Good evening,
It’s been a busy week with the Hardin County Fair. This is my first time at the Hardin County Fair and I can say that I am impressed with the way the people work together to make things happen. I have witnessed this with the set-up, operation of shows, and also in the commodity group food stands. The shows have had high quality livestock and I have noticed how most people in attendance take a sincere interest in the shows. It is nice to see the families working together in the barns and I have enjoyed meeting several people so far at this year’s fair. I hope that many of you come out tomorrow to support the youth at the Jr. Fair Livestock Sale and continue to patronize the local businesses and groups participating in the fair. We couldn’t have asked for better fair weather.
Don’t forget to attend the Hardin County Carcass Show of Champions Tuesday after the fair on September 10. The program will begin at 6:00 pm at Mt. Victory Meats. Also, remember that Ag Council will be a week later than normal this month on September 13. The program will begin at with breakfast being served at Henry’s Restaurant in Kenton at 7:00 am. We still have Farm Science Review tickets for sale in the Extension office. This year’s Farm Science Review runs from September 17-19 at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center in London. See the article below for the agronomic schedule of events.
I haven’t had a chance to watch the Ohio State football game from last week yet so hopefully things will slow down soon so I can catch up. Western Bean Cutworm traps will be pulled this coming week and I will need to collect farm management surveys from those participating in the soybean research study so that the cooperating farmers can receive their stipend for participating. Enjoy the next couple weeks and get rested up if you can so that we can have a safe harvest. As usual, below are some articles that might be of interest to yo
Mark
Estimating Corn Yields Prior to Harvest – Peter Thomison
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. Go tohttp://corn.osu.edu/newsletters/2013/c.o.r.n.-newsletter-2013-25/estimating-corn-yields-prior-to-harvestif you are interesting in finding out how good your corn crop might be.
Fall Harvest Considerations for Alfalfa – Rory Lewandowski, Mark Sulc
A popular question as we enter September is: What is the last date to harvest alfalfa? Unfortunately, there is not one single right answer to this question. It really depends upon a number of risk factors and how comfortable the alfalfa grower is with varying degrees of risk. Based on risk, there are guidelines that can be used to help determine a last fall harvest date. To read more about these guidelines, go tohttp://corn.osu.edu/newsletters/2013/c.o.r.n.-newsletter-2013-29/fall-harvest-considerations-for-alfalfa.
Agronomic Crops Team Schedule for Farm Science Review – Harold Watters, CPAg/CCA
There is a chance for one more field day, that lasts for three days – the September 17, 18 and 19 OSU Farm Science Review at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center near London Ohio. One way to learn is to see first-hand the research that the Agronomic Crops Team conducts. The Agronomy demonstration plots are to the east of the exhibit area, on the path from the parking lot to the main pedestrian entrance at Gate C. We’ll be there all day, all three days from 8AM to 5PM. Look for the tent, stop and visit. For the complete Agronomic schedule, go to
Sheep Breeding and Selection Program – Rory Lewandowski
The Ohio Heartland Sheep Improvement Association (OHSIA) is sponsoring a program entitled “Breeding and Selecting Sheep for Maximum Profit” on Saturday, September 28. The program will be held at the Kidron Livestock Auction Sprunger Building, Kidron OH and will run from 9:00 am until 3:00 pm. Topics that will covered during the day include: Selection principles, Ewe breeding, management and ultrasound demonstration, Ram management and breeding soundness exam demonstration, Farm biosecurity, Practical uses of artificial insemination in sheep, Genetic selection for parasite resistance, Fecal egg count discussion and demonstration. Pre-registration is required by September 20 and the registration fee is $30 for the first member of the family and $15 for additional family members. For more information contact Don Brown at 330-897-4320, email: don.pllc@gmail.com or Kathy Bielek at 330-264-5281, email:kathy.bielek@gmail.com. An informational flier and registration form is posted on the Wayne County Extension web site at: wayne.osu.edu, then click on Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Staying Safe Around Grain – Kathy Mann – Agricultural Safety and Health Program Coordinator
As harvest time is approaching, take time to refresh your family, friends and employees about the hazards of grain. Grain can create a deadly flow regardless of where it is stored. Bridged grain or grain stuck to the side or over an opening can engulf a person once it is broke free. A person can become trapped in this grain within seconds, which can lead to suffocation. It only takes 3 to 4 seconds for an adult to become helpless in grain and only 20 seconds for an adult to become totally covered.
Help protect your family by:
• Locking doors, gates and discharging chutes of any grain storage units.
• Keep kids out of grain wagons, carts, semi beds.
• Have ladders and grain elevator legs high enough kids cannot climb on then, if this is not possible make sure to secure a barrier to prevent access.
• If entry into the bin is necessary, always have at least 3 people and make sure all augers are turned off. One person is to enter the bin and the others remain outside in case an emergency occurs. Always use a body harness with a lifeline secured to the outside of the bin.
For more information about grain entrapment, view http://ohioline.osu.edu/atts/PDF-English/Bin-Entrapment.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