August 29, 2016

Good afternoon,

The Hardin Field Day was a success with about 190 people in attendance.  There were several speakers for attendees to hear over a wide range of topics that were related to the theme ‘Agriculture Conservation- Protecting Water: Keeping Soil and Nutrients in the Field.’  Although we had perfect weather for the day, the recent rains made the field too wet to do field demonstrations.  However, there were several conservation and water quality structures and equipment for people to see.  To read a recap of the event, see the attached reminder article that was written by Hardin SWCD’s Kathy Bash.

 Agriculture Conservation News Release

This Wednesday (8/31) will be the Ohio No-Till Field Day in Hardin County as well.  Jan Layman’s farm (15238 Twp. Rd.119 – Kenton) will be the host site for this year’s statewide field event.  Registration will begin at 8:00, with a $60 on-site registration fee for those who didn’t pre-register for $40.  Dave Brandt, president of the Ohio No-Till Council will give the welcome at 8:45 am, followed by a host of presenters and field demonstrations.  There will also be a cover crops plot along with a soil pit, demonstrating water infiltration.  Soil health will be a key theme of this field day, as described both in the article below and the attached article taken from the Ohio No-Till News.  This field day rotates around the state, so you won’t want to miss it while it is in our backyard.

 No-Till Field Day Article

Champaign County Extension and the Champaign County Soil and Water Conservation District is having a Cover Crop Field Day on September 8.  Presentations and field visits will include: Cover Crop Selector Tool- Sarah Noggle, OSU Extension; Soil Health and Cover Crops- George Derringer, NRCS; Manure and Cover Crops- Amanda Douridas, OSU Extension; and a Local Farmer Panel.  A Field tour will allow attendees to see growing cover crops, soil exploration, and a planting demonstration.  For more information and registration, see the attached flyer.

 2016 Cover Crop Field Day Flyer

Upcoming local events include Farm Bureau Thursday (9/1) starting at 6:30 pm at the fairgrounds Farm Bureau booth.  Ag Council will meet Friday (9/2), starting at 7:00 am at Henry’s Restaurant.  The Fairboard will meet Saturday (9/3) starting at 7:30 pm at the fairgrounds.  In closing, make sure you take time to review the agronomy related articles below for information that may be of interest to you.

 

Mark

 

Bt Resistance in Western Corn Rootworm—The 3rd Shoe Has Dropped – Andy Michel, Kelley Tilmon

Western corn rootworm is a highly adaptable insect, and it was just a matter of time before we saw resistance to Bt traits designed to protect against root damage.  In the Western Corn Belt, growers have noticed many field failures due to heavy rootworm feeding. Most of this research was led by Dr. Aaron Gassmann’s laboratory at Iowa State University.  In 2011 they discovered resistance to Cry3Bb1 (which may be present in Yieldgard or Genuity traits). In 2014 they discovered resistance to mCry3A (which may be present in Agrisure traits).  Now, in 2016, they have discovered resistance to Cry34/35Ab1 (which may be present in Herculex or Optimum traits). Go to http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/bt-resistance-western-corn-rootworm%E2%80%94-3rd-shoe-has-dropped to read more.

  

Late season diseases are making their appearance – Anne Dorrance

Sudden death syndrome.  I was scouting the sudden death syndrome study and symptoms have started.  And due to the calls I am getting it is also in some producer’s fields.  Sudden death syndrome (SDS) is a fungal disease of soybean and is limited to a few locations in Ohio.  Interestingly, these fields where SDS occurs in Ohio, also have high SCN populations.  To read more about Sudden death syndrome, White mold or Sclerotinia stem rot, Diaporthe Stem canker, and Phytophthora stem rot in soybean, go to http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/late-season-diseases-are-making-their-appearance. 

 

Ohio No-Till Field Day – August 31 – Mark Badertscher

Are you thinking about switching to no-till and have some questions you need answered before taking the leap?  Maybe you‘ve been planting no-till soybeans for years and are thinking about adapting this practice to corn.  Adopting no-till requires understanding how it affects drainage, soil structure, organic matter, weed control, and the application of pesticides and chemical fertilizers, all of which influence both yields and environmental impacts.  For more information about this field day being held in Hardin County, go to http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2016-26/ohio-no-till-field-day-august-31.

 

Contract Termination – The Big Data Confusion: Part 12 – John Fulton, Kaylee Port

Termination signifies ending an obligation under a contract. Sometimes, terminating a contract can be a difficult process. Verbiage used within a contract about terminating can vary as it relates to the ability of the customer to cancel the contract or services being provided.  One should take the time to read contracts or agreements specific to termination and what it means to you as a user but also the company or agency, if you decide to cancel.  The 11th principle of the American Farm Bureau Federation’s “Privacy and Security Principles for Farm Data” includes Contract Termination stating that “farmers should be allowed to discontinue a service or halt the collection of data at any time subject to appropriate ongoing obligations. Procedures for termination of services should be clearly defined in the contract.”  Go to http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/contract-termination-big-data-confusion-part-12 to finish reading this article.

 

Potential for Nitrate Problems in Drought Stressed Corn – Peter Thomison, Laura Lindsey

Have very dry soil conditions increased the potential for toxic levels of nitrates in corn harvested for silage? Nitrates absorbed from the soil by plant roots are normally incorporated into plant tissue as amino acids, proteins and other nitrogenous compounds. Thus, the concentration of nitrate in the plant is usually low. The primary site for converting nitrates to these products is in growing green leaves. Under unfavorable growing conditions, especially drought, this conversion process is retarded, causing nitrate to accumulate in the stalks, stems and other conductive tissue. The highest concentration of nitrates is in the lower part of the stalk or stem. For example, the bulk of the nitrate in a drought-stricken corn plant can be found in the bottom third of the stalk. If moisture conditions improve, the conversion process accelerates and within a few days nitrate levels in the plant returns to normal. Go to http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/potential-nitrate-problems-drought-stressed-corn to read more about this potential issue.

 

The Ohio State University

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

 

 

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