Good afternoon,

Driving around the county, I have seen some corn planting that has taken place.  Now is the ideal time to plant corn in northwestern Ohio if the soil temperature is above 50 degrees and the fields are fit.  The optimal planting date window of April 25-May 10 allows plants to take advantage of longer periods of daylight, pollinate earlier, and mature before a killing frost.  Daylight lengthens from the first day of spring (March 21st) until the first day of summer (June 21st).  After the first day of summer, day length gradually becomes shorter.  Photosynthesis will be more active during these longer days, gathering more energy to put in grain.  This stored energy will allow for more kernels per ear to develop – thus the sooner the plant gets started the greater chance to accumulate more energy.  This information was taken from a Corn Planting Date article written by OSU Extension Educator Ed Lentz from Hancock County and I have attached the article to this newsletter.  Check it out for more tips about corn planting dates and hybrid maturity selection.

Corn Planting Date News Release

OSU Extension newsletters have started up again this growing season that might interest you if you would like to subscribe to them.  The Crop Observation and Recommendation Network (CORN) newsletter is now coming out weekly.  You can go to www.corn.osu.edu and read it online or subscribe to it directly to have it delivered to your mailbox as soon as the timely information goes out.  It is put together each week after our Agronomic Crops Team conference calls, so you can get a jump on what to expect in the fields.  Also coming out on a weekly basis now is the VegNet newsletter.  Go to http://vegnet.osu.edu/newsletter to read it online or subscribe to it directly to get the latest information provided by the Vegetable and Fruit Crops Teams.  If you are interested in up to date horticulture information, go to http://bygl.osu.edu/ to read the Buckeye Yard & Garden onLine (BYGL), or subscribe to get the latest updates as soon as they are released from the Extension, Nursery, Landscape, Turf (ENLT) Team.

What is there to do on a rainy day or when the fields are too wet to work?  Consider nominating a family for the Ohio Farmer magazine and Ohio Farm Bureau Federation’s Ohio Conservation Farm Family Awards.  This program recognizes farmers who are doing an outstanding job of protecting and conserving soil, water and related natural resources on the land they farm.  Coordinated by the Ohio Department of Agriculture, Division of Soil and Water Conservation and co-sponsored by Ohio Farmer magazine and the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation, the program emphasizes the application of technically sound, innovative and cost-effective conservation practices.  The deadline for submitting an application is May 20.  Hopefully someone from Hardin County will be recognized this year.  I have attached the application for your consideration.

Farm Family Awards Entry Form

See below for agronomy articles that might be of interest to you.

 

Mark

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temperatures are Still Cool (They were on March 21 – good article though) – Anne Dorrance, Pierce Paul

Cool, wet soils promote the growth of one of the major seed and seedling pathogens of corn and soybean, Pythium.  Some of the more than 25 different species of Pythium are particularly favored by these cooler temperatures.  Since the soil is moist, oospores which overwinter, are germinating.  When the soils become saturated, they will form a structure called a sporangium which forms the zoospores.  What is unique about this group of pathogens compared to watermolds is that these spores will then swim to the roots, they are actually attracted to germinating seeds and growing roots.  Go to http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/temperatures-are-still-cool to finish reading this article.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Big Data Confusion: Part 3 – Ownership – John Fulton, Kaylee Port

This week’s topic in “The Big Data Confusion” series touches on the importance of data ownership.  According to the Privacy and Security Principles for Farm Data, “We believe farmers own information generated on their farming operation.  However, it is the responsibility of the farmer to agree upon data use and sharing with other stakeholders that have an economic interest, such as a tenant, landowner, cooperative, agriculture technology provider (ATP), etc.  The farmer contracting with the ATP is responsible for ensuring that only the data they own or have permissions to use is included in the account with the ATP.”  While it seems that the utilization of data from a farm management aspect is a helpful idea, the problem occurs when it’s time to determine who owns that data and who can use it for their own benefit.  To read more about Big Data, go to http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/big-data-confusion-part-3-ownership.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Winter Wheat Progress and Management – Laura Lindsey, Ed Lentz, Pierce Paul, Mark Loux

On March 16 and 17, we visited our wheat trials in Clark County and Pickaway County. Both locations were at Feekes growth stage 5 (leaf sheath erect). In northwest Ohio, wheat is at green-up to Feekes growth stage 4.  Generally, Feekes growth stage 6 occurs in southern Ohio during early April; however, with abnormally warm temperatures, Feekes growth stage 6 (jointing) may occur sooner.  To evaluate wheat for growth stage 6 follow these steps: Pull, or better yet, dig up, several clusters of tillers with roots and soil from multiple locations in the field; Identify and select three to four primary tillers from each cluster – usually the largest tillers with the thickest stem, but size can be deceiving; Strip away and remove all the lower leaves (usually small and yellowish or dead leaves), exposing the base of the stem; Now look for the first node generally between 1 and 2 inches above the base of the stem. This node is usually seen as a slightly swollen area of a slightly different (darker) shade of green than the rest of the stem.  To learn more about evaluating wheat growth stages, go to http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/winter-wheat-progress-and-management.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Soybean Cyst Nematode CAN be Done in the Spring – Anne Dorrance

These fluctuating temperatures that we have had this spring where we go from snow days to short days provides some opportunities to get the crews out and enjoy some nice weather.  Sampling for Soybean Cyst Nematode is fine to do in the spring, especially in years where the ground thaws early. It is becoming increasingly important in Ohio to know your numbers.  Sounds like a cholesterol warning doesn’t it?  In the case of SCN, less than 500 eggs per cup of soil and keeping it under 1,000 is what we need to shoot for on some fields.  Non-detectable levels are like gold.  If you are interested in testing for soybean cyst nematode, go to http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/soybean-cyst-nematode-can-be-done-spring to find out how.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Timing of Vertical Tillage and Herbicide Applications – Mark Loux

One of the questions that has come up repeatedly over the past year or so concerns the appropriate order of vertical tillage versus herbicide application in the spring. Two general principles guide our thinking on this issue: 1) if possible, foliar burndown herbicides should be applied to undisturbed weeds that are not partially or fully covered with soil; and 2) residual herbicides should left on the surface undisturbed by tillage (allowing rain to move herbicide into the soil) following application unless that tillage will uniformly mix herbicide with the upper couple inches of soil.  To finish reading about timing vertical tillage and herbicide applications, go to http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/timing-vertical-tillage-and-herbicide-applications.

 

 

 

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,

What a difference a week of warm weather makes.  Soil temperatures are warming up and fields are starting to dry.  Sprayers and fertilizer trucks are starting to roll.  Spring planting season is almost upon us, providing the rain forecast later this week doesn’t slow things down.  It is still early, and for northwestern Ohio, the probability for optimal yields occurs when corn is planted between April 25 and May 10.  After this date, yields generally decline because of a shorter growing season.  Corn planted before this time period will often have weakened or poor stands because of extended cool and wet conditions.

As you plan for burn down applications of herbicides and other weed control plans, remember that there is a free copy of the 2016 Weed Control Guide at http://agcrops.osu.edu/publications/ohio-and-indiana-weed-control-guide-bulletin-789 that you can look up answers and recommendations to your weed control questions.  Many Extension offices are about out of this printed publication but you can download it for free.  If you are not the type of person who likes to download files, I have attached a copy of the Tri-State Fertilizer Recommendations to this email.  These are both great references to look up agronomic information and the price is right.  Although this document was last published in 1995, it is packed with useful fertilizer recommendations for corn, soybean, wheat and alfalfa.

Tri-State Fertility Recommendations

This past growing year we had two Corn Response to Nitrogen test plots, with one near Alger and the other near Dola.  l have attached an article I wrote about these two plots to this email.  Although, last growing season wasn’t ideal with all of the rain and the resulting nitrogen loss, there were some patterns to the test strips of nitrogen rates.  Read about the differences between 0, 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 lb N application rates and the yield response to each in these plots.  This year I am hoping to add nitrogen timing and hopefully N-P-K placement plots for on-farm research in Hardin County.

Corn Nitrogen News Release

If you are a vegetable producer, you might be interested in the Midwest Vegetable Trial Report for 2015, which can be downloaded for free at  https://edustore.purdue.edu/item.asp?Item_Number=16-18-15-W.  If you are a dairy producer, you may be interested in attending the Dairy Cattle Welfare Symposium being held May 20th and 21st at The Ohio State University.  See the attached document for more details and a registration link.  Upcoming local events this week include a Soil and Water Conservation District board meeting on Thursday, April 21, starting at 7:30 am at the SWCD office.  I have also included agronomy articles below for you to read if interested.

Dairy Welfare Symposium Flyer

 

Mark

 

 

 

 

 

DIGITAL WEED IDENTIFICATION RESOURCES FROM OSU – Mark Loux

OSU has developed several digital books that are available for multiple platforms, via iTunes or GooglePlay.  Descriptions and links follow – all are currently less than $10.  The links can also be found under the “Weed ID” tab on our website – u.osu.edu/osuweeds/. The Ohio State University Guide to Weed Identification: This identification guide provides information on the basics of weed identification presented in a considerably updated fashion. It describes 29 families and 83 species of monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous plants.  For more information about this and other weed ID resources, go to http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/digital-weed-identification-resources-osu.

 

 

 

 

 

THE BIG DATA CONFUSION: PART 2 – EDUCATION – John Fulton, Kaylee Port

This week’s topic in “The Big Data Confusion” series touches on the importance of education.  According to the Privacy and Security Principles for Farm Data, “Grower education is valuable to ensure clarity between all parties and stakeholders. Grower organizations and industry should work to develop programs, which help to create educated customers who understand their rights and responsibilities. ATPs should strive to draft contracts using simple, easy to understand language.”  Producers should utilize any online fact sheets, brochures, and frequently asked questions pages for companies providing data services and tools. To read more about education’s role in understanding Big Data, go to http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2016-05/big-data-confusion-part-2-education.

 

 

 

 

 

TOPDRESSING WHEAT WITH LIQUID SWINE MANURE – Glen Arnold

Research on applying liquid livestock manure as a spring top-dress fertilizer to wheat has been ongoing in Ohio for several years. There is usually a window of time, typically around the last week of March or the first week of April, when fields are firm enough to support manure application equipment. The wheat fields have broken dormancy and are actively pulling nutrients from the soil. The key to applying the correct amount of manure to fertilize wheat is to know the manure’s nitrogen content. Most manure tests reveal total nitrogen, ammonia nitrogen and organic nitrogen amounts. To read more about topdressing wheat with liquid swine manure, go to http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2016-05/topdressing-wheat-liquid-swine-manure.

 

 

 

 

 

WHAT’S LIMITING SOYBEAN YIELD? – Laura Lindsey

As I travelled the state this winter, the same question came up, “What’s limiting soybean yield?  No matter what I do, I get the same soybean yield every year.” With funding from the Ohio Soybean Council and North Central Soybean Research Program, I am embarking on a state-wide project aimed at generating some baseline producer data on current soybean management practices in Ohio’s production systems.  The project goal is to identify key factors that preclude the state soybean producers from obtaining yields that should be potentially possible on their respective individual farms.  Click on http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/whats-limiting-soybean-yield to read more.

 

 

 

 

 

CALIBRATE YOUR SPRAYER NOW – HERE IS AN EASY WAY TO DO IT – Erdal Ozkan

Typically, I would wait until April to remind you to calibrate your sprayer, because of cold weather outside. But this year is not a typical year. Who would believe the temperature to reach 70’s in central Ohio today. There seems to be no better time to get the sprayer out of the shed and get it ready for the season. Check all the components of the sprayer to make sure they are in working order. Next step in preparations for the season is to calibrate the sprayer. The only way you can achieve maximum accuracy from a sprayer is by calibrating it once before the spraying season starts, and recalibrating it frequently throughout the spraying season. Go to http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2016-05/calibrate-your-sprayer-now-here-easy-way-do-it 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

hardin.osu.edu

Hello,

This morning I had the opportunity to attend the Hardin County Chamber and Business Legislative Breakfast program with Congressman Latta, Senator Hite, and Representative Sprague.  Each gave a discussion about their efforts to help their constituents and allowed time for questions afterwards.  A couple of the questions dealt with CAUV values and property taxes in regards to landowners and school districts.  Work has been done on woodland adjustments, and there is also discussion regarding conservation land adjustments, and capitalization rate values.

The weather hasn’t been cooperating for the start of planting season with wet conditions and cool soils.  See the agronomy related articles at the end of this newsletter for further details.  Since it is not yet fit to work in the fields, I have attached another Ohio Farm Business Analysis report for you to look at.  This one deals with crop enterprises and compares average expenses and income for all farms in the study vs the top 20% of financially successful farms.  How do your production numbers compare?  If you are interested in doing a study like this on your farm, let me know and I can get the process started.  What we will need to do is start keeping complete records of all expenses and income for 2016, ideally separated by crops or livestock.  However, a complete analysis of the total farm can be done as well.

2014 Ohio Farm Business Summary Crop Enterprise Analysis

Often times we share articles that are written by our colleagues in Extension.  I am including a couple good ones relating to farm management written by Hancock County OSU Extension Educator Ed Lentz.  One is about the 2015 Ag Year in Review and the other one gives suggestions that farmers can do to help keep their farm profitable in this period of time with lower crop prices.  I hope you find them informative.  If you are a beef cattle producer, you might be interested in reading the attached article about beef cow size and profitability, written by Wayne County OSU Extension Educator Rory Lewandowski. 

Ag Year in Review News Release

Farm Profitability News Release

Beef Cow Size and Profitability News Release

Finally, this is the time of year that I am busy planning for on-farm research, including fertilizer trials.  Have you ever thought about comparing different inputs, population rates, or practices with your crops?  If so, take a look at the attached article about on-farm fertilizer trials.  I can work with you to set up test plots to study ‘what if’ questions that you might be interested in getting answers for on your own farm.  If you be interested in participating in on-farm research, let me know as there are sometimes stipends available for your cooperation that not only benefits you, but also other farmers in the county and state through OSU Extension research and trainings.

On-Farm Fertilzer Trials News Release

Upcoming local events this week include SWCD Fish Sale pick-up Tuesday (4/12) from 2:00-4:00 pm at SWCD office, Sheep Improvement Association meeting Tuesday (4/12) from 7:00-8:30 pm at Extension office, SWCD Tree Sale pick-up Thursday (4/14) from 8:00-4:30 pm at SWCD office, Dairy Service Unit Cheese Sale pick-up Friday (4/15) from 12:00-7:00 pm and Saturday (4/16) from 9:00 am-12:00 pm at Wagner Dairy Farm. 

 

Mark

 

Spring Weather Forecast – Jim Noel

March is here and there is no change to what we have been expecting. It is shaping up to be an earlier than normal planting season. March will be much warmer than normal thanks to El Nino. Temperatures will average 5F+ above normal for much of the month. Rainfall will be more uneven with normal or slightly above normal in western areas and normal to below normal in eastern areas. Rainfall averages 3-4 inches normally in March. Four inch soil temperatures will run above normal and will reach above 50 and stay there 1-2 weeks earlier than normal this spring. April is shaping up to be warmer and drier than normal. Historically in strong El Nino springs, we do not see late freezes but more normal last freeze dates. However, if the warmer weather causes things to start growing earlier there is a risk of a normal last hard freeze could still cause impacts. Finally evapotranspiration rates will be above normal this spring due to the warmer weather. For more information about the weather, go to http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/spring-weather-forecast.

 

Status of Palmer amaranth in Ohio – Mark Loux

Palmer amaranth has to date been found in about 11 Ohio counties.  Infestations within a county can range from one or more fields or other areas with just a few plants or patches of plants, to the presence of one or more fields with dense populations.  There isn’t any real pattern to the distribution of counties where Palmer has been found.  Palmer seed has entered the state via contaminated CREP or wildlife seed that comes from farther west, and via the cotton feed products that are shipped from the south and used in animal operations. To finish reading this article, go to http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/status-palmer-amaranth-ohio.

 

It Is Not Too Late to Apply Nitrogen on Wheat – Ed Lentz, Laura Lindsey, Steve Culman

In many southern Ohio locations wheat has already reached Feekes Growth Stage 5. This is an ideal time to apply spring nitrogen: plants will soon begin a rapid uptake of N and the potential for N loss will be reduced because of this larger demand. The northern part of the state has begun to green-up and N can be applied as soon as fields are fit for equipment. Ohio State recommends the Tri-State guide for N rates in wheat. This system relies on yield potential of a field. As a producer, you can greatly increase or reduce your N rate by changing the value for yield potential. Go to http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/it-not-too-late-apply-nitrogen-wheat to finish reading about nitrogen rates on wheat.

 

Proven Production Practices for Increasing Corn Yields and Profits – Peter Thomison, Steve Culman

In the quest for high corn yields, considerable attention has been given to increasing various inputs, including seeding rates and fertilizers, narrowing row spacing, and making preventative applications of foliar fungicides, growth regulators and biological stimulants.  However, the significant drop in crop net returns that’s occurred in recent years warrants developing strategies to lower input costs. An input that might have paid for itself with $5.50/bu corn may not at $3.75/bu corn. A practical and economic approach to achieving high yields is to follow proven cultural practices that enhance corn performance.  Go to http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2016-05/proven-production-practices-increasing-corn-yields-and-profits to learn more about increasing corn yields and profits.

 

The Big Data Confusion: Answering Your Questions about Digital Agriculture – John Fulton, Kaylee Port

Digital Agriculture includes large collections of farm data being used by farmers, companies, and government agencies to aid in decision making related to crop production and farm management.  It can also be used as a way to better predict nutrient availability, which in turns helps farmers make better agronomic decisions.  By using farm data to drive input management and other farm decisions, producers can identify and quantify which productivity variables are limiting agronomic growth. With agriculture becoming digital, it is important to understand how that data is being collected, interpreted, and then utilized.  This digital agriculture concept can be overwhelming, and this series aims to make sense of the Big Data presence within the agricultural community.  To begin reading this series, go to http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/big-data-confusion-answering-your-questions-about-digital-agriculture.

 

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,

This morning Ag Council had a combined meeting with Farm Bureau to discuss local, state, and national ag policy.  An opportunity was given to breakfast attendees to share issues that were important to them regarding Hardin County agriculture and beyond.  Yesterday we finished up pesticide recertification with a  makeup and specialty program for anyone who had yet to renew their Ohio Pesticide License that expires on 3/31/2016.  Anyone who has the yellow fertilizer certification card that had a 3/31/2016 expiration date will automatically update with this 3 year cycle.  Are you aware of the Western Lake Erie Basin restrictions for application of fertilizer and manure?  I have attached an article that explains what you need to know if you farm in this watershed.

 WLEB Fertilizer-Manure Restrictions News Release

The wheat crop has really greened up and now is the time to start topdressing wheat through the jointing stage.  See the attached article for research based information regarding when to get this done.  Farmers with the administration of their farms consolidated at one Farm Service Agency office may want to examine their 2014 and 2015 ARC-CO payment calculations.  Original 2014 ARC-CO payments were calculated on the average yields for the administrative FSA office county, regardless of where the land was physically located.  Recently FSA announced that farmers could elect to have the 2014 and/or the 2015 ARC-CO payments calculated on the county in which the land is physically located.  For some farms this would be financially beneficial and needs to be requested by April 15, 2016.  FSA has calculated the results for the 2014 payments and for the farms where this election is beneficial, farmers simply need to sign the forms at their local FSA office. This will only affect farmers with land in more than one county.  For more information, see the attached document created by Chris Bruynis, OSU Extension Educator, Ross County.

Topdressing Wheat News Release

Farm Program Payments Revisited

As you prepare for this coming planting season, you might be interested in knowing the county crop yields that were recently released from USDA.  I have written an article about this subject that compares Hardin County with other adjoining counties.  Check it out if you are wondering how our 2015 corn, soybean, and wheat crops compared to other counties and the state average.  Something I would like to ask you to consider is participating in the statewide OSU Extension Soybean Survey Research project being conducted by Dr. Laura Lindsey.  Although our three year on –farm Ohio Yield-Factor Research is now complete, we are now moving on with a  new project which involves completing a two page survey.  One page is for 2014 and the other is for 2015.  I have attached a copy of this survey along with a news release and letter explaining it.  I hope you will complete it for 1-4 fields and then either send it to Dr. Lindsey or get it to me and I will send it to her.  The purpose of this project is to help farmers increase their soybean yields compared to what is potentially possible in their fields.

Soybean Survey Research

Soybean Survey Research Letter

Soybean Yield Gap News Release

County Crop Yields News Release

I’ve included a copy of the 2015 Annual Dairy Report attached to this newsletter, prepared by Dr. Maurice Eastridge, OSU Dairy Extension Specialist.  If you have the time, it is interesting to compare the different breeds and top performing dairy farms in the state of Ohio that are on test in regards to milk production.  Finally, I’ve attached a copy of a flyer promoting a Spotted Wing Drosophila workshop for anyone who raises soft fruits.  This is a relatively new pest in Ohio that needs attention if you are raising blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, grapes, peaches, or other fruits targeted by this fruit fly.  Upcoming local dates of interest this week include a Fairboard meeting Saturday (4/2) starting at 7:30 pm in the fair office; Dairy Service Unit Cheese Sale Orders Due Monday (4/4 – see attached order form); Farm Bureau board meeting Tuesday (4/5) starting at 7:30  pm at Ag Credit.  See below for additional agronomy related articles from the CORN Newsletter.

SWD workshop flyer 2016

2015 Annual Dairy Report

Spring Cheese Sale Flyer

 

Mark

 

Useful Weather Links and Outlook – Jim Noel

There has been many requests for information on where to find such things as 4 inch soil temperatures, stress degree days, growing degree days etc. The NOAA Midwest Regional Climate Center has a wealth of information at: http://mrcc.isws.illinois.edu/ and http://mrcc.isws.illinois.edu/cliwatch/watch.htm. To find other useful weather links and outlook, go to http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/use-full-weather-links-and-outlook.

 

Keep the sugar for your coffee and your cookies – Harold Watters, Laura Lindsey, Aaron Brooker

While we are interested in improving yield of Ohio crops, we also are reluctant to recommend practices that cost time and money and are not likely to be of assistance. From several on-farm trials conducted by OSU Extension professionals over the years, we see no value in applying sugar to our Ohio row crops.  For more information on these interesting studies, go to http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/keep-sugar-your-coffee-and-your-cookies.

 

American Farm Bureau Conducting Big Data Survey – John Fulton, Kaylee Port

The agriculture technology sector continues to be troubled with “big data” being of interest to many in and out of agriculture.  A recent report indicated that 2015 agriculture technology investment doubled from the $2.36B (billion dollars) that was observed in 2014. Big data can provide opportunities for farmers and other in agriculture but uncertainty, mostly expressed as skepticism and mistrust, remains at the grassroots level. Big data may significantly affect many aspects of the agricultural industry, but the full extent and nature of its eventual impacts remain uncertain. To help gather farmers’ understanding and concerns related to Big Data, the American Farm Bureau is conducting a survey at http://fbbigdata2016.questionpro.com. Ohio Farmers are encouraged to take time and complete this online survey.  It is important to hear from you on this topic as it remains a significant interest as observed in 2014 and 2015 investments.  Find more information at http://fabe.osu.edu/programs/precision-ag/big-data.

 

Early Termination of Cover Crops – Rory Lewandowski

Cover crops provide multiple benefits with regards to protecting soil from erosion, improving soil health, and as a component of a nutrient management plan.  For those cover crops that over winter and resume growth in the spring, for example, cereal rye and annual ryegrass, an important question is when to terminate that cover crop.  That decision should consider the next crop, planting date of that next crop, the spring weather pattern and purpose of the cover crop.   For cover crops that have not been planted with the intention of providing a forage harvest, and that are on acres intended for corn grain production, this may be a year to consider early termination of that cover crop.

 

New to LibertyLink Soybean? – Here’s your Primer – Mark Loux

LibertyLink soybeans are finally starting to get the use in Ohio that they deserve.  Use of the LibertyLink system accomplishes several things – resolving current herbicide-resistant weed problems and reducing the emphasis on glyphosate use that continues to drive the development of resistant weed populations.  Our primary glyphosate weed problems in the state are still marestail, giant ragweed, and common ragweed.  Waterhemp problems are slowly increasing and Palmer amaranth is showing up here and there.  Go to http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2016-05/new-libertylink-soybean-heres-your-primer to learn more about using LibertyLink soybeans.

 

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