Hello,
The weather has taken a change in course lately since the last Hardin County Agriculture and Natural Resources Update. Looking back on the growing season from April 15 through October 15, the average rainfall was 21.21 inches. This is 2.43 inches below the ten-year average growing season precipitation, and 3.49 less inches of rain than last year’s growing season. A wide range of 13.21 inches in rainfall accumulation from high to low across the county is an indication of the variability in rainfall throughout Hardin County in 2016. Read the attached Season Rainfall Summary as a reminder of the role weather played in this year’s crops. This rainfall certainly affected our corn crop this year and was a topic of discussion during the Nitrogen presentation I did in Mercer County this past week. This week I will be attending training in Columbus at our annual pesticide update so that I can bring new information back to share with the farmers in Hardin County.
Now that the crops have been harvested, you may be interested in brushing up on your farm management skills. If so, Darke County Extension is hosting a Farm Management School starting January 5 if you are willing to make the trip to Greenville for five Thursday evening programs. See the attached flyer for more information. If you or someone you know is thinking about getting started in farming or is wondering what they can do with the small acreage they live on, the New & Small Farm College might be just what you are looking for. Hardin County Extension is teaming up with Auglaize County Extension to offer this 8 week short course starting January 19 at OSU Lima Campus. The course will also include a small farm tour with input from the students. See the attached news release and brochure to learn more about this unique opportunity. Registration is due by January 2 so make sure you check it out now.
Farm Management School Flyer 2017
New & Small Farm College News Release
NSF College Hardin/Auglaize Flyer
Have you heard about the Veterinary Feed Directive? The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has made changes to the way some over-the-counter drugs may be purchased and used by livestock producers. This mainly effects drugs used in feed and water. Starting January 1, both adult and youth producers will be required to have a VFD (similar to a prescription) issued by their veterinarian to use these drugs with their livestock. In order to get a VFD, producers must have an established Veterinary-Client-Patient Relationship. See the attached news article for more information about this new directive that will soon be in place. Upcoming local events include a Soil and Water Conservation District meeting Thursday, December 15 starting at 7:30 am at the SWCD office. I have included some agronomy articles below to read on these cold, snowy days ahead.
Veterinary Feed Directive News Release
Mark
ARE YOU SEEING PURPLE WHEAT? – Laura Lindsey, Alexander Lindsey, Ed Lentz, Pierce Paul, Steve Culman, Eric Richer
Some farmers in northwest Ohio have noted purple-reddish leaves on their wheat crop (see picture). If your wheat plants turned purple, here are a couple of things to note. Environmental: Was the shift in color fairly sudden and widespread in the field? If so, the purple leaves may be weather related. With the abnormally warmer temperatures we experienced this fall, the shift to colder temperatures may have been sudden enough to slow the wheat growth and cause the leaves to turn purple. To read more about purple wheat and its causes, go to http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2016-39/are-you-seeing-purple-wheat.
OHIO SOYBEAN PERFORMANCE TRIALS – SORTABLE TABLES ONLINE NOW – Laura Lindsey
The results of the 2016 Ohio Soybean Performance Trials are now available online at: http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/soy2016/. The online results includes sortable tables, soybean physical characteristics (plant height and seed size), and seed quality (protein, oil, and fiber).
KERNEL RED STREAK – Peter Thomison
With this kernel anomaly, red streaks form on sides of kernels and extend over the crown. Streaked kernels are more common at ear tips, especially if the husks are loose and kernels exposed. Kernel red streak is sometimes attributed to ear molds or mycotoxins. However, the red streaking is actually caused by a toxin secreted during feeding by the wheat curl mite Eriophyes tulipae, the vector of the wheat streak mosaic virus. There is no evidence that consumption of corn exhibiting kernel red streak is harmful. The streaking develops in the pericarp but does not affect the feed or nutritional value of corn. The severity of symptom expression varies among hybrids. Kernel red streak is most common on yellow dent and least common on white corn. The reddish discoloration may affect certain uses of food grade corn (may be regarded a cosmetic blemish), and may thereby reduce premiums.
FARMERS ASKED TO RESPOND TO SURVEY ON NATURAL GAS GRAIN DRYING – Eric Romich
Farmers have long explored options to provide energy savings associated with their agricultural operations. Ohio State University and the Ohio Soybean Council have partnered to provide research-based data driven tools to help Ohio farmers assess and navigate various energy infrastructure investment options for their farm. Specifically, the project team is interested in learning more about your experience and interest in extending natural gas lines to service your farm. Very little is known about the economic feasibility and regulatory process of investing in critical natural gas infrastructure to service farms in rural communities throughout Ohio. To find out how you can participate in this survey, go to http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2016-39/farmers-asked-respond-survey-natural-gas-grain-drying
WEST OHIO AGRONOMY DAY – Debbie Brown
West Ohio Agronomy Day will be held on Monday, January 9th at St. Michael’s Hall in Fort Loramie, (Shelby County) from 8:30a-4p. This is our annual Recertification Program for Private Pesticide Applicators and will also include the two-hour Fertilizer Applicator Certification Training for those who already have a Pesticide Applicator License. In addition, there will be Continuing Education Units (CEUs) available for Certified Crop Advisors. University presenters confirmed to date are Dr. Fred Whitford from Purdue University (“Safety is in Your Hands”) and Dr. Kelly Tilmon from OSU (Corn and Soybean Insect Update). In addition, ANR Educators from the area and Agronomy Field Specialists will be teaching various components. Mark your calendars now to attend this “Food, Fun, Fellowship, Lots of Information, and a Free Publication” event!! Watch for more news later! To read about the evening portion, go to http://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2016-38/west-ohio-agronomy-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