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Hello,

There’s been a lot of changes going on and sometimes it is difficult to keep up with them each day.  Today would have been our scheduled Make-up/Specialty Pesticide and Fertilizer Recertification class.  If you did not complete pesticide or fertilizer recertification before the events were shutdown, the deadline is now 90 days after the state of emergency Executive Order ends or December 1, 2020, whichever comes first.  OSU Extension will be rescheduling recertification events that were cancelled.  If you have not received your new applicator card, know that ODA is working diligently with a reduced staff on site to get cards out.  Your pink copy of the recertification form is your temporary certification until you get your card. Remember that category 15 is fertilizer.  All exams for new licenses have been postponed until further notice.  The current situation has also now affected the tax filing deadline as well as the tax payment deadline.  See the attached document for further information.

COVID Tax Implications For Farmers Update

OSU Extension has made the switch to providing many events online.  An example of this programming in Agriculture and Natural Resources is the Ag Madness program.  Educational events have been provided daily at 9:00 am, 12:00 pm, and 3:00 pm since March 25.  You can visit go.osu.edu/agmadness to get a listing and find the links for 64 different events online.  There is a different subject each day so take a look at the attached news release and flyer for more details.  If you missed a program that interests you, they are being recorded for later viewing.  If you missed the Backyard Poultry Production workshop we had in Kenton last year, you can join in tonight virtually with Dr. Tim McDermott.  See the attached flyer if you are interested in this workshop being offered by Morrow County Extension.

Ag Madness News Release

Ag Madness Flyer

Backyard Poultry Production Virtual Flyer

It’s no secret that agriculture is big business in Hardin County.  The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service 2017 Census of Agriculture ranked Hardin County 5th in total market value of agricultural products sold in the state of Ohio.  The results of this most recent ag census determined that Hardin County has 726 farms averaging 361 acres in size with total land in farms at 261,744 acres.  The livestock inventory in Hardin County as of December 31, 2017 included 68,974 hogs and pigs, 18,156 cattle and calves, 702 broilers and other meat-type chickens, 170 pullets, and the number of layers were undisclosed.  There were 643 sheep and lambs, 542 horses and ponies, 249 goats, and 64 turkeys in the county reported to the USDA.  There are 1165 total producers in Hardin County, with 826 being male and 339 being female.  683 producers are between the age of 35-64, 394 are 65 and older, while 88 are under the age of 35.  Want more information?  See the attached article I wrote about this topic.

Ag Census News Release

Keep up to date by visiting our Hardin County OSU Extension Facebook page and clicking on “Like”.  As you can imagine, there aren’t any county ag events scheduled because of the public health concern.  However, I am hosting a Hardin County Ag Issues Virtual Coffee Hour this Friday, April 3 at 8:00 am.  If you would like to join in this Zoom Meeting, you can click on https://osu.zoom.us/j/212259941 at that time.  You can also join us on the phone by calling 1 646 876 9923 and using the meeting ID: 212 259 941 when it asks you for it.  We will be discussing local agriculture and some of the resources that OSU Extension is making available during this time.  This week’s attached farm management fact sheet from Michigan State University explains Net Worth.  In closing, I have provided some news articles from today’s CORN Newsletter below.

Net Worth Fact Sheet

Mark

H2Ohio Signup Deadline Returned to Tuesday, March 31^st – Glen Arnold

Due to the COVID-19 and expected resulting budget issues, the Ohio Department of Agriculture has reinstated the original Tuesday, March 31st deadline for H2Ohio sign-up. The original deadline had been tentatively extended to June 2nd because of the COVID-19 but this extension no longer exists. Farmers and livestock producers in the 14 county Maumee River Watershed should immediately contact their local Soil and Water Conservation Districts. The SWCD districts will need your farm name, acres, and what practices you are interested in. They will likely be overwhelmed so have a good idea of what you want to sign-up for when you call. They can then work with you in the weeks that follow to get a contract signed. For a complete list of the funded practices and for a listing of SWCD offices, go to http://h2.ohio.gov/agriculture/

Nitrogen Rate Recommendations for Wheat 2020 – Ed Lentz, Laura Lindsey, Steve Culman

Wheat has already reached green-up across the state so spring N may be applied anytime fields are fit. Keep in mind that research has shown N can be applied up to Feekes GS 6 (one visible node) without a reduction in yield. However, wheat is growing slowly because of the cool temperatures, particularly in northern Ohio. Nitrogen applied early has the potential to be lost since wheat will use little N prior to jointing (Feekes GS 6). Urea-ammonium nitrate (UAN) or 28% has the greatest potential for loss and ammonium sulfate the least. Urea will have little potential for loss as long as it does not volatize. No stabilizer will protect the nitrate component of UAN, which is roughly 25% of the total N in UAN at application time. Read more at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2020-07/nitrogen-rate-recommendations-wheat-2020.

Poison Hemlock Control – Mark Loux, Curtis Young

Poison hemlock remains one of the more persistent and prevalent poisonous weeds that we deal with in Ohio.  It’s most typically a biennial plant (sometimes perennial), emerging from seed in year one and developing into a low-growing rosette by late fall.  The rosette overwinters and then resumes growth in the spring of year two.  Stem elongation initiates sooner in spring than many other biennials, and this is followed by continued growth and development into the often very tall plant with substantial overall size.  Flowering and seed production occur in summer. Read more about controlling poison hemlock at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2020-07/poison-hemlock-control.

Black Cutworm and Its Allies – Curtis Young

Cutworms are the larval stage of several moths in the insect Order Lepidoptera: Family Noctuidae (the Owlet Moths) which includes cutworms and armyworms.  Several species of cutworm occur in Ohio.  Typically they have 1-2 generations per year depending on the species and adult flights occur at different times through the growing season.  All have 4 stages in their life cycles: eggs, larvae (caterpillars = cutworms), pupae and adults.  Again, depending on the species, some overwinter as partially grown caterpillars, others as prepupae in the soil, and others do not overwinter in Ohio and must migrate into the state every year.  Recognizing these caterpillars for who they are will again be important this year because of the amount of early weed growth on many agricultural fields which is very attractive to adults for egg laying or good cover for overwintered larvae. Finish reading about black cutworm at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2020-07/black-cutworm-and-its-allies.

Broadcasting Red Clover into Wheat – Rory Lewandowski, Jason Hartschuh, Mark Sulc

Looking at both the calendar and weather forecasts, frost-seeding is no longer a viable option to add red clover into a wheat stand. We can’t count on good freeze/thaw cycles to create those honeycomb conditions in the soil that create good seed to soil contact.  The option left is to broadcast clover seed over the wheat stand.  Successful establishment still depends upon getting good seed/soil contact.  Growers need to evaluate soil, weather and stand conditions to determine if a straight broadcast operation is worth their time, effort and expense.  Continue reading this article at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2020-07/broadcasting-red-clover-wheat.

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,

It’s been a crazy time for all of us.  Governor DeWine recently issued a state of emergency and implemented a variety of strategies to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 disease.  In order to do our part in reducing risk to our employees or clientele, we have implemented a teleworking plan.  OSU Extension closed its office by the end of Tuesday, March 17, 2020.  In alignment with all OSU offices, we have postponed all face-to-face programming through April 30th in response to the recent social distancing directives.  Until further notice, all OSU Extension staff are working remotely and are available from 8am-4:30 pm Monday-Friday to receive phone calls and emails.  Events that were planned through Hardin County AgNR Extension included the Master Gardener Volunteers Spring Garden Seminar scheduled for March 19 that was cancelled and our Make-up/Specialty Pesticide and Fertilizer Recertification scheduled for March 31 that has now been postponed until further notice.  The April 3 Ag Council meeting that was supposed to be combined with Farm Bureau Ag Policy Development has now been postponed until further notice.  Moving forward, one thing that is still scheduled is the eFields On-Farm Research Webinar planned for Wednesday, March 25 at 9:00 am.  See the attached flyer for information about how you can connect with your computer and learn about Ohio field scale research conducted in 2019.

eFields Webinar Flyer

Other county ag events have suffered the same fate.  Both the Ag Society Consignment Sale and the Pork Producers Pork Banquet that were both scheduled for March 14 and had to be cancelled.  The Goat Banquet that was planned for March 28 has also been postponed until further notice.  The Dairy Service Unit spring cheese sale has been cancelled until further notice.  Keep in mind the published dates and read the attached news release about Hardin County AgNR Programs Update and OSU Extension working remotely for more information and about how to contact our office staff for information or questions you may have.  I have attached an article written by Wood County Extension Educator Alan Sundermeier addressing Agronomy Concerns for 2020 including such topics as planting where corn or soybeans were planted, prevent plant with cover crops fields, and prevent plant with bare soil fields.  I have also attached an OSU Extension fact sheet titled “Questions Regarding the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) on Farms with Employees” in both English and Spanish in case you may have workers on your farm who only speak Spanish.   I have also included an information sheet titled “Department of Treasury & IRS Providing an Automatic Extension for Tax Payments (Not Filing Returns) Tax Implications for Farmers” put together by OSU Extension.

AgNR Programs News Release

Remote Extension News Release

Agronomy Concerns News Release

COVID-19_Handout_ENGLISH

COVID-19 Handout_SPANISH

COVID Tax Implications For Farmers

Some Ohio farmers were mailed an OSU survey about extreme weather, trade tensions, declining prices, lack of access to health care and urban sprawl.  To get a better handle on how Ohio farm families are adapting to these challenges, researchers at The Ohio State University are asking farmers to share their experiences through a new statewide survey.  The survey asks farmers not only about their farm businesses, but also about how farming trends are affecting the well-being of their households and communities.  If you received this survey, please take the time to complete it.  For further information contact the project co-leads: Dr. Douglas Jackson-Smith (jackson-smith.1@osu.edu; 330-202-3540) or Dr. Shoshanah Inwood (inwood.2@osu.edu; 330-263-3790).  Also, if anyone knows of any hay or straw for sale, please let me know as I have some livestock producers looking to buy.  You can contact me by email or the phone number listed below.  I have included some articles below for you to read while you are spending days and evenings at home.  Finally, I have also attached a Farm Management Fact Sheet from Michigan State University called “Creating a Spending Plan” that may be helpful to some.  Stay safe and healthy for this coming crop season.

Creating A Spending Plan

Mark

Winter Wheat Stand Evaluation – Laura Lindsey

Between planting in the fall and Feekes 4 growth stage (beginning of erect growth) in the spring, winter wheat is vulnerable to environmental stress such as saturated soils and freeze-thaw cycles that cause soil heaving. All of which may lead to substantial stand reduction, and consequently, low grain yield. However, a stand that looks thin in the spring does not always correspond to lower grain yield. Rather than relying on a visual assessment, we suggest counting the number of wheat stems or using the mobile phone app (Canopeo) to estimate wheat grain yield.  Read more at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2020-06/winter-wheat-stand-evaluation.

Phosphorus Placement Effects on Yield and Water Quality in a Corn-Soybean Rotation – Greg LaBarge

Phosphorus placement has been discussed as a 4R Best Management Practice that results in lower nutrient losses than when P is surface applied and left on the surface. The concept is that by mixing granular fertilizer with the soil, we expose the nutrient to more soil surface area for attachment. A replicated trial was established at the Northwest Agricultural Research Station-OARDC located near Custer, OH to measure water quality and crop yield with four fertilizer placement options. Continue to read this article at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2020-06/phosphorus-placement-effects-yield-and-water-quality-corn-soybean.

Topdressing Wheat with Liquid Swine Manure – Glen Arnold

Wheat fields will begin to firm up in Ohio and the topdressing with nitrogen fertilizer will soon start. There is usually a window of time, typically around the last week of March or the first week of April, when wheat fields are firm enough to support manure application equipment. By this date, wheat fields have broken dormancy and are actively pulling moisture and nutrients from the soil.  Finish reading this article at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2020-06/topdressing-wheat-liquid-swine-manure.

“What’s your number?” The SCN Coalition is still in progress – Anne Dorrance

There is a lot of information already out and if you haven’t taken the time, check out  the website, www.TheSCNcoalition.com for training and infographics about soybean cyst nematode, you can bookmark this for as you prepare your fields– while on autosteer.  Only on autosteer.  Our Ohio site, with updated information is also ready www.u.osu.edu/ohscn/.  Take your time to see where this pest has been detected, where some of the hot spots are and what we need to be aware of for management.  This pest cannot be eradicated or removed from a field once it is there, but there is no reason why it should take a lot of our soybean yield, we just need to manage it and that starts with knowing your number. Click on https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2020-06/whats-your-number-scn-coalition-still-progress to continue reading this article.

H2Ohio Signup to be Extended – Glen Arnold

The deadline to enter into a contract with the H2Ohio program for farmers in the 14-county, Maumee River watershed is being extended. The original deadline was March 31st but due to COVID-19, more farmers and Soil and Water Conservation District personnel are conducting information exchanges through phone calls and e-mails. The H2Ohio deadline is expected to be extended to June 2nd, tentatively. Contact your local Soil and Water Conservation District for more details.

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

Recent confirmation of the coronavirus in the state of Ohio has led to public health concerns related to disease transmission.  As a result, The Ohio State University has been proactively implementing protocols for insuring the safety and health for our students and clientele.   After consultation with the college and university leadership, many OSU Extension events have been cancelled or postponed.   If you were planning to attend a meeting or event hosted by OSU Extension through the end of March, please check with the organizer to see if it will still be held. 
 
We understand this may cause an inconvenience to you and your business.  Please feel free to reach out to us at your local Extension office for individual assistance in advancing your farm or agricultural business. It is with greatest respect to you that we share this information and look forward to interacting with you in the future.

Good evening,

Monday, March 9 is our annual Hardin County Pesticide and Fertilizer Recertification training being held at the Plaza Inn Restaurant in Mt. Victory starting at 9:00 am.  We will go until noon with pesticide recertification, have lunch, and then do our fertilizer recertification after lunch.  If your pesticide or fertilizer license expires on March 31, 2020 you can still attend on Monday as a walk-in or wait until the March 31 Make-up/Specialty Pesticide and Fertilizer Recertification training being held at the Extension office.  See the attached news article and flyer for more information.  Tuesday evening is the Dairy Service Unit annual meeting.  Dr. Mark Sulc, our Extension State Forage Specialist is coming to Kenton to discuss seeding and harvesting of forages.  There is a meal at 6:30 pm followed by the guest speaker at 7:00 pm.  After that, the Dairy Service Unit is having their business meeting.  If you would like to hear Dr. Sulc’s forage presentation and ask him questions while he is in the county, you are welcome to attend this meeting.  See the attached news release for details.

Pesticide Recertification News Release

Hardin PAT-FACT Flyer

Dairy Forages News Release

Last week was the H₂Ohio meeting held at Ohio Northern University in Ada.  The Mcintosh ballroom was filled with producers wanting to learn more about this new state program to help reduce phosphorus loading and improve water quality.  I have attached a set of fact sheets that show each conservation/nutrient management practice and the amount of incentive payment per acre to this email.  All of Hardin County is included in this program, no matter which watershed your fields drain into.  Read it over and make sure you get to the Soil and Water Conservation District office before March 31 to sign up for the next four years.  Another deadline coming up is the March 15 ARC/PLC Farm Bill sign-up for 2019 and 2020.  If you haven’t already made your appointment with the FSA office, time is running short.  I have attached a couple fact sheets of important dates and an overview of these program electives.  Hardin County yields were released on February 20, with corn coming in at 138.1 bu/acre, soybean at 47.9 bu/acre, and wheat at 52.6 bu/acre.  You can plug these county yields into the OSU decision tools at https://aede.osu.edu/research/osu-farm-management/2018-farm-bill/arcplc-decision-aid-tools  to see if it affects your program election.  Tuesday and Wednesday of this week was the annual Conservation Tillage Conference (CTC) at Ohio Northern University in Ada and we had over 775 people attend each day, so a lot has been happening in Hardin County with agriculture.

H2Ohio Practices and Incentives Fact Sheets

ARC/PLC Important Dates Fact Sheet

ARC/PLC Overview Fact Sheet

Upcoming programs that you may be interested in include ‘Women for the Land: Lunch & Learn’ on March 11 at the Extension office with OSU Extension Family and Consumer Sciences Educator Jami Dellifield speaking on “Supporting ourselves and our families during stressful times.”  See the attached flyer if you or someone you know might be interested in attending.  March 19 is the OSU Extension Master Gardener Volunteers spring garden seminar at Mid-Ohio Energy Cooperative in Kenton.  This day long seminar is called ‘This is How Your Garden Grows’ and is open to any gardener who would like to attend to learn from four expert speakers.  See the attached news release and flyer for registration information.  Other regional and state programs include the 2020 Ohio Agritourism Conference Saturday, March 21 in Mt. Sterling; a Pesticide Applicator Exam Preparation Course being held in Wapakoneta on March 23, and the annual OSU Junior Swine Day being held in both Columbus and Wooster on March 28.  Take a look at the flyers and brochure if you are interested.

Women for the Land: Lunch and Learn Flyer

Spring Garden Seminar News Release

This is How Your Garden Grows Brochure

2020 Agritourism Conference Flyer

Pesticide Applicator Exam Preparation Course Flyer

2020 Junior Swine Day Brochure

Other local events happening soon include the Hardin County Beef Banquet starting at 6:00 pm at the Community Building at the fairgrounds on Saturday, March 7; the Hardin County Lamb Banquet starting at 6:30 pm at St. John’s Evangelical Church in Kenton Saturday, March 7; Pork Producers meeting starting at 6:30 pm at Ag Credit on Tuesday, March 10; the Hardin County Agriculture Society Consignment Sale starting at 9:00 am at the fairgrounds on Saturday, March 14; the Hardin County Pork Banquet starting at 6:30 pm at St. John’s Evangelical Church in Kenton Saturday, March 14; and Soil and Water Conservation District meeting starting at 7:30 am at the SWCD office Thursday, March 19.  See below for ag crops articles that you may be interested in reading.

Mark

2019 Challenges Linger – Alan Sundermeier

As farmers are preparing for the 2020 cropping season, the challenges of 2019 may still linger. There are basically 3 scenarios which will influence 2020 cropping practices. Corn or soybeans were planted. Yes, there were some acres of corn planted last year in NW Ohio. Storage of low test weight and higher moisture corn is creating mold and damaged grain. Above normal winter temperatures and humid air have interfered with proper aeration of storage bins. Farmers need to monitor grain bins and be prepared to unload before spring temperatures rise. Also, fall tillage was not done due to wet soil conditions. This may change tillage plans this spring. No-till soybeans into corn stalks are a better alternative. Read more at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2020-05/2019-challenges-linger.

Rhizobia Inoculant Following the 2019 Season – Laura Lindsey, Stephanie Karhoff

Following wet weather conditions and fallow fields, some producers are wondering if they need to inoculate their soybean seed with Rhizobia. Soybean plants have a symbiotic relationship with bacteria in which the bacteria fix nitrogen from the atmosphere into a plant-available form of nitrogen. In soybean, nitrogen fixation is associated with Bradyrhizobium japonicum (commonly referred to as just Rhizobia). Generally, fields with a history of soybean production have an adequate population density of Bradyrhizobium japonicum. In our research trials, we have measured a yield increase of approximately 1.5 to 2.0 bu/acre when soybean seed is inoculated and the field has a history of soybean production. However, statistically, this is only at the 70% confidence level (e.g., I’m 70% confident there is a 1.5 to 2.0 bu/acre yield increase when soybean seed is inoculated when the field has a history of soybean production.)  Continue reading this article at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2020-05/rhizobia-inoculant-following-2019-season.

Cover Crop Termination – Mark Loux

Alyssa Essman was the lead author on this article. The 2019 growing season came and went and left many fields in a state of disarray heading into 2020. Many growers that were unable to plant decided to use cover crops, to reduce soil erosion and provide some weed suppression during the extended fallow period. Terminating these cover crops using the right methods at the right time will be critical to ensure timely planting and prevent the cover crops from competing with cash crops. The three main methods of cover crop termination are natural (species that winter kill), chemical, and mechanical. Cover crops may also be bailed, grazed, or harvested as silage. Most species require some sort of management decision for termination. Cover crop species, growth stage, weather, and cover cropping goals should all be considered when planning termination method and timing. These decisions require a balance between growing the cover long enough to maximize benefits and terminating in time to prevent potential penalties to the following cash crop.  Finish reading at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2020-05/cover-crop-termination.

Omitting residual herbicides in soybeans – really – we have to have this argument again? – Mark Loux

According to our network of sources, the effectiveness of new soybean trait systems has some growers once again thinking about omitting preemergence residual herbicides from their weed management programs.  Some people apparently need to learn the same lessons over and over again.  Having gone through this once in the early 2000’s when Roundup Ready soybeans had taken over and we all sprayed only glyphosate all day every day, we think we’re pretty sure where it leads.  We’re sensitive to concerns about the cost of production, but the cost-benefit analysis for residual herbicides is way in the positive column.  Go to https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2020-05/omitting-residual-herbicides-soybeans-%E2%80%93-really-we-have-have to read more of this article.

Transition to Organic Grains Workshop – Eric Richer

Is your farming operation looking for alternatives to commodity corn and soybeans? Have you been wondering how to add value to your operation?  On Tuesday, April 7th from 9 am to 2 pm at the Robert Fulton Agriculture Center, 8770 State Route 108, Wauseon, OH, OSU Extension will be hosting a discussion of the opportunities and challenges associated with growing a value-added, organic grain crop.  This discussion will be open to current, transitioning, or interested organic farmers, farmland owners, venders and grain buyers.  The workshop will address three primary hurdles for transitioning to organic grains: market options, weed control and organic documentation.  Click on https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2020-05/transition-organic-grains-workshop to find out more about this upcoming event.

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,

The Conservation Tillage Conference (CTC) is the largest agriculture meeting in northwestern Ohio.  Historically over 800 individuals will attend each day of this two-day conference.  This year’s event will be March 3 and 4 on the campus of Ohio Northern University in Ada.  Have you taken a look at what it has to offer in our own backyard?  There will be two full days with over 60 speakers and about 30 vendors.  The focus on the program is conservation including no-till, cover crops, and soil health.  However, the latest management practices for each major crop and new developments in precision agriculture are included in the program.   See the attached news release and brochure for information about how you can be one of the attendees to attend this year’s conference.

CTC News Release

CTC Flyer

This past Tuesday was the final Conservation Tillage Club breakfast program at the Plaza Inn.  If you missed the program on “Implementing H₂Ohio’, you will want to read the news release to find out what ODA Engineer Mark Seger presented.  After you do that, take a look at the flyer for the H₂Ohio meeting that will be held at Ohio Northern University on Friday, February 28 at 9:30 am in the McIntosh Center.  This meeting will be held to explain the application process for H₂Ohio funds and answer questions about the program’s conservation practices.  H₂Ohio funding is available to farmers in the Maumee River Watershed through Governor DeWine’s H₂Ohio Initiative.  A total of $30 million has been allocated to agriculture and these funds are available throughout Hardin County, no matter if your farm drains into the Lake Erie Watershed or not.  The Ohio Department of Agriculture will host this series of meetings through local Soil and Water Conservation Districts.  The Ohio Agriculture Conservation Initiative will outline the new Farmer Certification Program and how it will work with H₂Ohio.  These meetings have been well attended all over northwest Ohio.

February 18 Conservation Tillage Club News Release

H2Ohio Farmer Meetings Flyer

Are you interested in attending a livestock banquet but don’t know when they are being held?  See the attached news release about the Winter Livestock Banquets for a summary of dates, times, and locations.  I have also included news releases I wrote about the upcoming Hardin County Beef Banquet being held March 7 and the Hardin County Pork Banquet being held March 14 which contains information about how you can get tickets to attend these events.  Other programs coming up in our region include a 3-Hour Fertilizer Certification Training in Celina on March 11 if you missed the one in Richwood and still need to get certified for the first time.  The West Central Region 2019 eFields Meeting will be held in Piqua on March 16 to find out the results of the on-farm research conducted by OSU Extension in 2019.  Check out the attached flyers for more information.

Livestock Banquet Season News Release

Beef Banquet News Release

Pork Banquet News Release

Fertilizer Applicator Certification Training Flyer

eFields West Central Region Flyer

Other upcoming events going on around the state that you may be interested in include the 2020 Ohio Woodland, Water & Wildlife Conference being held March 4 in Mansfield and the 2020 Overholt Drainage School being held March 9-12 in Lancaster.  See the attached brochures and registration flyer if you are interested.  Other local events being held in Hardin County include the Horse Banquet Saturday, February 22 starting at 6:30 pm at the Kenton Moose Lodge; OSU Extension Master Gardener Volunteers meeting Monday, February 24 starting at 7:00 pm at the Extension office; Poultry Banquet Saturday, February 29 starting at 6:00 pm at the Kenton Christian Missionary Alliance Church; Farm Bureau meeting Wednesday, March 4 starting at 6:30 pm at Ag Credit; Fairboard meeting Wednesday, March 4 starting at 7:00 pm at the fair office; and Ag Council breakfast meeting Friday, March 6 starting at 7:30 am at the Kenton McDonalds; and the Lamb Banquet, Saturday, March 7 starting at 6:30 pm at St. John’s Evangelical Church in Kenton.  Below are some articles from the CORN Newsletter that you may be interested in reading.  That’s all for now.

Ohio Woodland Water Wildlife Conference Brochure

Overholt Drainage School Brochure

Overholt Drainage School Flyer

Mark

2019 eFields Report Available – Elizabeth Hawkins, John Fulton

The 2019 eFields Research Report is now available online or in a hardcopy version.  2019 was a challenging year for many farmers including the eFields team but despite the challenges, the team was able to grow. The 2019 report covers 88 on-farm, field scale trials conducted in 30 Ohio counties. and provides information on a variety of topics including new studies.  Here is a list of some of the 2019 study topics and pages you can read about their results:

Nitrogen 4Rs: pages 48-63

Fungicide and Insecticide: pages 38-39, 104-109

Cover Crops: pages 156-158 and 202

Forages: pages 154-185

Ag Tech: pages 186-197

Crop Production Budgets: pages 26-31

Ohio Planting Progress: page 22

2018 Farm Bill: page 32

Find out more including how to download the eFields book at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2020-02/2019-efields-report-available.

Wetter Conditions Remain Favored into Spring – Jim Noel

The outlook for February calls for near normal temperatures after the warm start with normal to above normal rainfall. That was the only change in the outlook. February looks wetter than a few weeks ago. Rainfall the next two weeks will average 1-4 inches across the state. Normal for two weeks is about 1.5 inches. You can see the consensus 16-day rainfall outlook at: https://www.weather.gov/images/ohrfc/dynamic/NAEFS16.apcp.mean.total.png The spring outlook is for a chilly start but a warmer than normal finish. Above normal rainfall is in the outlook until at least May.  However, it does not look as wet as 2019 at this time. The trends in the climate models indicate a switch to hotter and drier weather as we go through summer. You can keep up-to-date on all the NOAA climate outlooks at: https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/

Yield Survey Results Released – Elizabeth Hawkins, Aaron Wilson, Alexander Lindsey, Laura Lindsey, John Fulton

2019 was a growing season that will stick in our memories for years to come. Near record spring rains across west central and northwest Ohio (seventh and third wettest on record respectively), fell on already saturated ground, contributing to unprecedented delays in planting progress. Planting for both corn and soybean crops was the slowest on record and we pushed the boundaries with planting dates extending later into the season. These conditions also led to a record 1,564,611 unplanted acres at the end of the season.  Find out what information was reported about the 2019 crop year at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2020-03/yield-survey-results-released.

Farm Bill Decision Deadline Fast Approaching – Chris Zoller, Mary Griffith, Ben Brown

Enrollment in the 2018 Farm Bill programs (PLC, ARC-CO, and ARC-IC) ends on March 16th. If you do not enroll by this date you will default to the election you made in the previous Farm Bill and receive NO PAYMENTS for the 2019 program year. This same election holds true for 2020. As a reminder, PLC is a price protection/income loss option that covers declines in crop prices and the ARC-CO program is an income support option based on county-level benchmark revenues and guarantees compared to actual revenues.  For those with prevent planted acres, the ARC-IC program may be worth consideration.  ARC-IC issues payments when individual crop revenue is less than the guarantee and uses individual yields, rather than the county yields.  Read more at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2020-04/farm-bill-decision-deadline-fast-approaching.

Take Action – Mark Loux

The USB Take Action initiative and university weed scientists have developed a free webinar series covering various weed and herbicide management issues. The webinar occurs every Thursday at 11 am EST through March 26.  Each webinar will have two weed scientists giving presentations about 15 minutes long, and there is opportunity for viewers to ask questions via the web portal. Click on https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2020-04/take-action to find out the weekly weed control webinar series that can either be watched live or as a recording when you are available to view.

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 been working on your Farm Bill ARC/PLC decisions?  OSU’s Farm Bill Decision Central webpage can be found at https://aede.osu.edu/research/osu-farm-management/2018-farm-bill and contains a wealth of information with ARC/PLC Decision Aid Tools, Commodity Program Resources, County Meetings, Frequently Asked Questions, and other helpful resources.  I have been taking appointments to meet with farmers one-on-one to help them with entering FSA Farm information and Crop Insurance Information into the decision tools to help them make a choice between ARC-CO, ARC-IC, and PLC.  Tomorrow morning (2/7) at our Ag Council breakfast, I plan to have Farm Bill information to share at the Kenton McDonalds starting at 7:30 am so feel free to join us.  I have been asked to share the following message from the Hardin County Farm Service Agency: “The Hardin County Farm Service Agency would like to remind all producers who have not yet made an appointment to enroll their farms in ARC/PLC to do so immediately.   The application deadline is March 16 2020, if you fail to enroll by the deadline then you will not eligible to receive payment for 2019 ARC/PLC and your program election defaults to the previous farm bill election on the farm.  Appointment times are becoming very limited, so please contact the Hardin County FSA Office at 419-673-7238 now to secure a date and time.”

If you missed this week’s Conservation Tillage Club breakfast, you missed a good presentation on Soil Health from Hans Kok, sponsored by the American Farmland Trust.  See the attached news article for more information about his message.  The final Conservation Tillage Club breakfast will feature ODA Engineer Mark Seger speaking about the new H₂Ohio program.  Join us Tuesday, February 18 starting at 7:30 am at the Plaza Inn Restaurant in Mt. Victory to find out more about the conservation and nutrient management phosphorus reduction cost share programs that are being made available to farmers this spring.  If you or someone you know is in need of fertilizer certification for the first time, Hardin and Union County Extension are holding a 3-hour fertilizer certification training at Richwood Marketing on Wednesday, February 12.  I have attached both a news article and flyer with more details about this training for both private and commercial applicators who apply fertilizer to crops for sale on 50 or more acres in Ohio.

February 4 Conservation Tillage Club News Release

Fertilizer Certification News Release

3 Hour Fertilizer Training Richwood Flyer

More upcoming livestock banquets have been announced in the county.  Be sure to attend the 4^th annual Hardin County Poultry Banquet on February 29 starting at 6:00 pm at the Kenton Christian Missionary Alliance Church Family Center.  The following week, the Hardin County Sheep Improvement Association is holding their annual Lamb Banquet on March 7 starting at 6:30 pm at St. John’s Evangelical Church in Kenton.  Check out the flyer and news articles for these upcoming banquets to find out how you can get tickets for your family to attend.  Other area events that I’ve attached flyers for include Ohio Forage and Grasslands Council 2020 Annual Meeting “Foraging For Profit” being held February 21 in Reynoldsburg, Solar Panel Workshop for information and resources on solar leases February 26 in Urbana, and a Women in Ag Event featuring a choice between six guest speakers with different topics being held March 26 in Sidney.

Poultry Banquet Flyer

Poultry Banquet News Release

Lamb Banquet News Release

2020 OFGC Annual Meeting Brochure

Solar Panel Workshop Flyer

Women in Ag Brochure Front

Women in Ag Brochure Back

Other upcoming local events include Cattle Producers meeting Monday (2/10) starting at 6:30 pm at the Hardin County Chamber and Business Alliance; Farm Bureau meeting Thursday (2/13) starting at 5:30 pm at the Christian Missionary Alliance Church; Hardin County Dairy Banquet Saturday (2/15) starting at 12:00 noon at the Plaza Inn Restaurant; Farm Bureau Membership Kickoff with “Family Feud” Saturday (2/15) starting at 6:30 pm with a BBQ dinner, meal, and games.  RSVP by calling the Hardin County Chamber and Business Alliance at 419-673-4131.  Cost is $15 for a single and $25 for a couple.  There is also a Soil and Water Conservation District meeting scheduled for Thursday (2/20) starting at 7:30 am at the SWCD office. The Hardin County Horse Banquet is Saturday (2/22) starting at 6:30 pm at the Kenton Moose Lodge.  I have included ag crops articles below from the CORN Newsletter that you may be interested in reading.

Mark

Early Indications Point to a Wetter Spring – Jim Noel

It is that time of the year where winter is here but spring is just around the corner. The weather, climate and hydrology patterns still remain wet across the region. This makes Ohio vulnerable to wet conditions. The outlook for February calls for normal to slightly below normal temperatures with not too far from normal rainfall. There is a chance February could be drier than normal but the chances are not high. The jet stream remains active from Japan across the North Pacific Ocean into North America but not as active as last year. Therefore, the spring outlook is for a chilly start but a warmer than normal finish. At the same time, above normal rainfall is forecast so we are likely to see spring planting challenges again into 2020 like many of the last 10+ years. However, it does not look as bad as 2019 at this time. Many of the climate models show trends toward normal or below normal rainfall and hotter weather for summer which if it comes to happen will create challenges. You can keep up-to-date on all the NOAA climate outlooks at: https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/

Managing Stored Grain Through Winter – Jason Hartschuh

Managing stored grain throughout the winter is an important part of your grain marketing plan for farm profitability. This winter we are already receiving reports of stored grain going out of condition, which can lower the value and be a hazard to those working around the grain facility. At a minimum, stored grain that has gone out of condition can cause health hazards, especially when grain dust contains mold and bacteria. Out of condition grain can also form a crust or stick to the bin walls and if someone enters the bin for any reason an entrapment could occur. Read more at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2020-02/managing-stored-grain-through-winter.

OSU Extension Farm Business Analysis Program – Dianne Shoemaker

Additional author: Haley Shoemaker

How well do you know your farm?  Sure, you could probably drive your fields blindfolded and you could name without a doubt the cow that will always come in the parlor last; but what about your farm as a business?  If this question made you stop and think, then it’s time to become more familiar with your cost of production and other financial measures that make the rest of your farming operation possible. The Ohio Farm Business Analysis Program is focused on working with farmers across Ohio to better understand the numbers behind their farm business in order to make more informed production, marketing and financial management decisions that will impact the farm’s overall profitability. Find out more at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2020-02/osu-extension-farm-business-analysis-program.

OSU Extension and Ohio Soybean Council Energy Study: Understanding the Impact of Demand Charges & Power Factor in Agriculture – Eric Romich

Farmers have long explored options to provide energy savings associated with their agricultural operations.  Ohio State University Extension and the Ohio Soybean Council have partnered to provide research-based data driven tools to help Ohio farmers assess and navigate various energy infrastructure investment options for their farm.  Specifically, the project team is interested in learning more about your experience and interest in implementing energy management strategies such as peak demand reduction, power factor correction, and/or the integration of solar generation systems to reduce electricity costs on your farm. Continue reading this article at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2020-02/osu-extension-and-ohio-soybean-council-energy-study-understanding.

Ohio Farm Custom Rate Survey 2020 – Barry Ward

A large number of Ohio farmers hire machinery operations and other farm related work to be completed by others. This is often due to lack of proper equipment, lack of time or lack of expertise for a particular operation.  Many farm business owners do not own equipment for every possible job that they may encounter in the course of operating a farm and may, instead of purchasing the equipment needed, seek out someone with the proper tools necessary to complete the job. This farm work completed by others is often referred to as “custom farm work” or more simply “custom work”. A “custom rate” is the amount agreed upon by both parties to be paid by the custom work customer to the custom work provider. Finish reading about the Ohio Farm Custom Rate Survey at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2020-02/ohio-farm-custom-rate-survey-2020.

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,

I hope you have had an opportunity to attend some area meetings to get updated information for your farm this month.  Since this is the winter meeting season, there are a host of meetings to let you know about as you plan your schedule for the rest of January and early February.  In Hardin County, we are having a New Pesticide Applicator Training on Thursday, January 30 from 12:30-4:30 pm at the Extension office.  This class is to prepare individuals for the Core and Grain & Cereal Crops categories who are planning to take the Ohio private pesticide applicator exam.  Additional study is recommended before testing so contact our office at 419-674-2297 to register for this class if you would like to get your Ohio Pesticide Applicator License for the first time.  See the attached news release and flyer for more information about this upcoming class.  The cost of this class is $25 which includes books and refreshments.

New Pesticide Applicator Training News Release

New Pesticide Applicator Training Flyer

Are you thinking about transferring the family farm over to the next generation?  There are a lot of steps in this process and you want to make sure you do everything right to make it happen smoothly.  A two-day workshop about Farm Transition / Succession is planned for February 3 and 25, 2020.  Participants will want to attend both days.  The workshop will be held at the Mid-Ohio Energy community room which is located at 1210 Lima Street, Kenton, OH 43326.  Each day the program runs from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm with registration at 9:30 am.  We will have OSU Extension experts David Marrison, Peggy Hall, and also Robert Moore from Wright-Moore Law Practice as resource people for these workshops.  See the attached news release, flyer and brochure for details about how to register for this opportunity.  You wont want to miss it if you think your family is getting close to transitioning the farm to the next generation.  Contact our office as soon as possible to register so we can make sure your family members have a seat.  The cost of this series is $30 per family member which includes lunch and handouts both days.

Farm Transition Workshop News Release

Farm Transition Workshop Flyer

Farm Transition Workshop Brochure

The winter livestock banquet season is also around the corner.  Hardin County is very proud to have several annual livestock banquets to recognize the youth and adults who work with the different animal species.  Join us for the annual Hardin County Dairy Banquet will be held on Saturday, February 15 at 12:00 noon at the Plaza Inn Restaurant, Mt. Victory.  Tickets this year are $16.00 for adults and $8 for children ages 2-10 and free for ages under 2.  Junior Fair Dairy Exhibitors and Dairy Beef Feeder Exhibitors from the 2019 Hardin County Fair are eligible for a half-price ticket ($8).  All tickets must be prepaid to a Dairy Service Unit ticket salesperson.  The sixth annual Hardin County Horse Banquet will be held on Saturday, February 22 at the Kenton Moose Lodge.  Doors will open at 5:30 pm for a silent auction to raise funds for the scholarship fund and food will be served at 6:30 pm.  Banquet tickets this year are $10.00 for adults and $8.00 for youth under 18 years of age.  Children age 6 and under are admitted free.  I have attached the news releases for both the Dairy and Horse banquets so you can find out more information about how to attend.

Dairy Banquet News Release

Horse Banquet News Release

The Conservation Tillage Club just had its second of four meetings this week on Soybean Diseases.  If you missed that one, check out the attached news release for details about what OSU Extension Soybean Disease Specialist Anne Dorrance spoke about and plan to attend the final two breakfast meetings at the Plaza Inn in Mt. Victory on February 4 on Soil Health/Cover Crops with Hans Kok and February 18 on Implementing H₂Ohio with Mark Seger.  The sessions will start at 7:30 am with a complimentary buffet breakfast followed by the program at 8:00 am.  Other area programs coming up that may interest you include Champaign County OSU Extension’s “Understanding Energy Use on Your Farm” with Eric Romich, OSU Extension Energy Specialist happening Wednesday, January 29 in Urbana.  This event includes breakfast and a program so see the attached flyer for more details.  Allen County OSU Extension is having their 2020 Allen County Ag Outlook and Agronomy Day coming up on February 6 in Lima so make sure you take a look at the attached flyer for a list of speakers and registration details.

January 21 Conservation Tillage Club News Release

Energy Use on Farm Program Flyer

2020 Allen County Ag Outlook Agronomy Day Flyer

Other upcoming local meetings include a Pork Producers meeting Tuesday (1/28) starting at 6:30 pm at Ag Credit; Farm Bureau meeting on February 4 starting at 6:30 pm at Ag Credit; and Fairboard meeting February 5 starting at 7:00 pm at the fair office.  Once again I have provided ag crops article below that you may be interested in reading.

Mark

Dr. Peter Thomison Retires – Laura Lindsey

Dr. Peter Thomison, Professor and Extension State Specialist for corn production, retired from Ohio State University at the end of December 2019 after 30 years of service. Peter was an active member of OSU Extension’s Agronomic Crops Team. He contributed hundreds of timely, high-impact articles to the CORN newsletter, wrote several bulletins and Fact Sheets, and could be seen throughout Ohio during winter extension meetings and field days. Peter was at the forefront of corn production research, including corn hybrid by management interactions, causes and identification of abnormal corn ears, phenological responses of corn to heat accumulation, and agronomic performance and grain quality of specialty corn. Peter’s extension and research efforts to develop cropping systems that minimize production inputs and impact on environmental quality will have a lasting effect on extension, farmers, and the ag industry. Read more at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2020-01/dr-peter-thomison-retires.

2019 eFields Released on January 8^th – Elizabeth Hawkins, John Fulton

Now that 2019 has come to an end, many of us are ready to leave the memories of the challenges we faced last season behind. However, the weather conditions we dealt with provided us an opportunity to learn how we can be more resilient in agriculture while learning how to deal with the growing conditions experienced. The 2019 eFields Research Report highlights 88 on-farm, field scale trials conducted in 30 Ohio counties. Research topics include nutrient management, precision crop management, cover crops, and forages. Additional information about production budgets, planting progress, and the 2018 Farm Bill is also included.  Find out more and how to download the eFields 19 book at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2020-01/2019-efields-releasing-january-8th.

2020 Conservation Tillage Club Breakfast Program Dates Announced – Mark Badertscher

The 2020 Conservation Tillage Club breakfast program series began on Tuesday, January 7 at the Plaza Inn Restaurant in Mt. Victory.  Each session will start at 7:30 am with a complimentary buffet breakfast followed by the program at 8:00 am.  Other sessions are scheduled on January 21, February 4 and 18. On January 7, the program featured Ben Brown, Assistant Professor of Professional Practice in Agricultural Risk Management, Department of Agricultural, Environmental, and Developmental Economics at The Ohio State University speaking on the Grain Marketing Outlook.  Grain producers have not only had to deal with weather extremes in the past year, but also have had the market affected by policy decisions by a trade war with China and the African Swine Fever overseas.  As markets develop worldwide with improved infrastructure in South America, demand also is being affected through pending trade deals with Mexico and Canada.  Renewable fuel standards, prevented planting crop insurance, and Market Facilitation Plan payments have also played a role in marketing plans as farmers look for ways to improve their position with a successful 2020 crop year and implementation of the 2018 Farm Bill programs.  To continue reading about the Conservation Tillage Club programs, click on https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2020-01/2020-conservation-tillage-club-breakfast-program-dates-announced.

Considerations for Stored Seed – Alexander Lindsey

Additional authors: Andrew Evans, OSU Horticulture & Crop Science and John Armstrong, Ohio Seed Improvement Association

2019 was full of challenges, including what to do with purchased seed that did not get planted. If the purchased seed was not returned and was stored with intent to use it in the 2020 season, producers should consider re-testing the seed lots for germination and possibly add a seed vigor test to help make planting decisions for 2020. Most seed germination percentages on a seed tag for agricultural seeds (like corn and soybeans) are valid for 12 months from the last date of the month in which they were completed, with the exception being cool season grasses which are valid for 15 months beyond the month of testing (Ohio Revised Code, Chapter 907.07).  To finish reading this article, go to https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2020-01/considerations-stored-seed.

2019 Organic Corn Performance Test Results Available – Rich Minyo, Allen Geyer, David Lohnes, Peter Thomison

In January 2019, Ohio State University / Ohio Agriculture Research and Development Center was approached by a representative of the organic seed industry inquiring if an organic corn performance test would be possible. Organic seed suppliers were contacted to gauge their interest and gather input on test protocol. The end result, 35 organic hybrids representing 7 commercial brands were submitted for evaluation in the new Organic Corn Performance Test. The tests were conducted on certified organic fields in Apple Creek and Wooster (Fry and West Badger Farms) and intensively managed for nutrients and weed control. Each hybrid entry was evaluated using four replications per site in a randomized complete block design. Hybrids were planted either in an early or full season maturity test based on relative maturity information provided by the companies. The relative maturity of hybrid entries in the early maturity trial was 106 days or earlier; the relative maturity of hybrid entries in the full season trial was 107 days or later. The planting rate was 34,000 seeds/acre with a final stand target of 30K – 31K plants/acre. Composted manure and Chilean Nitrate were applied according to recommended cultural practices for obtaining optimum grain yields.  Continue reading about the organic corn performance tests at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2020-01/2019-organic-corn-performance-test-results-available.

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,

The new year is upon us and it won’t be long before the Conservation Tillage Club breakfast programs begin.  Join us on January 7 – Grain Marketing Outlook – Ben Brown, Assistant Professor of Professional Practice in Agricultural Risk Management, Department of Agricultural, Environmental, and Developmental Economics at The Ohio State University which will begin the series at the Plaza Inn Restaurant in Mt. Victory starting at 7:30 am.  Also coming up soon is the regional Small Grains Management Workshop that I mentioned in the last issue of the Hardin County AgNR Update.  See the attached article about this event which will focus on wheat and barley production January 9 in Wapakoneta.  The West Ohio Agronomy Day is coming up January 13 in Fort Loramie.  See the attached flyer for the full day of topics that are a part of this regional event held in Shelby County.  I have also included an article about our OSU Extension Master Gardener state conference awards.  This year our group of horticulture volunteers brought back three state awards to Hardin County.

Small Grains Workshop News Release

2020 West Ohio Agronomy Day Flyer

State Master Gardener Awards News Release

Since harvest is over you might be thinking about next year’s crop budgets.  OSU Extension has released the 2020 Corn, Soybean, and Wheat production budgets for the coming year.  I have attached these Excel spreadsheets so you can insert your numbers into them as you plan for the 2020 crop season.  Other upcoming events being held in our region include a Beef Cattle Care Clinic in Darke County on January 20, a New and Small Farm College in Miami County starting on January 21, and a Plant and Soil Nutrient Management seminar in Auglaize County on January 22.  See the attached flyers for more details and how to register.  I have also included a fact sheet from Michigan State University “Coping With Grief After Losing The Farm.” Other upcoming local events include a Farm Bureau meeting being held January 7 starting at 6:30 pm at Ag Credit, and an Ag Council breakfast meeting being held January 10 starting at 7:30 am at the Kenton McDonalds where we will take a look at the OSU Corn, Soybean, and Forage Trials.  I have included ag crops articles from the CORN Newsletter below for your reading.

Corn Budget

Soybean Budget

Wheat Budget

Beef Cattle Clinic Flyer

Small Farm College Brochure

Plant and Soil Nutrient Management Flyer

Coping With Grief After Losing The Farm Fact Sheet

Mark

Late Planted Corn Performance Test Results – How Did They Turn Out? – Rich Minyo, Allen Geyer, Peter Thomison

Performance data for the Ohio Corn Performance Test (OCPT) site at Upper Sandusky planted June 22 was not presented in the 2019 Ohio Corn Performance Test bulletin because of a late harvest (Nov. 26).  However, results for this test are now available online at: http://oardc.osu.edu/corntrials/.  Although a June 22 planting date is very atypical, many corn growers in northwest Ohio were planting well into June this year.  There was considerable uncertainty as to what to expect from such a late planting, much less whether a grain crop was achievable.  Read more about Late Planted Corn Performance Test Results at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2019-41/late-planted-corn-performance-test-results-–-how-did-they-turn.

“Ultra-early” Corn Performance – Rich Minyo, Allen Geyer, Peter Thomison

Confronted with June planting dates, some Ohio corn growers planted hybrids with relative maturity ratings earlier (less than 102 days) than those of our commonly grown maturities.  At the Hoytville OCPT test site, we evaluated 27 ultra-early hybrids with maturities ranging from 93-101 days.  Yields averaged 190 bu./A and ranged from 163 to 219 bu/A; harvest grain moisture averaged 19.3 and ranged from 18.3-20.3%; and test weight averaged 56.6 and ranged from 53.3-58.5.  In contrast, a 107 day commonly grown maturity hybrid included as a check yielded 220 bu/A with a 22.9 % harvest moisture and test weight of 51 lb/A.  The Hoytville test site planted June 12 and harvested November 18, benefited from favorable growing conditions with timely rains.  Pest injury was negligible.  Several hybrids were subject to severe animal damage and not considered in this performance overview.

Small Grains Management Workshop – Laura Lindsey, Jeff Stachler, Alan Sundermeier, CCA, Mike Estadt

Join OSU Extension as we present a hands-on, intensive small grains management workshop for Ohio crop producers.  This workshop will help you become a more profitable small grain producer and will feature a range of winter wheat and barley management topics including: cultural practices, insect and disease management, and soil fertility.

The workshop will be held in three locations from 9:00 AM-2:30 PM:

• Auglaize County on Thursday, January 9 (https://auglaize.osu.edu/events/small-grains-management-workshop)
• Wood County on Tuesday, January 14 (https://wood.osu.edu/news/small-grain-management-workshop)
• Pickaway County on Wednesday, January 15 (https://pickaway.osu.edu/events/small-grains-management-workshop)

Only $10 per person!  And each participant will receive a copy of the Ohio Agronomy Guide, Corn, Soybean, Wheat, and Alfalfa Field Guide, Management of Winter Malting Barley guide, and the Weed Control Guide.

2019 Northwest Ohio Corn Silage Test – Rich Minyo, Bill Widdicombe, Allen Geyer, Peter Thomison

In 2019, 68 corn silage hybrids representing 15 commercial brands were evaluated in a joint trial with Michigan State University (MSU).  The Ohio location is combined with Michigan’s two southern (Zone 1) silage locations.  The trials were divided into two maturity groups designated early and full season on the basis of the relative maturity (RM) submitted by the companies with results listed in separate tables.  The Ohio test site was located in our Northwest Region at Hoytville (Wood County).  Finish reading about the 2019 Northwest Ohio Corn Silage Test at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2019-41/2019-northwest-ohio-corn-silage-test.

2020 West Ohio Agronomy Day – Matthew Schmerge, Amanda Bennett

The 2020 West Ohio Agronomy Day will be held on Monday, January 13^th at St. Michael’s Hall in Fort Loramie.  Doors open starting at 7:30 a.m. with a marketing update from Ben Brown and The Anderson’s at 8:00 a.m.  At 8:30 a.m. the program including Private Pesticide Applicator Recertification (Core and Categories 1, 2, and 6) and the one-hour Fertilizer Applicator Recertification Training for those who are already certified to apply commercial fertilizers will begin.  In addition, Certified Crop Adviser CEUs (NM, SW, IPM, CM, and S) and Commercial Pesticide Applicator Credits (Core, 2A, and 2C) have been approved.  The program will conclude at 4 p.m. Find out more details about the 2020 West Ohio Agronomy Day at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2019-41/2020-west-ohio-agronomy-day.

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 morning,

There have been issues with grain moisture and dry down this harvest season as 2019 conditions led to variable grain quality causing many potential storage issues.  Dr. Ken Hellevang, North Dakota State University, will join us for a webinar to share information on managing stored grain including high moisture and damaged grain this afternoon at 3:00 pm if you are available to view on your computer.  If so, go to go.osu.edu/StoredGrain and register before the webinar.  It will send you an email to link to the webinar.  If you have slow internet, feel free to stop by the Extension office to view the program.  There is no cost to participate and a recorded version will be made available for later viewing if you are not available this afternoon.  See the attached brochure for more details.

Grain Storage Webinar Flyer

The Conservation Tillage Club breakfast meetings have been set for January and February at the Plaza Inn Restaurant in Mt. Victory starting on January 7 and continuing every other Tuesday at 7:30 am.  Because of the generous contributions of our local sponsors, we are able to offer these programs in cooperation with the Soil and Water Conservation District and Natural Resources Conservation Service of Hardin, Logan, and Union counties.  This year’s topics include January 7 -Grain Marketing Outlook, January 21 –Soybean Diseases, February 4 –Soil Health, and February 18 –Implementing H2Ohio.  No pre-registration is required and CCA credits will be available for those who need them.  See the attached news release and flyer for more information.

Conservation Tillage Club Breakfast News Release

Conservation Tillage Club Flyer

There are other OSU Extension regional programs coming up soon that I have attached flyers to this email.  Precision University will focus on Combating Compaction on January 8 in Springfield.  There is a Small Grains Management Workshop planned for January 9 in Wapakoneta which will focus on winter wheat and barley production.  Dealing with the Activist Threat will be the topic of the January 15 West Central Ohio Dairy Luncheon Series held in New Bremen.  Growing Hemp in Ohio: Separating Fact from Fiction will be held January 24 in Wooster along with an optional program scheduled for January 25.  Several of these programs require pre-registration so make sure you check out the flyers if you are interested.  I have also included some articles from the CORN Newsletter below that you may be interested in reading over the holidays.

Precision U Flyer

Small Grains Management Workshop Flyer

West Central Ohio Dairy Series Luncheon Flyer

Growing Hemp in Ohio Flyer

Merry Christmas,

Mark

Choosing Varieties & Hybrids for 2020 – Check Disease Resistance Ratings – Anne Dorrance, Pierce Paul

The seed suppliers want your early orders and the catalogues are all spread out on the tables.  Now to begin the process of choosing the best variety or hybrid for your fields that can hold up to the all of the challenges facing soybeans and corn in Ohio.  Our recommendation is to first focus on the disease and insect scores.  Every company uses a different scale based on 1 to 10 – but for some companies 1 is best and for others, 10 best – so first read the fine print.  In addition, some companies use a distributive disease rating scale, using words like “excellent disease package,” “good disease package,” or “poor.”  While this scale is unclear as to which specific disease the hybrid is most resistant to, it can still be used as a guide for hybrid/variety selection. For instance, a hybrid listed as having an “excellent disease package” should be less susceptible to the primary diseases than one listed as having a “good disease package.” Next step – what key diseases and insect pests do we need to focus on.  Read more at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2019-41/choosing-varieties-hybrids-2020-check-disease-resistance-ratings.

What’s in my Corn? Insect Management Traits in Corn Hybrids – Kelley Tilmon, Andy Michel

Corn hybrid selection is about more than maturity and agronomic properties.  Many corn hybrids also come with a package of Bt traits for the management of various insects below-ground (for example corn rootworm) and above-ground (for example, corn borer) pests.  These traits can add substantially to the cost of the seed so it’s worth evaluating which ones you really need.  In fields without a consistent history of insect pest pressure Bt traits are an added cost that likely won’t pay for itself.  Sometimes you only need protection against soil pests, sometimes against above-ground pests, and sometimes neither.  But how do you know what Bt traits the various hybrids contain and what insects they are meant to manage?  This can be confusing or hard to figure out.  Continue reading this article at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2019-41/what%E2%80%99s-my-corn-insect-management-traits-corn-hybrids.

Winter Application of Manure – Remember Setbacks – Glen Arnold

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. In the Grand Lake St Marys watershed, the winter manure application ban from December 15th to March 1st is still in effect.  Thus, no manure application would normally be allowed from now until March 1st. In the Western Lake Erie Basin (WLEB) watershed, the surface application of manure to frozen and snow-covered soils require there to be a growing crop in the field.  This could be a pasture, alfalfa, clover, ryegrass or a rape crop.  There must be enough vegetation visible to provide a 90% cover of residue and growing vegetation.  Radishes and oats would not qualify as a growing crop as both are typically winter killed.  Manure can be applied to fields without growing crops if the manure is incorporated at the time of application or incorporated within 24 hours of application. Read more about winter application of manure at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2019-41/winter-application-manure-remember-setbacks.

Managing Stored Grain – 2019 Considerations – Elizabeth Hawkins

The Ohio State University Extension will host a webinar featuring Dr. Ken Hellevang, North Dakota State University, to help farmers understand potential concerns with grain storage.  This webinar will cover special areas of concern with high moisture grain and excessive fines. The webinar is scheduled for Friday, December 20, 2019 at 3:00 PM. It is free to participate but registration is required. Please register at go.osu.edu/StoredGrain.

Final Reminder: 2019 Yield Survey – CFAES Ag Crisis Taskforce

Normal planting dates for Ohio range from mid-April to the end of May.  This season was quite different when planting for both corn and soybean crops was delayed until late May and stretched into June and even July across many parts of Ohio.  We found ourselves grasping for any information we could find including 1) how much of an effect late planting dates would have on yield, and 2) what, if anything, we should change in management of these late planted crops.  The historical planting date information we did have was somewhat helpful, but we did not have any data on what could happen when planting is delayed into the second half of June nor July. While it may be tempting to write off this year as a fluke from which there are no real lessons to be learned, there is a growing body of data from climatologists that suggest that this is a beginning of a trend.  What we have is a giant, unplanned and involuntary trial being conducted by Ohio corn and soybean farmers this year.  This experiment can help us understand the ramifications of how planting date and hybrid/variety maturity affected overall yields, as well as pinpoint where further research is needed to fill the gaps in knowledge for future management decisions.  To accomplish these goals, we plan to collect a small amount of data on a large number of fields, which can be used to provide baseline information to share how to manage these crops under similar weather events in the future.  Finish reading about this survey at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2019-41/final-reminder-2019-yield-survey.

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,

First of all, I want to congratulate the families of Dean and Barbara Dulin, Madelyn Lowery, Fred Rarey, and Mark Watkins for their induction Tuesday evening into the Hardin County Agriculture Hall of Fame.  I wasn’t feeling well that evening but the banquet went on as planned thanks to the work of the committee members who stepped up and took care of things.  I also want to take the time to show my appreciation to the Hardin County agricultural community who attended the banquet to show their support of these deserving individuals.  It is never too early to nominate someone for 2020, so if you have someone in mind, stop by the Extension office for an application or go to hardin.osu.edu for a downloadable and fillable form.

Tonight is the Farm Bill Update meeting to find out about the changes in the ARC and PLC program for the next five years.  A Farm Bill Update meeting for farmers has been planned for Thursday, December 5 at Mid-Ohio Energy Cooperative, 1210 W Lima Street, Kenton.  The meeting will begin at 6:30 pm and end at 8:30 pm.  The 2018 Farm Bill allows the choice to enroll in ARC or PLC for 2019-2023.  Enrollment for 2019 is currently open with the deadline set as March 15, 2020.  Join OSU Extension and the Farm Service Agency for an informational meeting to learn about changes to the ARC/PLC, important dates and deadlines, crop insurance – supplemental coverage option, and using decision tools to evaluate program choices to make informed program decisions.  See the attached flyer for more details.  If you are not able to attend tonight’s meeting, there are many other meetings being held in other counties planned that you can attend listed on the attached press release.  If you plan to attend tonight, there is overflow parking if needed at both Ag Credit and the Ag Center.  Please do not park on the grass at Mid-Ohio Energy Cooperative.

Hardin Co Farm Bill Training Flyer

OSU County Farm Bill Meetings Press Release

As harvest draws to a close on this unusual growing season, we look back at what we did to be successful in this difficult year.  OSU Extension tried to be responsive to this Ag Crisis by providing a Cover Crops for Prevented Planting meeting along with the Ohio No-Till Council back in June at ONU in Ada.  Statewide, we had an Ag Crisis website to help answer producers’ questions and we informed farmers of options through our newsletters.  This is a year for all of us to learn from, so if you would please complete the attached 2019 Yield Survey about this crop year, we will be better prepared to help if this type of year happens again.  You can also access the survey at go.osu.edu/yield19 by December 31.  Now is also the time to take a look at cash rents for cropland.  I have attached a copy of the annual OSU Western Ohio Cropland Values and Cash Rents fact sheet that may help you with this process.  Be sure to use Table 2 for Northwest Ohio when reviewing Hardin County values as recorded by this survey.

2019 Yield Survey

OSU Western Ohio Cropland Values and Cash Rents

Other attached information you might be interested in includes an article I wrote about the Sheep and Agriculture Tour of Argentina.  If you are part of a group and would like me to do a presentation about this trip, be sure to contact me to set up a date.  I have also included a farm stress fact sheet from Michigan State University Extension regarding “Opioids in Rural Farming Communities.”  There are also some articles that I included below from our OSU Extension newsletters that you may like to read.  Other upcoming local events include Ag Council breakfast tomorrow morning (12/6) starting at 7:30 am with information to share on 2020 Corn, Soybean, and Wheat Budgets at the Kenton McDonalds.  There are Jr. Fair Livestock Sale Committee and other Livestock Committee meetings being held Wednesday, December 11 starting at 6:30 pm at the Hardin County Fair office.

International Sheep Tour News Release

Opioids In Rural Farming Communities Fact Sheet

Mark

2019 Ohio Corn Performance Test: Regional Overviews – Rich Minyo, Allen Geyer, David Lohnes, Peter Thomison

In 2019, 163 corn hybrids representing 20 commercial brands were evaluated in the Ohio Corn Performance Test (OCPT). Four tests were established in the Southwestern/West Central/Central (SW/WC/C) region and three tests were established in the Northwestern (NW) and North Central/Northeastern (NC/NE) regions (for ten test sites statewide).  Hybrid entries in the regional tests were planted in either an early or a full season maturity trial. These test sites provided a range of growing conditions and production environments. Find out more information at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2019-40/2019-ohio-corn-performance-test-regional-overviews.

Precision University: Combating Compaction – Amanda Douridas

The fall of 2018 and spring of 2019 created some less than ideal conditions for field work leaving many farmers concerned with field compaction. This concern is justified as compaction can significantly reduce yields. Compaction has been a concern for many years as equipment size grows, increasing axle weight. Researchers have been conducting on-farm trials comparing farming practices to uncover ways farmers can reduce compaction. Comparisons include tires and tracks, equipment size and tillage practices. At the 2020 Precision University, OSU Extension has invited in some of the leading experts from across North America on compaction research and management. Read more about this year’s Precision U at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2019-40/precision-university-combating-compaction.

Certified Crop Adviser Pre-Exam Training to be held January 8 & 9 – Harold Watters

The Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) Exam Training program, sponsored and delivered by members of the OSU Agronomic Crops Team, will be offered at the Shelby County Ag Building, 810-820 Fair Rd, Sidney, Ohio 45365 on January 8th and 9th beginning at 9:00 a.m. on the 8th and adjourn by 5:00 p.m. on the 9th. This is an intensive two-day workshop somewhat directed toward the local exam – to be used as a reminder on what best to study in preparation for the CCA exams. The price for the exam preparation class is $250.  More details about the CCA exam training can be found at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2019-40/certified-crop-adviser-pre-exam-training-be-held-january-8-9.

Field Drying and Harvest Losses in Corn – Peter Thomison

According to the USDA/NASS (https://www.nass.usda.gov/) as of Sunday, Oct. 27th, 37 percent of Ohio’s corn was harvested for grain, compared to 62 percent for last year and 56 percent for the five-year average. Late corn plantings and sporadic rain in some areas are not helping with field drying. Some growers are delaying harvest until grain moisture drops further. However, these delays increase the likelihood that stalk rots present in many fields will lead to stalk lodging problems. Leaving corn to dry in the field exposes a crop to unfavorable weather conditions, as well as wildlife damage. A crop with weak plant integrity is more vulnerable to yield losses from stalk lodging and ear drop when weathering conditions occur. Additional losses may occur when ear rots reduce grain quality and can lead to significant dockage when the grain is marketed. Some ear rots produce mycotoxins, which may cause major health problems if fed to livestock.  Find out more about this topic at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2019-37/field-drying-and-harvest-losses-corn.

2019 Ohio Soybean Performance Trial- All Yield Results Available – Laura Lindsey, Wayde Looker

All yield results of the 2019 Ohio Soybean Performance Trials are available online here: https://stepupsoy.osu.edu/news/2019-ohio-soybean-performance-trial-all-yield-results-available. The report will be updated with seed size, protein, and oil results in the upcoming weeks.

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,

With the passage of time, fall harvest has been progressing in Hardin County.  Most of the corn has been harvested and very few soybean fields remain as we approach the Thanksgiving holiday.  Statewide, 83% of corn has been harvested and 93% of soybeans have been cut.  See the attached Ohio Crop Weather report for November 25 for more details.  Since the last Hardin County Agriculture and Natural Resources Update, I have submitted articles on fall harvest road safety and estimating harvest loss of corn and soybean that you may be interested in reading.  Along with those articles, Extension Rainfall Summaries have been submitted for September and the growing season which are attached to this message.

Ohio Crop Weather Report

Fall Harvest Road Safety

Estimating Harvest Loss

September Rainfall Summary

Growing Season Rainfall Summary

I spent the last half of October on a sheep and agriculture tour of Argentina organized by the Ohio Sheep Improvement Association and Ohio Farm Bureau.  While on this tour, farmers were busy planting soybeans as they are in the spring season down in South America.  Their corn was in the three leaf stage and their wheat was in head.  Their crop rotation is similar to ours with corn, soybean, wheat/double crop soybean.  They also raised hay and alfalfa in the areas that we visited.  Livestock breeds were similar to the United States, with Merino and Hampshire being common sheep breeds; and Hereford, Red and Black Angus being common beef cattle breeds.  I will have more on this trip in a future article that I plan to write.  Speaking of sheep, you may be interested in attending the 2019 Buckeye Shepherds’ Symposium being held December 13 and 14 in Wooster.  If so, I have attached a flyer to this email which contains registration information due by November 29.

Buckeye Shepherd’s Symposium flyer

The Hardin County Agriculture Hall of Fame Banquet is coming up Tuesday, December 3 at St. John’s Evangelical Church in Kenton.  This year Dean and Barbara Dulin, Madelyn Lowery, Fred Rarey, and Mark Watkins are being inducted.  If you haven’t yet ordered your tickets for this annual event, make sure you call the Extension office at 419-674-2297 very soon to place your order.  Tickets are $12 each and can be picked up and paid for at the door the night of the banquet.  For more information about the banquet and this year’s honorees,  see the attached news article.  Retired Hardin County OSU Extension Agent Gene McCluer will be the guest speaker.

2019 Hardin County Ag Hall of Fame

Another upcoming event happening soon in the county is the Farm Bill Update.  This event is scheduled for Thursday, December 5 at Mid-Ohio Energy Cooperative in Kenton.  Starting at 6:30 pm, the program will explain the changes to the Agricultural Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for 2019-2023, including important dates and deadlines, crop insurance – supplemental coverage option, and using decision tools to evaluate program choices to make informed decisions.  In addition to the Extension speaker Sam Custer from Darke County, Hardin County FSA Director Christie Suchora will be there to provide an overview and answer questions.  A NRCS update is being planned as well for conservation programs.  Overflow parking will be available at both the Hardin County Ag Center and Ag Credit.  See the attached news article and flyer for more information.

Farm Bill Update Training

Hardin Co Farm Bill Training flyer

Other resources I have included are a Youth Farm Stress fact sheet from Michigan State University Extension and articles below from the CORN Newsletter.  Other local upcoming events include a Dairy Service Unit meeting starting at 7:00 pm Monday (12/2) at the Extension office; Hardin County Fairboard meeting starting at 7:00 pm Wednesday (12/4) at the Fair office; and Ag Council breakfast meeting starting at 7:30 am Friday (12/6) at the Kenton McDonalds.  I hope you and your family have a Happy Thanksgiving.

Youth Farm Stress fact sheet

Mark

Ohio Corn Harvest May Continue as a High Moisture Corn Harvest – Elizabeth Hawkins, Jason Hartschuh

When the calendar flipped from October to November the weather changed in a big way. Over the next 10 days, temperature predictions are highs in the 40’s and lows in the 20’s. These conditions make it much more difficult to field dry corn creating a need to send high moisture corn to the dryer. Currently only 37% of the corn crop has been harvested compared to a 5 year average of 56% Using a dry down calculator from Iowa State (https://crops.extension.iastate.edu/facts/corn-drydown-calculator), we can estimate how quickly corn will dry in the field. Based on the forecast, if your corn is at 30% moisture now, in 10 days it will be about 25% moisture and by the end of the month it may reach 21%. If our current moisture is 25%, in 10 days it will be about 22% moisture and by the end of the month it may reach 20%. When looking at these numbers, it seems like corn is field drying well. However, if we look at the forecast for corn at 20% now, the calculator predicts a moisture loss of less than half a point over the next 10 days and less than a point by the end of the month. Keep in mind, these are median predictions and if the weather model changes, we could see more-or-less field dry down.  Go to https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2019-38/ohio-corn-harvest-may-continue-high-moisture-corn-harvest for more.

Where’s the Bean? Missing Seed in Soybean Pods – Andy Michel, Kelley Tilmon

As soybean harvest progresses, a few growers are noticing poor yields in otherwise nice-looking plants and pods. While a visual inspection might lead to high estimations of seed quality, the inside may contain shrunken, shriveled or, even worse, missing seed.  Stink bugs can often cause this type of injury to soybean seed. They have piercing sucking mouthparts that poke through the pod wall, and then feed directly on the seed. Because their mouthparts are small, damage to the pod is often undetected. However, opening a few pods may reveal poor seed quality evident of stink bug feeding.  We have seen increasing issues with stink bugs in Ohio. This past season was no exception and we will likely continue to see issues in the future. For more information on stink bug identification, scouting and resources, see our agronomic crops insects webpage: https://aginsects.osu.edu/home

Help OSU Extension Document the Yield Impacts of the 2019 Planting Delays – Elizabeth Hawkins, John Fulton, Aaron Wilson, Ben Brown, Anne Dorrance

Normal planting dates for Ohio range from mid-April to the end of May. This season was quite different when planting for both crops was delayed until late May and stretched into June and even July across many parts of Ohio. We found ourselves grasping for any information we could find including 1) how much of an effect late planting dates would have on yield, and 2) what, if anything, we should change in management of these late planted crops. The historical planting date information we did have was somewhat helpful, but we did not have any data on what could happen when planting is delayed into the second half of June nor July.  Read more at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2019-39/help-osu-extension-document-yield-impacts-2019-planting-delays.

How Reliable will this Year’s Test Plot Data Be? – Laura Lindsey, Peter Thomison

Ohio’s corn and soybean crops experienced exceptional growing conditions in 2019, including record rainfall in May and June followed by drier than normal August and September conditions in many areas. As a result of the early season saturated soils, corn and soybean planting was delayed across most of the state. For soybean, planting date is the most important cultural practice that influences grain yield. Planting date is also a major factor affecting crop performance and profitability in corn. The persistent rains and saturated soils caused localized ponding and flooding. These conditions resulted in root damage and N loss that led to uneven crop growth and development between and within fields. Agronomists often question the value of test plot data when adverse growing conditions severely limit yield potential. Finish reading this article at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2019-39/how-reliable-will-years-test-plot-data-be.

Assessing the 2019 Production Year Survey – Second Call – Greg LaBarge, Dee Jepsen, Ben Brown, Anne Dorrance

The 2019 production year has presented many challenges. Regardless of where you are in the state, we hope you respond to a brief survey to identify both short- and long-term outreach and research needs based on the 2019 year. The survey is located at  https://go.osu.edu/ag2019 If you have already responded, thank you for taking the time to share . The survey will close at midnight on November 27, 2019. The survey is for Ohio crop and livestock/forage producers. Questions relate to crop production, prevented plant, livestock forage needs, emergency forage success, economic and human stress concerns. Since challenges and concerns varied across the state, this survey is designed to assess needs on a county, regional and statewide basis. Results will be used to determine Extension programming and future research needs.

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