Hello,

I hope you had a good Thanksgiving with your family.  Did you hear that the turkeys pardoned by the President were from Cooper Farms in Ohio?  See the attached article written by Hancock County Extension Educator Ed Lentz about the White House turkey pardon, which also includes some interesting information about turkey production in Ohio as well.  I had the opportunity to share in the Thanksgiving holiday with my family and also topped the weekend off by witnessing the OSU-Michigan game victory at Ohio Stadium.

White House Turkey

Now it is time to get back to work as there are many things coming up soon that you may be interested in attending.  First of all is the Agriculture Hall of Fame Banquet Tuesday, December 2.  This year Edward Althauser, Gene Haudenschield, Bruce McCullough, and J. Ray Parrott will be inducted.  The program will begin at 6:30 pm at St. John’s United Church of Christ.  The guest speaker will be Gary Wilson, who recently retired as the OSU Extension Educator in Hancock County.  See the attached news release for further information.

2014 Ag Hall of Fame News Release

Have you seen the video about the cover crops signs being put up by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and sponsored by Ag Credit?  Hardin County NRCS District Conservationist Megan Burgess is featured with local farmer and Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) Chairman Jerry McBride in this video that can be viewed at http://youtu.be/Pxc4c6H1Sc0.  These signs are to help the public see how cover crops can be part of the solution to the harmful algae blooms in the western Lake Erie basin watershed.  In a related matter, Congressman Latta sponsored a bill to help protect drinking water from cyanotoxins, which are a product of this problem.  See the attached file for more details about Congressman Latta’s legislation.

Latta Introduces Bill to Help Protect Drinking Water

Other upcoming events include the Cattle Producers Directors meeting on Wednesday, December 3.  The meeting will start at 7:30 pm at the Allmax Software building.  The Dairy Service Unit Directors will meet Thursday, December 4.  This meeting will start at 7:00 pm at the fairgrounds office.  Ag Council will meet Friday, December 5, starting at 7:00 am.  This meeting will include breakfast at Henry’s Restaurant.  The Fairboard will meet Saturday, December 6, starting at 7:30 pm.  They will meet in the fairgrounds office.  The Sheep Tour group Christmas dinner and evaluation meeting will be held Sunday, December 7, starting at 1:00 pm.  This gathering will be held at Larry and Ruth Inbody’s farm.  I have included some articles below that you may be interested in reading.

 

Mark

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cold Weather and Fall Herbicides – to spray or not to spray – Mark Loux

It’s always amazing to see apparently still thriving winter annual weeds underneath the snow or following some really cold weather.  Even the dandelions in the lawn appeared healthy yesterday, although they can be one of the first weeds to turn purple following really cold weather.  Their healthy appearance and lack of symptomology is actually somewhat disturbing since I treated them just prior to the recent deep freeze and had higher expectations.  Our best advice at this point on fall spraying is that once fields dry or freeze up enough to allow traffic again, there is still considerable benefit to applying herbicides for control of marestail and other weeds that persist through winter.  Go to http://corn.osu.edu/newsletters/2014/2014-39/cold-weather-and-fall-herbicides-to-spray-or-not-to-spray to finish reading this article.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temperature Management in On-farm Grain Bins – Curtis Young

There are recommended targets for percent grain moisture and grain temperature for winter grain bin storage. Targeted percent grain moisture contents should be attained through a combination of one or several of the following: natural field maturation and drying, grain dryer, and bin drying using aeration fans.  The higher the percent moisture content of the grain coming out of the field, the greater the necessity to use heat producing dryer systems.   After grain is dried to an acceptable percent grain moisture content, it needs to be cooled to the appropriate temperature for storage.  Go to http://corn.osu.edu/newsletters/2014/2014-39/temperature-management-in-on-farm-grain-bins to continue reading about temperature management in on-farm grain bins.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Winter Weather Outlook – Jim Noel

November will go down as a top 10 coldest November most likely with drier than normal precipitation and snowier than normal.  If you look at the 10 coldest Novembers, the December to February period that follows is usually near normal temperatures and slightly wetter than normal precipitation but with a lot of changes and extreme within that period.  The big high pressure in Alaska that drove cold air into the U.S. is forecast to breakdown and be replaced by more typical low pressure.  This will allow for a more westerly flow pattern into a good part of December meaning temperatures will be near to slightly above normal the next 3-4 weeks.  At the same time, the dry northwest flow will be replaced by a more active pattern yield normal or slightly wetter than normal conditions in Ohio the next 3-4 weeks.  Go to http://corn.osu.edu/newsletters/2014/2014-39/winter-weather-outlook to get the full update on the winter weather outlook.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cold Spring Rains Brought Perfect Conditions for Pythium in Ohio and a Few More Surprises – Anne Dorrance

From many of the samples we recovered both Pythium spp. and Fusarium spp..  Both are well-known seedling pathogens.  Our next step was to examine what the Pythium spp. were and then to determine if these were sensitive to metalaxyl.  In approximately 60% of the locations we were able to obtain a good quality sequence and a metalaxyl test for 28 isolates.  From many of the samples we recovered both Pythium spp. and Fusarium spp.  Both are well-known seedling pathogens.  Our next step was to examine what the Pythium spp. were and then to determine if these were sensitive to metalaxyl.  In approximately 60% of the locations we were able to obtain a good quality sequence and a metalaxyl test for 28 isolates.  Go to http://corn.osu.edu/newsletters/2014/2014-39/cold-spring-rains-brought-perfect-conditions-for-pythium-in-ohio-and-a-few-more-surprises to read more about the diverse pathogens affecting Ohio corn and soybean seedlings.

 

 

 

 

 

So you want to be a CCA – Harold Watters

The next North American Certified Crop Adviser Exam Date is February 6, 2015.  The registration period closes on December 5, 2014.  Keep in mind, to become eligible for the CCA certification, you must take and pass both the North American and the 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 gather regularly to update and verify the exam.  For more information and to register, see this website: https://www.certifiedcropadviser.org/exams/registration.  The cost for the International (for us North American) exam is $175 and the Tri-state exam is $50.  You must be registered to take either exam.  The Ohio site for the February 6th CCA exam is Marysville at the Union County Services Building on south London Avenue (SR 38).  For more information about what to study and how to become a Certified Crop Adviser, go to http://corn.osu.edu/newsletters/2014/2014-39/so-you-want-to-be-a-cca.

 

 

 

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

 

Hello,

The recent cold snap has reminded us that winter is not too far off.  Harvest continues around the county with several corn fields yet to be shelled.  A few soybean fields remain and the winter wheat has emerged.  As you work to finish harvest, don’t forget to make time for safety.  This week I have included an article on preventing grain dryer fires along with some agronomy articles and a beef article. A week ago I submitted an article to the news media about an honor Molly Shick was nominated for at this year’s Farm Science Review.  This award recognized contributions of 100 Ohio Women in Agriculture and a copy is attached.

Women in Ag News Release

Also, the growing season rainfall summary article is attached to this newsletter. The Hardin County Agriculture Hall of Fame Banquet is coming up Tuesday, December 2.  The banquet will start at 6:30 pm at St. John’s United Church of Christ in Kenton.  Information about this year’s inductees will soon be released to the media so make sure you watch the local newspapers and listen to the radio.  Tickets are available from any Ag Hall of Fame committee member until November 24.  Committee members are Mark Badertscher, Andy Flinn, Bob McBride, John Messmer, Kerry Oberlitner, Paul Ralston, Don Spar, Luke Underwood, and Bob Wood.  You can also purchase Ag Hall of Fame Banquet tickets at the Extension office anytime between the hours of 8:00 am-4:30 pm Monday through Friday.

Season Rainfall 2014 Summary

Other upcoming events include the Dairy Service Unit Cheese Sale pick-up tomorrow (11/15) morning, starting at 9:00 am if orders were not picked up today.  Master Gardener Volunteer classes, which have been every Tuesday and Thursday evening since September 23 at OSU-Lima will wrap up this Tuesday (11/18) and Thursday (11/20).  The Soil and Water Conservation District will have their monthly meeting on Thursday (11/20), starting at 7:30 am in the SWCD office.

 

Mark

 

 

 

 

 

This is the Time to Give Your Sprayer Some TLC – Erdal Ozkan

It is very likely you have already completed the harvest season, and in the process of storing all the equipment in a proper place. One piece of equipment requires more attention than others when putting it in the storage place. It is your sprayer. If you want to avoid potential problems and save yourself from frustration and major headaches, you will be wise to give your sprayer a little bit of TLC (Tender Loving Care) these days. Yes this is still a busy time of the year for some of you, but don’t delay winterizing your sprayer any more than necessary. The sub-freezing temperatures are just around the corner. This may not have any bearing on your tillage, planting or even harvesting equipment, but sprayers require a special attention mostly because of the liquid that may be left in some components of the sprayer.  Go to http://corn.osu.edu/newsletters/2014/2014-38/this-is-the-time-to-give-your-sprayer-some-tlc to continue reading this article.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Acceleron® Challenge – I lost – Anne Dorrance

During the past dozen or so years, we have been recommending the highest rates of metalaxyl or mefenoxam for soybean seed that is planted in Ohio’s Phytophthora sojaecountry.  We have a lot of data collected during this time period to support this.  There are a couple of things in play here at the moment.  We have increasing number of fields in Ohio that have populations of another oomycete, Pythium spp. that are highly insensitive to metalaxyl/mefenoxam (more on this later) and; A growing number of new seed treatment compounds have recently entered the market  where other active ingredients also have efficacy for Phytophthora and many of these Pythium spp.  Go to http://corn.osu.edu/newsletters/2014/2014-38/acceleronae-challenge-2013-i-lost to continue reading this article.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Modified Relay Intercropping – Lessons from 2014 – Steve Prochaska, Jason Hartschuh

Modified Relay Intercropping (MRI) is the planting of soybeans into headed wheat that may occur up to 6 weeks or more prior to wheat harvest.    In the MRI system, two crops, wheat and soybeans are harvested in the same growing season. After 15 years of growing 10 inch row wheat and soybeans in a Modified Relay Intercrop  (MRI) system, this year wheat and soybeans were planted into two different row spacing/ cropping systems. Soybeans were intercropped into wheat (much earlier than in past years; 5/23 in north central Ohio) utilizing a twin row system which can be described as two 8 inch wheat rows and a 22 inch skip.  Also, soybeans were interseeded into 15 inch row wheat on May 28 in central Ohio at OARDC, South Charleston (SC). Various trials were conducted within the MRI system that included the evaluation of seed treatments, hybrid maturities and the effect of interseeding on wheat yield.  To continue reading this article, go to http://corn.osu.edu/newsletters/2014/2014-38/modified-relay-intercropping-2013-lessons-from-2014.

 

 

 

 

 

Cow Age and Cow Productivity (When is she too old?) – Glenn Selk, Oklahoma State University Extension

Strong cattle prices have encourage ranchers to keep any cow that might have a live calf to sell at the next weaning period. If rainfall allows forage growth to be adequate, keeping an older cow to have another calf to wean next year is tempting. At cow culling time, producers often face some tough decisions. Optimum culling of the herd often seems to require a sharp crystal ball that could see into the future. Is she good for another year? Will she keep enough body condition through the winter to rebreed next year? Is her mouth sound so that she can harvest forage and be nutritionally strong enough to reproduce and raise a big calf? At what age do cows usually start to become less productive? There is great variability in the longevity of beef cows. Breed may have some influence. Region of the country and soil type may affect how long the teeth remain sound and allow the cow to consume roughages such as pasture and hay. Go to http://beef.osu.edu/beef/beefNov0514.html to continue reading this and other beef articles.

 

 

 

 

 

Prevent Grain Dryer Fires – Dee Jepsen

This time of year, it’s important for farms with grain dryers to be on alert for grain dryer fires. Besides being costly losses to the grain and the drying equipment, there are also indirect costs associated with fires including additional time and labor to clear the problem, down time with the drying and storage facility, and extra time to and equipment to haul grain to another location. All of this frustration can be reduced when the operators take the time to conduct regular inspections during drying operations and perform routine housekeeping tasks. For the most part, operators are aware of the manufacturer’s safety recommendations and system operations for their particular dryer. However it is important for all employees (including family labor) working around the grain dryer be informed of specific signs that could lead to fire. For specific tips to prevent grain dryer fires and other ag safety articles, go to http://agsafety.osu.edu/sites/agsafety/files/imce/Vol7No%2810%29Oct-Nov.%20.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

hardin.osu.edu

 

Good afternoon,

Another week has gone by and harvest is progressing as weather permits.  State averages have Ohio behind with corn harvest at 52% completed and soybean harvest at 72% as of November 2 according to the most recent Crop Progress report released by the USDA.  This is quite a change from just a week earlier.  Normally by this time, 55% of the corn would be harvested and 83% of the soybeans would be in the bin.  90% of the winter wheat has been planted in Ohio, as documented by this report.  Locally here in Hardin County, I would estimate that 50% of the corn is harvested and about 75% of the soybeans have been cut.

 

As mentioned before, tomorrow afternoon (November 6) is the Dairy Farm Bill program at the Union County Services Building, 940 London Avenue in Marysville from 1:00-3:00 pm.  This meeting is for dairy producers to help understand their options for the new Dairy Margin Protection Program (MPP).  It was recently announced that the USDA has now delayed the enrollment deadline for the new dairy MPP to December 5, 2014 at local Farm Service Agency office.  However, the combined meeting for Hardin, Logan, Union, Champaign, and Delaware counties will go on as scheduled.  See the attached news release for more specific information.

Dairy Farm Bill Meeting News Release

Other meetings coming up are Extension Advisory Committee tomorrow (11/6) starting at 11:30 am at the Extension office, Ag Council meeting on Friday (11/7) with program on farm solar power starting at 7:00 am at Henry’s Restaurant, and Christmas Around the Square Saturday (11/8) starting at 9:00 am at the courthouse with the Master Gardener Volunteers.  The Sheep Improvement Association will be meeting Tuesday (11/11) starting at 7:30 pm at Ag Credit.  I have attached an interesting article about Soil Structure and Cereal Rye, written by Putnam County Extension Educator Jim Hoorman.  In addition, an article about the Delayed Harvest written by Hancock County Extension Educator Ed Lentz is also attached to this newsletter.  Below are some articles you may be interested in reading.

Soil Structure Cereal Rye

Delayed Harvest

 

Mark

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Late Fall Weed Control in Winter Wheat  – Mark Loux

There are effective late-fall post-emergence options for management of dandelion and winter annual weeds in wheat for use mostly in those fields that were not treated with burndown herbicides prior to emergence.  For late-planted fields where wheat has not emerged, it?s still possible to use the full range of burndown herbicides discussed in a previous article (http://corn.osu.edu/newsletters/2014/2014-32/#5).  A couple of questions we received lately about burndown are included in the full article which can be found at http://corn.osu.edu/newsletters/2014/2014-37/late-fall-weed-control-in-winter-wheat.

 

 

 

 

 

Using Corn Stalks – Rory Lewandowski

As corn harvest progresses, don’t overlook corn stalks as a feed resource. Corn residue can meet the nutrient needs of ruminant livestock that are in early to mid-gestation. The University of Nebraska has done a lot of research on the topic of grazing corn residue. A University of Nebraska study conducted over a 5 year period from 2004 to 2009 measured corn grain left in the field after harvest. An average of 1.0 bu/acre was available for livestock grazing. A 2004 Nebraska beef report on corn stalk grazing included more information about the make-up of corn residue. Generally, stalks account for 49% of the residue dry matter, leaves 27%, husks 12% and cobs another 12% of the residue dry matter. Livestock typically consume any corn grain first. After the grain, plant leaves and husks are eaten and the last portions of residue eaten are cobs and stalks.  To continue reading this and other beef articles, go to http://u.osu.edu/beef/2014/10/29/using-corn-stalks/#more-691.

 

 

 

 

 

 

2015 Commercial Pesticide Recertification Conferences  – Curtis Young

Registration for 2015 Commercial Pesticide Recertification Conferences is now open.  There are four conferences being offered in 2015.  The locations for the conferences are Sandusky, Ohio, Kalahari Convention Center (Thursday, January 22, 2015), Dayton, Ohio, Dayton Convention Center (Thursday, January 29, 2015), Akron, Ohio, John S. Knight Center (Wednesday, February 18, 2015), and Columbus, Ohio, Columbus Convention Center (Wednesday, March 11, 2015).  Commercial pesticide applicators needing recertification credits for the renewal of their pesticide applicator’s license should register to attend one of these four state commercial pesticide recertification conferences.  For more information on each of these sites and to register, visit the OSU Pesticide Education Program’s web site at: [ http://pested.osu.edu ].  The links to each of the conferences are on the front page of the PestEd web site. It can also be found at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2014-37/2015-commercial-pesticide-recertification-conferences.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Milk Prices, Costs of Nutrients, Margins and Comparison of Feedstuffs Prices – Dr. Normand St-Pierre

As I write this column in late October, the Class III futures have just closed at $23.89 for October, $21.25 for November, and $19.20/cwt for December 2014.  For the next 12 months, the Class III milk futures are averaging $18.29/cwt, which (IF these are accurate predictors) should provide Ohio dairy producers with a mailbox price averaging around $19.00/cwt over the next 12 months.  The problem is that I don?t think that the futures markets will turn out to be accurate in this instance.  In my opinion, they are overly optimistic.  To find out why, continue reading this and other dairy articles at

http://dairy.osu.edu/bdnews/Volume%2016%20issue%205%20files/Volume%2016%20Issue%205.html#Quick.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ohio Livestock Mortality Composting Certification Training ? Ohio Pork Information Center

Composting livestock and poultry mortality in agricultural operations is a legal option for disposal in Ohio. This required training session will certify operators to compost livestock mortality of approved species and apply the compost to fields. It is hoped this will expand operator?s options for disposal and enable them to improve the efficiency and profitability of farm enterprises.  A Livestock Mortality Composting Certification workshop is scheduled for November 19th at the Putnam County OSU Extension Office in Ottawa and begins at 6:30 p.m. To register: http://porkinfo.osu.edu/content/educational-opportunities.

 

 

 

 

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