Good evening,
Is spring around the corner? The warm day today may be evidence that we might not be too far off from a weather change. Spring brings to mind gardening activities, so the Hardin County OSU Extension Master Gardeners will be starting their spring Library programs at the Mary Lou Johnson District Library meeting room in Kenton. Each program will begin at 6:30 pm with time after the presentation for questions and discussion about that evening’s topic or other general gardening questions. The series will begin on March 12th with Master Gardener Barb Snyder and a program on Bees. Information on the “Life, Habitat and Misconceptions of Bees” as well as their importance to agriculture and the home gardener will be discussed. See the attached news release for further information about this and the other weekly programs being offered.
MG Library Programs News Release
Spring also brings to mind field work for those involved with crop production. Thursday, March 13 will be the Hardin County Pesticide Applicator Training recertification program at Henry’s Restaurant in Kenton. There are two programs planned, one at 9:00 am and the other at 2:00 pm. If your private applicator license expires this year and you haven’t yet registered, call the Extension office so we can get your name on the list of who to expect so we can better plan for the event. You may have already registered online at pested.osu.edu or sent in a registration form to OSU Extension in Columbus. We will be providing training in Core, Grain and Cereal Crops, Forage Crops and Livestock, and Fumigation. Other areas of certification will need to make special arrangements with our office.
The Hardin County Cattle Producers will hold their annual Beef Banquet on Saturday, March 22 in the Community Building at the fairgrounds, starting at 6:30 pm. Tickets can be purchased until March 21 from the following county Cattle Producers Directors: Holli Underwood, Tony Good, Rina Thacker, Bruce Donnelly, Rick Royer, Adam Billenstein, Paige Guenther, Deana Gibson, Deb Oestreich, Rick McCullough, Brian Jordan, or Renee Hoffman. Tickets can also be purchased from the Extension Office at 1021 West Lima Street, Suite 103, Kenton. Junior Fair Beef Barn exhibitors are free if they get their ticket before the banquet. For more details, see the attached news release.
Below are some articles and also information regarding a training class for first time private pesticide applicators.
Mark
New Private Pesticide Applicator Class – Putnam Co. Extension Office – March 25
For anyone wanting to either add categories or take the pesticide applicator test for the first time, Putnam County Extension will be holding training on March 25th. Cost is $20 for the training but the testing is free. You need to pass a CORE test and at least 1 category to get your pesticide license. You will be notified if you pass and then you will need to send in $30 for your license and be required to get recertified every 3 years by attending three hours of pesticide applicator training (PAT). You also have the option of skipping the PAT training if you just want to retake the test. The Extension office has study materials which we suggest you pick up to study at least a couple days or weeks before the test is given. Call the Putnam County Extension office at 419-523-6294 if you are interested.
Weather outlook for March to May calls for near normal temperatures – Jim Noel
Winter will go down as much colder than normal with above normal snowfall and slightly above normal precipitation. Temperatures across Ohio for winter will end averaging 3 to 9 degrees below normal from southeast to northwest. Precipitation will average 100-125 percent of normal. The March outlook calls for below normal temperatures and near normal precipitation. The outlook for March to May calls for below normal temperatures to relax to near normal. Precipitation will be near normal. The big challenge this spring will be below normal soil temperatures that will likely linger into April and possibly May. Also, the Great Lakes ice cover is very high over 80%. This will mean the Great Lakes water temperatures will lag with below normal readings into Spring. This will likely keep a northwest flow of colder air from Canada into the eastern corn and soybean belt into spring. To continue reading this article, go to http://corn.osu.edu/newsletters/2014/2014-5/weather-outlook-for-march-to-may-calls-for-near-normal-temperatures.
Winter Fish Kills – Ed Lentz
Many of us have asked how the cold and excess snow may have affected the survival of plants and wildlife. However, Ohio State University Extension’s pond specialist, Eugene Braig, has noted that this year’s severe winter may have an effect on fish populations in ponds. He has reported that winter fish kills are uncommon in Ohio. However, the prolonged cold and abnormally large amount of accumulating snow may have created environments for fish kills this winter. To continue reading about winter’s effect on fish kills in ponds and what you can do to prevent them in the future, see the attached article.
New Online Tool Helps Well Owners Understand Water Test Results – Anne Baird, Rebecca Fugitt, Cliff Treyens
Private well owners are encouraged to have their well water tested regularly, but when they do, they’re often stumped when trying to decipher the lab results. And with more Ohio well water being analyzed under a mandate that shale energy companies provide such tests for any wells within 1,500 feet of proposed horizontal drilling sites, more Ohioans have been left scratching their heads when trying to interpret the findings. That’s why Ohio State University Extension has teamed up with the Ohio Department of Health and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency to provide a free online Well Water Interpretation Tool. To find out more about testing your well water and how to understand the results, go to http://cfaes.osu.edu/news/articles/new-online-tool-helps-well-owners-understand-water-test-results.
Safety around the Barnyard Babies – Kathy Mann
Spring is right around the corner bringing new life on the farm. Who doesn’t love seeing the cute and cuddly baby animals? Although some farm animals are pets, most animals on the farm are considered livestock. And while livestock may look cute and cuddly, they can pose a hazard when working around or handling them. It is important for children to have adult supervision whenever they are near livestock. Livestock exhibit certain behavioral traits. Recognizing and understanding these traits can help prevent injuries. The first trait is maternal. To mothers of young farm animals, you are a dangerous predator. When they feel their young are in danger, they will snort, kick, or charge. Livestock are unpredictable. They can become scared, tired, hungry, or irritated quickly without warning. It is important to always remain alert when working around mothers with their young. Another behavior trait is territorial. Just like us, animals want their own pen, stall or space. Cows tend to walk into the same stall day- after-day. When people invade or try to remove them from this area, they may feel threatened.
In addition to the behavioral traits, animals give visual signs when they feel unsafe or nervous. Just as our faces show our feelings, livestock use body language to communicate feelings. For example:
-When animals lower their heads, paw at the dirt, bellow, or snort, they are getting ready to charge. Likewise, animals that pace their stall or circle around their baby may charge if you try to approach.
– Ears that are laid back against the neck or head means animals are mad and will likely try to kick or bite.
While enjoying the new babies on the farm this spring, remember to stay alert, watch for visual discomfort signs, and make sure children are always supervised when around livestock. For more information about Working Safely With Livestock (AEX-990-08), visit ohioline.osu.edu/aex-fact/pdf/AEX_990_08.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