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Good afternoon,

Warm temperatures continued this week as crops took advantage of needed time to mature.  As of the October 7 Ohio Crop Weather Report (attached), 68% of Ohio soybeans have dropped their leaves with only 18% harvested.  Corn is at 84% dented with only 44% mature.  Hopefully warmer temperatures will continue to delay frost to allow more time for area crops to reach maturity.  I have also observed several late cuttings of hay as producers try to get an additional cutting made.  Wheat has been planted, in several cases was up in 4-5 days and appears to be growing well.  Although corn has been harvested for silage in the county, very few fields have been harvested for grain.  This past week I did our county weed survey and noted that 33% of soybean fields checked are weed-free, which was probably aided by late planting.  However, soybean fields infested by waterhemp is now at 19%, up from 12% a year ago and 4% three years ago.  Giant ragweed and marestail are a problem in 28% of soybean fields and volunteer corn is growing in 18% of county soybean fields checked.  For more information about the county weed survey, see the attached news article.

Ohio Crop Weather Report

County Weed Survey News Release

I’ve also attached the USDA Ohio Cash Rent County Estimates 2019 report that puts Hardin County at $188 per acre, compared to $191 per acre West Central agricultural district and $155 per acre state average.  The Ohio No-Till Council has announced that the annual Ohio No-Till Conference will be held December 5 at Der Dutchman in Plain City.  Read about this and more in the attached October Ohio No-Till News.  I have also included a copy of the article I wrote about our annual Hardin Sheep Management Tour which last month visited farms in Wayne and Ashland counties.  If you know of a professional livestock hauler who needs Beef Quality Assurance Transport Training, there is a class coming up October 21 in Hancock County.  More details about this class as well as another one in Williams County can be found on the attached flyer.  OSU Extension has also scheduled its annual OSU Income Tax Schools for Tax Professionals starting the end of this month and running through December.  See the attached document for more information about these in-depth trainings.

Ohio 2019 Cash Rent County Estimates

Ohio No-Till News

Sheep Tour News Release

NW Ohio Beef Quality Assurance Transport Training Flyer

OSU Income Tax Schools for Tax Professionals Brochure

In the last issue of the Hardin County AgNR Update, I mentioned posters that I put together for the National Association of County Agricultural Agents.  If you have an interest in viewing these on-farm research posters, they are attached to this email.  One compares three years of research with nitrogen rates in mineral and muck soils while the other one takes a look at late season application of nitrogen to corn.  A final flyer that I have included is Agraria “Putting Down Roots!” sponsored by the Logan County Land Trust on October 23.  Upcoming local events include Ag Hall of Fame committee meeting Wednesday, October 16 starting at 4:30 pm at the Extension office; Soil and Water Conservation District meeting Thursday, October 17 starting at 7:30 am at the SWCD office; and Forestry Field Day Sunday, October 20 starting at 1:00 pm at 17950 County Road 85, Belle Center with a rain date the following Sunday.  As in the past, I have included ag crops articles below that you may be interested in reading.

Corn Nitrogen Rates in Muck vs Mineral Soils Poster

Late Season Nitrogen Application to Corn Poster

Agraria Flyer

Mark

Potential for Nitrate Problems in Drought Stressed Corn – Peter Thomison, Laura Lindsey, Steve Culman, Sam Custer

Have very dry soil conditions increased the potential for toxic levels of nitrates in corn harvested for silage? Nitrates absorbed from the soil by plant roots are normally incorporated into plant tissue as amino acids, proteins and other nitrogenous compounds. Thus, the concentration of nitrate in the plant is usually low. The primary site for converting nitrates to these products is in growing green leaves. Under unfavorable growing conditions, especially drought, this conversion process is retarded, causing nitrate to accumulate in the stalks, stems and other conductive tissue. The highest concentration of nitrates is in the lower part of the stalk or stem. For example, the bulk of the nitrate in a drought-stricken corn plant can be found in the bottom third of the stalk. If moisture conditions improve, the conversion process accelerates and within a few days nitrate levels in the plant returns to normal.  Read more at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2019-34/potential-nitrate-problems-drought-stressed-corn.

Is a late soybean harvest in your future? – James Morris, Will Hamman, Jason Hartschuh, Elizabeth Hawkins

The variability of the 2019 cropping year is continuing into harvest. With a broad range of planting dates this spring, many soybean producers will be faced with variable harvest conditions. Additionally, the hot and dry conditions this late summer into early fall has sped up the senescence and dry down of many soybean fields. While seed quality is currently very good, a few weeks of wet weather can degrade quality quickly. Be sure you are ready when the soybeans are. When harvesting soybeans, harvest loss can be a real concern. The ideal time to harvest soybeans is when the soybean seed reaches 12-15% moisture. This will allow for optimal threshing and reduced harvest loss.  Continue to read about reducing soybean harvest losses at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2019-34/late-soybean-harvest-your-future.

Stalk Quality Concerns – Peter Thomison, Pierce Paul

2019 may be an especially challenging year for corn stalk quality in Ohio. Stress conditions increase the potential for stalk rot that often leads to stalk lodging.  This year persistent rains through June caused unprecedented planting delays. Saturated soils resulted in shallow root systems. Corn plantings in wet soils often resulted in surface and in-furrow compaction further restricting root growth. Since July, limited rainfall in much of the state has stressed corn and marginal root systems have predisposed corn to greater water stress.  Finish reading about stalk rots and potential lodging and drooping ears at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2019-34/stalk-quality-concerns.

Be Aware of Late-Season Potential Forage Toxicities – Mark Sulc

Livestock owners feeding forage need to keep in mind potential for some forage toxicity issues late this season. Nitrate and prussic acid poisoning potential associated with drought stress or frost are the main concerns to be aware of, and these are primarily an issue with annual forages and several weed species, but nitrates can be an issue even in perennial forages when they are drought stressed. A few legumes species have an increased risk of causing bloat when grazed after a frost. Each of these risks is discussed in this article along with precautions to avoid them.  Go to https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2019-33/be-aware-late-season-potential-forage-toxicities to finish reading about late season forage toxicities.

Fire Safety During Harvest Season – Dee Jepsen

Meteorologists would likely correct us if we referred to this year’s summer climate as bipolar. However, the early fall rain patterns seem to be completely different depending on where one stands in the state. It is either rain, and lots of it – or dry, on the verge of drought. So when readers see an article about fire safety for harvest season, it is intended for those encountering dry and windy conditions, whenever these conditions appear. October and November are two months where fire is a particular concern. In agricultural areas, fires can break out during unseasonably warm temperatures. Fire risks are particularly a concern around fields with dry crop residues, near woodland areas, or within equipment with heated bearings, belts, and chains. There are several aspects to consider for fire prevention and fire protection during harvest season. Read more about preventing fires during harvest at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2019-33/fire-safety-during-harvest-season.

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,

Where did September go?  It was certainly a busy month and October is just around the corner.  With the weather forecast of hot temperatures for this week, one could question whether it really seems like October.  September brought with it the Hardin County Fair, which saw many of our county youth and adults highlight agriculture to the public.  After the Hardin County Fair, we held the Hardin County Carcass Show of Champions.  I would like to thank Jenkins Meats in Mt. Victory for hosting this event and also the Hardin County Pork Producers, Cattle Producers, Sheep Improvement Association, and Ag Society for their support.  I have attached the carcass show results news release and scores for those who might be interested.  The week after the fair, I had the opportunity to do a presentation about soybean seeding rate populations eFields research with an Extension colleague in Fort Wayne, Indiana and exhibit a corn nitrogen rate poster showcasing three years of Hardin County on-farm research with trials conducted in both mineral and muck soils at the National Association of County Agriculture Agents conference.

Carcass Show Results News Release

Hardin County Carcass Show Scores

Upon return from this conference, the same poster was displayed along with a poster from the previous year highlighting our late season nitrogen application trials in corn at the Farm Science Review in the Agronomic Crops tent.  I would like to thank our Hardin County cooperating farmers who made this research possible the past few years.  In this tent next to the parking lot at the FSR, our Ag Crops team presented ‘Hot Topics’ during the three days of the Farm Science Review.  I was able to give a talk “Comparing Corn Yield Response To Nitrogen Rates in Mineral and Muck Soils” at the Small Farm Center at the Farm Science Review as well.  If you missed that talk, you can see the attached poster for more information.  Our OSU Extension Hardin County Sheep Management Tour of Wayne and Ashland Counties also took place in September, visiting several farms and industry related sites.  If you are a sheep or goat producer, you may be interested in knowing about the Small Ruminant Workshop “Addressing Needs for a Productive Season being held Friday, October 4 in Clinton County.  I have attached a copy of the flyer if you would like to attend.

FSR Corn Nitrogen Rates Poster

Small Ruminant Workshop Flyer

Our Dairy Service Unit has begun its fall cheese sale.  Twice a year this commodity group holds this fundraiser so make sure you read the attached article and take a look at the order form.  The Agriculture Hall of Fame is currently looking for nominations which are due October 15 for the next class of honorees.  In 2018, Jan Layman, Sanford & Paul McCurdy, Carol & Gary Oates, and Gary Shick were inducted.  Surely you know of a deserving individual who should be honored this year.  If so, see the attached news article and please share the attached nomination form with the family so the committee can begin the process of recognizing those who have made an impact on Hardin County agriculture.  The Hardin County Ag Hall of Fame Banquet is always the first Tuesday in December.

Fall Cheese Sale News Release

Cheese Sale Flyer

Ag Hall of Fame Nominations News Release

Ag Hall of Fame Purpose and Nomination Form

Other information that I have included with this issue of the Hardin County Agriculture and Natural Resources Update include the September 23 Ohio Crop Weather Report which shows only 58% of the corn dented and only 27% of the soybeans dropping leaves.  Driving around the county you wouldn’t guess this is the end of September based on the way many of the crops look, but they have come a long way since being planted so late this growing season.  How much did it rain in August?  Find out by reading the attached August 2019 Rainfall Summary.  Because of the heavy rains and accompanying storms, Hardin County has been named to the list of 53 Ohio Counties eligible for U.S. Small Business Association Economic Injury Disaster Loans.  See the attached news release for more information about how agriculture businesses can apply for low interest loans.  Under this declaration, the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program is available to eligible farm-related and non farm-related entities that suffered financial losses as a direct result of this disaster.  With the exception of aquaculture enterprises, SBA cannot provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers and ranchers.

September 23 Ohio Crop Weather Report

August 2019 Rainfall Summary

SBA Working Capital Loans Available in Ohio

Upcoming events this week include Farm Bureau, Tuesday (10/1) starting at 6:30 pm at Ag Credit; Fairboard, Wednesday (10/2) starting at 7:00 pm at the fair office; Ag Council, Friday (10/4) starting at 7:30 am at Kenton McDonalds.  The subject of Friday’s Ag Council breakfast are the results of the Hardin County Ag Census, so feel free to join us for our monthly roundtable discussion.  I have also included a farm stress fact sheet titled “How To Talk With Farmers Under Stress” and included a few agronomy articles for your reading below.

How To Talk With Farmers Under Stress Fact Sheet

Mark

Yield monitor calibration for fall harvest – John Fulton, Elizabeth Hawkins

Harvest has not yet started here in Ohio, but it is good to remember to make sure your yield monitor is setup and calibrated properly. Geo-referenced yield data (i.e. yield maps) are being used to provide precision agriculture insights and recommendations at the field level. Yield maps not only help growers understand end-of-year performance within fields, but also can be used to characterize in-field variation. Information about this variation is often used by service providers to deliver prescriptions, recommendations, or other information back to the farmer. Read more about calibrating your yield monitor at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2019-32/yield-monitor-calibration-fall-harvest.

Corn Silage, Too Wet or Too Dry? – Bill Weiss, Mark Sulc

For corn silage ideal moisture concentrations are between about 62 and 70%. They can be harvested a little wetter (maybe up to 72%) if it goes into a bunker. The wetter it gets the more seepage you get (loss of nutrients and potential environmental issues if seepage gets into a water source, (example; Fish kill). Wet corn silage also produces an acetic acid-based fermentation which means a loss of energy (1 mole of glucose is fermented to lactic acid and acetic and 1 mole of carbon dioxide is lost, which is energy). Clostridia is not a major risk for corn silage because pH drops quickly but it can be a major concern for wet grass or alfalfa silage. Finish reading this article at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2019-32/corn-silage-too-wet-or-too-dry.

Drydown In Corn – What To Expect? – Peter Thomison

Many corn growers may encounter slower than normal drydown this fall due to late crop development associated with June planting dates. Much of Ohio’s late-planted corn may not achieve black layer until mid-October or later when drying conditions are less favorable for drydown.  Once corn achieves physiological maturity (when kernels have obtained maximum dry weight and black layer has formed), it will normally dry approximately 3/4 to 1% per day during favorable drying weather (sunny and breezy) during the early warmer part of the harvest season from mid‑September through late September. By early to mid‑October, dry-down rates will usually drop to ½ to 3/4% per day. By late October to early November, field dry‑down rates will usually drop to 1/4 to 1/2% per day and by mid-November, probably zero to 1/4% per day. By late November, drying rates will be negligible. Continue reading about corn dry down at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2019-32/drydown-corn-–-what-expect.

Pricing Standing Forage Crops in the Field – Mark Sulc

How to value a standing hay or haylage crop for sale directly from the field prior to harvest can be challenging.  Assigning an appropriate value includes the buyer and seller first agreeing on the market value for the hay and then adjusting for harvest costs and other factors that contribute to the price of hay sold in the open market, some of which are challenging to quantify. Two new factsheets and accompanying Excel worksheets tools are available to help you arrive at a fair price. These resources consider just a single crop of forage that is ready to harvest as hay or haylage.  Find out more information about pricing standing forages in the field at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2019-32/pricing-standing-forage-crops-field.

Will Late Planted Corn Reach Black Layer Before a Killing Frost? – Allen Geyer, Rich Minyo, Peter Thomison

Ohio saw record late corn planting in 2019.  According to the Agricultural Statistics Service, only 33% of Ohio’s corn was planted by June 2.  The question being asked now is will the June planted corn reach physiological maturity (black layer) before a killing frost?  Corn is killed when temperatures are near 32°F for a few hours and when temperatures are near 28°F for a few minutes. A useful tool is available from the Midwestern Regional Climate Center (the U2U tool, available at:  https://mrcc.illinois.edu/U2U/gdd/) that uses current and historical weather data to predict when corn will reach black layer.  The user selects the geographic location that they are interested in, actual planting date and the adjusted relative maturity of the planted hybrid.  Look for more good tips about estimating black layer timing in corn at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2019-32/will-late-planted-corn-reach-black-layer-killing-frost.

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,

Conditions the past couple weeks were generally favorable for fieldwork.  Growers kept busy applying herbicides and fungicides, hauling manure, harvesting hay, tilling fields, and planting cover crops.  See the attached August 19 Ohio Crop Weather Report for additional information.  Parts of Hardin County received much needed rains to help the corn, soybean, and hay crops.  I have included a news release about the dry weather stress and how it affects the corn crop which was written by Hancock County OSU Extension Educator Ed Lentz.  The OSU The Ag Safety and Health program has a grain dust research study to quantify the amount of dust present inside on-farm storage bins during load-out periods, and specifically when workers are using sweep augers and actively cleaning the bin.  They are seeking farms that will allow dust samples to be collected from their bins during the load out periods.  The farm will receive a dust analysis report approximately 1 week later.  In the report, the results will show the amount of Total Dust and Respirable Dust present in the environment.  The program will provide an N-95 respirator for all workers – upon request at the scene.  See the attached document if you are interested in participating in this OSU Grain Dust study.  Also, OSU Ag Engineers want information from a wide range of folks, including those who do not have residue managers on a planter.  They have a survey they would like farmers to complete regarding planter residue management.  You can participate in this survey at https://osu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6iquxSX5KmnuzeB.

August 19 Ohio Crop Weather Report

Dry Weather Stress Corn News Release

OSU Grain Dust Study

Planter Residue Survey QR Code

The Farm Science Review is coming up September 17-19 at Molly Caren Agricultural Center in London.  Each year over 100,000 people gather for this annual farm show with over 700 exhibitors and over 100 acres of exhibits.  Engage with a diverse group of experts in the agricultural industry, explore over 4000 product lines and services to help enrich your future in agriculture.  If you are interested in attending this year’s FSR, we have tickets available at the Extension office for $7 each through Monday, September 16.  Each ticket we sell keeps $1 in Hardin County to benefit Hardin County AgNR Extension programs.  If you are interested in visiting sheep farms and learning more about this livestock industry in Ohio, OSU Extension is organizing the annual Hardin County Sheep Management Tour for September 14-15 in cooperation with the Hardin County Sheep Improvement Association.  This year our group is touring farms and industry visits in Ashland and Wayne Counties.  See the attached letter for more information.

Sheep Tour Invitation Letter

Have you seen any evidence of bagworms in your trees or shrubs?  I have been receiving calls about this insect pest and have provided an article about them attached to this email.  There’s not a lot you can do about them this time of year short of hand removing them, so read the article to learn more about your options.  Are you a gardener interested in becoming and OSU Extension Master Gardener Volunteer?  Logan County and Champaign County Extension are offering a daytime MGV training course this fall in West Liberty where you could get trained and then volunteer in Hardin County.  See the attached flyer for details.  Do you have unused pesticides that you need to dispose of safely?  There will be a Clean Sweep pesticide disposal program do properly dispose of them in Miami County as indicated below on August 29.  Household or non-farm pesticides will not be accepted.  For more details and information about a later location in Wayne County, go to https://www.agri.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/oda/divisions/plant-health/news-and-events/.

Bagworms News Release

Master Gardener Training Flyer

Pesticide Disposal Day

Other events in our region include an Upland Wildlife Habitat Management Workshop in Auglaize County August 27; Cattlemen’s Fall Roundup in Shelby County September 3; Cover Crops and Soil Health workshop in Logan County September 5.  Check the attached flyers for more information about these events.  Local events coming up include a Fairboard meeting Wednesday, August 28 starting at 7:00 pm in the Community Building at the fairgrounds and the Hardin County Fair September 3-8.  This week’s attached farm stress fact sheet is about “How to Cultivate a Productive Mindset.”  I hope you are staying positive and productive.  See the ag crops articles below for further reading.

Upland Wildlife Workshop Flyer

Cattlemen’s Fall Roundup Flyer

Cover Crops and Soil Health Workshop Flyer

How To Cultivate A Productive Mindset Fact Sheet

Mark

Corn Earworm in Field Corn; Watch for Molds – Kelley Tilmon, Pierce Paul, Andy Michel

There have been recent reports of high corn earworm populations in certain grain corn fields.  Corn earworm is a pest with many hosts including corn, tomatoes and certain legumes.  In Ohio it is typically considered a pest of sweet corn rather than field corn, but this past week substantial populations have been found in certain field corn sites.  Corn earworm moths are most attracted to fields in the early green silk stage as a place to lay their eggs.  These eggs hatch into the caterpillars that cause ear-feeding damage, open the ear to molds, and attract birds.  With a wide range of planting dates this year, different fields may be at greater risk at different times. Read more at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2019-27/corn-earworm-field-corn-watch-molds.

Frogeye Leaf Spot – Is It Worth Spraying in 2019? – Anne Dorrance

Several reports over the last two weeks of heavy frogeye leaf spot pressure in some fields as well as low to moderate pressure in others.  This disease will continue to increase and infect new foliage as it develops on these late planted soybeans. Based on our previous research, only once (2018) in 14 years of studies did applications at the soybean growth stage R5 contribute to preserved yield.  At the R5, the leaf at the terminal is fully developed and the pods at any one of the top four nodes is fully expanded, but the seeds are just beginning to expand. Soybeans that have frogeye and have just begun to flower, are at full flower, or have just reached the R3 growth stage, these decisions are going to be challenging.  In full disclosure, we don’t have data or examples to rely on here.  This late planting and late development is all new territory for all of us.  But there are some sound principles to rely on.  Find out more at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2019-27/frogeye-leaf-spot-it-worth-spraying-2019.

Estimating Yield Losses in Stressed Corn Fields – Peter Thomison

Many corn fields are still silking (and some are just past the mid-vegetative stages)….so, it may seem a little early to discuss estimating grain yields. However, according to the most recent  NASS crop report, for the week ending Aug. 8, 2019,  25% of the corn crop has reached the dough stage (compared to 63% for the 5 year average). Corn growers with drought damaged fields and late plantings may want to estimate grain yields prior to harvest in order to help with marketing and harvest plans. Two procedures that are widely used for estimating corn grain yields prior to harvest are the YIELD COMPONENT METHOD (also referred to as the “slide rule” or corn yield calculator) and the EAR WEIGHT METHOD. Each method will often produce yield estimates that are within 20 bu/ac of actual yield. Such estimates can be helpful for general planning purposes. Finish reading this article at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2019-26/estimating-yield-losses-stressed-corn-fields to learn how to calculate corn yield estimates in the field.

Poultry Litter Applications – Glen Arnold

Stockpiles of poultry litter can be seen in farm fields across Ohio. While common each year in wheat stubble fields, there are also stockpiles showing up in prevented planting fields. Poultry litter is an excellent source of plant nutrients and readily available in most parts of the state. Poultry litter can be from laying hens, pullets, broilers, finished turkeys, turkey hens, or poults. Most of the poultry litter in the state comes from laying hens and turkey finishers. Typical nutrient ranges in poultry litter can be from 45 to 57 pounds of nitrogen, 45 to 70 pounds of P2O5, and 45 to 55 pounds of K2O per ton. The typical application rate is two tons per acre which fits nicely with the P2O5 needs of a two-year corn/soybean rotation. Like all manures, the moisture content of the poultry litter greatly influences the amount of nutrients per ton. Handlers of poultry litter have manure analysis sheets indicating the nutrient content. Go to https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2019-26/poultry-litter-applications to find out more about poultry litter and its regulations.

Farm Science Review Agronomy College is September 10^th – Harold Watters

For agronomists, Certified Crop Advisers, custom applicators and farmers. Tuesday, Sept. 10 • 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center LONDON, OHIO – home of the Farm Science Review. See the flyer for details on how to get to the site of the program. Check in begins at 8:30 A.M. The full-day event features time with OSU Extension staff in the field in the agronomy plots on the east side of the grounds. Breakout session topics will address the challenges of the 2019 growing season and the opportunities moving into 2020 and beyond. Featured speakers include Fred Whitford of Purdue University; Pierce Paul, Tony Dobbels, Kelley Tilmon, Anne Dorrance and Alex Lindsey of The Ohio State University. This is the 4th year for this event in cooperation between the OSU Agronomic Crops Team and the Custom Application committee of the Ohio AgriBusiness Association. This year we will emphasize scouting in several talks – why and how to scout, crop growth stages, insect & disease identification, and getting to a recommendation. Price is $120 per participant. Please register online at oaba.net/events. Questions? Contact Janice Welsheimer at 614-326-7520 ext. 3 or jwelsheimer@oaba.net, or Harold Watters at 937-604-2415 or watters.35@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

Good afternoon,

We finally received a nice rain shower but could use more rain to help with corn pollination and soybean growth.  During the month of July, Extension rainfall reporters recorded an average of 3.96 inches of rain in Hardin County.  Last year, the average rainfall for July was 3.76 inches.  Although adequate rain has been received this year during July, some townships have had much more while others have received considerably less.  This has caused crops in some areas to need more rain at a crucial time during the growing season.  Read more about Hardin County township rainfall and its effect on crops in the attached July 2019 Rainfall Summary.  Statewide, 71% of the corn is silking and 69% of the soybeans are blooming according to the August 12 Ohio Crop Weather Report.  I have attached this report along with the previous week’s report for August 5.

July 2019 Rainfall Summary

August 12 Ohio Crop Weather Report

August 5 Ohio Crop Weather Report

The Ohio August 1 Crop Forecast has Ohio’s projected corn yield at 160 bushels per acre and soybean crop at 48 bushels per acre.  Wheat yield was estimated at 61 bushels per acre.  This attached report does mention that Ohio growers will harvest 710,000 fewer acres of corn and 810,000 fewer acres of soybeans in 2019 as compared to 2018.  That is in line with a report that came out last night with Hardin County having 91,389 prevented planting acres out there, which ranks it second only to Wood County in Ohio with 120,480 acres not planted.  Other area counties in the top ten for prevented planting were Hancock with 74,169 and Wyandot with 53,860 acres not planted.

August 1 Crop Forecast Report

Don’t forget that there is an “Essentials in Financial Risk Management” workshop with dinner coming up August 20 at Mid-Ohio Energy in Kenton at 6:00 pm.  See the attached flyer for details about how to register for this event sponsored by Nationwide Insurance, Hardin and Wyandot County Farm Bureaus, Ag Credit, and OSU.  I have also included a Michigan State University Extension Fact Sheet on Stress to this email which includes strategies of dealing with this condition.  Another event coming up locally is the Monarch Butterflies workshop being hosted by the OSU Extension Hardin County Master Gardener Volunteers on Saturday, August 17 starting at 9:00 am at the Friendship Gardens of Hardin County located in Kenton.  See the attached news release and flyer for more details about this program.  Other local events include the Soil and Water Conservation District meeting Thursday (8/15) starting at 1:00 pm at the fairgrounds shelter house and the SWCD annual meeting and customer appreciation event Thursday (8/15) starting at 5:00 pm at the fairgrounds shelter house.  The Hardin County Fair work day is scheduled for Saturday (8/17) starting at 8:30 am at the fairgrounds.  The Cattle Producers picnic is August 24 starting at 6:00 pm in the Community Building at the fairgrounds.  I hope you have the time to read the ag crops articles that I have included below.

Essentials of Financial Risk Management Flyer

Stress Fact Sheet

Monarch Butterflies Workshop News Release

Saturday Mornings in the Friendship Gardens Flyer

Mark

Delayed Corn Planting the Disease Risk in Corn – Pierce Paul

In Ohio, several foliar diseases are of greater concern in late-planted corn for a number of reasons, including: 1 – for diseases like gray leaf spot (GLS), northern corn leaf blight (NCLB), and eye spot that are caused by pathogens that overwinter in corn stubble, delayed planting allows more time for inoculum (spores) to buildup, especially in no-till, corn-on-corn fields and 2 – for diseases like common and southern rust that are caused by pathogens that do not overwinter in Ohio, planting late allows more time for spore for blow up from southern states. So, with late planting, not only are more spores likely to be available to infect the crop, they are also more likely to infect the crop at an earlier growth stage and under conditions that are more favorable for disease development.  Make sure you scout for these diseases if the hybrid is susceptible and conditions become favorable as described at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2019-23/delayed-corn-planting-disease-risk-corn.

Are Crops Catching Up? – Laura Lindsey, Peter Thomison

Corn. Crop development varies tremendously across Ohio because of planting dates that range from late April to early July. According to field agronomists in some areas of the state, it looks like late-planted crops are “rushing through development” …Unlike soybean, corn development is directly related to temperature, i.e. heat unit accumulation. Above average July temperatures (especially nighttime temperatures) have promoted rapid corn growth and development. After corn reaches the V10 stage (and most of our June plantings are near or beyond this stage), leaf collar emergence occurs at approximately one leaf every 50 GDDs. Late planted corn fields (especially those that have adequate soil moisture and good soil fertility and weed control) may appear to be “catching up” with neighboring fields planted earlier. The rapid growth of late planted corn is associated with greater vegetative growth and faster canopy closure, which will help optimize yields. However, it does not mean that the rate of development of later plantings is greater than earlier plantings. Finish reading this article about corn and soybean crop growth at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2019-25/are-crops-catching.

Drought and Heat Stress – Peter Thomison

One of the corn production scenarios agronomists least like is an exceptionally wet spring followed by a hotter and drier than normal July and August. The spring of 2019 was one the wettest on records throughout much of the state and now, as the dry weather that started in July persists, such a scenario seems to be a possibility in many Ohio corn fields. A combination of warm temperatures and inadequate rainfall is beginning to stress corn fields across Ohio. What’s exacerbating this problem are the marginal roots evident in some corn fields. Several factors, including poor planting conditions, surface/sidewall compaction and/or excessively wet soil conditions in June have inhibited good root development in many fields. Read more about drought and heat stress at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2019-25/drought-and-heat-stress.

2019 Ohio Wheat Performance Test – Laura Lindsey, Matthew Hankinson

Yield results from the 2019 Ohio Wheat Performance Test are online at: https://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/wheattrials/default.asp?year=2019 Disease information will be available soon. The purpose of the Ohio Wheat Performance Test is to evaluate wheat varieties, blends, brands, and breeding lines for yield, grain quality, and other important performance characteristics. This information gives wheat producers comparative information for selecting the varieties best suited for their production system and market. Varieties differ in yield potential, winter hardiness, maturity, standability, disease and insect resistance, and other agronomic characteristics. Selection should be based on performance from multiple test sites and years. For more information about the 2019 Ohio Wheat Performance Test, go to https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2019-24/2019-ohio-wheat-performance-test.

“Working Lands” Forage Field Days Planned – Garth Ruff

The Ohio Department of Agriculture Working Lands Buffer Program allows for forage to be grown and harvested from field edge buffers in the Western Lake Erie Basin. Join OSU Extension, Ohio Forage and Grassland Council, and your local Soil and Water Conservations Districts to learn about the Working Lands Program. Topics to be covered at these field days include: Soil Fertility ~ Seed Bed Preparation ~ Forage Species Selection ~ Seeding Methods ~ and More!

Field Days will be held at various locations throughout the Western Basin watershed including Hancock County: August 22 at 4:00 pm – 19178 Twp Rd 65 Jenera. Gary Wilson 419-348-3500.  Find out more at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2019-25/working-lands-forage-field-days-planned.

Mark A. Badertscher

Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator

OSU Extension Hardin County

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

419-674-2297 Office

hardin.osu.edu

Hello,

Corn has been tasseling in several fields and I saw the first soybeans flowering in the county this past week.  Although crops that were planted look a lot better than before, they are still behind on the calendar.  We had some nice rains which helped with this matter, only to be followed by a week of dry conditions.  Most of the second cutting hay is now in the barn, and it appears that most prevented planting fields have been sprayed or recently been tilled and planted with cover crops.  I have attached both the July 22 and July 29 Ohio Crop Weather reports if you would like to read more about the recent crop and weather activity.

July 22 Ohio Crop Weather Report

July 29 Ohio Crop Weather Report

Ohio agricultural producers who lost property due to recent natural disasters may be eligible for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) physical loss loans.  The Farm Service Agency (FSA) offers these low-interest loans to agricultural producers in 21 Ohio counties, the primary damaged area, who incurred losses due excessive rain, flash flooding, flooding, hail, high winds, lightning and tornadoes that occurred between Nov. 1, 2018 and June 13, 2019.  Applications are due March 2, 2020 and more information can be found at https://www.fsa.usda.gov/state-offices/Ohio/news-releases/2019/stnr_oh_20190715_rel_21.   Examples of property commonly affected include essential farm buildings, fixtures to real estate, equipment, livestock, perennial crops, fruit and nut bearing trees, and harvested or stored crops and hay.

On July 25 the U.S. Department of Agriculture released details about the 2019 Market Facilitation Program (MFP).  This is a continuation of the 2018 program designed to help offset market affects from retaliatory tariffs on U.S. agricultural products.

Key differences in 2019 compared to 2018

1. Payments are based on planted acres not per bushel
2. Each county has a different payment rate See the attached document (The first payment is 50% of this amount)
3. Payment is split into three parts not two. 50% in the first round, 25% in the second and 25% in the third.  Only the first round is guaranteed at this point.
4. In 2018- adjusted gross income limit was set at $900,000.  In 2019- AGI higher than $900,000 is eligible as long as 75% of the income comes from the farming operation. Producer hampered by this restriction in 2018 can retroactively file for 2018 when they sign up in 2019.

MFP Payment Rates

Here are the important takeaways so far-

1. Sign-up began Monday July 29^th and runs through December 6^th.  (Producers need to fill out form CCC-913 from the FSA office)
2. Crops and livestock eligible include:
   1. Non-specialty- alfalfa hay, barley, canola, corn, crambe, dried beans, dry peas, extra-long staple cotton, flaxseed, lentils, long grain and medium grain rice, millet, mustard seed, oats, peanuts, rapeseed, rye, safflower, sesame seed, small and large chickpeas, sorghum, soybeans, sunflower seed, temperate japonica rice, triticale, upland cotton and wheat. (the sum of acres of these crops not exceeding 2018 acreage multiplied by 50% of attached county rates)
   2. Specialty crops- almonds, cranberries, cultivated ginseng, fresh grapes, fresh sweet cherries, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, pecans, pistachios, and walnuts (multiplied by national or state payment rates per acre)
   3. Livestock- dairy and hogs. (Milk- $0.20/ hundredweight of milk registered through the Dairy Margin Coverage Program x 50%, Hogs- $11 per head of an inventory selected by the producer between April 1 and May 15, 2019 x 50%)
   4. Approved cover crops on prevented planting acres will receive $15 per acre as long as long as they were planted before August 1, 2019 x 50%.

All payments for the first portion are 50% of the total payment rate and expected to be made in August.

More information is available at https://www.farmers.gov/manage/mfp or read the attached Ag Challenges News Release for more frequently asked questions.

Ag Challenges News Release

Upcoming local events include “Essentials in Financial Risk Management” seminar on August 20, starting at 6:00 pm at Mid-Ohio Energy Cooperative in Kenton.  The workshop includes dinner and requires pre-registration.  See the attached flyer for more information about this event sponsored by the Hardin and Wyandot County Farm Bureaus, Nationwide Insurance, Ag Credit, and OSU.  Champaign County Extension is sponsoring a Precision Ag Day: Sprayer Technology on August 27 in Urbana starting at 8:00 am.  See the attached flyer for more information and how to register.  Have you watched the Cover Crops for Prevented Planting video yet?  If not, I have attached a copy of the latest Ohio No-Till News that has an article about how to access it.  There is a Pork Producers meeting scheduled for Tuesday, August 6 starting at 6:30 pm at Ag Credit.  The Hardin County Fairboard has a scheduled meeting on Wednesday, August 7 starting at 7:00 pm at the fair office.  The farming community is going through a lot of stress with this year’s growing season.  I have attached a document to this email about “How Stress Affects You” for you read.  Other than that, see the articles below for ag crops information.

Essentials of Financial Risk Management Flyer

Precision Ag Day:  Sprayer Technology Flyer

Ohio No-Till News

How Stress Affects You

Mark

Expect cornfields pollinating well into August – Peter Thomison

According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service for the week ending July 28, 2019, 32% of the state’s corn was silking compared to 75% for the 5-year average. Given the wide range in corn planting dates this year, most corn will not achieve tasselling and silking until we are well into August. The pollination period, the flowering stage in corn, is the most critical period in the development of a corn plant from the standpoint of grain yield determination. Stress conditions (such as hail damage and drought) have the greatest impact on yield potential during the reproductive stage. Read more at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2019-24/expect-cornfields-pollinating-well-august.

No pigweed left behind – late-season scouting for Palmer amaranth and waterhemp – Mark Loux

If you don’t already have to deal with waterhemp or Palmer amaranth, you don’t want it.  Ask anyone who does.  Neither one of these weeds is easy to manage, and both can cause substantial increases in the cost of herbicide programs, which have to be constantly changed to account for the multiple resistance that will develop over time (not “can”, “will”).  The trend across the country is for Palmer and waterhemp to develop resistance to any new herbicide sites of action that are used in POST treatments within about three cycles of use.  Preventing new infestations of these weeds should be of high priority for Ohio growers.  When not adequately controlled, Palmer amaranth can take over a field faster than any other annual weed we deal with, and waterhemp is a close second. Continue reading more about Palmer amaranth and waterhemp at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2019-24/no-pigweed-left-behind-late-season-scouting-palmer-amaranth-and.

What Non-Uniform Crop Stages Means for Stink Bug Management in Soybean – Kelley Tilmon, Andy Michel

With all the planting difficulties in 2019 there are soybeans in a much greater variety of growth stages than usual this summer.  What does this mean for stink bug management?  First, it means that different fields will be in the danger zone at different times.  Stink bugs feed on developing pods and seeds, with the potential for damage beginning in R3 and R4-R5 being prime damage time, with damage potential still lingering in early R6.  This year peak damage potential may be spread over a larger window of time.  Second, the latest soybeans to mature will be at extra risk at the end of the season.  Stink bug adults are quite mobile and able to move into new fields.  As earlier fields mature they will naturally be attracted to fields that are still green.  If only a few fields are still green at the tail end of the season the immigration will be magnified.   The same is true for bean leaf beetle and pod feeding.  To read more, go to https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2019-23/what-non-uniform-crop-stages-means-stink-bug-management-soybean.

Mid-season diseases and management – Anne Dorrance

The rains last week around Wayne County (5+ inches) provided for saturated soil conditions. Cultivars with low resistance to Phytophthora sojae are now developing Phytophthora stem rot.  These fields were planted the first week of June and the stands were good but are now beginning to thin out.  This has been the pattern, it takes 1 to 2 weeks for above ground symptoms to develop on cultivars with resistance packages that are no longer effective.  Phytophthora sojae has one host, soybean, and can adapt to some of the types of resistance that is bred into soybeans to manage this pathogen.  Scout fields of soybeans 1 to 2 weeks after a rain to look for symptoms.  If you find a plant or two, probably don’t worry but if you easily find dozens of plants and the canopy is thinning due to loss in stand – look at the resistance package of the soybean.  It is time for something new. Finish reading this article at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2019-24/mid-season-diseases-and-management.

Late Summer Establishment of Perennial Forages – Rory Lewandowski, Mark Sulc

We are quickly approaching the second good opportunity of the year for establishing perennial forage stands, which is in the month of August. Most of us were not able to establish forages this spring, and many existing stands were damaged by the winter followed by the heavy rainfall this year. It is time to make preparations and be ready to plant perennial forage stands in the next few weeks. Typically, the main risk with late summer forage seedings is sufficient moisture for seed germination and plant establishment. However, many parts of Ohio have adequate soil moisture from recent rains, and the outlook for the first half of August is for normal precipitation levels. Prepare now and be ready to take advantage of planting ahead of storm fronts as they occur in late July and early August. Finish reading this article at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2019-23/late-summer-establishment-perennial-forages.

Mark A. Badertscher

Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator

OSU Extension Hardin County

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

419-674-2297 Office

hardin.osu.edu

Hello,

Extension rainfall reporters recorded an average of 7.08 inches of rain in Hardin County during June.  Last year, the average rainfall for June was 6.09 inches.  Rainfall for June 2019 was 1.46 inches more than the ten-year average rainfall in the month of June.  Dudley Township received 10.24 inches, the most of the township sites.  The least rain in June, 4.51 inches was collected in Liberty Township.  For the growing season since April 15, the average precipitation in all the townships was 16.29 inches, with a wide range from 12.82 inches in Liberty Township to 19.23 inches in Pleasant Township.  See the Extension Rainfall Report for June for information about how June rainfall affected crop production in Hardin County.  I have also attached the Ohio Crop Weather Report for July 15, which shows that 64% of winter wheat has been harvested, 88% of oats are headed, and second cutting of alfalfa has begun around the state with 43% harvested.  Most of the corn and soybeans in Ohio are still rated fair in Ohio.

June 2019 Extension Rainfall Summary

July 15 Ohio Crop Weather Report

There is a miniature gardens program tomorrow morning in the Friendship Gardens of Hardin County starting at 9:00 am.  See the attached news release and flyer for this workshop which will be led by Master Gardener Volunteer Kim Thomas teaching both kids and adults about constructing their own take home garden.  Tuesday evening, state specialists Dr. Sally Miller and Dr. Melanie Ivey will be teaching our fruit and vegetable growers about plant diseases and their management.  This event is scheduled to begin at 6:00 pm at a farm located on 17051 Township Road 199, Mt. Victory.  There will be a diagnostic table for samples and a crop walk through a hoop house and produce field to identify issues and answer questions.  See the attached news release and flyer for more information about this program if you raise fruits and vegetables and are interested in attending.

Fairy Garden News Release

Saturday Mornings in the Friendship Gardens Flyer

Crop Walk News Release

Crop Walk Flyer

State Forage Specialist Mark Sulc has put together a fact sheet on “Annual Forage Agronomic Guidelines and Characteristics” which lists seeding rates, planting dates, planting depth, nitrogen rate, dry matter yield, crude protein, and other information for producers considering planting forages.  I have attached this document to this email.  Since Hardin County is contiguous to Auglaize County, the U.S. Small Business Administration has made available Disaster Loans for business physical disaster, economic injury disaster, and home disaster from the storms that occurred May 27-29, 2019.  An information sheet is attached to this email providing more details for those who may have been affected by these storms.  OSU Extension has put together a website for the 2019 Ag Crisis that serves as a one-stop location at https://u.osu.edu/2019farmassistance/home/ for information dealing with this year’s agricultural challenges.

Annual Forages-Agronomics Fact Sheet

U.S. Small Business Association Disaster Loans Fact Sheet

Upcoming events include the Manure Science Review on August 7 in Tuscarawas County (see attached flyer); Master Gardener Volunteers meeting on Monday, July 22 starting at 7:00 pm at HARCO Industries; and the Regional Forages for the Future program being held Thursday, July 25 starting at 9:00 am at St. Henry High School.  See the attached flyer and RSVP by July 22 if interested in attending this timely event.  Otherwise, see the articles below for more information about ag crops.

Manure Science Review Flyer

Forages for the Future Regional Program Flyer

Mark

Hay and Straw Barn Fires a Real Danger – Jason Hartschuh, Mark Sulc, Sarah Noggle, David Dugan, Dee Jepsen

Usually, we think of water and moisture as a way to put a fire out, but the opposite is true with hay and straw, which when too wet can heat and spontaneously combust. Most years this is more common with hay than straw because there is more plant cell respiration in the hay. This year the wheat is at various growth stages and straw seems to have more green stems than normal. When baled at moistures over 20% mesophilic bacteria release heat-causing temperatures to rise between 130⁰F and 140⁰F. These bacteria cause the internal temperature of hay bales to escalate, and can stay warm for up to 40 days depending on the moisture content when baled. If bacteria die and the bales cool, you are in the clear but if thermophilic bacteria take over temperatures can rise to over 175⁰F. Read more at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2019-21/hay-and-straw-barn-fires-real-danger.

Use More Caution this Year to Reduce Spray Drift – Erdal Ozkan

Spray drift not only results in wasting expensive pesticides and pollution of the environment, it may damage non-target crops nearby, and poses a serious health risk to people living in areas where drift is occurring. Drift happens! It accounts for about half of all non-compliance cases investigated by the Ohio Department of Agriculture. As you know, we are experiencing an unusual weather situation in Ohio and several other corn-belt states this year. Wet fields have made planting of corn and soybeans delayed or in many cases forced farmers to abandon it altogether looking for alternatives such as planting cover crops. Either situation presents added caution when applying herbicides in terms of spray drift which is defined as movement of pesticides by wind from the application site to an off-target site during or soon after application is done. Go to https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2019-22/use-more-caution-year-reduce-spray-drift to finish reading this article.

Thinking about Cover Crops…… thoughts to consider – Sarah Noggle, Alan Sundermeier

Decisions, decisions these days.  When it comes to selecting the right cover crop for your farm, there is no one-size-fits-all option. This document is to help those of you new to cover crops with the thoughts, questions, and decisions, one needs to make when selecting cover crops.  Planting cover crops on prevent planting acres protects the soil from further water and wind erosion. This is here to help you make a plan and eliminate stress. Cover Crop selection is based on many different factors. What works on one field may not work on an adjacent field. Each farmer has different goals and ideal practices for their farms. Doing your homework prior to purchasing or planting cover crops can save you time and money. Click on https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2019-22/thinking-about-cover-crops%E2%80%A6%E2%80%A6-thoughts-consider to read more about cover crops.

The Ohio Noxious Weed Law – A Tool in the Prevention of Waterhemp and Palmer Amaranth – Mark Loux

Waterhemp and Palmer amaranth are both now listed on the Ohio noxious weed law, which means that landowners must take steps to control infestations and prevent further spread.  Since these are annual weeds, preventing spread is achieved by preventing plants from reaching maturity and producing seed.  This is the basis for our “No pigweed left behind” effort, for which the goal is to create an understanding that the only way to beat these weeds is to prevent seed.  Prevention needs to occur in any area that might be subject to infestation, such as roadsides, parks, conservation seedings, etc, in addition to agricultural fields.  The entities managing these areas are responsible for recognizing and controlling infestations of waterhemp and Palmer amaranth, but this does not always occur.  Not everyone involved in crop production or land management is aware of the waterhemp/Palmer problem to begin with, and many managers are busy enough that preventing noxious weed problems has low priority. Finish reading this article at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2019-22/ohio-noxious-weed-law-tool-prevention-waterhemp-and-palmer.

Western Bean Cutworm: Numbers Starting to Increase – Amy Raudenbush, Kimberley Gault, Mark Badertscher, Lee Beers, Bruce Clevenger, Sam Custer, Tom Dehaas, Allen Gahler, Jason Hartschuh, Andrew Holden, Stephanie Karhoff, Ed Lentz, Rory Lewandowski, David Marrison, KJ Martin, Cecelia Lokai-Minnich, Les Ober, Eric Richer, Garth Ruff, Mike Sunderman, Jeff Stachler, Alan Sundermeier, Curtis Young, Chris Zoller, Andy Michel, Kelley Tilmon

Week three of The Ohio State University Western bean cutworm (WBC) monitoring network has resulted in an increase of moths captured. Last week’s trap count included WBC adults captured from July 8 – July 13. A total of 24 counties monitored 75 traps across Ohio. Overall, trap counts increased, resulting in a total of 287 WBC adults (18 total last week) and a statewide average of 3.8 moths/trap (up from 0.3 average last week) While it is not likely we are at peak flight for WBC in Ohio just yet, there are counties that reported a trap average that indicates scouting for egg masses should begin. These counties include: Champaign, Clark, Coshocton, Fulton, Hardin, Lucas and Miami.  Go to https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2019-22/western-bean-cutworm-numbers-starting-increase to see more details.

Mark A. Badertscher

Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator

OSU Extension Hardin County

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

419-674-2297 Office

hardin.osu.edu

Good afternoon,

Field work progressed this past week before some heavy rains hit parts of the county.  Wheat harvest started this past weekend, with a few fields being harvested.  Although I haven’t heard any local wheat yields or grain quality reports yet, the USDA indicates that 34% of the wheat crop is rated fair.  Fair is how 43% of the corn and 45% of the soybeans are rated in Ohio as well.  For more information about crop progress, see the attached July 8 Ohio Crop Weather Report.  The big news out of the state treasurer’s office this week is that low interest Ag-LINK loans are available at http://www.tos.ohio.gov/Ag-LINK-Extreme-Weather-Relief.  Through this round of applications, farm operators and agribusiness owners based in Ohio can receive a 2% interest rate reduction on loans up to $150,000.  The addition of a second application period can provide significant savings and much needed relief to farmers and agribusinesses impacted by recent storms and floods.

July 8 Ohio Crop Weather Report

Across Ohio, farmers are facing challenges unimagined just four months ago.  Widespread loss of established alfalfa stands coupled with delayed or impossible planting conditions for other crops leave many farmers, their agronomists and nutritionists wondering what crops can produce reasonable amounts of quality forage yet this year.  In addition, frequent and heavy rains are preventing harvest of forages that did survive the winter and are causing further deterioration of those stands.  See the attached article 2019 Challenge: Forage Production Options for Ohio written by Mark Sulc, OSU Extension Forage Agronomist and Bill Weiss, OSU Extension Dairy Nutritionist, to help address this forage dilemma.  Also, there is a Forages for the Future regional program planned for July 25 in St. Henry (Mercer County) to assist livestock farmers who need information about this topic.  I have attached both a flyer and news release about this program if you are interested in attending.

2019 Challenge: Forage Production Options for Ohio

Forages for the Future Regional Program Flyer

Forages Program News Release

Other events happening in Western Ohio include the Climate Smart: Farming with Weather Extremes program on July 18 at Der Dutchman in Plain City which I have included an updated flyer.  There is also a flyer for the Ohio Hop Growers Guild Statewide Hop Yard Open House July 20 with four sites you can visit.  In addition, I have included the July Ohio No-Till News which has an article about our “Cover Crops for Prevented Planting Acres” event that was held June 27 in Ada.  Upcoming local meetings include Farm Bureau tonight (7/9) starting at 6:00 pm at Bear Vine Winery near Ridgeway; Sheep Improvement Association tonight (7/9) starting at 7:30 pm at the Extension office; Fairboard Wednesday (7/10) starting at 7:00 pm at the Fair office; Cattle Producers Monday (7/15) starting at 7:30 pm at Fairgournds Steak Barn.  Don’t forget to check out the ag crops articles below, especially the one about the 2019 Agriculture Challenges FAQ Webpage Now Live.

Climate Smart Flyer

Hop Open House Flyer

Ohio No-till.page.July.2019

Mark

2019 Agriculture Challenges FAQ Webpage Now Live – Elizabeth Hawkins

The unrelenting rains this spring and summer have created many challenges that the farming community is now sorting through. In order to help with decisions, OSU Extension has created a Frequently Asked Questions webpage. This page provides the most up-to-date answers to questions about topics ranging from MFP and disaster payments to cover crops, forages, livestock concerns, management of crops that are out of sync with normal planting dates, as well as answers to more questions as information becomes available. There is also an option to submit questions that you would like answered. Webinars with more detailed information will also be shared here. The page is available at go.osu.edu/AgCrisis. Since the situation we are facing is constantly evolving, be sure to check back for the latest information available to help you.

Problems in Soybean Fields – Anne Dorrance

We have multiple planting dates in Ohio this year with soybeans in all different growth stages.  Management decisions are based on the stage of crop development. For soybeans that are flowering, there was a confirmed report of frogeye leaf spot.  If the soybeans in the field are in good health then managing this disease is often cost effective on susceptible varieties.  Scouting between R2/R3, if frogeye is easy to find on the newly expanded leaves a fungicide application is warranted. There are many fungicides available with fair to very good efficacy.  The one caveat is in Ohio, we have identified strains of the fungus that causes frogeye leaf spot that is resistant to strobilurin fungicides, so choose a product that has another mode-of-action. For soybeans that are in the early seedling stages that have continued to get these saturating rains, damping-off is occurring.  So these fields will continue to decline until about V2, then the resistance in the plant will take over.  So continue to monitor stands in these fields.  If stem rot develops at the later stages, then that is from Phytophthora sojae.  In these cases, a better variety is needed for the future that has higher levels of quantitative resistance.

Noxious Weeds in Cover Crop Seed and Seed Germination – Alexander Lindsey, Laura Lindsey, Mark Loux, Anne Dorrance, Stan Smith, John Armstrong

Seed quality is key to establishing a good crop (or cover crop). Some of the critical components of seed quality are percent germination, mechanical analysis for purity (% other crops, % inert, and % weeds), and a listing of noxious weeds identified by scientific/common name and quantity found. As producers are looking for seed sources to provide living cover on acreage this year that was previously earmarked for corn or soybeans, it is important to pay attention to the quality. These tests may also be required on seed lots for use in some relief programs as well. Commercial or certified seed used for cover crops should have a seed tag that shows variety and the seed quality measurements above. However, if the seed is sourced from out of state, the noxious weeds listed (or NOT listed) on the tag by name may differ from those had the seed been sourced from Ohio.  Read more at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2019-21/noxious-weeds-cover-crop-seed-and-seed-germination.

What is the Nutrient Value of Wheat Straw? – Laura Lindsey, Ed Lentz

Wheat harvest is now underway. What is the nutrient value of the straw? 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. Click on https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2019-21/what-nutrient-value-wheat-straw to finish reading about the nutrient value of wheat straw.

Considerations for Using Soybeans as a Cover Crop – Laura Lindsey

From the USDA RMA website (https://www.rma.usda.gov/News-Room/Frequently-Asked-Questions/Prevented-Planting-Flooding): “Q. Can I plant a cover crop of the same crop I was prevented from planting? Or in other words, can I use the seed I have on hand (corn, soybeans, wheat) to plant a cover crop as long as it’s at a lower seeded rate that qualifies for cover crop? A. Yes. An acceptable cover crop must be generally recognized by agricultural experts as agronomically sound for the area for erosion control or other purposes related to conservation or soil improvement is planted at the recommended seeding rate, etc. The cover crop may be the same crop prevented from planting and may still retain eligibility for a prevented planting payment. The cover crop planted cannot be used for harvest as seed or grain.” Soybean is an acceptable cover crop as it is agronomically sound for the area for erosion control or other purposes related to conservation or soil improvement. Go to https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2019-21/considerations-using-soybeans-cover-crop for more information about this topic.

Mark A. Badertscher

Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator

OSU Extension Hardin County

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

419-674-2297 Office

hardin.osu.edu

Hello,

I hope you had a chance to attend last Thursday’s Cover Crops for Prevented Planting Acres meeting at Ohio Northern University in Ada.  If not, a video is now available for the entire program at https://www.ocj.com/2019/06/video-cover-crops-for-prevented-planting-acres-special-meeting/ that you can watch either parts or the full program.  Also, you might recall that I sent out a special email this past Friday with information about the Ohio NRCS Disaster Recovery Funding to Plant Cover Crops.  If you didn’t see that, I have included it with this email along with an Ohio NRCS fact sheet on Cover Crops to Improve Soil in Prevented Planting Fields and an Ohio NRCS Cover Crop fact sheet for seeding and selection.  Please take a few minutes to review these documents as cover crops are a viable way to protect unplanted bare fields around the county from erosion, weeds, and build soil health at the same time.

NRCS Disaster Recovery Funding to Plant Cover Crops

NRCS Cover Crops to Improve Soil in Prevented Planting Fields

NRCS Cover Crop Seeding and Selection

This past week was the best week weather-wise to do field work so far this season.  Several fields were sprayed, tilled, and even planted or replanted.  Soybeans are coming slow, corn is being sidedressed, and hay has finally been made in Hardin County.  See the July 1 Ohio Crop Weather Report for more information about the status of this year’s crops in the field.  Although the weather has finally settled down for now, most of the crop conditions are in the fair category according to this report from USDA.  Events coming up include a Western Ohio Precision Ag Field Day in Troy featuring harvesters on July 16; a Producer Workshop for “Using Native Warm-Season Grasses in a Grazing System” being held July 16 in Hillsboro; Western Agronomy Field Day being held July 17 at South Charleston; and a “Climate Smart: Farming with Weather Extremes” event being held July 18 in Plain City.  I have included flyers attached to this email that you can check for more details.

July 1 Ohio Crop Weather Report

Western Ohio Precision Ag Field Day Flyer

Using Native Warm-Season Grasses in a Grazing System Flyer

Western Agronomy Field Day Flyer

Climate Smart: Farming with Weather Extremes Flyer

Besides these upcoming events, you might want to check out the articles I have included below.  One of them discusses the Western Bean Cutworm trapping that we are doing here in Hardin County.  So far we have not caught any Western Bean Cutworm adult moths in our traps.  We also have been monitoring armyworm and black cutworm adult moths for the past two weeks.  Our numbers were down this past week compared to the previous week, which could be linked to the hot dry weather we have experienced.  Stay in touch and let me know if you have any questions that come up during this unusual growing season.

Mark

What to do about Nitrogen Fertilizer in Corn? – Steve Culman, Peter Thomison, Alexander Lindsey, Harold Watters, Greg LaBarge, Laura Lindsey

The persistent rain this year may force many growers to sidedress their nitrogen in corn much later than what is considered normal. Other growers may be supplementing their earlier N applications to replace N lost from denitrification and leaching. The following are some suggestions based on common questions we’ve been hearing. Nitrogen is one the most dynamic crop nutrients in the soil and has many pathways for loss. It’s leaky nature plus the fact that crops need it in such large quantities makes the task of knowing exactly how much N to apply very challenging. The excessive water this spring has clearly driven losses in many fields, but how much? Recent research at Ohio State has shown that ear leaf N, soil nitrate and grain yields were significantly reduced after just 2 days of standing water in the field. So N losses can occur quickly with excessive water.  Read more at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/201920/what-do-about-nitrogen-fertilizer-corn.

Wet Weather and Soybean Stand – Laura Lindsey, Alexander Lindsey

Saturated soils after soybean planting can cause uneven emergence and stand reductions of varying extent depending on the stage of the soybean plant and other environmental factors including temperature and duration of saturated conditions. Additionally, increased disease incidence may further reduce plant stand. Saturated Soil Prior to Germination: While soil moisture is necessary for germination, soybean seeds will not germinate when soils are saturated because oxygen is limiting. Saturated Soil during Germination: Saturated soils during soybean germination may cause uneven emergence. In a laboratory study, soybean germination was reduced by ~15% after only one hour of flood conditions (Wuebker et al., 2001). After 48 hours of flood conditions, soybean germination was reduced 33-70% depending on when imbibition (seed taking up water) began relative to the flooding conditions. Practically, for Ohio, this means if soybean seeds were further along in the germination process when flooding occurred, the seeds will be more susceptible to flooding stress.  Continue reading this article at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/201919/wet-weather-and-soybean-stand.

Corn of Many Colors – Alexander Lindsey, Steve Culman, Peter Thomison

As corn is emerging and beginning to grow, we are again seeing many colors present. In any given field, corn can appear dark green in sections, while other sections are yellow and occasionally purple. Yellowing (due to low nitrogen or sulfur uptake and/or limited chlorophyll synthesis) or purpling (reduced root development and/or increased anthocyanin production) of corn plants at this stage of development generally has little or no effect on later crop performance or yield potential. If it’s induced by environmental conditions, the yellow or purple appearance should change to a healthy green after a few sunny days with temperatures above 70 degrees F (and as soils dry). If plants remain yellow then closer inspection and assessment is needed to determine if the yellowing is caused by nutrient deficiency or some other factor. Cooler wet conditions often increase the appearance of these different colors. Some hybrids are more likely to increase anthocyanin (purple pigment) content when plants are cool. Finish reading this article at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/201918/corn-many-colors.

Western Bean Cutworm Monitoring – Amy Raudenbush, Kimberley Gault, Mark Badertscher, Bruce Clevenger, Sam Custer, Tom Dehaas, Allen Gahler, Mike Gastier, Jason Hartschuh, Andrew Holden, Stephanie Karhoff, Rory Lewandowski, KJ Martin, Cecelia Lokai-Minnich, David Marrison, Les Ober, Eric Richer, Garth Ruff, Jeff Stachler, Mike Sunderman, Alan Sundermeier, Curtis Young, Andy Michel, Kelley Tilmon

The Ohio State University Western bean cutworm (WBC) network has officially started monitoring traps as of last week. Green bucket traps containing a lure were placed along the edges of corn fields during the week of June 17th. The first trap count includes WBC adults captured during the week of June 24th. Overall, 22 counties monitored 62 traps across Ohio; which resulted in 12 WBC adults captured (0.2 average moths per trap) The adults are moths that begin to emerge in late June and peak flight occurs anytime between the 2nd through 4th week of July. See more at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/201920/western-bean-cutworm-monitoring.

Forages for the Future Regional Program – Dennis Riethman

Many alfalfa and forage stands across the state took a beating this winter and the wet spring has added insult to injury.  Forage stands were damaged this past winter, and the wet spring has further deteriorated stands that appeared they might recover.  So what are the options to assuring a forage supply for the future? A Forages for the Future Program will be held on July 25, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the St. Henry H.S. Commons located at 391 E. Columbus St. in St. Henry, Ohio.  During this program discussions will be held addressing the current forage situation and look at best practices for forages.  Discussions will include alfalfa variety selection and establishment, forage options other than alfalfa, weed control in alfalfa and other forages, forage harvesting best practices, and feeding considerations with a varied forage inventory.  Presenters include Dr. Mark Sulc, OSU Extension Forage Specialist, Dr. Jeff Stachler, OSU Extension Educator from Auglaize County, and Dr. Maurice Eastridge, OSU Department and Animal Sciences.  The program is free to attend but registration is requested by July 22 by contacting Denny Riethman at Riethman.24@osu.edu or calling the Mercer County OSU Extension Office at 419-586-2179.  Thank you to St. Henry FFA, Mercer Landmark, and Dairy Farmers of America as sponsoring supporters of this program. Find flyer at https://agcrops.osu.edu/sites/agcrops/files/imce/July%2025%202019%20Forages%20for%20the%20Future%20Regional%20Program.pdf.

Mark A. Badertscher

Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator

OSU Extension Hardin County

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

419-674-2297 Office

hardin.osu.edu

Good evening,

Even though there has not been much field work lately, farmers have been busy thinking about what to do with their fields that are unplanted.  Much thought goes into a decision about unplanted acres and the options for those fields, along with the crop insurance decisions that come with prevented planting.  I submitted an article to the media last week about this topic and have included it with this email.  As I write this edition of the Hardin County Agriculture and Natural Resources Update, today marks the end of the late planting period for corn.  Some additional corn will be planted, mostly to be chopped for silage as needed for dairy cattle.  Even so, it will be pushing the limit for quality silage but when it is needed for feed, it will need to be planted.  Now that June 20 has passed, we have several fields in the county that will be claimed for prevented planting for soybeans.  These fields, along with the prevented planting corn fields have weeds that need to be managed and other decisions to make about cover crops and possible forage harvest.  There are several factors that need to be considered and OSU Extension and the Ohio No-Till Council have planned a special meeting with several experts to help answer those questions on Thursday, June 27 from 6:30-9:00 pm at Ohio Northern University Mcintosh Center (402 W College Ave, Ada).  We will address weed control, crop insurance, and cover crops for unplanted acres.  See the attached news release for this meeting.  You won’t want to miss it.

Prevented Planting Decisions News Release

Cover Crops Meeting News Release

The USDA Risk Management Agency announced just the other day that cover crops planted on prevented planting acres can be grazed, chopped, or hayed for livestock beginning September 1.  This will help address the lack of forages for livestock producers.  See the attached news release from USDA to read more about this change.  However, it is important that you discuss this with your crop insurance agent to make sure you are following all rules before deciding to plant cover crops or harvest forages on prevented planting fields.  Also, if you have land in NRCS – EQIP or CSP programs, you will need to get any cover crop changes approved by your local NRCS office before you plant.  There are guidelines that need to be followed to make sure you remain eligible for these programs.  Also, make sure you do the necessary reporting with FSA for crops planted and crops that will be prevented planting.  Although the June 24 Ohio Crop Weather Report that I have attached says that 80% of the corn is planted and 65% of the soybeans are planted across Ohio, this is now intended planted acres as of this date.  Wheat harvest is just around the corner, so a timely harvest is important to maintain yield and quality.  Often times wet weather causes problems with yield, test weight, and grain quality so don’t delay harvesting this crop.

RMA Announces Change to Haying and Grazing Date News Release

June 24 Ohio Crop Weather Report

The Ohio Department of Agriculture has announced that the Ohio Working Lands Buffer Program sign-up period has again been made available as of June 17.  This program encourages producers in the Western Lake Erie Basin Watershed to establish year‐round vegetative cover on eligible cropland.  The program promotes the conversion, establishment and maintenance of forage/hay land on certain cropland acres.  As the name implies “Working Lands Buffers” act as a buffer on cropland and provides another line of defense to filter surface water while allowing participants to harvest forage from established areas.  See the attached flyer and stop by the Hardin SWCD office to apply.  An annual payment of $120 per acre per year over a 5‐year period is available for establishment and maintenance.

Working Lands Buffer Program Flyer

The Small Grains Program is also available through ODA.  It is a voluntary program that encourages producers in the Western Lake Erie Basin Watershed to plant small grains such as wheat, barley, oats or cereal rye on eligible cropland.  This program promotes the planting of small grains not only for the conservation benefits, but to provide livestock producers with a longer time period to land apply manure and nutrients.  As the “working lands” name implies participants can plant and harvest small grains, land apply manure, and plant a cover crop to receive a cost-share payment of $75 per acre to help offset operating costs.  Livestock producers are encouraged to work with neighboring grain farmers that are able to utilize manure as a source of nutrients for their crops.  Again, stop by the Hardin SWCD office if you want to apply.  See the attached flyer for more details about this program if you are interested.  Well, that is a lot of information to digest, but if you want more I have included some ag crops articles below.

Small Grain Program Flyer

Mark 

Cover Crops for Prevented Planting Acres at ONU Thursday, June 27 – Mark Badertscher

Do you have questions about what cover crops should be used on Prevented Planting acres?  Do you have concerns about weed control for unplanted fields?  What are the rules regarding crop insurance and planting forages to be used for grazing, cutting, and haying for livestock?  Get these and other questions answered this Thursday, June 27.  The Ohio No-Till Council, in cooperation with OSU Extension, will host a meeting at Ohio Northern University Mcintosh Center in Ada.  The address is 402 West College Avenue, Ada, Ohio 45810.  The meeting will be from 6:30 to 9:00 pm and will be free to attend.  Read more about this meeting at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/201919/cover-crops-prevented-planting-acres-onu-thursday-june-27.

How to store treated seed – Anne Dorrance

Let me say upfront that much of the information in this piece is based on a study published (Crop Science 53:1086-1095 in 2013) by Dr. Susan Goggi’s lab and others at Iowa State University, Dept. of Agronomy & Seed Science Center. As a scientist, we store both untreated and treated seed over years, but it is healthy and it is in cool and always dry conditions.  But this year we have several issues.  The seed raised in 2018, due to the rains through our long drawn out harvest, left a lot to be desired.  Last week, we had one day to plant and now we are making decisions on what to do with the seed we purchased that is treated.  Treated seed cannot enter the market and must be disposed of through planting, incineration, or burial based on the label. All of these are costly. Finish reading about proper storage of treated seed at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/201918/how-store-treated-seed.

Using Corn as a Cover Crop – Peter Thomison, Ben Brown, Sam Custer, Greg LaBarge, Sarah Noggle, Mark Sulc, Eric Richer, Harold Watters

Based on information from across the Corn Belt, including states where they have more experience with delayed planting of corn (University of Wisconsin – http://wisccorn.blogspot.com/2019/06/B102.html) and Iowa State University – https://crops.extension.iastate.edu/cropnews/2019/05/cover-crop-options-prevented-planting-fields), these are our best recommendations for using corn as a cover crop. Although the yield potential of corn planted in July for grain and silage is very low, corn makes an excellent “emergency” forage when planted in July. Moreover, unlike some other forage crops, Ohio producers know how to grow it. We also are aware of limited seed supply for several alternatives that typically could be used. Farmers should consult with their insurance agent to see if harvesting as forage will affect any current or future insurance payments on prevented plant acres.  Read more at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/201919/using-corn-cover-crop.

Forage Shortage and Prevented Planting Acres… think OATS! – Allen Gahler, Stan Smith

Last week, USDA released the declaration that a cover crop planted onto prevented planting acres can now be harvested as a forage after September 1st, rather than the normal date of November 1st, which provides a small glimmer of hope for some livestock producers and those equipped to harvest forages.  While Ohio is also experiencing a severe shortage of forages for all classes of livestock, weed control on prevented planting acres is a major concern, and with USDA’s declaration, we can now address both problems in one action – seeding cover crops that will be harvestable as a forage after September 1st. As with everything else this season, however, patience is the key!  Although an ideal situation would be cover crops that can be put out immediately and reduce the need for tillage, chopping, or spraying of weeds already present, there are unfortunately not many species of cover crop that will accomplish this and still provide significant tonnage or feed quality as a forage in September. Finish reading this article at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/201919/forage-shortage-and-prevented-planting-acres%E2%80%A6-think-oats.

2019 Challenge: Forage Production Options for Ohio – Mark Sulc, Bill Weiss, Dianne Shoemaker, Sarah Noggle

Across Ohio, farmers are facing challenges unimagined just four months ago.  Widespread loss of established alfalfa stands coupled with delayed or impossible planting conditions for other crops leave many farmers, their agronomists and nutritionists wondering what crops can produce reasonable amounts of quality forage yet this year. In addition, frequent and heavy rains are preventing harvest of forages that did survive the winter and are causing further deterioration of those stands. With July 1st just around the corner, Mark Sulc, OSU Extension Forage Agronomist and Bill Weiss, OSU Extension Dairy Nutritionist, help address this forage dilemma.  If one is looking for quality and quantity, what are your best options? Read more about forage options at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/201919/2019-challenge-forage-production-options-ohio.

Mark A. Badertscher

Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator

OSU Extension Hardin County

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

419-674-2297 Office

hardin.osu.edu