Farm Bill information to help your farm operation decision-making process for 2021. Different examples will be provided using the decision-making tools. There will be two sessions available Thursday, February 11 at 1:00 pm and 6:00 pm. For more information and how to register, check out the attached news release and flyer.

ARC-PLC Farm Bill Decision News Release

ARC-PLC Hardin Flyer

Speaking of FSA programs, I have also attached information about the USDA Quality Loss Adjustment program. USDA is providing critical support to our nation’s farmers and ranchers through the Quality Loss Adjustment Program (QLA). QLA aids producers who suffered eligible crop quality losses due to natural disasters occurring in calendar years 2018 and/or 2019. Both 2018 and 2019 were marked with a variety of natural disasters. This includes excess moisture, which impacted much of the Midwest. Read more on the attached fact sheet as FSA is accepting applications for QLA from January 6, 2021 to March 5, 2021.

Farmers_QLA_Program_Factsheet_2021

I have been receiving several calls about Pesticide and Fertilizer Recertification meetings for this year. As mentioned in the previous Hardin County Agriculture and Natural Resources Update, all virtual and in-person meetings are listed in the Northwest Ohio ANR Newsletter if you have not received a copy in the mail by now. It was supposed to arrive in people’s mailboxes in January, but so far I haven’t heard of anyone receiving it from people that I have talked to who are on our mailing list. Hopefully the U.S. Postal Service will deliver it soon as most of these trainings are the first week of March. Give me a call at 419-767-6037 if your license expires this year and we will discuss options and get you registered to attend or participate online.

There have been several virtual OSU Extension webinars and other events happening so hopefully you have taken advantage of some as most of them are free to attend. If you missed an event live, most of them have been recorded and you can view them on OSU AgCrops YouTube Channel or OSU Precision Ag YouTube Channel.  To find out more about OSU Extension virtual programs, read my attached articles “OSU Extension Ag Programs Go Virtual” and “OSU Extension Livestock Webinars.” I have also included flyers for Agronomy Team Programs, Ag Tech Tuesdays, and Corn College & Soybean School. A year ago we planned a Farm Succession Workshop but did not get enough people registered to have it. This year that same workshop is available as a virtual workshop. You can find out details about how to register by February 10 and participate with the “Planning for the Future of Your Farm” flyer. I have also attached a flyer promoting the Water Quality Wednesdays series that our own Water Quality Extension Associate Boden Fisher has helped coordinate.

Virtual OSUE Ag Winter Programs News Release

Livestock Webinars News Release

February Agronomy Team Programs Flyer

Ag Tech Tuesdays Flyer

Corn College-Soybean School Flyer

Planning For Future Farm Flyer

Water Quality Wednesdays Flyer

Finally, I have been getting some questions about vomitoxin in corn. Please see the attached news release that was sent to the media this past week for more information and recommendations about this issue. Also, Julie Platz of American Farmland Trust has asked me to share a flyer for farmers who produce feed for dairy farms in Hardin County. If you fit this description and are interested in programs to improve soil health, contact her for more information either by her email or phone number that are listed on the flyer. Below I have included some ag crops articles for you to read during this cold weekend.

Vomitoxin in Corn News Release

Dairy Feeds Soil Health Flyer

Mark

Conservation Tillage and Technology Conference Will Be Virtual – Mark Badertscher

You won’t want to miss this year’s Conservation Tillage & Technology Conference (CTC). The annual conference, which is normally held on the campus of Ohio Northern University in Ada will be virtual this year. Four days of topic related programming will be provided March 9-12, 2021 (Tuesday-Friday). You’ll need to furnish your own snacks during the scheduled breaks. Read more about this year’s CTC at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2021-03/conservation-tillage-and-technology-conference-will-be-virtual.

Herbicide Resistance in Ohio Waterhemp Populations – Mark Loux

Waterhemp populations across the Midwest continue to develop more complex variations of herbicide resistance. Multiple resistance to an increasing number of herbicide sites of action is the norm in many populations in states west of Ohio. Waterhemp has on the whole developed resistance to seven sites of action, which are listed at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2021-03/herbicide-resistance-ohio-waterhemp-populations along with more information about this topic.

Upcoming Cold Temperatures and Winter Wheat – Laura Lindsey, Ed Lentz, Pierce Paul

The upcoming forecast of cold temperatures has sparked some concern about damage to the winter wheat crop. Fortunately, winter wheat is very resistant to cold temperatures during the months of December, January, and February when the plant is dormant. During these months, winter wheat can withstand below freezing temperatures, especially when there is snow cover. In early 2019, Ohio experienced polar vortex temperatures without snow cover. However, no (or minimal) damage was observed in winter wheat. Read more about how cold temperatures affect winter wheat at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2021-03/upcoming-cold-temperatures-and-winter-wheat.

Fertility Calculator for Ohio Recommendations – Version Update – Greg LaBarge

An update to the Fertilizer Calculator for Ohio has been posted at https://go.osu.edu/ohiofertilitytool. The Fertilizer Calculator for Ohio (Version 2021) corrects an error in calculating whole field fertilizer cost and standardizes the width of field/subfield description fields across tool forms based on user feedback. The tool is a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet developed to support users who want to generate their own recommendations based on the Tri-State Fertilizer Recommendations for Corn, Soybeans, Wheat, and Alfalfa, 2020. The spreadsheet is designed to be compatible with Excel version 1997-2003 or later. Continue reading this article at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2021-03/fertility-calculator-ohio-recommendations-version-update.

Corn College and Soybean School – Amanda Douridas, Mary Griffith, Laura Lindsey

The Agronomic Crops Team will host a virtual Corn College and Soybean School on February 11, 2021. Corn College is in the morning, from 9:00 – 12:00pm, with Soybean School in the afternoon from 1:00-4:00pm. Each program will feature updates from OSU Specialists. CCA CEUs are available. The schedule for the day and information about how you can participate in this free virtual program can be found at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2021-03/corn-college-and-soybean-school.

Mark A. Badertscher

Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator

OSU Extension Hardin County

1021 W. Lima Street, Suite 103, Kenton, OH 43326

419-767-6037

hardin.osu.edu

Hello,

I hope that you had a happy holidays and are looking forward to the new year.  There are many opportunities for you to attend meetings coming up online given the current pandemic.  I will work to keep you up to date in case you choose to participate in any of the programs that OSU Extension has planned for the winter meeting season.  Before I share that information, I wanted to let you know that the USDA released crop reports about the 2019 crop year and I have included an article about crop yields in Hardin and surrounding counties.  We have monthly Virtual Ag Coffee Hours planned with a roundtable discussion and information about timely topics each month.  If you are interested in joining us either by computer or phone, see the attached article and flyer for registration details as these are normally the first Friday of the month at 8:00 am.

Crop Yields News Release

Ag Coffee Hour News Release

Virtual Ag Coffee Hour Flyer

Several of you may have received your pesticide-fertilizer private applicator renewal notice from the Ohio Department of Agriculture in the mail if it is your year to recertify.  This year with the pandemic there are different options for you to take care of this.  First of all, you need to complete the form that you might of received in the mail and send it back to ODA with your $30 license renewal fee now.  After that, you can check out our Northwest Ohio Agriculture and Natural Resources Newsletter at https://hardin.osu.edu/sites/hardin/files/imce/Program_Pages/ANR/OSU%20Extension%20Booklet%2012.20%20WEB.pdf to read about the different options for recertification meetings.  There are online videos, webinars, in-person meetings, and video make-up sessions planned for Hardin County but you must register to attend.  This year with the COVID-19 restrictions, we have seating limitations and attendees must wear masks and be seated 6 feet apart if you attend an in-person training.  You can register to attend virtual programs at http://go.osu.edu/hardinagnr or call me at 419-767-6037 if you would prefer to attend an in-person training.  Like before, there is a class fee payable to OSU Extension.  It is $35 for pesticide recertification and $10 for fertilizer recertification or $45 if you need both.  This class fee is in addition to the fee that ODA charges to renew your license and is payed when you attend the class.

Other Hardin County programs planned for include a virtual Soil Health-Cover Crops workshop on January 22.  Join the Water Quality Extension Associates to discuss soil health research and planned cover crops research for 2021 in Hardin County.  Find out how to participate in on-farm research and utilize best practices for cover crops to improve soil health.  There will be two sessions available Friday, January 22 at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm.  There is also a virtual New Pesticide Applicator class scheduled for January 26 from 12:30-4:30 pm.  This class will provide instruction in CORE, Grain, and Cereal Crops.  For further study and to prepare for the test, books can be purchased from OSU Extension Publications online and shipped to your house at your expense.  Online class participants for this new pesticide applicator class will not need to pay the in-person $30 class fee which includes books.  See the attached news releases and flyers if you are interested in signing up for any of these local events.

Soil Health-Cover Crops News Release

Soil Health-Cover Crops Flyer

New Pesticide Applicator Training News Release

New Pesticide Applicator Training Flyer

As mentioned earlier, there are a multitude of online webinars that are being conducted by OSU Extension. I have included flyers for Agronomy Team Programs, Precision University, Pastures for Profit Course, and Soil Health Series for you to take a look at.  Each flyer has the details, dates, and times, as well as registration information for each event.  Once you register for a program, you will be sent an email with a link and because most of these programs are recorded, you can watch them later if you were unable to attend them live.  I have also included a news release about the Ohio NRCS Announces New EQIP Application Deadline attached to this email.  Our office does not yet have printed Farmers Tax Guides, but you can view the guide online at https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p225.pdf if you are preparing your taxes and need one.  As before, I have included some articles for you to read regarding the latest ag crops news from Ohio State.

Agronomy Team Programs Flyer

Precision U Flyer

Pastures for Profit Flyer

Soil Health Series Flyer

FY21 OH-EQIP_News Release

Mark

Register Now for OSU Extension’s Online Winter Programs! – Mary Griffith, Amanda Douridas, Laura Lindsey, Allen Geyer

This winter OSU Extension’s Agronomy Team will offer a variety of educational programs for farmers and crop consultants to attend online. The team will offer both traditional programs including a Corn College, Soybean School, and Precision University, as well as focusing on some new hot topic areas. New programs will focus on three areas: Investing in Soil Health, Crop Diversity to Improve Your Bottom Line,  and Farming in Weather Extremes. CCA CEUs will be offered at each session. There is no cost to attend, but registration is required for each session to receive log-in information. For more information, go to https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2020-41/register-now-osu-extension’s-online-winter-programs.

Winter Application of Manure-Remember Setbacks – Glen Arnold, CCA

Some Ohio livestock producers will be looking to apply manure to farm fields frozen enough to support application equipment. Permitted farms are not allowed to apply manure in the winter unless it is an extreme emergency, and then movement to other suitable storage is usually the selected alternative. Thus, this article is for non-permitted livestock operations. To read this article, click on https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2020-41/winter-application-manure-remember-setbacks.

PrecisionU: Tackling Spring Operations with Reduced Working Days – John Barker, Amanda Douridas, Ken Ford, John Fulton, Mary Griffith, Will Hamman, Elizabeth Hawkins

Precision University is going virtual this year! Due to the pandemic, the Digital Ag team will host a series of hour-long webinars each Tuesday in January at 10:00 AM to replace the annual in-person event.  The 2021 Precision U sessions will focus on “Tackling Spring Operations with Reduced Working Days.” Changing weather patterns have led to fewer days available in the spring to complete planting, spraying, and fertilizing. University and industry experts will share research results and technology available to help you work smarter and more efficiently. Please plan to join us for these sessions at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2020-40/precisionu-tackling-spring-operations-reduced-working-days.

Water Quality Wednesday – Boden Fisher, Matthew Romanko, Jordan Beck, Rachel Cochran, Brigitte Moneymaker

Water quality concerns continue to be at the forefront of environmental-impact discussions across many industries. Since agriculture occupies much of the land area in Ohio, adapting farming operations to include “best management practices” has been an area of focus for agricultural producers, governmental agencies and other stakeholders working to contribute to solutions. As water quality concerns remain, so do opportunities for reviewing the current research and considering adopting practices that work for your situation. Join The Ohio State University Extension-Water Quality Team and guest speakers for a webinar series discussing several timely topics in preparation for the 2021 growing season. Read more at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2021-01/water-quality-wednesday.

Farm Office Live Winter Edition – Barry Ward

“Farm Office Live” returns virtually this winter as an opportunity for you to get the latest outlook and updates on ag law, farm management, ag economics, farm business analysis and other related issues from faculty and educators with the College of Food, Agriculture and Environmental Sciences at The Ohio State University. Each Farm Office Live will start off with presentations on select ag law and farm management topics from our experts and then we’ll open it up for questions from attendees on other topics of interest.  Viewers can attend “Farm Office Live” online each month on Wednesday evening or Friday morning, or can catch a recording of each program. Finish reading this article at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2021-01/farm-office-live-winter-edition.

Mark A. Badertscher

Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator

OSU Extension Hardin County

1021 W. Lima Street, Suite 103, Kenton, OH 43326

419-767-6037

hardin.osu.edu

Hello,

Harvest is mostly complete with a few corn fields that still need to be shelled.  According to the attached November 30 Ohio Crop Weather Report, corn is 92% harvested in Ohio and 69% of the wheat is either rated good or excellent.  Soybean harvest is wrapped up in Hardin County.  During the growing season, from April 15 through October 15, average rainfall was 20.35 inches, which made 2020 a dry year.  This is 4.57 inches below the ten-year average growing season precipitation, and 5.76 less inches of rain than last year’s growing season.  See the attached Extension Rainfall Report for Growing Season for more details about how the rain or lack of rain affected this year’s crops.

Ohio Crop Weather Report

Season Rainfall 2020 Summary

On December 1, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. program directors from the Ohio Farm Service Agency and Ohio State University Extension will host a free informational webinar about ARC/PLC enrollment and election for the 2021 crop year.  Producers must enroll in ARC/PLC for the 2021 crop year through their local Farm Service Agency office.  Producers can amend the program elections they made for the 2019 and 2020 crop years for the 2021 crop year.  The signup period for the 2021 crop year is open now, and the deadline to enroll and make amendments to program elections is March 15, 2021.  Other webinars will be made available later if you are unable to view this webinar live.  This webinar is free to watch and you can register or join in at: go.osu.edu/arc_plc and read more about it in the attached news release and flyer.

ARC PLC 2021 Press Release

2021 Farm Bill Flyer

Hardin County Auditor Mike Bacon asked me to share the new CAUV rates for 2020 that I have attached to this email.  Landowners should be pleased with the reduction in rates for this cycle.  CFAP 1 participants are encouraged to apply for additional assistance.  Signup for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 (CFAP 2) began on September 21, 2020 and will continue through December 11, 2020.  CFAP 2 provides eligible producers with direct financial assistance due to market disruptions and associated costs because of the COVID-19 pandemic.  CFAP 2 is a separate program from the first round of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program, now referred to as CFAP 1.  Farmers and ranchers who participated in CFAP 1 will not be automatically enrolled and must complete a new application for CFAP 2.  Details on how to apply can be found on farmers.gov/cfap/apply or check out the attached news release for more information.

CAUV 2020

CFAP 2 News Release

The pandemic has taken its toll on in-person programming, and the Ohio No-Till Conference has gone virtual only.  You can choose to watch live online at no cost.  The program will be on Facebook.com/OhioNotillCouncil and if you don’t have Facebook, go to their website to watch at OhioNoTillCouncil.com to join in on this virtual program.  See the attached Ohio No-Till News for more information about this now virtual only program.  Locally, The annual Hardin County Agriculture Hall of Fame Banquet previously scheduled for December 1, 2020 was cancelled due to the inability to safely gather large groups as a result of the current COVID-19 pandemic.  Read more about this annual event cancellation in the attached news release.

Ohio No-Till News

Ag Hall of Fame Banquet News Release

I hope you are able to join us for our next Virtual Ag Coffee Hour meeting Friday, December 4 starting at 8:00 am to discuss the local harvest and other agriculture issues and county information.  You can join us on your computer by clicking on the link https://osu.zoom.us/j/91979160672?pwd=Wjd0OVhwUmVxRWJEM0ZUUit4eTc4Zz09 or calling in with your phone at (312) 626-6799 and providing the Meeting ID: 919 7916 0672 and Password: 4369727 when asked.

Another news release that I have attached to this email is about the Hardin County OSU Extension Master Gardener Volunteer awards which were presented at the virtual state MGV conference held October 22.  Stewart Coats was nominated locally as the Outstanding MGV, the Outstanding MGV Project local nomination was the “3rd Saturday in the Friendship Gardens,” and the Hardin County Men’s Garden Club was nominated locally as the Friend of MGV.  If you are a sheep producer you won’t want to miss this year’s Buckeye Shepherds Symposium being held virtually on Friday, December 4.  See the attached flyer if you are interested in participating in this free event.  Other than that, I have included some articles below that you may be interested in reading.

Master Gardener Awards News Release

Buckeye Shepherds Symposium Flyer

Mark

Farmer and Farmland Owner Income Tax Webinar – Barry Ward

Do you know how the COVID legislation may affect your tax return? Do you know how equipment trade-ins may affect your federal and state tax returns? Farmers and farmland owners who wish to increase their tax knowledge should consider attending this webinar that will address tax issues specific to this industry. Content focuses on important tax issues and will offer insight into new COVID related legislation. Mark your calendars for December 3rd, 2020 to participate in this live webinar from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Read more about it at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2020-37/farmer-and-farmland-owner-income-tax-webinar

Ohio Certified Crop Adviser Pre-Exam Training – Harold Watters

The Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) Exam Training program, delivered by members of the OSU Agronomic Crops Team, will be held virtually for 2021 on January 5, 6, 7 & 8. This is normally an intensive two-day workshop but will be spread across four days this year, beginning at 9:00 a.m. and adjourn by 1:00 p.m. each day. Provided as a great basic agronomy course, it will be used as a reminder on what is best to study in preparation for the local CCA exam. Find out more information about this virtual class at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2020-37/ohio-certified-crop-adviser-pre-exam-training

Engenia, XtendiMax Labels Reapproved – Mark Loux

The USEPA recently reapproved use of Engenia and XtendiMax on Xtend and XtendiFlex soybeans, with modifications to address concerns about off-target movement.  Summary of current situation follows. While the previous labels for these products listed all of the typical uses of dicamba that are found on most dicamba labels aside from soybeans, these two products are now approved for use only on dicamba-resistant soybeans – Xtend and XtendiFlex. Continue reading at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2020-38/engenia-xtendimax-labels-reapproved

Harvesting and Handling Moldy Corn – Pierce Paul

This year, slow grain dry-down, delayed harvest, and late-season rainfall have led to fairly high levels of one or more ear rots (Gibberella, Fusarium, Diplodia and Trichoderma) in some corn fields. Of these, Gibberella ear rot (GER) has been the most frequently reported and is the ear rot of greatest concerns since grain harvested from GER-affected fields will be contaminated with vomitoxin and other mycotoxins. Find out more at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2020-38/harvesting-and-handling-moldy-corn

Certified Livestock Manager Webinars in December – Glen Arnold

The Ohio Pork Council, The Ohio State University Extension and The Ohio Department of Agriculture are hosting two Certified Livestock Manager Webinars in December. Individuals can obtain 2.0 CLM CE Credits for attending each webinar. The first webinar is Wednesday, December 2nd from 10:00am to 12:00noon. Topics and speakers are Biosecurity Breaches by Andreia Arruda DVM, OSU Department of Veterinary Preventative Medicine; Livestock Mortality Composting Update by Dr Steven Moeller, OSU Swine Extension Specialist; and Worker Safety by Dr Dee Jepsen OSU Ag Safety and Health Leader.  Go to https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2020-39/certified-livestock-manager-webinars-december for additional webinar information.

Mark A. Badertscher

Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator

OSU Extension Hardin County

1021 W. Lima Street, Suite 103, Kenton, OH 43326

419-767-6037

hardin.osu.edu

Good afternoon,

Harvest has continued throughout the county, although slowed by recent rains.  The most recent attached Ohio Crop Weather report for October 26 puts soybeans harvested at 73% and corn harvested at 32% across the state.  In Hardin County during the month of September, Extension volunteer rainfall reporters received an average of 4.77 inches of rain.  The most rain for this month, 7.92 inches, fell in Taylor Creek Township, as measured by Silver Creek Supply.  The least rain reported during the month, 2.60 inches, was reported in Jackson Township by Rick Weber.  During the same month last year, an average of 2.82 inches of rain fell.  The rainfall recorded in September over the past ten years averaged 3.53 inches.  For more local rainfall information, see the attached September 2020 rainfall summary.  The combination of high temperatures and dry conditions are the perfect conditions for field fires and combine fires during harvest, as were the conditions earlier in the month.  See the attached news release for tips to avoid combine fires.

Ohio Crop Weather Report

September Rainfall Summary

Combine Fires News Release

A total of 80 fields were surveyed in Hardin County this fall when I conducted the annual county weed survey on September 24.  Waterhemp was found to be a problem in 35% of these fields, marestail (19%), giant ragweed (16%), velvetleaf (10%), giant foxtail/grasses (6%), common lambsquarter (6%), volunteer corn (6%), and redroot pigweed (4%).  The highest degree of infestation in individual fields was redroot pigweed, common lambsquarter, waterhemp, and marestail. Thirty-six percent (36%) of the 80 soybean fields surveyed were found to be weed-free which was an improvement over 2019.  For more details about this annual survey, read the attached County Weed Survey News Release.  I have also included another popular Extension bulletin, the Ohio Farm Custom Rates 2020 to this edition of the Hardin County Agriculture and Natural Resources Update.  This handy reference contains the rates paid for custom farm work done by others around Ohio and gives up-to-date ranges that are being charged for these services.

County Weed Survey News Release

Ohio Farm Custom Rates

OSU Extension and Ohio Dairy Producers Association is offering a Dairy Outlook & Risk Management Webinars series November 5, 17, and 24 from noon-1:00 pm.  These webinars are free to attend and include the topics “Milk pricing during an uncharacteristic 2020,” “Domestic and international dairy market outlook,” and “Risk Management Tools: Dairy Margin Coverage, Futures and Options, Livestock Gross Margin Coverage, and Dairy Revenue Protection.”  See the attached Dairy Risk Management Series flyer for registration information.  Another free webinar series that you won’t want to miss is the 2020  Agricultural Policy and Outlook Conference being held November 9, 10, 12, and 13 from 12:00-2:00 pm.  Organizers of the 2020 Agricultural Policy and Outlook Conference hosted by the Department of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics (AEDE) at The Ohio State University, say the aim of this year’s conference is to offer much-needed insight to those involved in the agricultural industry during a time marked with so much global uncertainty. Past attendees, ranging from producers to consumers and agribusinesses leaders to elected officials, say the annual conference provides information and outlooks that influence their businesses and decision-making processes.  For details about how to register, see the attached news release, flyer, agenda, and session descriptions for this year’s conference being presented free of charge.

Dairy Risk Management Webinar Series

Agricultural Policy and Outlook Conference News Release

Ag Outlook and Policy Flyer

Agricultural Policy and Outlook Conference

Agricultural Policy and Outlook Conference Session Descriptions

Finally, I would like to find out how your harvest is going so far this fall.  Plan to join us for our monthly Virtual Ag Coffee Hour on Friday, November 6 starting at 8:00 am for a local discussion of county agriculture issues and I also plan to share information about the latest Western Ohio Cropland Values and Cash Rents.  You can join us on your computer at https://osu.zoom.us/j/97176748384?pwd=Q2xzUlVyZkQwT3dCRUJIcE5uM1J5Zz09 or call (312) 626 6799 using the Meeting ID: 971 7674 8384 and Password: 6565125.  I hope harvest continues to be a safe one and have provided some articles below for you to read if you are interested.

Mark

Planting Fall Cover Crops – Sarah Noggle, Rachel Cochran

We are now approaching the time of year to think about planting fall cover crops. Cover crops can serve many purposes, ranging from erosion control to nutrient sequestration. Depending on the type and species of cover crop, benefits range from providing a Nitrogen source, scavenging nutrients to decrease leaching potential, acting as a soil builder, preventing erosion, fighting weeds, acting as a forage, conserving soil moisture, and enhancing wildlife habitats. Read more at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2020-37/planting-fall-cover-crops.

Fall-Applied Herbicides: Odds and Ends – Mark Loux

A commonly asked question about fall herbicides – how late in the fall can herbicides be applied and at what point is it too cold to apply?  We have applied well into December under some very cold conditions and still obtained effective control of winter annuals.  We suggest applying before Thanksgiving and aiming for a stretch of warmer weather if possible, but the effective treatments should work regardless.  Extended periods of freezing weather will cause the perennials to shut down – dandelion, thistle, dock.  Continue reading about fall-applied herbicides at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2020-37/fall-applied-herbicides-odds-and-ends.

Soybean Cyst Nematode (SCN) has Made Itself at Home in Ohio – Anne Dorrance

This invasive species has adapted quite well to Ohio conditions, and is unfortunately doing very well in some fields based on egg counts.  We are wrapping up intensive sampling of Ohio Fields from the support of the soybean check-off through Ohio Soybean Council and United Soybean Board.   To date, 566 samples were submitted from 34 counties.  From these, 33.7% had populations of 200 eggs or more. There were 7.6% in the high range (>5,000 eggs per cup of soil), which are associated with significant yield losses. Find out more about SCN at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2020-37/soybean-cyst-nematode-scn-has-made-itself-home-ohio.

For Safety’s Sake: Don’t Take Drying Shortcuts with Stored Corn – Dee Jepsen, Lisa Pfeifer

Wet weather conditions are causing concerns with the 2020 corn crop going into storage. Proper management of stored grain will be the key to eliminating risks to human health and safety later in the season. Grain that goes into the bin with higher moisture content presents a host of possible issues. It can freeze or bind. Mold issues can arise. An environment susceptible to insect problems can be created. Higher volumes of bin fines can result. All of these issues ultimately affect grain flow efficiencies, which can lead to a number of safety hazards. These conditions can cause grain to become bridged or line the sidewall of the bin, resulting in the need for bin entry into an unstable environment. Finish reading this article at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2020-37/safety%E2%80%99s-sake-don%E2%80%99t-take-drying-shortcuts-stored-corn.

Agricultural Policy and Outlook Conference – Ben Brown

On November 9th-13th, OSU’s College of Food, Agriculture, and Environmental Sciences will host the Agricultural Policy and Outlook Conference. The conference will be a series of two-hour online webinars Nov. 9, 10, 12 and 13. Each day will focus on a different topic. Nov. 9 will be on agriculture finance, Nov. 10, agricultural and environmental policy; Nov. 12, agricultural trade and the health of the U.S. economy; and Nov. 13, grain, livestock and consumer demand projections. Agricultural economists from CFAES will speak along with other experts from Washington D.C., other leading land grant institutions, and the Federal Reserve System. The webinars begin at noon and include a daily panel discussion that starts at 1 p.m. and invites people in the audience to ask questions. Read more about this conference at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2020-37/agricultural-policy-and-outlook-conference.

Mark A. Badertscher

Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator

OSU Extension Hardin County

1021 W. Lima Street, Suite 103, Kenton, OH 43326

419-767-6037

hardin.osu.edu

Good afternoon,

Harvest has begun in Hardin County this past week with soybean fields being cut mostly in the northern half of the county.  In addition, farmers applied manure, planted wheat, and tilled land during the week around the state according the latest Ohio Crop and Weather report for September 28.  The virtual Farm Science Review kept me busy this past week as I had 6 videos from Hardin County included as part of this annual show that can be viewed at https://fsr.osu.edu/ in case you missed it live.  You can view the virtual crops yield tour at http://go.osu.edu/croptour2020 and click on Hardin County to see our local yield check videos.  There are other Hardin County videos made available at https://youtu.be/AYSYs_ZUSX8 (Nitrogen Rate On-Farm Research) and https://youtu.be/hu-LsZl7FDc (Late Season Nitrogen Application On-Farm Research).

Ohio Crop Weather Report

This past week our virtual Hardin County Carcass Show of Champions video premiered and so far has been viewed about 2000 times on Facebook.  You can view this video at https://youtu.be/p_ZwGrFEUmU  to find out how our Hardin County Fair Champion and Reserve Champion steers, barrows, gilts, and lambs did on the rail when evaluated at Jenkin’s Meats in Mt. Victory by the OSU meat judge Dr. Lyda Garcia.  Normally we get 20-30 people attend this event in person, but this year we have had more outreach due to our online presentation.  I would like to thank Jenkins Meats, and the Hardin County Pork Producers, Cattle Producers, Sheep Improvement Association, and Agricultural Society for making this annual event possible.

News articles that I have included with this edition of the Hardin County Agriculture and Natural Resources Update include the Extension Rainfall Report for August which mentions how we were 5.21 inches below the ten-year average for Hardin County rainfall through August 31; an article regarding Late Season Waterhemp, which has become a prevalent weed in county soybean fields; an article about Late Season Forage Harvest Management as we approach the fall weather and thus the end of the hay making season;  and an article about the newly updated Cover Crop Selector Tool, which helps growers select cover crops based on their needs and individual situation.  Recently the Western Ohio Cropland Values and Cash Rents for 2019-20 has been released, so I have included a copy of that document as well.  If you are interested in rates for Hardin County, make sure you look at Table 2 for Northwest Ohio as it is the most accurate for our area.

August Rainfall Report

Late Season Waterhemp News Release

Late Season Forage Harvest Management News Release

Cover Crop Selector Tool News Release

Western Ohio Cropland Values and Cash Rents 2019-20

Finally, I would like to invite you to participate in our monthly Hardin County “Virtual Ag Coffee Hour” this Friday morning, October 2 at 8:00 am.  You can join this Zoom meeting on your computer at https://osu.zoom.us/j/96015487296?pwd=VVdoNmp4ZTdtbDdyNWtqNU1IUmxDQT09 or dial in with your phone at (312) 626 6799 and use the Meeting ID: 960 1548 7296 and Password: 431218 when asked.  I look forward to sharing with you information about our annual Hardin County Weed Survey and also our roundtable discussion of Hardin County Agriculture and “what’s been going on in your neck of the woods.”  Until then, be safe with harvest and take a look at the articles that I have included below if interested.

Mark

Farm Office Live Scheduled for October 7, 2020 – David Marrison

Join the OSU Extension Farm Office team for discussions on the latest agricultural law and farm management news.  The next session will be held on October 7, 2020 from 8:00 – 9:30 a.m. Farm Office Live will be back for a review of the latest on round two of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), 2020 crop enterprise budgets, new custom rates, and Western Ohio Cropland Values and Cash Rents survey summary, Ohio’s COVID-19 immunity legislation, and other current issues in farm management. Join our experts for quick presentations and Q & A.   Go to https://farmoffice.osu.edu/farmofficelive  to register or view past webinars and PowerPoint slides.

Precautions for Feeding Frosted and Drought-Stressed Forages – Mark Sulc

Livestock owners feeding forage need to keep in mind the potential for some forage toxicities and other problems that can develop this fall. High nitrates and prussic acid poisoning are the main potential concerns. These are primarily an issue with annual forages and several weed species, but nitrates can be an issue even in drought stressed perennial forages. There is also an increased risk of bloat when grazing legumes after a frost. Read more and get contacts for testing labs at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2020-33/precautions-feeding-frosted-and-drought-stressed-forages.

Fall-applied herbicides – what goes around comes around – Mark Loux

Fall herbicide treatments have fallen off over the past several years for a couple of reasons, among them the effectiveness of new soybean trait systems for managing marestail, some generally crappy weather in late fall, and efforts to reduce input costs.  We are seeing a resurgence in some weeds, such as dandelion, which respond well to fall herbicides, though.   Some growers have also experienced issues with messy fields and late spring burndowns that could have been avoided with fall herbicides.  It’s worth recalling the history of fall herbicide applications, which helps explain some of their benefits, especially if you have not been managing weeds or making recommendations for as long as some of us have. Finish reading about fall applied herbicides at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2020-32/fall-applied-herbicides-what-goes-around-comes-around.

H2Ohio Reminder – Glen Arnold

Harvest is starting and farmers participating in the H2Ohio program are reminded that any fall fertilizer applications, including manure, need to be approved by their local Soil & Water Conservation Districts. This will assure the application is in compliance with their Voluntary Nutrient Management Plan and there will be no problems with the payment process. Many farmers will be working with their local fertilizer dealerships for fertilizer recommendations, but it is still a requirement to get approval from your local Soil and Water Conservation District before the fertilizer or manure is applied.

Wheat Management for Fall 2020 – Laura Lindsey, Pierce Paul, Ed Lentz, Steve Culman

Wheat helps reduce problems associated with the continuous planting of soybean and corn. With soybean harvest quickly approaching, we would like to remind farmers of a few management decisions that are important for a successful crop. Go to https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2020-30/wheat-management-fall-2020 for information about variety selection, planting date, seeding rate, planting depth, and fertilizer application.

Mark A. Badertscher

Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator

OSU Extension Hardin County

1021 W. Lima Street, Suite 103, Kenton, OH 43326

419-767-6037

hardin.osu.edu