January 22, 2016

Hello,

I prepared this edition of the Hardin County Agriculture and Natural Resources Update while at the Auglaize County Pesticide Applicator Training/Fertilizer Applicator Certification Training being held yesterday in Wapakoneta.  One of my duties as the Hardin County AgNR Extension Educator is to help out the other educators conducting programs around our Top of Ohio Extension Education Research Area, which consists of ten counties in West Central Ohio.  On this day, I taught a program on nitrogen as part of the fertilizer training.  I am just thankful after the morning’s weather forecast which spared us from the heavy snow this weekend.  It looks like it will be going south of us for the most part.  However, we are still having to deal with the cold weather.  Cold weather often brings about special challenges for farmers, especially those who who are livestock producers.  I have attached a copy an article written by Ed Lentz, Extension Educator from Hancock County about Winter Farm Safety.

Winter Farm Safety News Release

This past Tuesday we had our second Conservation Tillage Club Breakfast.  Dr. Matt Roberts, Associate Professor of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics at The Ohio State University presented a program to 86 people on the grain marketing outlook, addressing what to expect in the 2016 crop year in regards to the agricultural commodity markets and the risk associated with marketing options for corn, soybeans, and wheat.  This information will provide additional tools for the farmer’s marketing toolbox to use when considering their marketing strategy.  After two years of lower grain prices, Robert’s information should help grain producers develop ideas to plan for this coming year’s crop production.  Our next Tillage Club meeting will be held February 2, staring at 7:30 am with Dr. Laura Lindsey, Assistant Professor with the OSU Department of Horticulture and Crop Science, who will present a program on increasing soybean yields. This program will also be at the Plaza.  See the attached flyer for details about future Tillage Club meetings.

Farmer’s Invite

Conservation Tillage Club

Tuesday evening was first session of the Ohio Beef Cattle School webinars.  Nine cattle producers were present at the Extension office to focus on the markets and marketing including outlook, along with risk management.  Dr. Derrell Peel, Oklahoma State University Extension Livestock Marketing Specialist, kicked off the program with his insight into the beef cattle markets . . . where they’ve been, where they may be going, and how they will get there.  Peel discussed the factors that have pressured the market and suggested if and when they will subside, and to what level they might recover.  Sam Roberts of United Producers also joined the broadcast on the 19th and offered suggestions on market risk management and capturing profitable pricing opportunities in the coming year.  Feel free to join us for the next beef school session on February 2, starting at 7:00 pm with the OSU Extension Beef Team discussing Beef Cattle Management including calving windows, genetic choices, breeding management, crossbreeding and economic traits that will be the most meaningful in coming years.  See the attached news release and flyer for more information about the Ohio Beef Cattle School being sponsored locally by Farm Credit Mid America in Bellefontaine.

Ohio Beef School News Release

Beef Cattle School Flyer

Do you have a son or daughter who is looking for ag scholarships?  If so, have them check out http://ohiocornandwheat.org/ohio-corn-wheat-scholarship-application/ for the Ohio Corn and Wheat Growers Associaton Scholarship.  Do you listen to farm broadcaster Dale Minyo on the radio?  Dale is coming to Hardin County on March 1 to present a program called ‘The World is Run by Those That Show Up.’  This farmers’ breakfast is being sponsored by Liberty National Bank and will begin at 7:30 am at the Plaza Inn Restaurant in Mt. Victory.  RSVP to Heather Cox at 419-634-5015 or HCox@LNBbank.com by February 22 if you would like to attend.  See the attached flyer for more information.  Do you need a Farmers Tax Guide?  We have a few left at the Extension office in Kenton.  Copies were also delivered to local banks and ag lenders for your convenience.  Finally, we also have discounted Power Show Ohio tickets at our office that will save you $2 off per admission to this annual agricultural equipment, construction equipment, and outdoor power equipment show being held January 28, 29 & 30 at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus.  Take a look at the agronomy related articles below if you are looking for a good reason to stay in the warm house.

 

Mark

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

INTRODUCING DR. KELLEY TILMON – Kelley Tilmon

In January, Dr. Kelley Tilmon joined the faculty of the Department of Entomology as an Associate Professor and State Specialist for field crop entomology. Her extension, research, and teaching programs will focus on the management of insect pests of agronomic crops. She will be based out of the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC) campus in Wooster.  Kelley has an M.S. in entomology from the University of Delaware, a Ph.D. in entomology from Cornell University, and for the past 10 years has served as the soybean entomologist for South Dakota at South Dakota State University, with extension and research responsibilities.  Her contact information is 330-202-3529 and tilmon.1@osu.edu.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MORE ON TRANSGENIC TRAITS AND HYBRID PERFORMANCE – Peter Thomison, Rich Minyo, Allen Geyer

There were 17 different sets of transgenic traits evaluated in 2015 Ohio Corn Performance Test (OCPT) representing 22 technology products that are currently being marketed by seed companies. As the type and number of transgenic traits increases each year, the question arises as to whether these different traits affect hybrid performance. Using data from the 2015 OCPT, we’ve grouped hybrids based on the type and number of insect (Bt) and herbicide resistance they contain. Go to http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/more-transgenic-traits-and-hybrid-performance to continue reading this article.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HOST RESISTANCE TO SOYBEAN DISEASES – THE BEST RETURN ON INVESTMENT – Anne Dorrance

The first and most economical approach (a.k.a. save money) to manage many of the pathogens that impact soybean in the state of Ohio is to pick varieties that have the right resistance package.  If the resistance is effective – then there is no need for any further measures during the season.  The soybean plant can take care of itself, especially during years when conditions are favorable for disease development. Go to http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/host-resistance-soybean-diseases-–-best-return-investment for more information regarding soybean disease resistance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2015 NORTHWEST OHIO CORN SILAGE TEST – Rich Minyo, Peter Thomison, Bill Widdicombe, Allen Geyer

In 2015, 38 corn silage hybrids representing 13 commercial brands were evaluated in a joint trial with Michigan State University (MSU). One Ohio location is combined with Michigan’s two southern (Zone 1) silage locations. The Ohio test site was located in our Northwest Region at Hoytville (Wood County). The two MSU sites were located in Branch and Lenawee counties, which are on the Ohio/Michigan state line.  To read more about the Northwest Ohio Silage Test and find out how varieties performed, go to http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2015-northwest-ohio-corn-silage-test.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OSU’S CORN COLLEGE WORKSHOP IS FEB. 10 – Sam Custer

Producers and agriculture professionals can get an update on the 2016 corn market and learn how to budget for a profitable corn crop at a workshop led by farm management experts from the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences at The Ohio State University. The 2016 Corn College is a daylong workshop offered on Feb. 10 that will focus on what farmers need to know to develop a successful corn growing operation, said Sam Custer, an Ohio State University Extension educator who is organizing the program. To find out more about the OSU Corn College Workshop, go to http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/osu’s-corn-college-workshop-feb-10.

 

 

 

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    

January 2, 2016

Hello,

I hope you had a good holiday and are looking forward to the new year.  Tuesday, January 5 will be the start of the Conservation Tillage Club breakfast meetings at the Plaza Inn Restaurant in Mt. Victory.  The program will feature Dave Spangler, 2014 Captain of the Year of the Lake Erie Charter Boat Association.  Spangler has attended various agricultural field days, including the Hardin Field Day this year.  He has been impressed with the work that is being done to help improve water quality in Lake Erie, and has taken that message back to his association.  His knowledge of water quality problems on the lake and the economic impact on the region give Dave a unique perspective on the role farmers and others have on the Lake Erie region.

 

Spangler will be joined by Matt Lane from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, explaining the role Senate Bill 1 and 150 have had regarding current regulations and improved nutrient management practices for Ohio agriculture based on research being conducted with edge of field studies.  Included in this discussion will be answers about the Ohio Ag Nutrients Law and Fertilizer Applicator Certification Training, along with licensing requirements and regulations for both Ohio crop and livestock farmers as well as commercial applicators.  See the attached flyer for more details about upcoming breakfast meetings.  While I am on the subject of nutrient management, did you know that OSU Extension and the Soil and Water Conservation District have staff that can work with you to develop a nutrient management plan for your farm?  See the attached news article for more information.

Conservation Tillage Club

Nutrient Management Plans News Release

A valuable nutrient source for livestock producers is manure.  The Ohio State University Extension is hosting a program on topdressing wheat and sidedressing corn with liquid livestock manure on Wednesday evening January 6 at the Putnam County Extension Office starting at 7:00 pm.  Using videos from this past growing season, Glen Arnold will cover the use of a drag hose and a manure tanker to apply manure on wheat and corn using swine manure.  The manure can replace the urea used to topdress wheat and the 28% UAN used to sidedress corn.  Dairy manure can also be used in this fashion of additional nitrogen is added to the dairy manure.  There is no cost to attend and registration is not required. Two Certified Livestock Manger credits will be awarded.  See the attached flyer for additional details about this program.

In Season Manure App to Corn and Wheat

One of the ways you can help keep nutrients in the field is to grow cover crops.  Maybe you have thought about planting cover crops, but have questions that need to be answered.  Contact the Hardin County Extension Office at 419-674-2297 to register for an all day Cover Crop and Soil Health workshop at the Plaza Inn Restaurant in Mt. Victory on Thursday, January 14.  The workshop will begin at 8:00 am and end at 4:00 pm. Instructors for the program will be Jim Hoorman, OSU Extension – Putnam County, Mark Badertscher, OSU Extension – Hardin County, and Wayne Dellinger, OSU Extension – Union County.  The cost of the all day workshop will be $35 and will include lunch, Cover Crops Field Guide, and other reference materials. Participants need to be pre-registered by January 7.  See the article about the Benefits of Cover Crops and the flyer for the workshop.  Both are attached to this newsletter.

2016 Cover Crop Flyer Hardin County

Benefits of Cover Crops News Release

The Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) Winter 2016 schedule of events for the Top of Ohio Extension Education Research Area (EERA) is attached to this email. Each individual county is unable to offer everything in one winter season but by working together, we are able to include a comprehensive list of programs to meet the needs of our EERA.  Please note that in Hardin County there is a 3 hour Fertilizer Applicator Certification Training scheduled for March 1 in Ada.  There is also a 2 hour Fertilizer Applicator Certification Training scheduled for March 10 in Mt. Victory.  The 2 hour training is only available for those who have an Ohio Pesticide license and is scheduled for the same day as the Hardin County pesticide recertification class which will offer Core and categories 1,2 & 6.  Other categories can be arranged by appointment for make-up/specialty pesticide recertification before March 31.  Farmers and commercial applicators who apply fertilizer on 50 or more acres have until September 30, 2017 to become certified according to the new Ohio Ag Nutrients Law.

2016 Winter ANR Events

Did you hear that the Ohio Department of Agriculture lifted the poultry exhibition ban?  Currently, poultry exhibitors will now be allowed to show poultry at the Hardin County and Ohio State Fair.  However, this could change if there is a risk of an outbreak of the Avian Influenza again.  Fortunately for the Ohio poultry industry, there were no confirmed cases of this disease in Ohio this past year.  See the ODA news release that is attached for more information.  Have you had an opportunity to make a contribution to the United Way of Hardin County yet?  I have attached a copy of the agriculture flyer to this email in case you are interested in making a difference locally.  Upcoming local events this week include a Farm Bureau meeting on Tuesday (1/5) starting at 7:30 pm at Ag Credit.  Below are some agronomy articles from the C.O.R.N. Newsletter that you may be interested in reading.

ODA Lifts Bird Exhibition Ban

United Way

 

Mark
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HOW DO CORN HYBRIDS WITH AND WITHOUT VARIOUS TRANSGENIC TRAITS PERFORM? – Peter Thomison, Rich Minyo, Allen Geyer

According to the USDA-Economic Research Service in 2015, 85% of the state’s corn acreage was planted to transgenic corn hybrids with 68% of total acreage planted to stacked trait hybrids (http://www.ers.usda.gov/data/biotechcrops/ ). However, many corn growers in Ohio are interested in growing non-transgenic (non-GMO) corns. Some want to grow non-GMO corn to reduce seed costs associated with traited corn and/or take advantage of the premiums offered for non-GMO corn. Growers who have not experienced serious problems with rootworm and corn borer and who have controlled weeds effectively with traditional herbicide programs question the need for transgenic hybrids. There are also corn growers interested in cutting costs by selecting hybrids with fewer transgenic traits for similar reasons.  Go to http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/how-do-corn-hybrids-and-without-various-transgenic-traits-perform to continue reading this article.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CORN HYBRID SELECTION – 2015 – Peter Thomison

Hybrid selection is one of the most important management decisions a corn grower makes each year. It’s a decision that warrants a careful comparison of performance data. It should not be made in haste or based on limited data. Planting a marginal hybrid, or one not suitable for a particular production environment, imposes a ceiling on the yield potential of a field before it has been planted.  In the Ohio Corn Performance Test (OCPT) (http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/corntrials/) it is not unusual for hybrid entries of similar maturity to differ in yield by 80 bu/A, or more, depending on test site. Another consideration in hybrid selection that has received more attention recently as commodity prices have dropped is seed cost. Of all non-land costs for corn, seed costs on a per acre basis increased the most between 2006 and 2014, increasing by 164% percent (http://www.farms.com/expertscommentary/corn-seed-costs-from-1995-to-2014…). Go to http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/corn-hybrid-selection-–-2015 for help making decisions about corn hybrids.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THERE’S AN APP FOR NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT RECORD KEEPING – John Barker

Ohio Nutrient Management Record Keeper (ONMRK) is a computerized recordkeeping system that syncs with your smartphone or tablet to create a simple, easy, and quick way to record all of your fertilizer and manure applications from the field. The free app works on tablets, iPads, and smartphones. It can be downloaded from the Google Play Store for Android devices and App Store for Apple devices.  Go to http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/there’s-app-nutrient-management-record-keeping to learn more about this new app for your smartphone or tablet computer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HOW MUCH FALL-APPLIED MANURE NITROGEN WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR THE 2016 CROP? – Glen Arnold

Most parts of Ohio have had an excellent fall and early winter time period for manure application. The long fall window to apply manure should reduce the amount to be applied during the winter months. A few farmers have asked how much of the nitrogen in the fall-applied manure will be available for the 2016 crop. Currently, most of the nitrogen in the fall applied manure should be where it was applied. Go to http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/how-much-fall-applied-manure-nitrogen-will-be-available-2016-crop to finish reading this article.

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONSERVATION TILLAGE CLUB BREAKFAST SERIES PLANNED – Mark Badertscher

The 2016 Conservation Tillage Club breakfast program series will begin on Tuesday, January 5 at the Plaza Inn in Mt. Victory.  Each session will begin at 7:30 am with complimentary buffet breakfast followed by the program at 8:00 am.  On January 5, the program will feature Dave Spangler, 2014 Captain of the Year of the Lake Erie Charter Boat Association.  Spangler has attended various agricultural field days, including the Hardin Field Day this year.  He has been impressed with the work that is being done to help improve water quality in Lake Erie, and has taken that message back to his association.  His knowledge of water quality problems on the lake and the economic impact on the region give Dave a unique perspective on the role farmers and others have on the Lake Erie region.  Go to http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/conservation-tillage-club-breakfast-series-planned to find out more about upcoming Conservation Tillage Club breakfast meetings.
 


 

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