Good afternoon,
We could sure use a rain. Although it seems very dry, we are not too far off from where our precipitation normally is this time of year. The difference was that we received it all in a short period of time and have not seem much rain since then in most areas. For the time period of May 1-May 31, Extension rainfall reporters recorded an average of 3.27 inches of rain in Hardin County. Last year, the average rainfall for the same time period was 3.70 inches. Rainfall for May 1-May 31, 2016 is 0.62 inches less than the ten year average rainfall during the same dates. The old trick of making hay hasn’t brought rain as I have seen several people baling hay during this dry spell. The payoff has been some really nice hay. To read more about our May rainfall, see the attached May 2016 Rainfall Summary.
Since last week, we have been laying out test strips and soil sampling in the second Nitrogen Rate plot and also flagged and sampled one of the two Nitrogen Timing plots. The other Nitrogen Timing plot will also need to be sampled for soil nutrients before moving on to soil sampling in the Nutrient Placement plot. I hope to finish this work by tomorrow so that we can move on with other plot work. I’ve been trying to stay ahead of the sidedress applications, so that the cooperating farmers can get their work done in a timely manner. One of the purposes of doing nitrogen studies is to update what we know about proper rate, placement, timing, and sources of nitrogen. There’s some new technology out there, and we plan to use some of it in our on-farm research plots. For more information about some of this new technology, see the attached article written by Putnam County OSU Extension Educator Jim Hoorman.
Nitrogen Management Technology News Release
OSU Extension has a Direct Marketing team that works with growers to develop and grow their agribusinesses whether they be small farms, alternative agriculture, produce farms, greenhouse, and other non-traditional operations. There are several of these types of operations in Hardin County, so I have included a schedule of upcoming webinars that you can participate in for free from the comfort of your own home or office. The next one on the schedule is ‘Product Labeling’ and it will be live on June 16 at noon. You can see a full listing of these webinars on the document that I have attached to this email. If there is one of interest to you that has already been held, you can go back and watch a recording of the program at http://go.osu.edu/DirectMarketingWebinars.
Wednesday through Friday of this week I will be in southern Ohio at Hueston Woods State Park participating in the OSU Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Summer Retreat. We will have training, tours, and meetings to share information about the latest issues and technology in agriculture. This is a good time to reflect on where we have been, what we are doing, and what work needs to be done in the next year. I know that I have some horticulture leaf disease samples, tree issues, and insects to take along and get some expertise from colleagues who will be at this conference. When I come back I hope to see some more moisture in the soil along with corn and soybeans that have advanced in their growth stages. Until then, below are some agronomic crop articles that you may be interested in reading.
Mark
Soybean Stands — Lots of Changes – Anne Dorrance
From too wet, too cold, to too dry and too hot. It seems like Ohio has seen quite a range of conditions this spring. All of these conditions can influence stand. Go to http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/soybean-stands-lots-changes to read a summary of potential issues that will affect stands.
Terms and Definitions — The Big Data Confusion: Part 9 – John Fulton, Kaylee Port
When it comes to making decisions around selecting a data service(s), understanding “Terms and Definitions” becomes an important component of the decision. The Privacy and Security Principles for Farm Data published by AFBF states that “Farmers should know with whom they are contracting if the ATP contract involves sharing with third parties, partners, business partners, ATP partners, or affiliates. Go to http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/terms-and-definitions-big-data-confusion-part-9 to read more about terms and definitions.
June Small Grains Field Days – Greg LaBarge
There are three excellent field day opportunities being planned for small grain producers across the state. The three days cover a variety of production issues, nutrient management practices, and small grain uses. Locations are in Pickaway, Wayne and Wood Counties. Topics include: Wheat freeze tolerance, minimum wheat stand, wheat fertility, Wheat disease identification and management and Ohio Wheat Performance Test. Be sure to check out the location closest to you! For upcoming dates and locations, go to http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/june-small-grains-field-days.
Planting and Pollinators – Reed Johnson, Doug Sponsler, Andy Michel, Kelley Tilmon
Beekeepers in Ohio benefitted from the generally mild winter of 2015-2016. In Columbus we lost less than 20% of our colonies over winter. Spring is the only reliably good season for bees in Ohio. Colonies that survived the winter and new colonies brought up from the Gulf Coast or California are currently in the process of harvesting nectar and pollen from spring-blooming trees and weeds. Continue reading this article at http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/planting-and-pollinators to find out what farmers can do to help prevent bee losses.
Predicting leaf development in corn using accumulated heat units – Peter Thomison
When estimating yield losses in corn due to hail, frost, and other types of plant injury, it’s essential to establish the stage of plant growth at the time damage occurred. It’s also important to know corn stage of development in order to apply post-emergence chemicals effectively with minimum crop damage. Counting leaf collars to determine the vegetative stage is feasible until the lower leaves can no longer be identified. At about the V6 stage, increasing stalk and nodal growth combine to tear the smallest lower leaves from the plant. This results in degeneration and eventual loss of lower leaves which makes it difficult to locate the lower leaves (especially the first rounded leaf). Go to http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/predicting-leaf-development-corn-using-accumulated-heat-units to read more about predicting leaf development in corn.
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