November 28, 2016

Good afternoon,

I hope that you had a good Thanksgiving and had time to spend it with family and those who are close to you.  We are thankful for a completed harvest, one which corn yields may not have been where we wanted them to be, but most likely better than expected.  The soybean crop did turn out much better than once predicted, which was good news to area farmers given some of corn yields that were disappointing.  We were able to harvest all of our OSU Extension test plots, but I have been busy working on winter program planning and the upcoming Hardin County Agriculture Hall of Fame Banquet so I don’t have further information to share at this time.  This year Stephanie Jolliff, Wright McCullough, Bruce McPheron, and Mark Rose will be inducted into the 2016 class.  Have you reserved your tickets yet?  If not, you need to call the Extension office as soon as possible so we can hold tickets for you at the door.  You may have already read about those being honored on Tuesday, December 6, but if not, I have attached a copy of the news article that was sent to local media.

2016 Ag Hall of Fame News Release

Other local upcoming events include Ag Council on Friday, December 2 starting at 7:00 am at Henry’s Restaurant, Hardin County Fairboard on Saturday, December 3 starting at 7:30 pm at the fair office, and a Farm Bureau meeting on Monday, December 5 starting at 7:00 pm at Ag Credit.  Since the last edition of the Hardin County Agriculture and Natural Resources Update came out, I was able to participate in a Blanchard River Demonstration Farms Tour of Hancock and Hardin Counties.  On this tour, our group was able to visit the Kurt Farm in Dunkirk, the Kellogg Farm in Forest, and the Stateler Farm in McComb to see research that is being conducted to test conservation and nutrient management practices and their effect on water quality in the Western Lake Erie Basin.  I also had the opportunity to speak to the Ottawa River Coalition in Lima on this same topic.

Do you have a plan for marketing your grain that is in the bin?  Would you like to brush up on your grain marketing skills?  Auglaize County Extension is hosting a Grain Marketing workshop called ‘Turning On-Farm Storage into a Profit.’  The date for this program is December 7 with a deadline for registration on December 2.  See the attached flyer for more information about this event that will include topics such as: How on-farm storage combined with forward selling, market carry, and basis appreciation can provide added income; Hedging with futures to reduce risk; and How options can be a great addition to a farmer’s marketing tool box.  Below are some agronomy related articles that you may be interested in reading.

Grain Marketing Workshop 2016

 

Mark

 

 

 

 

 

 

The XtendiMax Label for Xtend Soybeans – Mark Loux, Bill Johnson

As everyone has probably heard by now, there is finally a federal label for the use of a dicamba product, XtendiMax, on dicamba-resistant (Xtend) soybeans, such as it may be. We cover some of the highlights from the label here and in part II, some additional thoughts on what it all means. The XtendiMax is based on dicamba DGA (Clarity), and the formulation contains “Vapor Grip” (imagine a deep voice with reverb), which reduces the volatility of the dicamba spray mix. It’s a 2.9 lb/gallon liquid, so 22 oz provides 0.5 lb of dicamba, which is equivalent to 16 oz of Clarity and other 4 lb/gallon dicamba products.  To learn more about the XtendiMax Label for Xtend Soybeans, go to http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2016-38/xtendimax-label-xtend-soybeans.

 

 

 

 

 

 

2016 Ohio Corn Performance Test Results Now Available On-Line – Rich Minyo, Peter Thomison, Allen Geyer

The purpose of the Ohio Corn Performance Test is to evaluate corn hybrids for grain yield and other important agronomic characteristics. Results of the test can assist farmers in selecting hybrids best suited to their farming operations and production environments. Corn hybrids differ considerably in yield potential, standability, maturity, and other agronomic characteristics that affect profitable crop production. Hybrid selection should be based on proven performance from multiple test locations and years. Single and multi-year agronomic data is available for all sites and regions for 2016. Go to http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2016-38/2016-ohio-corn-performance-test-results-now-available-line to get more 2016 Ohio Corn Performance Tests information.

 


 

 

 

 

When is it Time for a No-till Field to be Tilled? – Anne Dorrance, Laura Lindsey, Peter Thomison, Andy Michel, Mark Loux

Tillage is a tool for managing many things that can go wrong on a given field. It breaks compaction (if done at the right soil moisture), improves drainage (again if done at the right soil moisture), and manages inoculum loads from residue borne insects and pathogens that impact corn, soybean, and wheat. Just like pesticides and fertilizers – too much tillage also can bring another set of problems, a compacted plow layer, but more importantly, soil erosion. With any agronomic practice, including tillage, there are benefits and drawbacks. Go to http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2016-38/when-it-time-no-till-field-be-tilled to read more about using tillage as a method of dealing with pathogens, insects, and weeds.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2016 Grain is in the Bin – What Should I Watch for? – Bruce Clevenger, Curtis Young

There are many reasons why on-farm grain storage is used by producers across Ohio. It may be part of the marketing strategy, feed storage for farm use, and/or income and tax management to complete grain sales before and/or after the new calendar year. Regardless of the reason, an essential requirement is to maintain quality grain during the storage period to preserve the grain for end usage and economic value. 2016 presented some grain quality challenges, especially for corn so it will be important to manage the grain during the next several months.  Go to http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2016-38/2016-grain-bin-what-should-i-watch to read more tips about maintaining grain quality while storing grain in bins.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Certified Crop Adviser – Harold D. Watters

The Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) and Certified Professional Agronomist (CPAg) programs of the American Society of Agronomy are the benchmarks of professionalism. The CCA certification was established in 1992 to provide a benchmark for practicing agronomy professionals in the United States and Canada. The Ohio CCA program has been operating since 1994; a local board directs our program and is managed by the Ohio AgriBusiness Association: http://oaba.net/aws/OABA/pt/sp/cca. Certification is the standard by which professionals are judged. The purpose of a certification program is to protect the public and the profession. To find out more about CCAs and how to become certified, go to http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2016-37/certified-crop-adviser.

 

 

 

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

 

November 14, 2016

Good morning,

Another week has passed and for the most part, corn harvest is nearly done in Hardin county.  There have been applications of manure and fertilizer along with fall tillage operations taking place in the area.  This past Monday we were able to harvest our Kenton Nitrogen Timing plot.  This plot is unique because it is comparing application of nitrogen using normal sidedress alongside a combined sidedress and late season Y-drop application.  This particular plot had 45 gallons 28% UAN sidedressed side-by-side in strips with 35 gallons sidedressed + 10 gallons 28% UAN late season applied with Y-drops in the row.  Our goal was to end up with the same amount of nitrogen on all strips, but this needed to be adjusted as we were unable to get the sprayer with Y-drop attachments down to 10 gallons, so the actual rate ended up being 12 gallons late season N applied.  For the purpose of the study, these treatments were replicated three times across the plot.  However, the practice was continued for a total of 12 replications across the field for yield data.  In 2 of the 3 replications in this study, yields were slightly higher with a 6-9 bushel increase with the split applications.  A big thanks goes to Jan Layman for cooperating with this field trial.  Once all the data is summarized, it will be made available with other on-farm research reports at agcrops.osu.edu.

Are you a snow bird who goes south and needs to renew your pesticide license early?  Delaware County is having an early bird pesticide and fertilizer training this week on Wednesday, November 16.  See the attached flyer for registration details if you would prefer to attend this pesticide recertification and fertilizer certification meeting instead of the one being held in Hardin County on March 14.  A standalone fertilizer certification meeting is also scheduled for Hardin County on March 6.  It is important to note that applicators applying fertilizer to 50 or more acres of crops for sale will need to be certified by September 30, 2017.  Tomorrow I will be traveling to Columbus to get training for our OSU Extension fertilizer programs that we will be providing this winter throughout west central Ohio.

Pesticide/Fertilizer Training

Corn harvest has been receiving mixed reviews depending on where the fields are located in the county.  Some areas were more drought stressed than others, causing problems with ear development and kernel fill.  Late summer brought about rains which started the spread of fungal pathogens.  These fungus’ led to mold issues that created corn grain quality issues in some fields.  Some diseases produce mycotoxins that are harmful to livestock.  Mold present in corn can spread in grain bins if it has not been dried properly, depending on the outside temperature and temperature of the grain.  Therefore, questionable grain should be moved out of bins as soon as possible and marketed.  See the attached article for more information on this topic.  Do you have an agribusiness that you promote on Facebook or other social media?  If so, you might want to check out this Thursday’s OSU Direct Marketing webinar listed on the attached flyer.  These webinars begin at noon and are free to watch live or later as a recording.

Corn Quality News Release

DM Webinar Series 2016

Upcoming local events include a Men’s Garden Club meeting tonight (11/14) at Jim Chandler’s home near Ridgeway, starting at 6:30 pm.  The Sheep Improvement Association will be meeting Tuesday (11/15) at the Extension office, starting at 7:30 pm.  The Soil and Water Conservation District will be meeting Thursday (11/17) at the SWCD office, starting at 7:30 am.  There will be an Extension Advisory Committee meeting Thursday (11/17) at the Extension office, starting at 7:00 pm.  I have included Agronomy articles below if you are interested in reading them.

 

Mark

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corn Testing Positive for Vomitoxin: How Reliable was The Sampling? – Pierce Paul

More and more reports are coming in of corn testing positive for vomitoxin, with levels as high as 6-10 ppm in some cases. Some of these numbers are taking producers by surprise. Although the weather has been favorable for ear rot development, and consequently, grain contamination with vomitoxin, test results could be misleading in some cases, and may even be incorrect. Since there is not a lot you can do about grain contaminated with mycotoxins, you should at least check to make sure that you got a fair test. Get a second opinion if you have to. There are several things about the mycotoxin testing process that could lead to inaccurate results, including how samples are drawn and handled. For more information about sampling grain for vomitoxin, go to http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2016-36/corn-testing-positive-vomitoxin-how-reliable-was-sampling.

 

 

 

 

 

 

2016 Ohio Soybean Performance Trial – Yield Data Available  – Laura Lindsey, JD Bethel

The 2016 Ohio Soybean Performance Trial yield data is now available online as a pdf: http://stepupsoy.osu.edu/sites/hcs-soy/files/2016%20OCJ_0.pdf  Sortable yield data and seed characteristics (seed size, protein, fiber, and oil) will be available in approximately two weeks. In 2016, over 200 soybean varieties from 21 seed companies were tested at six locations (Henry County, Sandusky County, Mercer County, Marion County, Preble County, and Clinton County. Types of soybeans tested include: conventional (non-GMO), Roundup Ready, Liberty Link, and Xtend. Yield ranged from 38.1 to 82.0 bu/acre. In the pdf, a double asterisk (**) is used to denote the variety with the highest yield within a region and maturity grouping. A single asterisk (*) is used to denote varieties with yield not statistically different than the highest yielding variety.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Developing a Strategy for Precision Soil Sampling – Elizabeth Hawkins, Greg LaBarge, Harold D. Watters, John Fulton, Steve Culman

There are many different tools and approaches available that, if used correctly, can help to improve your nutrient management (variable rate application, precision placement, crop sensing via NDVI, late-season application, nutrient BMPs, etc). However, selecting the correct tools and using them to your advantage is not always an easy process, since the best tool and the best approach can vary by farmer and field. The key to a successful soil fertility program is to identify your goals and develop a plan to meet those goals each season. Identifying both short and long term goals make it possible to develop a strategy to use precision technologies to systematically improve your soil fertility program.  Go to http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2016-37/developing-strategy-precision-soil-sampling to read more about soil sampling strategies.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stinkhorns in Corn and Soybean Fields – Jason Slot

If you have noticed a proliferation of foul-smelling, obscene-looking mushrooms popping up in fields this season, there is no cause for alarm. These aptly named “stinkhorn” fungi tend to produce their mushrooms in fertile soil when conditions are wet. Stinkhorn species prefer soils enriched with manure, wood chips, and other organic debris. As decomposers, they help with composting soil, and they pose no threat to healthy plants. Their obnoxious dung and rotten-meat smells attract flies that feed on their gelatinous masses of spores and disperse them to other locations that flies frequent. The stinkhorns are members of the fungus family Phallaceae, which includes a number of phallic-shaped mushroom species as well as other bizarre mushrooms that mycologists tend to find charming (google “devil’s fingers” or “veiled lady stinkhorn”, for example). If you don’t find them attractive, you’ll just have to wait for them to go away as soil conditions change; there is no reasonable method to get rid of them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grain Marketing: Turning On-Farm Storage into Profit – Mary Griffith, Sarah Noggle, Jeff Stachler

With corn and soybean prices trading at values near or below breakeven points, it’s important to develop a marketing plan that allows farmers the ability to try and capture potential profits while minimizing risk. OSU Extension is offering three meetings this December for farmers to learn about marketing grain in a tight economy. Farmers have the option of attending one of three meetings, featuring Jon Scheve of Superior Feed Ingredients as a guest speaker. Meeting dates and locations will be in Auglaize, Paulding, and Madison counties.  Go to http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2016-37/grain-marketing-turning-farm-storage-profit to find out more details and plan to attend a meeting this winter to improve your grain marketing skills.

 

 

 

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

 

November 2, 2016

Good morning,

Where did the week go?  This sounds like I’m repeating myself.  Monday we were able to harvest our Kenton Corn Response to Nitrogen plot.  This plot is one of several statewide testing different nitrogen rates to provide data for updating the Tri-state Fertilizer Recommendations.  This particular plot was a no-till field and a typical Hardin County mineral soil in a township that was drought stressed.  Nitrogen rates applied were 100, 150, 200, 250 and a 0 lbs N per acre check strip that were side dressed with 28% UAN.  These treatments were replicated three times across the field.  Yields were between 67.5 and 153.9 bushels per acre with moisture from 18.3% to 19.7%.  A big thanks goes out to Jerry and Bob McBride for cooperating with this fertility trial.  Once all the data is summarized, it will be made available with other on-farm research reports at agcrops.osu.edu.

Our Conservation Tillage Club breakfast meeting committee met Monday morning and began planning this winter’s programs.  We selected January 10, 24 and February 7, 21 with topics of Grain Marketing Outlook, Weed Control, Precision Agriculture, and Soil Health.  If we are unable to get a speaker lined up for one of these topics, Corn Diseases was our alternate topic.  Watch for more information on this winter’s Conservation Tillage Club breakfast meetings as we get closer to January.

This year there were some soybean quality issues caused by disease, weeds, and insects that were present in several fields around the area.  I have included an article about these issues that is attached to this email.  Even with these quality issues, many of the farmers I have talked with have been pleased with this year’s soybean crop.  There are still a few soybean fields out there to be harvested, but for the most part, soybean harvest is nearly completed in Hardin County.  Upcoming local events include Ag Council on Friday, November 4 starting at 7:00 am at Henry’s Restaurant and the Hardin County Fairboard is meeting Saturday, November 5 starting at 7:30 pm at the fair office.  Voting for Hardin County Ag Society (Fairboard) Directors will be the same day from 3:00-7:00 pm at the fair office.  I have included some agronomy articles below that you may be interested in reading.

Soybean Quality News Release

 

Mark

 

 

 

 

 

 

November Weather Outlook – Jim Noel

The outlook for November calls for temperatures and rainfall above normal. It appears we will see a series of weak weather systems the next two weeks. Most of the state will be at or below normal rainfall into the start of November. However, the far northern tier of Ohio will see normal to above normal rainfall putting pressure on wet conditions and challenge harvest in the far north and northeast part of the state. After a start to November not really wet except far north, most climate models indicate a return to a more active weather pattern for middle and later November. Along with the wetter pattern will come temperatures several degrees above normal.  To read more about November weather, go to http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2016-35/november-weather-outlook.

 

 

 

 

 

 

2017 On-Farm Fertilizer Trials for Corn, Soybean, and Wheat – Steve Culman, Greg LaBarge, Harold D. Watters, Ed Lentz, Anthony Fulford

Ohio State is looking for farmer cooperators and crop consultants to help conduct on-farm field trials for the 2017 field season. The 2017 field season will likely be our last year of field trials before Ohio fertilizer recommendations are updated and/or revised. Updating fertilizer recommendations is a major undertaking that will require a collective effort from numerous OSU extension personnel, crop consultants and farmer cooperators. We are looking specifically at N, P, K and S in corn, soybean and wheat. We are collecting data from a large number of farms across the state and determine economically-optimum fertilization rates to maximize farmer profitability. These trials should be considered an opportunity to learn more about your farm’s fertility needs, but also contribute to a state-wide effort for better nutrient management and water quality outcomes.  To find out more about OSU on-farm fertility research, go to http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2016-33/2017-farm-fertilizer-trials-corn-soybean-and-wheat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Open letter regarding efficacy of Cry1F trait on western bean cutworm – Kelley Tilmon, Andy Michel

This open letter was prepared by the undersigned entomologists and extension educators regarding the efficacy of the Cry1F (Herculex 1, TC1507) trait on western bean cutworm (Striacosta albicosta). We strongly urge seed companies to remove the designation of “control” from this toxin with regard to this pest. At the time Cry1F received regulatory approval in 2001, western bean cutworm was found in the far western Corn Belt (Colorado, Idaho, Nebraska, and Wyoming), with occasional movement into western Iowa. Indeed, EPA’s original Biopesticide Registration Action Document (BRAD) for Cry1F Bt corn, published in August 2001, did not even mention western bean cutworm. Instead, the following language was used: “The registrant-submitted data indicate that Cry1F protected corn offers excellent control of European corn borer, southwestern corn borer, fall armyworm, black cutworm, and suppression for the corn earworm.” To read more about the efficacy of Cry1F on western bean cutworm, go to http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2016-33/open-letter-regarding-efficacy-cry1f-trait-western-bean-cutworm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prepare Your Sprayer for Storage Now to Avoid Costly Problems in the Spring – Erdal Ozkan

It is very likely that you will not be using your sprayer again until next spring. To avoid potential problems and save yourself from frustration and major headaches in the spring, it would be wise to give your sprayer a little bit of TLC (Tender Loving Care) this fall. Although this is a busy time of year, taking time to winterize your sprayer before temperatures fall below freezing will allow you to avoid issues such as cracked pumps, or pumps that cannot work at full capacity. Here are some important things you need to do with your sprayer this time of the year. Go to http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2016-35/prepare-your-sprayer-storage-now-avoid-costly-problems-spring to read more about sprayer storage preparations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forage Management Considerations After Frost – Rory Lewandowski

We have had some scattered frosts around the state that have generated some questions about forage use after a frost.  The two most common questions concern the use of warm season grasses in the sorghum family and grazing alfalfa.  The issue with grasses in the sorghum family, which includes sorghum-sudangrass hybrids, sudangrass and Johnsongrass in addition to sorghum, is that they contain cyanogenic glycosides and enzymes that convert those compounds to free cyanide (sometimes called Prussic acid) within their cells.  Prussic acid or cyanide is a lethal toxin.  Go to http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2016-36/forage-management-considerations-after-frost 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