Good evening,
Is spring finally here? If the wheat is greening up and the tile are flowing, that is a good sign. It’s been a very busy winter, but the time has went by fast with all of the trainings, meetings, and banquets. Eventually, we will see the start of fieldwork in the county. Before that happens, I want to update you on some items.
The Hardin County Dairy Service Unit is currently in the middle of their semi-annual cheese sale fundraiser. I have attached a copy of this news release and order form to this email in case you are interested in placing an order by April 6. Details are on the form about where to send it and where to pick up the cheese and trail bologna.
Spring Cheese Sale News Release
The Master Gardener Volunteers have already met twice and are planning some upcoming spring programs. The first spring program will be on ‘Phenology,’ which is the science of when things happen in nature. This is important to a gardener, because they can know when to expect certain plants to bloom and when insects may hatch, therefore knowing what to expect so that they can better manage issues as they happen. I have attached a copy of the news release and flyer for this April 18 program which will be open to the public. There is a pre-registration deadline of April 11 and a $10 registration fee. See the attached documents for this upcoming program which also includes presentations about ‘Planting for Pollinators’ and ‘How to Plant a Bare Root Rose.’
There is a ‘Cover Crop Strategies’ field day in St. Mary’s on April 7. See how different types of cover crops over-winter. Observe what’s happened “BELOW” the soil surface, and view and discuss results since planting in August 2014. Other topics of this field day include managing cover crops in the spring, how to prepare for planting your crop, and year-round tips for effective cover crop usage. See the attached flyer for more information regarding this field day, and which tours will be held at three different times during the day to make it more convenient for farmers to attend.
Upcoming local meetings include Ag Council Friday, April 3 starting at 7:00 am. Join us for breakfast at Henry’s Restaurant for a combined discussion on Ag Policy Development with Farm Bureau. There will be a Fair Board meeting on Saturday, April 4 starting at 7:30 pm in the fairgrounds office. The Farm Bureau Board will meet Tuesday, April 7 starting at 7:00 pm at Ag Credit. Enjoy the warmer weather and below are some articles that you may be interested in reading.
Mark
Spring is in full swing – Jim Noel
Spring is in full swing. Expect big swings in weather the next several weeks. April Outlook: Near normal temperatures and slightly wetter than normal. May-July Outlook: Slightly warmer than normal and normal to slightly drier than normal. The climate models continue to point toward wetness giving way to some dryness as we go from planting season to summer growing season. For more information regarding the weather forecast for the coming months, go to http://corn.osu.edu/newsletters/2015/2015-06/spring-is-in-full-swing.
Algae Control Bill Awaits Governor’s Approval – Peggy Kirk Hall
Ohio’s Senate and House of Representatives have agreed upon a final bill intended to control algae production in Lake Erie and its western basin. Senate Bill 1, as amended by the House, passed both chambers on March 25 and now awaits Governor Kasich’s signature. The law will regulate manure and fertilizer applications in the western basin of Lake Erie, require monitoring of phosphorous for certain publicly owned treatment works, regulate the placement of dredged materials in Lake Erie and its tributaries, change how the Healthy Lake Erie Fund may be used and establish agency coordination and research on harmful algae management and response. To continue reading about this new bill, go to http://aglaw.osu.edu/blog/tue-03312015-1025am/algae-control-bill-awaits-governors-approval.
Increasing the Digestibility of Forages = Economic Benefits! – Dr. Francis L. Fluharty
Despite the decline in prices over the past year, feed costs remain the majority of the expense of maintaining a beef cattle operation. Corn prices remain around $3.60 to $3.70 per bushel as I write this. This averages 6.5 cents per pound, or $130 per ton. Dried distillers grains are currently in the price range of $190 to $210 per ton, and the price of corn gluten feed is keeping pace on an energy and protein basis, at approximately $150 to $160 per ton, so there are no cheap supplemental feeds for cow-calf producers or stocker cattle operations. Therefore, forage-based operations must utilize cost effective management tools that maximize forage digestibility.
Go to http://u.osu.edu/beef/2015/04/01/increasing-the-digestibility-of-forages-economic-benefits/#more-207 to continue reading this and other beef related articles.
Importance of Collecting Good Milk Samples – Dr. Luciana da Costa
As basic as it looks, some producers are still not fully aware and familiarized with the importance of or how to collect a milk sample. Part of mastitis control programs consist on culturing and on the microbiological analysis of milk samples. However, to be able to identify the bacteria, strict aseptic procedures must be used when collecting the samples. Aseptic collection is extremely important to avoid contamination with bacteria present on the skin of the cow, hands of the sampler, and environment. And yet, the importance of collecting a good sample goes beyond udder health. Improper milk samples can interfere with how much producers are paid (improper samples can lead to violations for high SCC or high bacterial count). It is also detrimental for processors when evaluating milk quality (results based on an inaccurate sample can put at risk the whole tanker load of milk). To continue reading this and other dairy articles, go to http://dairy.osu.edu/bdnews/Volume%2017%20Issue%202%20files/Volume%2017%20Issue%202.html#Markets.
Herbicide-resistant weeds: The tillage dilemma – Liz Morrison – Corn and Soybean Digest
“Do we need to till or not?” Purdue University weed scientist Bryan Young often hears this question from Midwest soybean growers fighting herbicide-resistant marestail, waterhemp and Palmer amaranth. In parts of the south, multi-herbicide-resistant Palmer pigweeds have forced growers to include or intensify tillage, Young says. Likewise, in western Kansas, glyphosate-resistant kochia has led some dryland wheat growers to resort to tillage. But before Midwest farmers put steel to the ground to attack resistant weeds, he says, it’s important to understand weed biology. Tillage affects not only emerged weeds but also germination and weed seed banks. Tillage decisions must also balance weed control and soil conservation. Equally important, growers who resort to tillage for weed control should also adopt a diversified herbicide program. Go to http://www.agprofessional.com/agpro-university/nufarm-learning-center/should-tillage-be-used-control-resistant-weeds?ss=agpro_university,nufarm_learning_center to finish reading this article.
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