September 30, 2016

Good evening,

This week harvest got off to a start in Hardin County before the rains began.   I first noticed a couple soybean fields cut in the northern part of the county and while doing the weed survey in the southern part, noticed a couple corn fields shelled.  Wheat planting is now on the minds of some as the September 26 fly free date has now passed.  See the attached article written by Hancock County Extension Educator Ed Lentz about wheat planting for several good tips to get the crop successfully started.  I have also included a copy of the August rainfall report summary to this email.  During the month of August, Extension volunteer rainfall reporters received an average of 5.22 inches of rain.  The growing season average rainfall was 1.57 inches below the ten-year average for Hardin County for the same period.

Wheat Planting Article

August 2016 Rainfall Summary

The Hardin County OSU Extension Master Gardener Volunteers (MGV) brought back two state awards from the Ohio MGV Conference held September 16-17 at Cuyahoga Falls near Akron.  ‘The Rose Garden in the Friendship Gardens’ was recognized as state winner for the Integrated Pest Management Outstanding MGV Project award category at this annual conference.  Also, the Hardin County group was recognized as a platinum ‘Standards of Excellence’ award winner.  See the attached news release about this state conference to read more details about the accomplishments of our Master Gardener Volunteers.

State Master Gardener Awards News Release

The past two days I have been in training with other Extension Educators for farm management. With the lower crop prices, some producers may find themselves in tight financial situations. Extension is gearing up to have the tools to be able to assist farmers who need help getting their financial affairs in order.  Hopefully this won’t be a long lasting issue, but if it is we want to be able to provide programs and assistance in this area.  The Dairy Service Unit is in the middle of their Fall Cheese Sale.  I have attached a copy of the news article and order form so that you can make an order if you are interested in a good ag product that supports a good cause.  Orders are due October 12 to any Dairy Service Unit director or you can mail in the order.

Fall Cheese Sale News Release

Fall Cheese Sale Flyer

Upcoming local events this week include Farm Bureau on Tuesday (10/4), starting at 6:30 pm at the Plaza Inn.  Ag Council will be meeting Friday (10/7), starting at 7:00 am at Henry’s Restaurant. Below are some agronomy related articles that you may be interested in reading.  Have a good week and hopefully the weather will settle down soon to allow harvest to resume.

 

Mark

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SOME TIPS FOR EVALUATING CORN HYBRID DEMONSTRATION PLOTS – Peter Thomison

This is the time of year when many farmers visit and evaluate hybrid demonstration plots planted by seed companies and county Extension personnel, among others.  When we experience a year like 2016 in which drought and heat impacted corn performance in many fields, it’s likely we will see some striking differences among hybrids in demonstration plots.  When evaluating these plots, it’s important to keep in mind their relative value and limitations.  Demonstration plots can be useful in providing information on certain hybrid traits that are usually not reported in state corn performance summaries.  Go to http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/some-tips-evaluating-corn-hybrid-demonstration-plots to finish reading this article.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SOYBEAN END OF SEASON TO-DO LIST – Anne Dorrance

Soybean variety selection is the crucial first step to a successful year and bountiful harvest.  In Ohio, we face many challenges and some of them were quite apparent in different parts of the state.  Frogeye leaf spot, sudden death syndrome, white mold and even more surprising, Phytophthora stem rot.  To add to this soybean cyst nematode (SCN) can now be found at detectable and higher levels than 20 years ago.  There is very good resistance to all of these pathogens in the soybean cultivar line up of all companies.  We sometimes just get the wrong genetics in the wrong field or in the wrong region. So it is time for folks to take these things seriously and know what fields these pathogens are in and how much damage they are causing.  Go to http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/soybean-end-season-do-list to read more.

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

IS THE NO-CUTTING FALL REST PERIOD FOR ALFALFA REALLY NECESSARY? – Mark Sulc, Rory Lewandowski The long-standing recommendation has been to take the last harvest of alfalfa by early September in northern Ohio and mid-September in southern Ohio.  Every year I observe that many people do not follow this recommendation, probably for various reasons.  Most people taking only three cuttings are finished with the final harvest by early to mid-September.  But the fourth cutting is another story.  Go to http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/no-cutting-fall-rest-period-alfalfa-really-necessary to continue reading this article about alfalfa cutting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FALL MANURE APPLICATION TIPS – Glen Arnold, Kevin Elder Silage harvest is moving along rapidly in Ohio, with corn and soybean harvest expected to be earlier this year than normal.  Livestock producers and commercial manure applicators will be applying both liquid and solid manure as fields become available.  For poultry manure, handlers are reminded to stockpile poultry litter close to the fields actually receiving the manure.  Stockpiles need to be 500 feet from a residence, 300 feet from a water source and 1,500 feet from a public water intake.  Poultry litter cannot be stockpiled in a floodplain and cannot have offsite water running across the litter stockpile area. The site also cannot have a slope greater than six percent.  To read more manure application tips, go to http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/fall-manure-application-tips.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WESTERN BEAN CUTWORM DAMAGE AND HEAVY FEEDING ON CRY1F – Andy Michel, Eric Richer, Kelley Tilmon We have been contacted by several growers and crop advisors regarding heavy feeding on corn ears by Western bean cutworm (WBC).  These observations were confirmed during a recent visit to several fields in Northwest Ohio.  It was very easy to spot damaged ears, and most, if not all, of these fields showed economic damage.  It is quite clear that WBC has become the primary corn ear pest in NW Ohio, and that it will need to be properly managed.  Although the damage is already done, now is a good time to see the extent of WBC feeding in your field to help prepare for next year.  To read more about Western Bean Cutworm damage, go to http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/western-bean-cutworm-damage-and-heavy-feeding-cry1f.

 

 

 

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

September 23, 2016

Good evening,

Did you get a chance to go to the Farm Science Review this week?  There was a reported total of 125,790 people attend this year’s event on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of this week.  There were plenty of exhibitors, demonstrations, and speakers to learn from in the hot weather during this annual event held at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center in London.  The Hardin County Carcass Show of Champions was held September 15 at Mt. Victory Meats.  If you didn’t get a chance to attend this event, see the attached news release for results and the attached document which contains the carcass data of the champion and reserve champion market livestock carcasses from the Hardin County Fair.  Also, I came across a link to an article and video about the Hardin Field Day that you’ll want to see at https://ofbf.org/2016/09/01/hardin-county-field-day-features-ways-reduce-nutrient-runoff/.

Carcass Show Results News Release

Carcass Show Data

Looking forward, the first Tuesday in December is the Hardin County Agriculture Hall of Fame Banquet.  Currently, the nominations committee is seeking your input to identify individuals for this honor.  Surely you know of someone who has made an impact either in farming or an agricultural related field who should be recognized.  If so, see the attached nomination form which is due October 14 to the Extension office.  There is also an attached news article which was sent out to area media this week.  We hope to identify and recognize men and women who have made their major contribution to agriculture primarily as a result of being born, growing up, living in, or working in Hardin County.  Please share this nomination form with families of those who qualify.

Ag Hall of Fame Nominations News Release

Ag Hall of Fame Purpose and Nomination Form 2016

Are you interested in joining members of the Hardin County Sheep Improvement Association on their annual Hardin County Sheep Tour?  This year the group is traveling to southwest Ohio to visit farms and sheep industry related businesses in Logan, Darke, and Miami Counties.  See the attached letter that was sent out this past week announcing this year’s tour, which will take place on the weekend of October 22-23.  Contact Madelyn Lowery at 419-673-3291 if you are interested in joining us for this educational and fun-filled weekend event.  Who knows, you might learn something new to improve your livestock production and management skills.

 Sheep Tour Invitation Letter

There are other local events coming up this week in the county.  Events include the Farm Bureau ATV Tour of Southeast Hardin County on Saturday (9/24), starting at 8:00 am from Althauser Honey Farm, Master Gardener Volunteers meeting on Monday (9/26), starting at 7:00 pm at Harco Industries, Ohio Cattle Producers Beef Industry Update meeting on Wednesday (9/28), starting at 6:00 pm at Rolling Hills Farms Show and Sale Facility, and a Hardin County Fairboard meeting Saturday (10/1), starting at 7:30 pm.  Below are some agronomy articles that you may be interested in reading.

 

Mark 

 

Late season purple corn – Alexander Lindsey, Peter Thomison

Growers are reporting reddish-purple plants in their corn fields and sometimes observing that the degree of purpling varies among hybrids. Several factors can cause purpling of corn plant tissues late in the season. As a defense mechanism to protect photosynthesis, a corn will form pigments to help absorb excess light and divert it away from their photosynthetic centers as a form of sunblock.  Go to http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/late-season-purple-corn to read more.

 

Buying LibertyLink soybean seed for next year?…Things to know – Mark Loux

Continued problems with marestail and ragweeds this year have a number of growers considering the switch to LibertyLink soybeans for 2017.  The LibertyLink system can certainly be a good choice for management of glyphosate-resistant populations of these weeds, along with waterhemp and Palmer amaranth.  It’s essential to use the appropriate approach to LibertyLink soybeans to get the most out of it and avoid potential problems.  Some things to consider as you make seed-buying decisions and think about your herbicide costs for next year can be found at http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/buying-libertylink-soybean-seed-next-yearthings-know.

 

Western Bean Cutworm Infestation and Disease Issues – Andy Michel, Pierce Paul

Reports of ear feeding by western bean cutworm (WBC) have come in at a steady pace over the last few weeks. This is the 3rd consecutive year that we have seen a fair amount of feeding, some of it likely has led to an economic loss. The heaviest feeding has occurred in the Northwest and Northeast corners of Ohio. While it is too late to spray or control at this point (since most larvae are protected in the ear and are getting ready to pupate anyway), growers may need to watch for the development of ear rots.  Go to http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/western-bean-cutworm-infestation-and-disease-issues to read more about this type of insect damage to corn.

 

Important Wheat Management Decisions – Pierce Paul, Ed Lentz, Laura Lindsey, Clay Sneller

Among the questions that we have had to answer thus far this season as we get ready to plant wheat are: What are the real dangers of planting wheat after wheat?  Now that we have an excellent group of fungicides, can we get away with planting wheat after wheat? Response: We never recommend planting wheat after wheat or ever wheat after corn simply because these are very bad disease management practices.  To read more about wheat management decisions, go to http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/important-wheat-management-decisions.

 

Prepping Your Yield Monitor for the 2016 Harvest Season – John Fulton, Kaylee Port, Elizabeth Hawkins

As the use of precision agriculture continues to increase across the US, it is more and more important to ensure that all equipment is prepped, calibrated, and ready for a successful harvest.  One of the more common uses of precision agriculture comes in the form of yield mapping.  Yield maps not only help growers understand end-of-year performance within fields, but also can be used to characterize in-field variation. Information about this variation is often used by service providers to deliver prescriptions, recommendations, or other information back to the farmer.  Because yield maps continue to be an important data layer to learn from and help drive changes or decisions at a field level, proper management of the yield monitor in 2016 is key in order to generate accurate and reliable yield data.  To finish reading this article, go to http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/prepping-your-yield-monitor-2016-harvest-season.

 

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

 

 

September 17, 2016

Hello,

The county fair is over and we had the Hardin County Carcass Show of Champions last night.  If you missed the carcass show, you might want to read the attached news release that explains how the champion and reserve market livestock from the Hardin County Fair are evaluated.  Sometimes the way they are placed on the rail doesn’t agree with the way they placed in the show ring.  Overall, the meats judge was very satisfied with the quality of livestock in the carcass show and commended the project exhibitors on the fine job they did raising their fair animals.  Now that the carcass show is complete, the Farm Science Review is coming up next week.  This year’s Farm Science Review is being held Tuesday-Thursday, September 20-22 at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center in London.  See the attached news release and attached Gwynn Conservation Area Schedule and Map.  Additional information about this year’s Farm Science Review can be found online at fsr.osu.edu and you can purchase tickets online (http://fsr.osu.edu/about/online-ticket-purchase-information) or at the Extension office at the reduced pre-sale rate of $7 through Monday.  Tickets at the gate cost $10 per person.

Carcass Show News Release

Farm Science Review News Release

2016 Gwynne Schedule

Gwynne Map 2016

Today I participated in the Wyandot County Fair by showcasing Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension programs, research, and resources available to fairgoers in the Masters Building in Upper Sandusky.  After that, I traveled to Cuyahoga Falls for the State Master Gardener Conference. Our Hardin County Master Gardener Volunteers have applied for several state awards again this year which will be presented at this two day conference.  In addition to awards, the conference has guest speakers, seminars, and tours for the attendees to participate.  Driving to northeast Ohio, I saw corn harvested in Crawford County along U.S. Route 30.

It won’t be long until harvest begins in Hardin County.  Silage chopping has been taking place the past couple of weeks and hay is still being made.  I have included some agronomy articles for you to read at the bottom of this email if you are interested.  Enjoy the nice cool weather and I hope to see you at this year’s Farm Science Review.  I will be working in the afternoons in the Agronomic Crops Team test plots, Pesticide Safety Education area, and the Nutrient Management/Water Quality booth in the Firebaugh building on the different days.

 

Mark

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EAR DEVELOPMENT IMPACTED BY DROUGHT CONDITIONS – Peter Thomison

Drought and heat adversely affected ear and kernel formation in many Ohio corn fields this year. Poor ear and kernel development is associated with variability in plant growth within fields that is related to differences in soil moisture.   In some areas within fields subject to protracted dry conditions, ears are absent (“barren”) or severely reduced in size with a few scattered kernels (nubbin ears). Where the impact of drought was less pronounced and plant height and color look normal or near normal, ear cob size may be normal but kernel number is markedly reduced. No kernels may be evident on the last two or more inches of the ear tip.  To read more about ear development in corn, go to http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/ear-development-impacted-drought-conditions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BEAN LEAF BEETLES DON’T QUIT AT THE END OF AUGUST (UNLIKE YOUR SUMMER HELP) – Kelley Tilmon, Andy Michel

As we get into the R5-R6 growth stage of soybean, now is the time to look out for pod and seed feeding insects, especially bean leaf beetles, grasshoppers, and stink bugs.  Last week’s article focused on stink bugs, which pierce the pod and suck out seed matter.  Bean leaf beetle and grasshopper chewing damage is more obvious.  Grasshopper damage is usually focused on field edges, but bean leaf beetles will be spread more evenly through the field.  We have not had any reports of unusual levels of pod feeding activity, but growers are still advised to monitor their fields for these two insects.  Go to http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/bean-leaf-beetles-don’t-quit-end-august-unlike-your-summer-help to finish reading this article.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PREVENTION IS THE KEY TO MANAGING STORED GRAIN PESTS – Lee Townsend, Extension Entomologist, University of Kentucky

The primary causes of grain spoilage during storage are excess moisture and high temperature.  However, insects can infest any grain that is not handled properly or that is stored longer than 6 months.  Damage from weevils or other stored grain insects can be costly.  Unfortunately, they often are discovered when grain is being taken out of the bin.  At that point, the damage has been done and there are few control options.  The elements of pest prevention, the key to successful long-term storage are sanitation, protection, and inspection.  Arguably, sanitation is the key because infestations of stored grain insects rarely begin in the field.  To finish reading this article, go to http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/prevention-key-managing-stored-grain-pests.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

UNLAWFUL OR ANTI-COMPETITIVE ACTIVITIES-THE BIG DATA CONFUSION: PART 13 – John Fulton, Kaylee Port

A common concern for growers when working with an Agricultural Technology Provider (ATP) is that their data may be used by that ATP to benefit itself in the marketplace.  According to the Federal Trade Commission, it is illegal for businesses to act together in ways that can limit competition, lead to higher prices, or hinder other businesses from entering the market.  The 13th farm data principle outlined in the American Farm Bureau “Privacy and Security Principles for Farm Data” highlights Unlawful or Anti-Competitive Activities in which “ATPs should not use the data for unlawful or anti-competitive activities, such as a prohibition on the use of farm data by the ATP to speculate in commodity markets”.  The primary concern is that a company could use farm data (however it is access) to market various crops or influence input sales.  To read more about this Big Data topic, go to http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/unlawful-or-anti-competitive-activities-big-data-confusion-part-13.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DROUGHT STRESSED CORN AS SILAGE – Rory Lewandowski

Rain has been spotty across much of Ohio this summer and there are areas where corn was under moisture stress during the critical pollination period.  As a result, this drought stressed corn has poor grain development and small cobs.  Much of this corn may end up chopped for corn silage.  Typically the most frequent questions about using drought stressed corn for corn silage revolve around nitrate toxicity, expected yield and quality.  Go to http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/drought-stressed-corn-silage to read more about the affect of drought on corn silage.

 


 

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 

September 8, 2016

Hello,

Have you had a chance to get out to the Hardin County Fair yet?  So far it has been a good fair even with the hot temperatures.  After tonight’s rain, it looks like it might cool things off.  I’ve been doing talks the past couple of mornings in the Extension Homemakers’ area located in the Community Building on the fairgrounds.  Wednesday’s topic was Fruit & Vegetable Problems, today’s topic was Sheep in the United Kingdom & Ireland, and tomorrow morning’s (9/9) topic will be On-Farm Research.  See the attached article and flyer for more information about these talks.  The county fair is always a good time to bring the agricultural community together and support the youth and adults who bring their exhibits to showcase Hardin County’s top industry.

Talking Ag and Natural Resources News Release

Talking Ag and Natural Resources Flyer

Following the fair, you may be interested in seeing how well the champion and reserve steers, barrows, gilts, lambs, and goats do in the annual carcass show.  The Hardin County Carcass Show of Champions will be held THURSDAY, September 15 at Mt. Victory Meats.  This is a couple days later than in the past, but we hope the later date will enable the carcasses to be in better condition for evaluation.  The decision to move this date to the Thursday after the fair was based on a suggestion by both the carcass show judge and Mt. Victory Meats.  So, we hope to see you at 6:00 pm on September 15 for this event.  See the attached flyer for more details.

2016 Carcass Show Flyer

Other upcoming events include the Farm Bureau annual meeting being held Saturday, September 10 at the Farm Bureau booth in the Machinery Building on the fairgrounds starting at 4:00 pm.  There will also be a Soil and Water Conservation District board meeting at the SWCD office Thursday, September 15 starting at 7:30 am.  I hope to see you at the Hardin County Fair.  Until then, I have included some agronomy related articles below that may interest you.

 

Mark

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FSR AGRONOMY COLLEGE IS SEPTEMBER 13 – Harold Watters

Agronomists, CCAs and custom applicators are invited to the Farm Science Review Agronomy College, hosted by the Ohio AgriBusiness Association in partnership with Ohio State University Extension and the Farm Science Review staff. The program will bring industry experts, OSU researchers, and agronomy service providers together to enhance collective knowledge and learning at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center in London, Ohio, on Sept. 13 – one week before the start of the annual three-day farm show. The full-day event features time with OSU Extension educators in the field at the small plot agronomy demonstrations. For the larger field demonstrations there will be topics including tip selection for the new herbicide tolerant crops, precision applications, remote sensing, and an update on nutrient management issues in Ohio. For more information about the FSR Agronomy College, go to http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/fsr-agronomy-college-september-13.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BACK TO THE FUTURE WITH STINK BUGS? – Andy Michel, Kelley Tilmon

Some of you may remember the 2012 growing season—very dry most of the year but, in some areas, late season rains gave a second life into the soybean crop that was reaching pod fill stage.  Unfortunately, this boost also likely attracted stink bugs into soybean and robbed many producers of the yield they thought was saved by the rain.  With the recent rains this past week, 2016 is shaping up to be very similar to 2012.  Now that soybean has moisture to fill the pods, we might be seeing a rise in stink bug pressure. To read more about stink bugs in soybean, go to http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/back-future-stink-bugs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ESTIMATING YIELD LOSSES IN DROUGHT DAMAGED CORN FIELDS – Peter Thomison

Rainfall over the past weekend helped some drought stressed corn fields, especially late plantings, but it may have been too late for others.  Prior to this rainfall, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, 46 percent of Ohio was rated as in “moderate drought” (https://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/Ohio/Publications/Crop_Progress_&_Condition/index.php). That area covered most of northern Ohio. Another 15 percent was rated in “severe drought”. That area spread from west central Ohio to northeast Ohio. Corn growers with drought damaged fields may want to estimate grain yields prior to harvest in order to help with marketing and harvest plans. Two procedures that are widely used for estimating corn grain yields prior to harvest are the YIELD COMPONENT METHOD (also referred to as the “slide rule” or corn yield calculator) and the EAR WEIGHT METHOD. Each method will often produce yield estimates that are within 20 bu/ac of actual yield. To read more, go to http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/estimating-yield-losses-drought-damaged-corn-fields.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FARMER LED WATER QUALITY MONITORING-INITIAL RESULTS AND REQUEST FOR PARTICIPANTS – Greg LaBarge

Ohio State University Extension is seeking an additional 60 fields in the Western Lake Erie Basin to help with a water monitoring research project looking at Dissolved Reactive Phosphorus (DRP) losses from fields.  Farmers already participating do not need to signup fields already being monitored and are encouraged to add additional fields by visiting the signup link at http://go.osu.edu/watersurvey.  Increases in DRP in the watershed have been tied to increased occurrences of Harmful Algal Blooms in Lake Erie. The data collected will help better quantify actual losses from an economic and environmental standpoint, lead to tools that can target high risk fields so cost effective Best Management practices can be designed that maintain crop productivity while reducing phosphorus losses. To finish reading this article, go to http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/farmer-led-water-quality-monitoring-initial-results-and-request.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FSR NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT FIELD DAY – SEPTEMBER 14 – Harold Watters

The FSR Nutrient Management Field Day is September 14th. We will make use of the site and facilities of the Farm Science Review’s Molly Caren Agricultural Center, near London Ohio the week before that event. Check in at 8:30 for a 9 AM start and plan to end the day by 3PM. We will break into small groups so you get an up close and personal educational experience for the morning. Starting at 9 AM we will run through the Agronomy Demonstration Plots – the Nitrogen management plots, a Rainfall simulation and Cover crop options. Before lunch we get the rundown on Phosphorus management.  Go to http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/fsr-nutrient-management-field-day-–-september-14 to find out more information about this field day.

 

 

 

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