Good afternoon,

Wheat harvest has begun around the county.  As I have been out making farm visits and checking insect traps, I have seen several people cutting wheat today.  I have yet to hear any local numbers as far as yield, moisture, and test weight so if you are willing to share that information with me I would appreciate it.  See the attached news article for wheat harvest tips.  While out checking crops, I have been trying to locate tall corn fields for the annual 4^th of July picture for the local newspaper.  However, this year it has been a tall order to locate that field.  If you have a taller than usual field, give Kendrick a call at the Kenton Times (419-674-4067 x 230) so he might be able to come out and take a picture.  I suggested a couple fields, but the best I could find was about waist high.

Wheat Harvest News Release

Monday OSU Extension Manure Management Specialist Glen Arnold and I were over by Forest where a dairy farmer was trying out one of the new 12-row manure sidedress toolbars from OSU Extension sidedressing corn.  Glen is working with both dairy and swine producers in western Ohio to adopt this practice.  This widens the application window for manure application and provides a value added product available to livestock producers when the growing crop needs it most.  Swine producers are experiencing as good and even better than normal yields compared with 28% nitrogen, and dairy producers are experiencing good results with supplemental nitrogen.  The unit being demonstrated this week was applying 120 lbs of N from the dairy manure using a dragline.  If you are interested in seeing pictures and video, check out Hardin County OSU Extension Facebook page.

We also applied nitrogen this week to the nitrogen rate plot near Alger.  The corn was in V6 so this is an ideal time to apply the 28% N, but it was about at the limit of the height of the applicator toolbar that was being used.  Research from both Purdue University and our local Hardin County nitrogen timing plot this past year showed that application of split season nitrogen at V6-V8 gave us the best yield as compared to other growth stages.  Of course this was only one year of research and one site but it did match the result of similar research conducted by Purdue in 2010-11.  Limiting factors with mid to late season nitrogen application include equipment capability, number of acres to apply, and also timing of rain.

Marion County OSU Extension is holding a Ram Fertility Clinic on July 24.  Contact Tim Barnes, Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Educator at barnes.821@osu.edu or 740-223-4041 to register.  See the attached flyer for more details about this opportunity to get rams screened as well as the discussions on seasonal infertility, care of rams, housing & environment, and physiology of semen productions.  Upcoming local events this week include a Fairboard meeting on Saturday, July 1 starting at 7:30 at the fair office.  Other than that, see below for agronomy articles that may interest you.  Have a good 4^th of July.

Ram Fertility Clinic Flyer

Mark

Is yield jeopardized when replants result in excessive stands? – Peter Thomison, Mark Loux

When widespread replanting occurs as it did this year, situations arise in which the original corn planting is not entirely killed and competes with the replanted corn. To make room for a replant, several herbicide treatments are recommended and these were described in an earlier C.O.R.N. Newsletter (https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2017-14/more-killing-corn-replant-situation). However, these treatments are sometimes not applied. Following severe frosts and protracted periods of freezing, it may appear that the initial planting or stand is dead when, in fact, some portion of it survived. In extreme situations, fields may end up with final stands nearly double what was normally targeted. There is a perception that the greater competition for nutrients, soil moisture and light associated with these excessive stands will result in barren plants and/or small ears (too small to harvest effectively) and will cause major yield losses. Go to https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2017-19/yield-jeopardized-when-replants-result-excessive-stands to find out what research says about this issue.

Application of Manure to Double Crop Soybeans – Glen Arnold

Wheat fields will be harvested in Ohio over the next 10 days and many farmers will plant double-crop soybeans. In recent years there has been more interest from livestock producers in applying manure to newly planted soybeans to provide moisture to help get the crop emerged. Both swine and dairy manure can be used to add moisture to newly planted soybeans. It’s important that the soybeans were properly covered with soil when planted to keep a barrier between the salt and nitrogen in the manure and the germinating soybean seed. It’s also important that livestock producers know their soil phosphorus levels, and the phosphorus in the manure being applied, so we don’t grow soil phosphorus levels beyond what is acceptable. To read more about application of manure to double crop soybeans, go to https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2017-18/application-manure-double-crop-soybeans.

Don’t get burned by hopper burn: Potato Leafhoppers reaching high levels in alfalfa and forage – Andy Michel, Kelley Tilmon, Mark Sulc

We have heard of and observed increasing potato leaf hopper (PLH) damage in many areas across OH last week. PLH feed similar to aphids, by piercing and sucking on plants causing stunting, thinning and yellowing of alfalfa, often called hopperburn. To scout fields, use a sweep net—a single sweep sample is a set of 10 sweeps, and choose 5-10 different field locations. Treatment is needed if the number of PLH (adults and nymphs) caught a sweep sample is equal to the height of alfalfa. For glandular haired or PLH-resistant alfalfa, the threshold is multiplied by 3. For older, thinning alfalfa stands, thresholds can also be increased, while newer stands (e.g. new seedings or 1st year) are more vulnerable. See Ohio State University Extension Bulletin 545, Control of Insect Pests of Field Crops (https://agcrops.osu.edu/publications/control-insect-pests-field-crops-bulletin-545), for those insecticides labeled for potato leafhopper, or for all insecticides labeled on alfalfa.

OSU Extension and OARDC Agronomy Field Days – Harold D. Watters

It has been an interesting spring. Have questions? We may have the answers; we certainly want to have a discussion. Come to one or all three field days in July. Put these dates on your calendar and plan to attend. Upcoming field days include OSU Weed Day, South Charleston – July 12^th, Western ARS Agronomy Field Day, South Charleston – July 19^th, and Northwest Ag Research Station Field Day, Custar – July 27^th. The OSU Weed Science Field Day will be held on July 12 at OARDC Western Ag Research Station in South Charleston. As in previous years, it’s a mostly self-directed event and a chance to look at all of our research. The day runs from 9 to noon, followed by lunch for those who preregister. Feel free to bring anyone you like and to tell others, but please send an email to Bruce Ackley to preregister – – ackley.19@osu.edu – telling him how many are coming so we can plan. The registration fee $35, includes lunch and the plot book, payable on the day of the tour. We will be around as usual to answer questions and lead some brief discussions.  To read more about the other upcoming OSU Agronomy field days, go to https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2017-18/osu-extension-and-oardc-agronomy-field-days.

Ohio Agronomy Guide Now Available – Laura Lindsey

The newly revised Ohio Agronomy Guide is now available for $15.75 through CFAES Publications: http://estore.osu-extension.org/Ohio-Agronomy-Guide-15th-Edition-P475.aspx . Chapters include: Ohio’s Climate and Soil, Soil and Water Management, Soil Fertility, Corn Production, Soybean Production, Small Grain Production, Forage Production, Multiple Cropping, Pasture and Grazing Management, Considerations for Using Cover Crops (NEW!), Conducting On-Farm Research (NEW!), and Precision Agriculture (NEW!). You can also purchase them through your local county Extension Office once they have a supply in stock.

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

Good afternoon,

We finally were able to get some more plot work done.  Last week we put the markers in the ground and took soil samples in the Alger nitrogen rate plot.  Hopefully we will get the 28% UAN sidedressed this week if the weather cooperates.  The wet weather and replanting efforts this spring has put a damper on our on-farm research fertility trials so far.  For the time period of May 1-May 31, 2017 Extension rainfall reporters recorded an average of 7.21 inches of rain in Hardin County.  Last year, the average rainfall for the same time period was 3.27 inches.  Rainfall for May was 3.45 inches more than the ten year average rainfall during the same dates.  I’m sure I don’t have to tell you about the rain this spring, but if you are interested in seeing the Hardin County May rainfall summary, I have attached it to this email.

May 2017 Rainfall Summary

One of our Master Gardener Volunteers, Barb Snyder has been writing a Turf Tips series of articles for the local media.  This past week’s topic was Kentucky Bluegrass.  So if you would like to find out more about this type of turfgrass, see her article that is attached.  This is also the time of year that many field days will be happening in our region.  One of the first of them is the Western Ohio Precision Ag Day on July 11 in Miami County.  This field day will offer 3 hours of fertilizer certification credit that you can get if you have yet to become certified.  We are currently planning a similar field day in Hardin County for August 23 near Forest as well.  I will get you further information on that event as we develop the agenda and finalize events for the day.  Until then, you might want to look at the attached flyer and consider attending the Miami County field day.  I went to it last year and it sparked the idea of doing a similar one here locally this year.

Turf Tips – Kentucky Bluegrass

Western Ohio Precison Ag Day Flyer 2017

Upcoming local events this week include a Farm Bureau Summer Social event at the Hardin County Heritage Farm (fairgrounds), Thursday, June 22 starting at 6:30 pm.  There will be a sundae bar, cake walk, scavenger hunt, bingo, and the movie ‘Farmland.’  RSVP by calling 419-447-3091 or email hardin@ofbf.org if interested in attending.  Later this week on Friday, June 23 our Master Gardeners will be hosting a statewide Plant Diagnostic training clinic open to other county Master Gardener Volunteers so that they can improve their plant insect, disease, and nutrient deficiency diagnostic skills.  This workshop will run the entire day at Mid-Ohio Energy Cooperative.  In closing, I have included some agronomy articles from the CORN Newsletter below that you might be interested in reading.

Mark

Don’t Delay Wheat Harvest – Laura Lindsey

Wheat harvest date impacts both grain yield and quality. Delaying wheat harvest puts the crop at risk for increased disease, lodging, sprouting, and harvest loss. Last year in Clark County, we evaluated wheat harvested on June 29 (at 12% moisture content) and July 8 (at 14% moisture content). Grain moisture increased between June 29 and July 8 due to 0.58” rain between the two dates. When wheat harvest was delayed until July 8, yield decreased by 9 bu/acre, test weight decreased by 2.9 lb/bu, and DON level increased by 0.86 ppm. Using a grain price of $4.50/bu and discounts from a local elevator, the difference the delayed wheat harvest resulted in a loss of $87/acre compared to the June 29 harvest. With funding from the Ohio Small Grains Marketing Program, we are continuing this research. However, we will be comparing grain yield and quality of wheat harvested at ~20% moisture to ~13% moisture.

Using accumulated heat units to predict leaf development in corn – 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 (six leaf collar) 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). When identification of specific leaf collars on plants is not possible, how can the leaf stage of development of a field be estimated?  To answer this question, read more at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2017-17/using-accumulated-heat-units-predict-leaf-development-corn.

Hot weather this past week – Jim Noel

Last week’s forecast remains on track. After a cool week last week we expect a much warmer than normal week this week. Temperatures will run some 5-7 degrees above normal. After the recent dry period, it does look like rain chances will be increasing this week. Due to summer convection, rainfall will be quite variable, but most everyone should get something. Rainfall will likely range from 0.25 to 1.50 inches. Most will average 0.50 to 1.00 inches though. The roller coaster ride looks to continue for the rest of June. The week of June 19th will return to cooler than normal temperatures with temperatures about 5 degrees below normal. Rainfall will average close to normal from 0.75 to 1.25 inches in many places. Rainfall for the 2-week period on the attached image will be at or above normal in the eastern half of the corn and soybean belt. The week of June 26th will switch back to warmer and drier than normal. The outlook for July and August still calls for somewhat warmer and drier than normal.

Side-Wall and Pinch Row Compaction – John Fulton

2017 has been a “wet” spring for planting which also can cause compaction issues; side-wall and pinch-row compaction. Compaction of any kind can lead to emergence issues and possible yield loss. Identifying compaction is the first step in understanding the consequences during the growing season and at harvest while also beginning to consider options for mitigating if long-term consequences appear to be in place. Today, many central-fill planters operate in Ohio with some carrying fertilizer tanks mounted at the center portion. This equates to a lot of weight being carried at the center of the planter and possibly by the tractor. Wet soil conditions at planting increase the risk of side-wall and pinch-row compaction. It is important as corn and soybeans emerge, to not only scout for pest, disease and nutrient issues, but also look for compaction issues caused during planting. Go to https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2017-16/side-wall-and-pinch-row-compaction to finish reading this article.

We’ve been slimed — Slugs impacting corn and soybean crops in Ohio – Andy Michel, Kelley Tilmon

The mild and rainy planting season not only delayed getting our crops in, but also favored slug populations to thrive. We have been receiving many calls on slug damage, especially in cover crops that have just been killed. As the cover crop dies down, the slugs hang around and wait to feed on the emerging corn or soybean. At this point, heavily damaged fields may consider slug baits that contain metaldehyde or iron phosphate to prevent further feeding, although these control options are expensive and time is running out since the slugs are maturing into less damaging stages. There has been some discussion on using 28% UAN to control slugs—getting adequate slug control with this tactic is extremely difficult, and also runs the risk of burning crop foliage. Hopefully, as our crops grow (and given the predicting heat and lack of precipitation in the forecast, it may be quick), they could be able to grow out of the damage. As long as the growing point has not been damaged, both corn and soybean could withstand some feeding without a significant loss in yield.

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

Good afternoon,

Were you able to get your first cutting of alfalfa or other hay made?  This year has been a challenging year to get the first cutting made with the wet weather that has hit the county.  Several producers have been busy replanting or even planting for the first time is some areas.  See the attached article written by OSU Extension Forage Specialist Mark Sulc about the issues getting that first cutting of hay made given the weather and soft field conditions.  Armyworm and Black Cutworm adult moth counts in the three sets of traps around the southern half of the county were up slightly to an average of 5 armyworm moths and 13 black cutworm moths when I checked them on May 27, and then dropped down to 4 armyworm moths and 2 black cutworm moths on June 3.  These traps are near cornfields in the Alger, Ridgeway, and LaRue areas.  So far I have not seen economic larvae damage so if you know where there is damage to corn, let me know.

Hay Making News Release

This past weekend we tagged and weighed in about 135 dairy beef feeder calves for the Hardin County Fair.  If you know someone interested in becoming the Dairy Beef Feeder Queen, please find the attached news release and application to share with them.  Livestock Quality Assurance is this Thursday evening, June 8 in the Community Building at the fairgrounds, starting at 6:00 pm.  Lamb tagging and weigh-in is coming up this Saturday, June 10 from 8:00-10:00 am at the fairgrounds.

Dairy Beef Feeder Queen News Release

Dairy Beef Queen Application

Each year OSU Extension partners with OARDC, the Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association and others to host ‘The Ohio Sustainable Farm Tour and Workshop Series.’  I have attached a copy of this tour booklet as it is held around the state, with the closest location this summer near Belle Center in Logan County on Friday, August 11 with a tour of an organic grain seed breeding farm.  See booklet for more information about this and other tours.  We also have printed copies of this tour booklet available in our office.

OSU Farm Tour 2017 Flyer

Have you ever thought of collecting Black Walnuts?  A representative from national distributor of black walnuts is looking for someone in the county who would be interested in serving as a collection point for these nuts.  Contact me if you are interesting in finding out more information about this opportunity.  Maybe you are more into strawberries.  I was told that two weeks ago the strawberries were plentiful from local produce growers early this year.  There is a demand for these berries, but the supply was low this past week at the local produce auction.  If you are interested in reading some agronomy articles, I have included some below.

Mark

Recommendations for Late Planted Soybeans – Laura Lindsey

Persistent wet weather prevented soybean planting in many areas of the state. Late planting reduces the cultural practice options for row spacing, seeding rate, and relative maturity. The row spacing for June planting should be no greater than 7.5-inch if possible. Row width should be narrow enough for the soybean canopy to completely cover the inter-row space by the time the soybeans begin to flower. The later in the growing season soybeans are planted, the greater the yield increase due to narrow rows.  For more information about seeding rate and relative maturity, go to https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2017-15/recommendations-late-planted-soybeans.

Weather Ups and Downs to Continue – Jim Noel

The outlook for June is looking more and more like “average” when all is said and done. It appears we will be having ups and downs in June. Normal highs are 75-80 currently and normal lows are near 55. Rainfall averages 0.80 to 1.20 inches per week now. The next significant weather system moved through the region June 2-4. Widespread 0.50 to 2.00 inches was expected with that system. The outlook for July and August continues to indicate above normal temperatures and a turn to normal or below normal rainfall. You can see a chart of expected June temperatures and rainfall at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2017-15/weather-ups-and-downs-continue.

Delayed planting effects on corn yield: A “historical” perspective – Peter Thomison, Allen Geyer

According to the USDA/NASS (https://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/Ohio/Publications/Crop_Progress_&_Condition/2017/cw2117oh.pdf), for the week ending May 21, corn was 73 percent planted, which was 24 percent ahead of last year and the same as the five-year average.  However, at this time, it is unknown what percent of the earlier planted corn has been or will be replanted due to excessive soil moisture, freezing temperatures and frosts, fungal seed decay and seedling rots, and soil crusting. Some field agronomists estimate that as much as 40% or more of the corn planted in late April has been or will be replanted in parts of Ohio.  To read more about historical delayed planting effects of corn, go to https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2017-14/delayed-planting-effects-corn-yield-%E2%80%9Chistorical%E2%80%9D-perspective.

More on killing corn in a replant situation – Mark Loux

An article in last week’s C.O.R.N. covered in brief the options for killing a first corn stand to make room for a replant, and referenced an article from the University of Illinois.  We received a number of questions and comments after that relative to the use of Gramoxone + metribuzin to kill corn, some to the effect that we were too hard on it.  Our comment last week was that Gramoxone or Gramoxone + metribuzin was not as consistently effective as Select Max, which is accurate.  We also stated that the Gramoxone treatments could be variable in effectiveness, and we lumped it in with glufosinate (Liberty) in this regard, which is somewhat unfair to Gramoxone based on a review of data from our past studies.  And Liberty will not have any activity on corn with the LibertyLink trait of course. To finish reading this article, go to https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2017-14/more-killing-corn-replant-situation.

Slugs can’t spring, but late spring is the time to watch for them – Kelley Tilmon, Andy Michel

As planting wraps up, a reminder is in order about possible slug problems in no-till crops, especially in fields with a history of slug damage.  Although we do not know how numerous slugs are in fields, we do know that most crops are being planted later than normal.  If you have read our recommendations for slug management, you know that one way a grower can get a head start is to plant early, and get their crop out of the soil and growing before slugs begin their heaviest feeding.  However, with the weather conditions over the past month, many fields are just now being planted.  Slugs have been hatching and beginning to grow; this will result in many fields just germinating or emerging when slugs start to feed.  Go to https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2017-14/slugs-can%E2%80%99t-spring-late-spring-time-watch-them 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