Good afternoon, 

I just returned from an OSU Ag Crops Team meeting in Columbus today.  Driving back to Hardin County, I noticed that the fields looked to be starting the drying out process.  Still I have not seen any field activity except for some tile drainage work.  The days are getting warmer and hopefully soon, fieldwork will be a common sight around the county.  There have been alot of meetings this winter, and tomorrow we will have our final one with the Fertilizer and Pesticide Make-up & Specialty Training.  If you have a fertilizer or pesticide license that is expiring soon, you may want stop by the Extension office tomorrow (3/29) morning to get your recertification taken care of.  We will be starting with fertilizer at 11:00 am and then move on with pesticide at 12:00 pm.  The training cost payable to OSU Extension is $10 for fertilizer and $30 for pesticide recertification if you still need the recertification training.  If you already have your recertification completed, make sure you return the license renewal form and $30 license renewal fee payable to the Ohio Department of Agriculture in Reynoldsburg.

Spring burndowns may start soon so make sure you are up on the dicamba rules.  In late October 2018, the EPA approved revised labels for Xtendimax, FeXapan, and Engenia.  All three products are restricted use pesticides, meaning an applicators license must be held in order to purchase and apply these products.  It is no longer acceptable to simply operate under the supervision of someone with a license for these chemicals.  The dicamba specific training is still required so if you need it yet for this year, go to https://pested.osu.edu/ as there are two online training links provided by BASF and Monsanto.  If you were able to get cover crops planted this past fall, you might want to read the news release that I have attached about terminating cover crops.  This article was written by Auglaize County Extension Educator and weed scientist Jeff Stachler.

Dicamba-Precautions Update

Cover Crop Termination News Release

Have you ordered from the Hardin County Dairy Service Unit Cheese Sale yet this spring?  Orders are coming due on April 1 so if you are interested, I have attached a copy of the news release and order form.  Funds from the semi-annual cheese sale are used to support dairy youth activities such as scholarships, royalty, awards, and other activities planned by the Dairy Service Unit.  Events coming up in the area include a Farm Bill Summit being held April 11 at Versailles High School in Darke County.  See the attached flyer for more information.  This Saturday (3/30) is the Hardin County Goat Banquet being held at the Kenton Christian & Missionary Alliance Church starting at 5:30 pm.  There is a Farm Bureau meeting April 2 at Layman Farms starting at 7:00 pm; Fairboard meeting April 3 at the fair office starting at 7:00 pm, and Ag Council breakfast April 5 at McDonalds starting at 7:30 am.  Come join our group for information about the Lake Erie Bill of Rights and a roundtable discussion about county agriculture.  Be safe and enjoy the articles below.

Spring Cheese Sale News Release

Cheese Sale Spring Order Form

2019 Farm Bill Summit Flyer

 

Mark

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Soybean Cyst Nematode Samples – Spring is still a good time! – Anne Dorrance

Lots of news about Soybean cyst nematode at Commodity Classic a couple of weeks ago. We have continued support to run assays and education sessions for farmers throughout the region to be able to answer “What’s your number?”  There are fields throughout the Midwest, where not only are SCN numbers creeping up to economic levels but also the reproduction factor, which is the ability to reproduce on the one source of resistance (PI 88788) is also creeping up.  The good news is that adaptation to the PI 88788 type of resistance towards SCN in soybean is going to be slow – but it is happening in a couple of fields in Ohio where the number of cysts are up to 27% of the susceptible check. Read more at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2019-06/soybean-cyst-nematode-samples-%E2%80%93-spring-still-good-time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fertilizer License and Poultry Litter – Glen Arnold

There have been a few phone calls from farmers calling about needing to get their fertilizer license in order to receive or spread poultry litter. This has been the law in Ohio for several years since Senate Bill 1 was passed. Any farmer handling, receiving, or applying poultry litter (or any other manure) from a permitted farm in Ohio must have either a fertilizer license or a Certified Livestock Manager certificate or be a Certified Crop Advisor. Most poultry farms in Ohio are permitted so nearly all the poultry litter available to farmers is from permitted farms. If you need new fertilizer license certification there are still a few opportunities in March and April. Here is a website you can access for dates and locations. https://nutrienteducation.osu.edu/trainingopportunities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Late season rains impacted seed quality – Anne Dorrance (Co-author: Felipe F. Sartori, Ohio State Department of Plant Pathology)

Lots of calls and samples concerning seed quality (Figure 1) and I’ve also heard about the rejections at the elevators.  I was in Florida a couple of weeks ago with my colleagues (soybean pathologists) from across the country and Ontario, Canada and we are not alone.  We were not the only state whose soybeans had plentiful rains through and after grain fill with some still in the field! What is causing all of the low germination? From the samples we have received, we are culturing the expected seed borne pathogens:  Phomopsis, Diaporthe, Fusarium, and Cercospora spp. (Figure 2, 3)  All of these will affect seed and seedling health if the seed is not treated with a fungicide that can control true fungi. Go to https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2019-06/late-season-rains-impacted-seed-quality to finish reading about soybean seed quality.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reducing the Risk of Back Injuries – Kent McGuire

Back pain can be a common issue in the agricultural industry because of the physical nature of work and the vast array of tasks associated with agriculture. Many workers are required to do heavy lifting, a tremendous amount of walking and work in awkward positions to complete tasks.  There are a number of factors that can contribute to back pain including force, posture, repetition, and even inactivity. Back injuries can be chronic or short term, but at some point everyone will experiences some form of back injury. Once a back injury has occurred, special consideration needs to be given to the spine, muscles and tendons to prevent a back injury from occurring again. There are several measures that can be taken to reduce the risk of a back injury and many tasks can be modified to relieve stress placed on the back. Read more at https://agsafety.osu.edu/newsletter/ag-safety-stat/january-2019/injury-prevention/reducing-risk-back-injuries.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dragline application of manure to growing soybeans – Jason Hartschuh, Glen Arnold

As we continue to search for profitable ways to expand the manure application window in Ohio, we have begun to research dragline application of manure to growing soybeans. While this would potentially open up more time for manure application in the spring, our initial research goal is to look at the ability to apply manure to emerged double crop soybeans after wheat. For many years, livestock producers have successfully applied liquid manure to newly planted soybeans in July to help provide moisture for germination and emergence. In 2018 we conducted trials at Western and Northwest OARDC to determine the yield effects a loaded 5 inch drag hose would have on growing soybeans. Find out more about this research at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2019-06/dragline-application-manure-growing-soybeans.

 

 

 

 

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 evening,

We are approaching the end of the winter meeting season, and I wanted to keep you informed of the remaining programs that we have planned in the area.  We will begin our two session Computerized Record Keeping with Quicken workshops tomorrow afternoon at the Extension office.  We still have additional room for up to six farms (2 people per farm) if you are interested.  See the attached flyer for more information about this 12:30-3:30 pm workshop.  Another program that began last week and will continue next Tuesday is the Grain Marketing Webinar at the Extension office.  It is also during the day from 11:00 am-1:00 pm.  Feel free to join us for the 2^nd session of this program if you would like to learn more about this topic.  Our Master Gardener Volunteers are hosting a Spring Garden Seminar on Thursday, March 21 at Mid-Ohio Energy Cooperative in Kenton.  I have attached a copy of the news release and brochure from this all day program if you are interested in filling any remaining spots.  Make sure you call Kim Thomas at 419-674-8012 as they have to finalize meals and materials soon.

Quicken Record Keeping Workshop Flyer    

Grain Marketing Webinar Flyer

Spring Garden Seminar News Release

Spring Garden Seminar Flyer

The livestock banquets are in full swing as well.  After this Saturday’s (3/16) Poultry Banquet, starting at 6:00 pm at the Kenton Christian Missionary Alliance Church, there will be the Beef Banquet on Saturday, March 23 starting at 6:00 pm at the Community Building at the fairgrounds.  I have included a news release for the Cattle Producers Beef Banquet, and also for the Goat Banquet which will be held March 30, starting at 5:30 pm at the Kenton Christian Missionary Alliance Church.  There is also a flyer announcing details of this upcoming event.  Do you still need to obtain your fertilizer applicator certificate or know of someone who would like to get theirs?  OSU Extension is having a Regional 3-Hour Fertilizer Certification Training in Botkins on March 25 for this purpose.  You can choose from either an afternoon or evening time with dinner included.  Fertilizer certification is required for anyone in Ohio applying fertilizer on 50 or more acres of crops for sale.  The other option to become certified in fertilizer is to study the fertilizer manual and pass a test with the Ohio Department of Agriculture.  By attending the 3-Hour OSU Extension training, you can bypass the test.  Check out the attached flyer for details.

Beef Banquet News Release

Goat Banquet News Release

Goat Banquet Flyer

Fertilizer Certification Flyer

Are you interested in raising poultry on your farm?  We are having a Backyard Poultry Seminar at the Hardin County Extension office Tuesday, March 26 from 6:30-8:30 pm.  See the attached news release and flyer for details if you are interested in this class and register at http://go.osu.edu/hardinbackyardpoultry if you plan to attend.  Other upcoming local events include a Soil and Water Conservation District meeting Thursday, March 21 starting at 7:30 am at the SWCD office.  There is a Master Gardener Volunteers meeting Monday, March 25, starting at 7:00 pm at Harco Industries.  Friday, March 29 is a Make-up/Specialty Pesticide and Fertilizer Recertification starting at 11:00 am for fertilizer and 12:00 pm for pesticide at the Extension office.  If you would like to attend, make sure you register at pested.osu.edu or contact our office at 419-674-2297.  I am still looking for a Goshen Township Rainfall Reporter, so let me know if you live in that township and can help by keeping track of daily rainfall from April 15-October 15.  Other than that, enjoy the longer days and check out the agronomy articles that I have included below.

Backyard Poultry Seminar News Release

Poultry Workshop Flyer

Mark

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wetter Pattern than Normal will Continue into March…and Possibly April – Jim Noel

Not a lot of great news in the short-term. The wet pattern so far this year is likely to persist into March as an active weather pattern from the Pacific Ocean moves across the U.S. In addition, the temperature gradient is amplified more than normal this late winter into early spring meaning colder north and warmer south. This will help fuel the storms and keep things active. The outlook for March calls for temperatures near or slightly below normal with precipitation above normal. The outlook through May calls for near normal temperatures and near to above normal rainfall. Read more about the weather at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2019-05/wetter-pattern-normal-will-continue-marchand-possibly-april.

 

 

 

 

 

 

What’s Legal to Apply to the LL-GT27 Soybean – The (maybe almost) Final Story – Mark Loux

Having to issue a retraction to previous C.O.R.N. article where we thought we had it right is always fun.  About a month ago we ran an article that covered the legality of POST glyphosate and glufosinate applications to the LL-GT27 soybean, which is resistant to both herbicides.  The issue at that time was the legality of applying a mix of both herbicides, based on questions we had received.  Cutting to the quick, our conclusion was that because it was legal to apply the mixture since both herbicides could legally be applied and labels did not prohibit mixing.  We were naïve apparently, because that article caused the issue over whether it was actually legal to apply glyphosate to the LL-GT27 soybean to be raised.  Since then, ODA, USEPA, and the companies who are the involved registrants have been working to come to a solution that clarifies this issue and keeps us all moving forward toward a resolution. Finish reading this article at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2019-05/what%E2%80%99s-legal-apply-ll-gt27-soybean-%E2%80%93-maybe-almost-final-story.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nitrogen Application Timing for Weak Wheat Stands – Ed Lentz

Late-planted wheat fields had little opportunity for growth before cold and wet conditions moved into the area last November. Fall tiller production was limited because of early cold weather soon after planting. In addition, some wheat stands have been damaged this winter from lack of snow cover, standing water, saturated soils, ice sheets, and days of very cold temperatures. In these situations, producers have asked whether they should apply nitrogen earlier to increase the number of spring tillers. Keep in mind, it is fall tillers that provide most of the yield in a wheat field. Heads developing from spring tillers generally are much smaller than heads from fall tillers. Find out more information about nitrogen timing for weak wheat stands at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2019-05/nitrogen-application-timing-weak-wheat-stands.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prepare to Evaluate Forage Stands for Winter Injury – Mark Sulc, Rory Lewandowski

Forage stands will begin spring green-up in the next few weeks, especially in southern Ohio. While winter injury in forages is very hard to predict, this winter has presented some very tough conditions for forage stands. This is especially true of legumes like alfalfa and red clover. Producers and crop consultants should be prepared to walk forage stands early this spring to assess their condition in time to make decisions and adjustments for the 2019 growing season. We had some days with very cold air temperatures, but the soil temperatures have been much more moderate than you might expect. The soil temperature at the 2-inch depth is associated with the temperature of plant crowns.  You can read more about this topic at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2019-05/prepare-evaluate-forage-stands-winter-injury.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Topdressing Wheat with Liquid Swine Manure – Glen Arnold

Wheat fields will begin to firm up in Ohio and the topdressing with nitrogen fertilizer will soon start. There is usually a window of time, typically around the last week of March or the first week of April, when wheat fields are firm enough to support manure application equipment. By this date, wheat fields have broken dormancy and are actively pulling moisture and nutrients from the soil. With the limited fall and winter opportunities to apply manure to fields, many livestock farms have more manure than usual for this time of year. The key to applying the correct amount of manure to fertilize wheat is to know the manure’s nitrogen content. Most manure tests reveal total nitrogen, ammonia nitrogen and organic nitrogen amounts. The ammonia nitrogen portion is readily available for plant growth. The organic nitrogen portion takes considerably longer to mineralize and generally will not be available when wheat uptakes the majority of its nitrogen in the months of April and May.  Read more at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2019-05/topdressing-wheat-liquid-swine-manure.

 

 

 

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 evening,

March has arrived and so has another month of Extension programs.  As we wind down the winter, make sure you take advantage of this season to attend programs and events that you don’t normally have time for during the growing season.  This weekend the Hardin County Sheep Improvement Association will hold their annual Lamb Banquet on Saturday, March 2 at St. John’s Evangelical Church in Kenton at 6:30 pm.  Next weekend The Hardin County Pork Producers will hold their annual Pork Banquet on Saturday, March 9 at St. John’s Evangelical Church in Kenton, starting at 6:30 pm.  The 3rd annual Hardin County Poultry Banquet will be held at 6:00 pm, Saturday, March 16, 2019 at the Family Center of the Kenton Christian Missionary Alliance Church.  I have included news releases for these events in case you are planning to attend and celebrate the accomplishments of the 4-H/FFA youth in the county as well as the work of our adult producers.  The Poultry Banquet also has a flyer that I have attached for more information.

Lamb Banquet News Release

Pork Banquet News Release

Poultry Banquet News Release

Poultry Banquet Flyer

Does your pesticide or fertilizer applicator license expire this year?  The Hardin County Pesticide and Fertilizer Recertification meetings are coming up soon.  The first recertification meeting is scheduled for March 8 at the Plaza Inn Restaurant, starting at 9:00 am for pesticide and 1:00 pm for fertilizer.  Lunch will be made available for extra cost.  If that date does not work for you, there is a Make-up and Specialty Pesticide and Fertilizer Recertification class planned for March 29 at the Extension office.  We will begin with fertilizer at 11:00 am and continue with pesticide at 12:00 pm.  Finally, there is a 7:00 pm Fertilizer Recertification class scheduled for May 30 at the Extension office for those who have certificates that expire on May 31.  You can attend whichever class works the best for you as long as it is before your pesticide or fertilizer license expiration date.  For more information and how to register, see the attached news release and flyer.

Pesticide Recertification News Release

Hardin PAT-FACT Flyer

Do you want to do a better job of pricing your corn and soybeans?  Is grain marketing a confusing and daunting task?  If so, you can learn about Grain Marketing from the comfort of your farm office or join other local farmers for a webinar series at the Hardin County OSU Extension office for two consecutive Tuesdays, March 12th and 19th from 11:00 am–1:00 pm.  Participants will learn to identify their personal risk tolerance and their farm’s financial risk capacity.  Participants will also learn how crop insurance products effect marketing decisions and effect risk capacity.  Information on the different grain marketing contracts will be presented.  These include basis, hedging, cash, futures, and option contracts.  Additionally, participants will be provided an example of a grain marketing plan and the fundamental principles that should be included.  I have attached a news release and flyer that contains more details about what these webinars have to offer.  For specific times, as well as program registration instruction, go to http://go.osu.edu/grainwebinar.  The deadline to register is March 8 and the cost is $30 for the series. 

Grain Marketing Webinar News Release

Grain Marketing Webinar Flyer

Are you a farmer looking for a better way to keep your farm records?  As farm size, income or debt increases, many farmers and lenders look for computer programs that allow fast data entry, have internal checks for accuracy and allow summarizing of data.  Most farmers begin their search by asking “Is there a simple computer program that will keep my records like the farm account books?”  Plan on attending Hardin County OSU Extension’s “Computerized Farm Record Keeping Workshops using Quicken.”  A series of two workshops will be held at the Hardin County Extension office on Fridays, March 15th and 22nd from 12:30-3:30 pm.  Participants will learn about Quicken® using an OSU Computer Lab provided during workshop with Quicken® software installed.  A workshop manual/home reference will be provided.  Registration is $75.00 per farm business (Maximum 2 people per farm) and can be paid when registering for the workshops.  Registration is due no later than March 8.  Space is limited to 10 workstations.  More information about the class can be obtained by checking out the attached news release.

Computerized Record Keeping Workshop News Release

Another event you may be interest in is the 2019 Western Ohio Corn College being held in Darke County on March 13 from 8:00 am-3:00 pm.  This all day program includes several speakers and topics dealing with improving corn production.  I have included a flyer that includes more specific information and registration details.  Don’t forget about the Conservation Tillage Conference (CTC) being held this coming week in Ada on March 5-6.  Approximately 60 speakers from several land grant universities, agencies, and industry will gather in Hardin County as about 900 attendees will hear about the latest topics in soil health, nutrient management, precision agriculture, water quality, cover crops, along with corn and soybean production topics.  See the article below for more details.  Other local events include the Dairy Service Unit annual meeting at the Extension office, starting at 6:30 pm on March 4; Pork Producers meeting at Ag Credit, starting at 6:30 pm on March 5; Farm Bureau meeting at Layman Farms, starting at 6:30 pm on March 5; Fairboard meeting at the Fair office, starting at 7:00 pm on March 6; and the Ag Society Consignment Sale at the fairgrounds, starting at 9:00 am on March 9.  There’s a lot to do this month, so don’t get left behind.

Corn College Flyer

Mark

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conservation Tillage Conference: March 5-6 in Ada – Mark Badertscher, Ed Lentz

A world-renowned scientist will be the keynote speaker on the first day of this year’s Conservation Tillage Conference (CTC) in Ada.  Christine Jones, an Australian Soil Ecologist, will be giving the keynote of the annual event with the topic “Building New Topsoil Through the Liquid Carbon Pathway for Long Term Production and Profit.”  The annual conference is scheduled for March 5th and 6th at Ohio Northern University.  The McIntosh Center and Chapel on campus will once again be the location where about 60 presenters, several agribusiness exhibitors, and approximately 900 participants will come together to learn about the latest topics in crop production. Go to https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2019-04/conservation-tillage-conference-march-5-6-ada to read more about this local agronomy conference.

 

 

 

 

 

Winter Wheat Update – Laura Lindsey, Pierce Paul, Clay Sneller

Due to late planting and wet weather, winter wheat in some areas of the state has not yet emerged. In Ohio, we do not have first-hand experience with this situation. Further west (Oklahoma, Nebraska, and Kansas), there have been reports of winter wheat emerging extremely late due to dry soil conditions. A winter wheat planting date study in Kansas found a 43 to 59% reduction in grain yield when winter wheat was planted in January and February compared to October. This yield reduction was associated with reduced tillering (reduced number of heads) per plant.  Read more at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2019-04/winter-wheat-update.

 

Updated Field Guide Available – Harold Watters

The newly revised Corn, Soybean, Wheat, and Forages Field Guide is a compilation of the latest research by Extension specialists from The Ohio State University in partnership with Pennsylvania State University. Designed as a guide for scouts, crop advisors, and farmers, this handy spiral-bound book contains updated information and images to aid with insect, disease, and weed identification. Major revisions to the book include the latest fertilizer recommendations, broadleaf weed ID keys, and a manure sampling and manure applicator calibration section. Tar spot, a new disease to Ohio, is now included in the Corn Disease section. The Forages section also received a major upgrade, and now includes grass crops as well.  Find out more about this updated field guide at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2019-04/updated-field-guide-available.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ohio Farm Business Analysis Program – Dianne Shoemaker, Haley Shoemaker

How well do you know your farm?  Sure, you could probably drive your fields blindfolded and you could name without a doubt the cow that will always come in the parlor last; but what about your farm as a business?  If this question made you stop and think, then it’s time to become more familiar with your cost of production and other financial measures that make the rest of your farming operation possible. The Ohio Farm Business Analysis Program is focused on working with farmers across Ohio to better understand the numbers behind their farm business in order to make more informed production, marketing and financial management decisions that will impact the farm’s overall profitability. Finish reading this article at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2019-04/ohio-farm-business-analysis-program.

 

 

 

 

 

OSU’s Corn College workshop is March 13 – Sam Custer

Producers and agriculture professionals can get an update on the 2019 corn season by experts from the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences at The Ohio State University. The 2019 Corn College is a daylong workshop offered on March 13 that will focus on what farmers need to know to develop a successful corn growing operation, said Sam Custer, an Ohio State University Extension educator who is organizing the program.  Find out more about the Ohio Corn College workshop at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2019-04/osu%E2%80%99s-corn-college-workshop-march-13. 

 

 

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