Good afternoon,
This coming week is National Agriculture Week March 15-21. The purpose of this week is to encourage every American to understand how food and fiber products are produced; appreciate the role agriculture plays in providing safe, abundant and affordable products; value the essential role of agriculture in maintaining a strong economy; and acknowledge and consider career opportunities in the agriculture, food and fiber industry. National Ag Day is March 18. Make sure you listen to WKTN this week for Hardin County agriculture promotion spots and read the attached news release for more information about this special week, saluting our own farmers and agribusinesses in the county.
There will be a 2-hour Fertilizer Applicator Certification Training meeting at the Plaza Inn, Mt. Victory on March 19 for those with an Ohio Pesticide License who need this new fertilizer certification. You can call the Extension office at 419-674-2297 or reply to this email to register. The fertilizer training is for those who apply fertilizer (both commercial and private applicators) to 50 or more acres. This fertilizer training will be from 1:00-3:00 pm and is free. It will be held after the normal Pesticide Recertification training which is being conducted the same day from 9:00 am-12:00 pm. See the attached news release and flyer for more details.
2 Hour Fertilizer Training Mt Victory
Pesticide Recertification News Release
The annual Hardin County Beef Banquet will be held March 28 in the Community Building at the fairgrounds, starting at 6:00 pm. Tickets can be purchased until March 27 from the following county Cattle Producers Directors: Holli Underwood, Tony Good, Rina Thacker, Bruce Donnelly, Rick Royer, Adam Billenstein, Paige Guenther, Deana Gibson, Dane Jeffers, Derek Dunson, Marcia Hoovler, or Stacia Hall. Tickets can also be purchased from the Extension Office at 1021 West Lima Street, Suite 103, Kenton. See the attached news release for more information.
I’m sure the change in weather has producers thinking about when it will be fit to get into the fields. Although it’s going to be awhile before things dry out, I ‘ve attached an interesting article written by Putnam County Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Educator Jim Hoorman titled ‘Corn Myths.’ I’ve also attached some other articles for you to read as you gear up for this busy spring planting season.
Mark
Minimizing pollen contamination of non-GMO Corn – Peter Thomison
As the commodity price for corn has dropped during the past two years, there has been greater interest among some growers in producing non-GMO corn for a premium. According to the USDA-ERS (http://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/adoption-of-genetically-engineered-crops-in-the-us.aspx#.Ud1p1b95m5S) 86% of Ohio’s corn acreage in 2014 was planted to transgenic (GMO) corn. With GMO corn plantings so prevalent across the state, corn growers interested in obtaining non-GMO corn premiums need to develop plans to minimize pollen contamination of non-GMO corn. Pollen from corn containing transgenic traits may contaminate (by cross-pollination) nearby non-GMO corn. Go to http://corn.osu.edu/newsletters/2015/2015-04/minimizing-pollen-contamination-of-non-gmo-corn to continue reading this article.
Frost Seeding to Improve Pasture and Hayfield Quality – Rory Lewandowski
As I look at the weather forecast this week, it appears that spring is arriving. One task that is well suited to the transition time between winter and spring is frost seeding. Frost seeding involves broadcasting seed over a pasture or hay field area and letting the natural freeze/thaw cycles of late winter and early spring help to move the seed into good contact with the soil. A basic requirement for frost seeding success is exposed soil. When looking down into the sod you should be able to see down to the soil. The broadcast seed must be able to come into contact with the soil. Frost seeding will fail when there is too much forage residual cover and the seed gets hung up in that residue. Go to http://corn.osu.edu/newsletters/2015/2015-05/frost-seeding-to-improve-pasture-and-hayfield-quality to continue reading this article about frost seeding.
Ohio State University Extension Addressing Nutrient Management Issues in the State – Steve Culman
Water quality and nutrient management issues are getting more and more attention these days. With additional regulatory measures being debated in the state legislature, it seems that everyone has an idea about how to ‘fix’ the algal blooms in Lake Erie and across Ohio. And not surprisingly, the ‘fix’ depends on who you ask. The reality is that addressing nutrient management issues across the state is a complex and difficult task, as excessive nutrients come from a variety of different sources. But the work is increasingly important and relevant as the debate intensifies. Go to http://corn.osu.edu/newsletters/2015/2015-05/ohio-state-university-extension-addressing-nutrient-management-issues-in-the-state to finish reading this article about how OSU Extension is addressing nutrient management.
Collect and Share Rainfall Information Online – Mark Badertscher
Are you interested in knowing the rainfall amount the same day it rains or maybe for the week, month, or growing season? Are you interested in comparing rainfall amounts using charts and data to compare different years? Many farmers now have cropland around their county and in some cases, in multiple counties. Different farms receive different amounts of rainfall. There is a rainfall collection and reporting system that meets these needs that is as close as your smartphone or computer. Go to http://corn.osu.edu/newsletters/2015/2015-05/collect-and-share-rainfall-information-online to learn more about the CoCoRaHS network and how to become an online rainfall reporter.
2015 Spring Live Healthy Live Well Email Wellness Challenge – Kathy Oliver
Who: Any adult wanting to live healthy life with support from Ohio State University Extension. What: A “Spring Clean Your Wellness Routine” email challenge, which provides you with two emails a week on a variety of health topics. Where: In the convenience of your own home, office, or pocket. When: March 30 through May 10, 2015. How: Click on http://go.osu.edu/sp15Hardin to register. Why: We work better together. Supporting one another in living a healthy lifestyle is a smart and fun thing to do. Participants will learn about such topics as Vegetables and Fruits, Fitness Focus, Roasted Vegetables, Local Foods, Gardening with Herbs, Seasoning with Herbs, and Stress Relief.
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