Hello,
After a brief switch to corn harvest in some areas due to rain, soybean harvest has resumed in the county. There has also been more wheat planted in the past week, while some fields planted soon after our Hardin County Hessian Fly-free Date of September 26 have emerged. I have attached an article written by Ed Lentz, Hancock County Extension Educator about planting wheat. This article includes information about variety selection, planting date, planting depth, seeding rate, and plant nutrition. Some producers have decided to plant wheat this year as an alternative to corn. Wheat also offers opportunities to help control soil erosion and weeds while improving soil tilth.
With the start of fall harvest, we must consider the possibility of accidents on the various roads. Differences in speed and width of farm equipment are two factors that play a role in the chance of an accident on the roadways. See the attached article written by Ed Lentz and edited by Putnam County Extension Educator Jim Hoorman for tips on fall harvest roadway safety. Dairy Farmers will need to make a decision about which option they will choose to participate in the new Farm Bill by November 28 at the Farm Service Agency office. Hardin County Dairy Farmers are invited to attend a regional Farm Bill meeting to learn about more about making this decision. This regional Dairy Farm Bill meeting will be held November 6 from 1:00-3:00 pm at the Union County Services Building, 940 London Avenue, Marysville.
Master Gardener Volunteer training has been happening each Tuesday and Thursday evening from 6:00-9:00 pm at OSU-Lima. This Friday and Saturday will be the State Master Gardener Volunteer Conference at Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware. Other events this week are the Jr. Fair Livestock Sale Committee Meeting, Wednesday, October 15, starting at 7:00 pm at the fair office. The Soil and Water Conservation District Board meeting is Thursday, October 16, starting at 7:30 am in the SWCD office.
In addition, the SWCD annual Forestry Day is coming up Sunday, October 19, from 1:00-4:00 pm at Rushcreek Sportsmen’s Club (17950 County Road 85, Belle Center). Don’t forget that the Agriculture Hall of Fame applications are due this coming Friday, October 17. I have attached a news release about this as well as both Word and pdf files of the application. The committee hopes to receive nominations from around the county. Below are some articles that you may be interested in reading.
Ag Hall of Fame Nominations News Release
Ag Hall of Fame Purpose and Nomination form 2014
Ag Hall of Fame Purpose and Nomination form 2014
Mark
Ohio Weather Outlook for October – Jim Noel
We are now in transition season. We expect the rest of October to become more active with rain chances every 2-4 days. We will be in a battle zone between high pressure near the East Coast and low pressure near the central U.S. leaving Ohio and the Ohio Valley in the transition zone for stormy weather. Temperatures will swing from above to below to above normal with the overall trend close to normal for temperatures. Frost and freeze chances will be increasing but we are on track for about a normal frost and freeze season in October. Go to http://corn.osu.edu/newsletters/2014/2014-34/ohio-weather-outlook-for-october to continue reading this article about October weather.
It’s Not Too Late to Plant Wheat…If the Weather Cooperates – Laura Lindsey
Cool, wet weather and delayed soybean harvest may result in planting wheat late. Generally, the best time to plant wheat is the 10-day period starting the day after the fly-free-safe date. In northern Ohio, we are close to the end of that 10-day period. In central and southern Ohio, we still have about a week before the end of the 10-day period. When wheat is planted more than 10-days after the fly-free-safe date, there is an increased chance of reduced fall growth and reduced winter hardiness. Go to http://corn.osu.edu/newsletters/2014/2014-34/its-not-too-late-to-plant-wheat…if-the-weather-cooperates to continue reading about wheat planting.
Soybean Aphid Prediction for 2015 – Andy Michel
Two observations on soybean aphids surprised us in 2014. First is that we saw soybean aphids at all. Since 2001-when soybean aphids were first detected in Ohio-we have had aphid outbreaks every other year (i.e. in odd numbered years). But in 2014, soybean aphids could be easily found in most areas and, in a few fields, even reached economic threshold. Part of the saving grace was that the aphids came on late, and most soybeans made it to R6 before aphids reached threshold. Go to http://corn.osu.edu/newsletters/2014/2014-34/soybean-aphid-prediction-for-2015 to continue reading about soybean aphids.
There’s Still Time to Identify and Eliminate Weeds in Hay and Pasture Fields – Mark Landefeld
Highly productive pastures and hay fields do not happen just by accident. Weed and pest control, nutrient management and properly timed harvests all have their role. Weeds can reduce forage quality, quantity and stand life of desirable plants. Weeds often reduce the palatability of forages and certain weed species are potentially poisonous to grazing livestock making plant identification even more important. The Ohio and Indiana Weed Control Guide (Bulletin 789) suggests the best way to control weeds in established stands of alfalfa is to maintain a dense healthy forage stand through proper fertilization, cutting management, and insect control. More than 95% of the weeds can be controlled through good management practices. To read more about weed control in hay and pasture fields, go to http://u.osu.edu/beef/2014/10/01/theres-still-time-to-identify-and-eliminate-weeds-in-hay-and-pasture-fields/#more-466.
Backyard chickens in the United States: A survey of flock owners – Poultry Science Association Inc.
Although it has become increasingly popular to keep backyard chickens in the United States, few studies have provided information about these flocks. An online survey of backyard chicken owners was conducted, advertised through Master Gardeners’ websites, social platforms, and other sites. The survey had 56 questions about flock history, husbandry, health care, and owner attitudes and demographics. Surveys received came almost equally from urban, suburban, and rural areas. Most respondents owned fewer than 10 chickens and had kept chickens for less than 5 yr. Major reasons for keeping chickens were as food for home use, gardening partners, pets, or a combination of these. Go to http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=Elkhoraibi%20C%5BAuthor%5D&cauthor=true&cauthor_uid=25193256 to continue reading about this survey.
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