November 30, 2013

Hello,I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving holiday with family and friends.  Harvest is nearing completion and with the cooler temperatures comes winter meetings and banquets.  The Agriculture Hall of Fame Banquet will take place this Tuesday, December 3, starting at 6:30 pm at St. John’s United Church of Christ in Kenton.  There are several opportunities coming up for learning new things to help your business grow and become more efficient.The Cattle Producers are meeting Wednesday, December 4, starting at 7:30 pm in the Allmax Technology Building.  They will be discussing weigh-ins and committee assignments.  The next Ag Council meeting is scheduled for Friday, December 6, starting at 7:00 am at Henry’s Restaurant in Kenton.  Feel free to join us for breakfast in the banquet room and a short program with Kent Jorgensen from Wright Law Firm giving an overview of Ag Law.  The Hardin County Agricultural Society (Fairboard) will meet Saturday, December 7, starting at 7:30 pm at the Fair Office for it’s monthly meeting.  The Dairy Service Unit Directors are meeting Monday, December 9 at 7:00 pm in the Fair Office.  They will be discussing activities for 2014 including the banquet and the annual meeting.

Below are some articles that you may be interested in reading.GO BUCKS!
Mark
Soybeans

Modified Relay Intercropping – Lessons from 15 Years of Field Trials – Steve Prochaska – OSU Extension Agronomy Field Specialist

Modified Relay Intercropping (MRI) is the planting of soybeans into headed wheat that may occur up to 7 weeks prior to wheat harvest.   MRI is system where two crops, wheat and soybeans can be harvested in the same growing season. In 2013 in the MRI system, soybeans averaged 54 bushels/acre and wheat 70 bushels per acre over 12 different small plot field trials (randomized complete block, 4 replications).  This year, soybeans were above the long term average MRI yield and wheat below the long term MRI average yield (soybeans 30 bushel/acre; wheat 76 bushel per acre). To continue reading this article, go to http://corn.osu.edu/newsletters/2013/2013-38/modified-relay-intercropping-2013-lessons-from-15-years-of-field-trials.

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Grazing Corn Residue – Rory Lewandowski, OSU Extension Educator Wayne County
A lot of acres of corn has been harvested over the past several weeks. For every bushel of corn harvested by the combine, between 14 to 16 pounds of corn residue dry matter is left in the field. Graziers need to view that residue as a resource opportunity. That remaining corn residue is composed of corn grain, cob, husks, leaves, and stalks, all of it with some nutritional value. Corn residue, when grazed during a mid-October through December time frame is a suitable feedstuff for most classes of ruminant livestock. The exceptions are livestock in a late gestation or lactation stage of production. In addition to using a low cost feedstuff, grazing corn residue removes animals from grass pastures during the late fall period. This can benefit pastures, insuring that they are not overgrazed before they go dormant. Grazing corn residues can help to stretch stockpiled forages so that they are not used until later in the year.  To continue reading this and other beef articles, go to http://beef.osu.edu/beef/beefNov2713.html.

Soybean Test Plot

2013 Ohio Soybean Performance Trials Available – Laura Lindsey – OSU Soybeans and Small Grains – Harold Watters, CPAg/CCA, OSU Extension Field Agronomist
The Ohio Soybean Performance Trials are published by J.D. Bethel, Chris D. Kroon Van Diest, John McCormick, and Dr. Laura Lindsey of the Department of Horticulture and Crop Science, Ohio State University Extension/Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center. The purpose of the Ohio Soybean Performance Trials is to evaluate soybean varieties for yield and other agronomic characteristics. This evaluation gives soybean producers comparative information for selecting the best varieties for their unique production systems. To continue reading this article and find a link to the 2013 Ohio Soybean Performance Trials, go to http://corn.osu.edu/newsletters/2013/2013-39/2013-ohio-soybean-performance-trials.

Swine Facility
Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea – American Association of Swine Veterinarians
Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea (PED) is a viral disease caused by a member of the family Coronaviridae. Although clinically similar to transmissible gastroenteritis (TGE), the virus is unrelated to TGE. Prior vaccination for TGE (or, presumably, prior exposure to TGE or respiratory coronavirus) does not infer protection against PEDV. Introduction of PED virus into a naïve herd typically results in acute outbreaks of severe diarrhea, vomiting, high morbidity (often 100%) and variable mortality (some reports as high as 100% in young pigs). The incubation period is short (2 – 4 days) and natural immunity develops over two to three weeks, resulting in colostral protection for neonatal piglets. The virus spreads via the fecal- oral route and fomites. For more information, see the attached pdf file and go to http://www.pork.org/FileLibrary/PORKFileLibrary16/PEDVUpdate9-20-2013.pdf.
Dairy Forage

2013 Forage Production School – Dr. Bill Weiss, Professor and Extension Dairy Specialist, Department of Animal Sciences, The Ohio State University

Ohio State University Extension will be presenting a workshop on forage production and utilization this coming January and February.  The course is geared toward both forage  and livestock producers (with an emphasis on dairy cattle). The course will consist of 2 hours of class time on January 30, February 4, and February 11, 2014.  The classes will start promptly at 12:45 pm and conclude at 3:30 pm each of the 3 days.  The course will be offered in Ashtabula, Darke (in combination with Auglaize), Licking, Mahoning, Morrow, and Wayne counties via interactive video feeds and real in-person speakers.  Forage production topics include updates on forage genetics, forage fertilization and optimal manure utilization, weed control, double cropping systems, and precision agricultural technologies.  Forage utilization topics include forage quality evaluation, control of shrink, forage inventory management, production economics, and an update on corn silage production and use.  To find out more information about this and other dairy cattle topics, go to http://dairy.osu.edu/bdnews/Volume%2015%20issue%206%20file/Volume%2015%20Issue%206.html#Forage.

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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

November 22, 2013

Good Evening,

This week has really went by fast.  I have been totally engrossed with the upcoming 11th Annual Hardin County Agriculture Hall of Fame Banquet.  Monday is the deadline for getting tickets.  The cost to attend the banquet is $12 for the meal and program to honor this year’s inductees.  If you would still like to order tickets, call the Extension office (419-674-2297) and we will make arrangements for your party to attend.  I have attached a flier to help promote this event which will honor Franklin Garmon, Laurie Laird, Rex & Joan Sullinger, and Bernard & Virginia Williams.

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If you haven’t had the chance to greet our new office associate, stop by and introduce yourself to Carol Wagner.  Carol has just completed her second week with OSU Extension so I am no longer the new person in the office.  We had 69 applicants for the position and we interviewed eight individuals for this position.  Kathy Oliver, our Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Extension Educator has asked me to inform you about the upcoming ‘Zero Weight Gain Challenge’ challenge for the holidays. This starts soon and covers the time period November 25-January 5. If interested, see the attached news release and flier to find out how to sign-up online.

13 Zero Weight Gain News Release     2013 ZWG sign up

I continue to be impressed with the work our Hardin County Soil and Water Conservation District has been doing.  This week I joined them for their Conservation Tour as we viewed conservation projects, the University of Findlay Animal Sciences Center, and ADS Drainage to see drainage tile being made.  Thanks to Mark Lowery and the rest of the people in his office for organizing such an informative tour.  Also, today the Hardin County Farm Bureau held a meeting on organizing farms and agribusinesses as Limited Liability Corporations (L.L.C).  Allison DeSantis from the Ohio Secretary of State’s office spoke to the group about this method of organizing businesses.  For more information, go to OhioSecretaryofState.gov or email her at adesantis@ohiosecretaryofstate.gov with your questions.

Below are some current articles that you may be interested in reading.  I have also attached an update on the 2013 Farm Bill put together by Sam Custer, OSU Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator from Darke County.

2013 Farm Bill Update

Mark

 

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North American CCA Exam Registration  –  Harold Watters, CPAg/CCA, Assistant Professor, Ohio State University Extension, Field Specialist Agronomic Systems

The next North America Certified Crop Adviser Exam Date is February 07, 2014. The Registration Period closes on December 06, 2013. Keep in mind, to become eligible for the CCA certification, you must take and pass both the North American and your local (state/province) board exams. For us in Ohio, Indiana and Illinois that is the Tri-state exam. A group of educators and practicing CCAs from each state gathers regularly to update and verify the exam. To continue reading this article, go to http://corn.osu.edu/newsletters/2013/2013-38/north-american-cca-exam-registration.

 

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Soil Health Workshop – Putnam County Extension Office –  1206 East Second Street – Ottawa –  December 10th from 9AM till 4PM

The cost is $30 and includes handouts, a Cover Crop Field Guide, and a meal.  Topics will include soil demonstrations, presentations on soil ecology and soil microbes, nutrient recycling and reducing N and P runoff, soil compaction, economics of cover crops, adapting agriculture to extreme weather events, and hour long discussions on using legumes to build soil nitrogen, grass cover crops, and brassicas (oilseed radish, kale, rape) to reduce pests like weeds, insects and diseases in your crop land.  Pre-registration to the Putnam Co. Extension office (419-523-6294)  is required to hold a spot by December 9th.

 

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Managing Temperature in Dry, On-farm Stored Grain   – Curtis Young, OSU Extension Educator, Van Wert County

To maintain the dollar value of a bin of dry grain (corn or soybeans), one must manage the condition of the grain throughout the storage period.  Although storage problems commonly occur more frequently during a bad harvest year, many also result from poor dry-grain management practices in good harvest years.  This management begins with the loading of the grain into the bin, followed by managing temperature and moisture content of the grain mass and having a regular observation program of the grain to detect development of problems before they get out of hand. Go to http://corn.osu.edu/newsletters/2013/2013-38/managing-temperature-in-dry-on-farm-stored-grain to continue reading this article.

 

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Online Mortality Composting Certification – Amanda Douridas, Champaign and Union Counties AgNR OSU Extension Educator

Composting livestock mortalities can be an efficient and inexpensive method of disposing of on-farm mortalities. Rendering facilities are becoming harder to come by and so are landfills that accept mortalities. Transportation costs are increasing as well. Composting offers a year round alternative that may be more cost effective than other disposal methods. Once the compost cycle is complete, the finished product can be land applied to the farm’s fields as a nutrient resource.  To find out more information about online mortality composting certification, go to http://beef.osu.edu/beef/beefNov2013.html.

 

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Bt Transgenic Corn Update –  Ron Hammond,  Andy Michel – OSU Entomologists

The Bt corn trait table that is available on our Agronomic Crops Insects web site (http://oardc.osu.edu/ag/) has been updated as of November 1, 2013.  This table lists almost all of the hybrids available for growers and the pests they manage, along with the refuge requirements.  However, make sure you read the bag label and information for all needed information and requirements. The reason why this table is not completely up-to-date is that Pioneer just announced last week the release of a new Bt product in their Optimum family, Leptra.  Leptra is a combination of Herculex 1 (Cry1F), YieldGard Corn Borer (Cry1Ab), and Agrisure Viptera (Vip3A).  However, Ohio growers should know that this product is intended for the southern U.S. where it will help in the management of the numerous above-ground lepidopteran pests in that part of the country, including various corn borers, corn earworm and fall armyworm.  Thus, Ohio growers should not expect to see this available anytime soon in our state.  Currently, it does not contain a Bt protein for rootworm control.

 

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Mark A. Badertscher

Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator

OSU Extension Hardin County

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

419-674-2297 Office

hardin.osu.edu

November 15, 2013

Good Evening,

I hope this email finds you home relaxing after a long harvest.  Although there is still some corn in the fields, progress has been made this week.  As I write this newsletter, I hear the sound of a combine shelling corn in the background.  Driving through Union County today, I did see a couple soybean fields as we headed towards Columbus on State Route 31.  Today was the Master Gardener Volunteers County Coordinator Annual Conference held at The Ohio State University.  Our new Hardin County Master Gardener President Dave McPheron made the trip with me to find out what is expected out of county Master Gardener groups across the state as they put on educational programs about horticulture related topics.

The next big local Extension event for Agriculture and Natural Resources is the Agriculture Hall of Fame Banquet which will be held Tuesday, December 3 at St. John’s U.C.C. in Kenton.  The banquet will start at 6:30 pm and honor four sets of inductees this year who have made a significant impact on Hardin County Agriculture.  The committee is pleased to announce the 2013 inductees: Franklin Garmon, Laurie Laird, Rex & Joan Sullinger, and Bernard & Virginia Williams.  Shannon (Wilcox) Donnelly will be the keynote speaker.  Tickets are available for $12 from the Extension office until November 25, or you can get them from committee members Andrew Flinn, Robert McBride, John Messmer, Kerry Oberlitner, Paul Ralston, Don Spar, Luke Underwood, Robert Wood, and Mark Badertscher.  The committee is currently seeking sponsors for this year’s banquet, so let me know I you would like to help honor these individuals as a sponsor.  See the attached news release to read more about this year’s Ag Hall of Fame inductees.

2013 Ag Hall of Fame News Release

Another exciting thing happening in the county is the new Tractor Supply Store in Kenton which will be opening this coming week.  Stop by and say hello to new store manager Ben Smith when you are in the area.  I have included other information for you to read below regarding upcoming sheep webinars, agriculture and community development grants for Hardin County, VanScoy Farm video, Ohio Beef School dates, and an ag research opportunity for young farmers.

Mark

 

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Ethnic Marketing of Lamb and Mutton – University of Maine Cooperative Extension Service Webinars – November 19, 26 & December 3, 10

This free, 4-part webinar series will provide sheep producers with the necessary skills to effectively market sheep/lamb meat to ethnic communities in their respective market areas. The series includes four live webinars, associated readings, activities, assignments, and group discussions. Session 1 – Ethnic Market Background, Session 2 – Understanding the Ethnic Consumer, Session 3 – Understanding & Evaluating Your Market Options, and Session 4 – Your Marketing Plan.  Go to http://umaine.edu/livestock/sheep/ethnic-marketing-of-lamb-and-mutton to find out more and pre-register for these informative programs on your home computer.

 

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Donations for Programs from Monsanto

The Monsanto Fund’s “America’s Farmers Grow Communities” program annually offers local 4-H programs in 1,271 counties in 39 states the opportunity to receive $2,500 in unrestricted funding if they are designated as a recipient by a participating farmer. Clubs are encouraged to reach out and persuade local farmers to register. Online voting is open August 1 through November 30.  Currently there are four Hardin County programs listed on the website that could potentially benefit from one of these grants, two of which are related to OSU Extension with the Hardin County Fair and the Hardin County 4-H Horse Council .Check out http://www.americasfarmers.com/growcommunities to find out more information about how you can help these and other local projects.

 

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VanScoy Farm Video on YouTube

Farmers are getting older and there are fewer people waiting to take their place. So going forward, who will grow our food? On the VanScoy Farm, in Hardin County, Bill VanScoy looks into the future of his family farm.  Go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-bGzS9IfpQ to see this excellent video put together by Farm Bureau.  The VanScoy family operates a local Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) operation to market their produce direct to customers in the central Ohio region.

 

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Ohio Beef School – January 28, 2014, February 18 and March 11

Dates for this winter’s Ohio Beef School sessions have been set. Similar to recent years, the schools will be evening sessions hosted in a variety of sites around Ohio. Dates of the three school sessions are January 28, 2014, February 18 and March 11. The theme for this year’s school is simply, “Calf x Weight x Price – Expense = Profit”. During each session, multiple components of that equation will be explored. The specific topics and speakers will be announced soon.

 

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Ag Research Opportunity for Young Farmers – John Mattingly – AgMetrics Research & Consulting

AgMetrics is an ag research company that is looking for young farmers to learn about opinions regarding farm lenders and how younger farmers select farm lenders.  The interviews are confidential and strictly for market research purposes. No one will be selling any products or services. Those interviewed will be provided $250 as a token of appreciation for their time.

Specifically, they are seeking to talk with the following types of farmers:

–        35 years of age or under

–        Gross annual sales of farm products of $250,000 or under

–        Own 51% or more of their farming operation

–        They do not and anyone in their family does not work for a farm lender or other financial institution

John is  scheduled to be in the local area on Tuesday, November 19th.  If there are any farmers that meet the above requirements who might be interested, they could contact him directly by phone (636-677-3984) or email (jsmattingly@agmetrics.com).  For background information and further details, go to  www.agmetrics.com.

 

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Mark A. Badertscher

Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator

OSU Extension Hardin County

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

419-674-2297 Office

hardin.osu.edu

November 8, 2013

Hello,

This week was a busy week out of the county as I had training in Livestock Quality Assurance, entomology, and 2-stage ditches.  Area Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Educators also met to finalize plans for this winter’s Private Applicator pesticide training recertification meetings.  Hardin County’s sessions for private applicator pesticide training recertification will be held March 13 at Henry’s Restaurant in Kenton.  There are two sessions planned with one starting at 9:00 am and another starting at 2:00 pm.  Check out the website pested.osu.edu for meeting dates and other pesticide training information.  The website also has commercial applicator pesticide training information if you are interested in that area.

I have attached the final rainfall report for the month of October which covers the time period of October 1-15 as well as information regarding the entire growing season which began April 15.  Rains have slowed harvest but hopefully it will stabilize soon so that the crops can be taken off with the least amount of harvest loss.  Some fields have problems with corn lodging and there are also a few soybean fields still out there.  Double-cropped soybeans are very short this year so they have special harvest issues as well.

Season Rainfall 2013 summary

The Hardin County Agriculture Hall of Fame Banquet is planned for Tuesday, December 3 at St. John’s Church in Kenton.  The program will start at 6:30 pm with our own Shannon Wilcox Donnelly as the guest speaker.  Shannon is a graduate of Upper Scioto Valley High School, where she received both her State and American FFA Degrees.  She served as both a state and national FFA officer and was an agricultural education instructor and FFA advisor at Riverdale High School.  Watch for next week’s announcement about this year’s inductees to the Hardin County Agriculture Hall of Fame.  Tickets and other information about the event will be forthcoming.

The Buckeye Shepherd’s Symposium is coming up December 14 for sheep and goat producers.  The 2013 Buckeye Shepherd’s Symposium (BSS) will concentrate on, “Looking to the Future: Marketing, Nutrient Management, and Product Demand.” The event will be held at the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC) Shisler Conference Center, 1680 Madison Ave, Wooster.  Registration for the conference is due November 25.  See the attached BSS news release and flier for more information.  I have also included some articles below for you to read if interested.

2013BuckeyeShepherdsSymposium     BSSFlyer2013

Mark

 

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Forage Focus: Reducing the Risk of N Loss When Stockpiling Fescue – Chris Penrose, OSU Extension Educator, Agriculture & Natural Resources, Morgan County

After feeding corn stalks in the fall, probably the lowest cost way to feed cattle is to stockpile forages for fall and winter grazing. Stockpiling means to make the last harvest by clipping or grazing of a hay field or pasture and then let it grow for grazing latter; in this situation, in the fall or winter. While most predominantly grass based fields will work, fescue works the best as it maintains quality into and throughout the winter better.

Many studies have demonstrated that adding nitrogen (N) to the fields will increase quality and quantity of the grass. Urea is the most common form of N used for stockpiling in Ohio, but the biggest risk is applying the urea, then not getting a rain allowing much of the nitrogen to be lost through volatilization.  To continue reading this forage article and other beef articles, go to http://beef.osu.edu/beef/beefNov0613.html.

 

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“Getting Your Farm & Family Affairs in Order” – December 14, 18 & January 9 – Webinars – Sam Custer, OSU Extension Educator – Darke County

Farm accidents, cancer, disability, heart attacks, failing health, and death are all words farmers do not like to hear. Farming is the nation’s second most dangerous occupation in the United States. This combined with the aging farm population, could mean that your farm business might lose one of its key managers unexpectantly. Is your farm ready for the unexpected? Have you prepared the next generation to run your farm business after you are gone? To help address the “ah-crap” moments caused by the unexpected, OSU Extension is pleased to be offering a webinar workshop, titled “Getting your Farm & Family Affairs in Order.” This webinar is open to farmers across the country and will be held three times. Farm families are encouraged to choose the one which works the best for their family.  To find out how to watch these webinars on your computer or to attend a session in Darke County, read the attached article.

Get Farm Affairs in Order

 

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Current Agricultural Use Value (CAUV) – Ed Lentz, OSU Extension Educator – Hancock County

The State of Ohio recognizes that agriculture is a business and that the acres required for successful operation may be different than land property requirements for other enterprises. In consideration of this difference a state program called the Current Agricultural Use Value has been in place for almost four decades. Current Agricultural Use Value (CAUV) is a real estate tax assessment program that allows farmland to be taxed on an agricultural production value rather than the full real estate market value. Ohio voters passed a referendum for the CAUV option in November, 1973 and it became law after the Ohio General Assembly passed Senate Bill 423 in April, 1974.

In most situations, CAUV results in a considerably lower property tax bill for owners of farmland compared to the market value rate.  To find out more about CAUV and how it can affect your property taxes, read the attached article.

Current Ag Use Value of Land

 

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Ohio State University to Offer Agriculture and Natural Resources Tax Webinar and Workshop – December 19 – Wyandot County:  Elks Lodge – 320 E. Wyandot Ave. Upper Sandusky

Ohio State University’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences will host a day-long tax webinar and workshop Dec. 19 for those who want to learn more about federal tax law changes and updates they may encounter when filing 2013 tax returns for farmers. The six-hour program will focus on special issues specific to farm tax returns related to agriculture and natural resources and is open to tax preparers as well as individuals who file their own farm taxes, said Larry Gearhardt, director of the Ohio State University Income Tax School Program of Ohio State University Extension. For more information, go tohttp://cfaes.osu.edu/news/articles/ohio-state-university-offer-agriculture-and-natural-resources-tax-webinar-and-workshop.

 

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Don’t Get Wrapped Up in Machinery – Kathy Mann – Agricultural Safety and Health Program Coordinator

Farms use various pieces of equipment to increase the ease and efficiency of production agriculture. Common pieces include tractors, mowers, combines, grinders, augers, balers, and the list goes on and on. Although each piece of equipment is unique and designed with a specific purpose in mind, all farm machinery shares one-commonality, risk points. They include places with gears, chains, cutting edges, and revolving shafts. Each piece of machinery usually has more than one risk point. By becoming familiar with the risks associated with operating farm machinery, you can protect yourself from serious injuries or an untimely death. Wrap points include any exposed machine parts that rotate. The most common examples are power take-off shafts or PTOs, but there are several others. A few not commonly recognized include beater bars on self-unloading ensilage wagons and blades on manure spreaders.

 

Engineers have developed numerous guards to prevent accidents with wrap points. Master shields enclose the area where PTO drivelines connect to the tractor. Stub shaft shields cap exposed PTO stub shafts when not in use. Shaft shields enclose PTO drivelines. Implement shields are similar to master shields; however, they are attached to the implement and cover the rear PTO connection point.

Here are some tips to protect yourself or others:

•      Remove drawstrings from jackets and sweat shirts before working around equipment with wrap points.

•      Never wear jewelry when working with or around farm machinery.

•      Keep long hair pulled back when working with all equipment and especially when working around equipment with wrap points.

•      Never wear loose or frayed clothing when working with or around equipment.

•      Shield all potential wrap points when possible.

•      Replace damaged or bent shields immediately. Mangled shields are as dangerous as no shields at all.

•      Never step over or crawl under rotating shafts.

•      Never reach over, under, or around potential wrap points.

•      Shut down all equipment and wait for all moving parts to stop before performing any maintenance or repairs.

•      Place warning labels on all possible wrap points.

 

For more information check out: http://ohioline.osu.edu/aex-fact/0994_3.html

 

 

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Mark A. Badertscher

Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator

OSU Extension Hardin County

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

419-674-2297 Office

hardin.osu.edu

 

 

November 1, 2013

Good evening,

This afternoon I picked up my Dairy Service Unit cheese order.  If you ordered cheese and haven’t picked it up yet, they are still distributing orders at the Wagner Dairy Farm on County Road 175 east of Kenton from 9:00-12:00 noon tomorrow.  Earlier today was the groundbreaking for Heritage Cooperative’s gas, diesel, E85, and compressed natural gas (CNG) station.  This was a special event for Hardin County as we are being seen across the state as an early adopter to energy efficient fuels.  The groundbreaking was also for the new liquid fertilizer station too, but today’s ceremony highlighted the other.

We survived the Hardin County Sheep Improvement Association’s Fall Sheep Management Tour this past weekend.  Go to the Hardin County OSU Extension Facebook page and check out the photos from the tour.  Thanks to everyone on the committee which consisted of Madelyn Lowery, Nancy Wilcox, Gary and Mary Wilson for planning this educational tour.  Make sure you come out to support our Master Gardeners as they will be involved with the ‘Christmas Around the Square’ Saturday, November 9 in Kenton.

There seems to have been  much progress made in the past week with the crops.  I counted 35 corn fields and one soybean field on my way into the office yesterday that still need to be harvested.  I have also noticed a good amount of fall tillage throughout the county.  Yields for soybeans have been lower than normal while corn yields have been up, depending on where the fields are located and the amount of rain received.  We wrapped up our county soybean research study this fall and I would like to thank cooperating farmers Craig Geberin, Ted Griffith, Jan Layman, Paul Ralston, and Mark Watkins for making this possible.  They were part of a larger statewide study to find ways to improve soybean yields and quality.  See the attached article for further information about this project.

Soybean Study Press Release

I have also attached a flier about the Lamb 509 program for sheep producers.  This is a 2-day short course designed to address several factors associated with producing consistent, high quality, wholesome lamb at the farm, packing-plant and retail levels.  This is a hands-on program that will enhance your understanding of quality attributes that affect consumer acceptability and ultimately consumer demand of lamb products.  Registration is due November 25 and limited to the first 32 people for this program which is December 17-18 at the Animal Sciences Building on the Ohio State University Columbus Campus.  As usual, I have included some articles below if you are interested.

registration lamb509 2013

Mark

 

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Collecting Yield and Identifying Problem Spots  – Anne Dorrance

Soybean harvest is wrapping up and some fields beat all expectations and some indicate potential problem spots in the field.  As you think back to those questionable spots where the seed chatter through the combine got kind of quiet or you are scanning the yield monitor results – you have the best data for those low yield pockets.  This year there could be several reasons, part due to the weather and part due to biotic factors like soybean cyst nematode. Heavy rains that occurred shortly after planting affected stand in some parts of the state, while we did not have as much replanting as we have had in recent years – stands were an issue in some of the more poorly drained fields.  To find out more about the soybean cyst nematode, effects of flooding, and other reasons for below average producing soybeans, go tohttp://corn.osu.edu/newsletters/2013/2013-37/collecting-yield-and-identifying-problem-spots.

 

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Don’t Guess, Forage Test – Dr. Mark A. McCann, Extension Animal Scientist, Virginia Tech

Virginia’s plentiful summer rains provided us with far more forage than we have been accustomed to. However, the rains also provided a challenge in harvesting quality forage. As a result, cattlemen are faced with a plentiful quantity of hay with a limited amount of high quality forage for the upcoming winter. More hay than normal was rained on during the drying period. This always gives rise to the question of how much the rain decreased the nutritional value. There is no standard change in quality that you can bank on other than it will be reduced. How much depends on quantity of rain, 1st or 2nd cutting, how soon after mowing the rain occurred, etc. The goal each winter should be to feed no more than what is necessary and do it as cheaply as possible. To continue reading this and other beef articles, go tohttp://beef.osu.edu/beef/beefOct3013.html.

 

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Stalk Rot and Lodging Problems in Corn –  Pierce Paul, Peter Thomison

Wind damage early in the season coupled with delayed harvest and rain late in the season have some producers concerned about stalk rot and lodging problems in corn.  When stalk rot occurs late in the season as it often does, it may have little or no direct effect on yield.  However, stalk lodging, which results from stalk rot, can have such a significant impact on harvest losses that it is often considered to be the one of the most significant yield limiting disease of corn.  To read more about stalk rot and lodging problems in corn, go tohttp://corn.osu.edu/newsletters/2013/2013-37/stalk-rot-and-lodging-problems-in-corn.

 

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2014 Ohio Commercial Pesticide Applicator Recertification Conferences – Curtis Young

The 2014 Ohio Commercial Pesticide Applicator Recertification Conferences have been set and announced by the Ohio Pesticide Safety Education Program of OSU Extension (http://pested.osu.edu).  The dates and locations of the conferences are January 30, 2014 – Dayton Convention Center; January 31, 2014 – Sandusky, Kalahari Conference Center; February 19, 2014 – Akron, John S. Knight Center; and March 6, 2014 – Columbus Convention Center.  Go to  http://corn.osu.edu/newsletters/2013/2013-37/2014-ohio-commercial-pesticide-applicator-recertification-conferences to continue reading about Commercial Pesticide Applicator Recertification.

 

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Availability of Sulfur from Fall Applied Gypsum – Ed Lentz

Recently a producer asked if he applied gypsum this fall or any other sulfur source would it be available for next year’s corn crop?  Gypsum is calcium sulfate and the sulfate will respond in the soil environment similar to nitrate.  It will move with water and most likely will have moved away by the time a corn crop is planted next spring.  Thus, like fall applied nitrate-N, I would not expect it to be available for a future crop.  However, it may be utilized by a fall planted crop.  This would be true for any sulfur fertilizer in the sulfate form.  On the other hand, elemental sulfur is in a chemical form that would take time to convert to sulfate.  Sulfur must be in the sulfate form to be taken up by plant roots.  Fall applied elemental sulfur should convert to sulfate by corn planting time.  The conversion of elemental sulfur to sulfate will release hydrogen ions, which will have an acidifying effect on the soil.  Sulfate form of sulfur does not have an acidifying effect alone but when combine with ammonium, the hydrogen ions release by the conversion of ammonium to nitrate will gradually lower soil pH.  Thus elemental sulfur is often used to lower soil pH but not sulfate.

 

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Mark A. Badertscher

Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator

OSU Extension Hardin County

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

419-674-2297 Office

hardin.osu.edu