July 19, 2019

Hello,

Extension rainfall reporters recorded an average of 7.08 inches of rain in Hardin County during June.  Last year, the average rainfall for June was 6.09 inches.  Rainfall for June 2019 was 1.46 inches more than the ten-year average rainfall in the month of June.  Dudley Township received 10.24 inches, the most of the township sites.  The least rain in June, 4.51 inches was collected in Liberty Township.  For the growing season since April 15, the average precipitation in all the townships was 16.29 inches, with a wide range from 12.82 inches in Liberty Township to 19.23 inches in Pleasant Township.  See the Extension Rainfall Report for June for information about how June rainfall affected crop production in Hardin County.  I have also attached the Ohio Crop Weather Report for July 15, which shows that 64% of winter wheat has been harvested, 88% of oats are headed, and second cutting of alfalfa has begun around the state with 43% harvested.  Most of the corn and soybeans in Ohio are still rated fair in Ohio.

June 2019 Extension Rainfall Summary

July 15 Ohio Crop Weather Report

There is a miniature gardens program tomorrow morning in the Friendship Gardens of Hardin County starting at 9:00 am.  See the attached news release and flyer for this workshop which will be led by Master Gardener Volunteer Kim Thomas teaching both kids and adults about constructing their own take home garden.  Tuesday evening, state specialists Dr. Sally Miller and Dr. Melanie Ivey will be teaching our fruit and vegetable growers about plant diseases and their management.  This event is scheduled to begin at 6:00 pm at a farm located on 17051 Township Road 199, Mt. Victory.  There will be a diagnostic table for samples and a crop walk through a hoop house and produce field to identify issues and answer questions.  See the attached news release and flyer for more information about this program if you raise fruits and vegetables and are interested in attending.

Fairy Garden News Release

Saturday Mornings in the Friendship Gardens Flyer

Crop Walk News Release

Crop Walk Flyer

State Forage Specialist Mark Sulc has put together a fact sheet on “Annual Forage Agronomic Guidelines and Characteristics” which lists seeding rates, planting dates, planting depth, nitrogen rate, dry matter yield, crude protein, and other information for producers considering planting forages.  I have attached this document to this email.  Since Hardin County is contiguous to Auglaize County, the U.S. Small Business Administration has made available Disaster Loans for business physical disaster, economic injury disaster, and home disaster from the storms that occurred May 27-29, 2019.  An information sheet is attached to this email providing more details for those who may have been affected by these storms.  OSU Extension has put together a website for the 2019 Ag Crisis that serves as a one-stop location at https://u.osu.edu/2019farmassistance/home/ for information dealing with this year’s agricultural challenges.

Annual Forages-Agronomics Fact Sheet

U.S. Small Business Association Disaster Loans Fact Sheet

Upcoming events include the Manure Science Review on August 7 in Tuscarawas County (see attached flyer); Master Gardener Volunteers meeting on Monday, July 22 starting at 7:00 pm at HARCO Industries; and the Regional Forages for the Future program being held Thursday, July 25 starting at 9:00 am at St. Henry High School.  See the attached flyer and RSVP by July 22 if interested in attending this timely event.  Otherwise, see the articles below for more information about ag crops.

Manure Science Review Flyer

Forages for the Future Regional Program Flyer

Mark

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hay and Straw Barn Fires a Real Danger – Jason Hartschuh, Mark Sulc, Sarah Noggle, David Dugan, Dee Jepsen

Usually, we think of water and moisture as a way to put a fire out, but the opposite is true with hay and straw, which when too wet can heat and spontaneously combust. Most years this is more common with hay than straw because there is more plant cell respiration in the hay. This year the wheat is at various growth stages and straw seems to have more green stems than normal. When baled at moistures over 20% mesophilic bacteria release heat-causing temperatures to rise between 130⁰F and 140⁰F. These bacteria cause the internal temperature of hay bales to escalate, and can stay warm for up to 40 days depending on the moisture content when baled. If bacteria die and the bales cool, you are in the clear but if thermophilic bacteria take over temperatures can rise to over 175⁰F. Read more at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2019-21/hay-and-straw-barn-fires-real-danger.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Use More Caution this Year to Reduce Spray Drift – Erdal Ozkan

Spray drift not only results in wasting expensive pesticides and pollution of the environment, it may damage non-target crops nearby, and poses a serious health risk to people living in areas where drift is occurring. Drift happens! It accounts for about half of all non-compliance cases investigated by the Ohio Department of Agriculture. As you know, we are experiencing an unusual weather situation in Ohio and several other corn-belt states this year. Wet fields have made planting of corn and soybeans delayed or in many cases forced farmers to abandon it altogether looking for alternatives such as planting cover crops. Either situation presents added caution when applying herbicides in terms of spray drift which is defined as movement of pesticides by wind from the application site to an off-target site during or soon after application is done. Go to https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2019-22/use-more-caution-year-reduce-spray-drift to finish reading this article.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thinking about Cover Crops…… thoughts to consider – Sarah Noggle, Alan Sundermeier

Decisions, decisions these days.  When it comes to selecting the right cover crop for your farm, there is no one-size-fits-all option. This document is to help those of you new to cover crops with the thoughts, questions, and decisions, one needs to make when selecting cover crops.  Planting cover crops on prevent planting acres protects the soil from further water and wind erosion. This is here to help you make a plan and eliminate stress. Cover Crop selection is based on many different factors. What works on one field may not work on an adjacent field. Each farmer has different goals and ideal practices for their farms. Doing your homework prior to purchasing or planting cover crops can save you time and money. Click on https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2019-22/thinking-about-cover-crops%E2%80%A6%E2%80%A6-thoughts-consider to read more about cover crops.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Ohio Noxious Weed Law – A Tool in the Prevention of Waterhemp and Palmer Amaranth – Mark Loux

Waterhemp and Palmer amaranth are both now listed on the Ohio noxious weed law, which means that landowners must take steps to control infestations and prevent further spread.  Since these are annual weeds, preventing spread is achieved by preventing plants from reaching maturity and producing seed.  This is the basis for our “No pigweed left behind” effort, for which the goal is to create an understanding that the only way to beat these weeds is to prevent seed.  Prevention needs to occur in any area that might be subject to infestation, such as roadsides, parks, conservation seedings, etc, in addition to agricultural fields.  The entities managing these areas are responsible for recognizing and controlling infestations of waterhemp and Palmer amaranth, but this does not always occur.  Not everyone involved in crop production or land management is aware of the waterhemp/Palmer problem to begin with, and many managers are busy enough that preventing noxious weed problems has low priority. Finish reading this article at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2019-22/ohio-noxious-weed-law-tool-prevention-waterhemp-and-palmer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Western Bean Cutworm: Numbers Starting to Increase – Amy Raudenbush, Kimberley Gault, Mark Badertscher, Lee Beers, Bruce Clevenger, Sam Custer, Tom Dehaas, Allen Gahler, Jason Hartschuh, Andrew Holden, Stephanie Karhoff, Ed Lentz, Rory Lewandowski, David Marrison, KJ Martin, Cecelia Lokai-Minnich, Les Ober, Eric Richer, Garth Ruff, Mike Sunderman, Jeff Stachler, Alan Sundermeier, Curtis Young, Chris Zoller, Andy Michel, Kelley Tilmon

Week three of The Ohio State University Western bean cutworm (WBC) monitoring network has resulted in an increase of moths captured. Last week’s trap count included WBC adults captured from July 8 – July 13. A total of 24 counties monitored 75 traps across Ohio. Overall, trap counts increased, resulting in a total of 287 WBC adults (18 total last week) and a statewide average of 3.8 moths/trap (up from 0.3 average last week) While it is not likely we are at peak flight for WBC in Ohio just yet, there are counties that reported a trap average that indicates scouting for egg masses should begin. These counties include: Champaign, Clark, Coshocton, Fulton, Hardin, Lucas and Miami.  Go to https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2019-22/western-bean-cutworm-numbers-starting-increase to see more details.

 

 

 

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

July 9, 2019

Good afternoon,

Field work progressed this past week before some heavy rains hit parts of the county.  Wheat harvest started this past weekend, with a few fields being harvested.  Although I haven’t heard any local wheat yields or grain quality reports yet, the USDA indicates that 34% of the wheat crop is rated fair.  Fair is how 43% of the corn and 45% of the soybeans are rated in Ohio as well.  For more information about crop progress, see the attached July 8 Ohio Crop Weather Report.  The big news out of the state treasurer’s office this week is that low interest Ag-LINK loans are available at http://www.tos.ohio.gov/Ag-LINK-Extreme-Weather-Relief.  Through this round of applications, farm operators and agribusiness owners based in Ohio can receive a 2% interest rate reduction on loans up to $150,000.  The addition of a second application period can provide significant savings and much needed relief to farmers and agribusinesses impacted by recent storms and floods.

July 8 Ohio Crop Weather Report

Across Ohio, farmers are facing challenges unimagined just four months ago.  Widespread loss of established alfalfa stands coupled with delayed or impossible planting conditions for other crops leave many farmers, their agronomists and nutritionists wondering what crops can produce reasonable amounts of quality forage yet this year.  In addition, frequent and heavy rains are preventing harvest of forages that did survive the winter and are causing further deterioration of those stands.  See the attached article 2019 Challenge: Forage Production Options for Ohio written by Mark Sulc, OSU Extension Forage Agronomist and Bill Weiss, OSU Extension Dairy Nutritionist, to help address this forage dilemma.  Also, there is a Forages for the Future regional program planned for July 25 in St. Henry (Mercer County) to assist livestock farmers who need information about this topic.  I have attached both a flyer and news release about this program if you are interested in attending.

2019 Challenge: Forage Production Options for Ohio

Forages for the Future Regional Program Flyer

Forages Program News Release

Other events happening in Western Ohio include the Climate Smart: Farming with Weather Extremes program on July 18 at Der Dutchman in Plain City which I have included an updated flyer.  There is also a flyer for the Ohio Hop Growers Guild Statewide Hop Yard Open House July 20 with four sites you can visit.  In addition, I have included the July Ohio No-Till News which has an article about our “Cover Crops for Prevented Planting Acres” event that was held June 27 in Ada.  Upcoming local meetings include Farm Bureau tonight (7/9) starting at 6:00 pm at Bear Vine Winery near Ridgeway; Sheep Improvement Association tonight (7/9) starting at 7:30 pm at the Extension office; Fairboard Wednesday (7/10) starting at 7:00 pm at the Fair office; Cattle Producers Monday (7/15) starting at 7:30 pm at Fairgournds Steak Barn.  Don’t forget to check out the ag crops articles below, especially the one about the 2019 Agriculture Challenges FAQ Webpage Now Live.

Climate Smart Flyer

Hop Open House Flyer

Ohio No-till.page.July.2019

Mark

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2019 Agriculture Challenges FAQ Webpage Now Live – Elizabeth Hawkins

The unrelenting rains this spring and summer have created many challenges that the farming community is now sorting through. In order to help with decisions, OSU Extension has created a Frequently Asked Questions webpage. This page provides the most up-to-date answers to questions about topics ranging from MFP and disaster payments to cover crops, forages, livestock concerns, management of crops that are out of sync with normal planting dates, as well as answers to more questions as information becomes available. There is also an option to submit questions that you would like answered. Webinars with more detailed information will also be shared here. The page is available at go.osu.edu/AgCrisis. Since the situation we are facing is constantly evolving, be sure to check back for the latest information available to help you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Problems in Soybean Fields – Anne Dorrance

We have multiple planting dates in Ohio this year with soybeans in all different growth stages.  Management decisions are based on the stage of crop development. For soybeans that are flowering, there was a confirmed report of frogeye leaf spot.  If the soybeans in the field are in good health then managing this disease is often cost effective on susceptible varieties.  Scouting between R2/R3, if frogeye is easy to find on the newly expanded leaves a fungicide application is warranted. There are many fungicides available with fair to very good efficacy.  The one caveat is in Ohio, we have identified strains of the fungus that causes frogeye leaf spot that is resistant to strobilurin fungicides, so choose a product that has another mode-of-action. For soybeans that are in the early seedling stages that have continued to get these saturating rains, damping-off is occurring.  So these fields will continue to decline until about V2, then the resistance in the plant will take over.  So continue to monitor stands in these fields.  If stem rot develops at the later stages, then that is from Phytophthora sojae.  In these cases, a better variety is needed for the future that has higher levels of quantitative resistance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Noxious Weeds in Cover Crop Seed and Seed Germination – Alexander Lindsey, Laura Lindsey, Mark Loux, Anne Dorrance, Stan Smith, John Armstrong

Seed quality is key to establishing a good crop (or cover crop). Some of the critical components of seed quality are percent germination, mechanical analysis for purity (% other crops, % inert, and % weeds), and a listing of noxious weeds identified by scientific/common name and quantity found. As producers are looking for seed sources to provide living cover on acreage this year that was previously earmarked for corn or soybeans, it is important to pay attention to the quality. These tests may also be required on seed lots for use in some relief programs as well. Commercial or certified seed used for cover crops should have a seed tag that shows variety and the seed quality measurements above. However, if the seed is sourced from out of state, the noxious weeds listed (or NOT listed) on the tag by name may differ from those had the seed been sourced from Ohio.  Read more at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2019-21/noxious-weeds-cover-crop-seed-and-seed-germination.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What is the Nutrient Value of Wheat Straw? – Laura Lindsey, Ed Lentz

Wheat harvest is now underway. What is the nutrient value of the straw? The nutrient value of wheat straw is influenced by several factors including weather, variety, and cultural practices. Thus, the most accurate values require sending a sample of the straw to an analytical laboratory. However, “book values” can be used to estimate the nutrient values of wheat straw. In previous newsletters, we reported that typically a ton of wheat straw would provide approximately 11 pounds of N, 3 pounds of P2O5, and 20 pounds of K2O. Click on https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2019-21/what-nutrient-value-wheat-straw to finish reading about the nutrient value of wheat straw.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Considerations for Using Soybeans as a Cover Crop – Laura Lindsey

From the USDA RMA website (https://www.rma.usda.gov/News-Room/Frequently-Asked-Questions/Prevented-Planting-Flooding): “Q. Can I plant a cover crop of the same crop I was prevented from planting? Or in other words, can I use the seed I have on hand (corn, soybeans, wheat) to plant a cover crop as long as it’s at a lower seeded rate that qualifies for cover crop? A. Yes. An acceptable cover crop must be generally recognized by agricultural experts as agronomically sound for the area for erosion control or other purposes related to conservation or soil improvement is planted at the recommended seeding rate, etc. The cover crop may be the same crop prevented from planting and may still retain eligibility for a prevented planting payment. The cover crop planted cannot be used for harvest as seed or grain.” Soybean is an acceptable cover crop as it is agronomically sound for the area for erosion control or other purposes related to conservation or soil improvement. Go to https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2019-21/considerations-using-soybeans-cover-crop for more information about this topic.

 

 

 

 

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

July 2, 2019

Hello,

I hope you had a chance to attend last Thursday’s Cover Crops for Prevented Planting Acres meeting at Ohio Northern University in Ada.  If not, a video is now available for the entire program at https://www.ocj.com/2019/06/video-cover-crops-for-prevented-planting-acres-special-meeting/ that you can watch either parts or the full program.  Also, you might recall that I sent out a special email this past Friday with information about the Ohio NRCS Disaster Recovery Funding to Plant Cover Crops.  If you didn’t see that, I have included it with this email along with an Ohio NRCS fact sheet on Cover Crops to Improve Soil in Prevented Planting Fields and an Ohio NRCS Cover Crop fact sheet for seeding and selection.  Please take a few minutes to review these documents as cover crops are a viable way to protect unplanted bare fields around the county from erosion, weeds, and build soil health at the same time.

NRCS Disaster Recovery Funding to Plant Cover Crops

NRCS Cover Crops to Improve Soil in Prevented Planting Fields

NRCS Cover Crop Seeding and Selection

This past week was the best week weather-wise to do field work so far this season.  Several fields were sprayed, tilled, and even planted or replanted.  Soybeans are coming slow, corn is being sidedressed, and hay has finally been made in Hardin County.  See the July 1 Ohio Crop Weather Report for more information about the status of this year’s crops in the field.  Although the weather has finally settled down for now, most of the crop conditions are in the fair category according to this report from USDA.  Events coming up include a Western Ohio Precision Ag Field Day in Troy featuring harvesters on July 16; a Producer Workshop for “Using Native Warm-Season Grasses in a Grazing System” being held July 16 in Hillsboro; Western Agronomy Field Day being held July 17 at South Charleston; and a “Climate Smart: Farming with Weather Extremes” event being held July 18 in Plain City.  I have included flyers attached to this email that you can check for more details.

July 1 Ohio Crop Weather Report

Western Ohio Precision Ag Field Day Flyer

Using Native Warm-Season Grasses in a Grazing System Flyer

Western Agronomy Field Day Flyer

Climate Smart: Farming with Weather Extremes Flyer

Besides these upcoming events, you might want to check out the articles I have included below.  One of them discusses the Western Bean Cutworm trapping that we are doing here in Hardin County.  So far we have not caught any Western Bean Cutworm adult moths in our traps.  We also have been monitoring armyworm and black cutworm adult moths for the past two weeks.  Our numbers were down this past week compared to the previous week, which could be linked to the hot dry weather we have experienced.  Stay in touch and let me know if you have any questions that come up during this unusual growing season.

 

Mark

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What to do about Nitrogen Fertilizer in Corn? – Steve Culman, Peter Thomison, Alexander Lindsey, Harold Watters, Greg LaBarge, Laura Lindsey

The persistent rain this year may force many growers to sidedress their nitrogen in corn much later than what is considered normal. Other growers may be supplementing their earlier N applications to replace N lost from denitrification and leaching. The following are some suggestions based on common questions we’ve been hearing. Nitrogen is one the most dynamic crop nutrients in the soil and has many pathways for loss. It’s leaky nature plus the fact that crops need it in such large quantities makes the task of knowing exactly how much N to apply very challenging. The excessive water this spring has clearly driven losses in many fields, but how much? Recent research at Ohio State has shown that ear leaf N, soil nitrate and grain yields were significantly reduced after just 2 days of standing water in the field. So N losses can occur quickly with excessive water.  Read more at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/201920/what-do-about-nitrogen-fertilizer-corn.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wet Weather and Soybean Stand – Laura Lindsey, Alexander Lindsey

Saturated soils after soybean planting can cause uneven emergence and stand reductions of varying extent depending on the stage of the soybean plant and other environmental factors including temperature and duration of saturated conditions. Additionally, increased disease incidence may further reduce plant stand. Saturated Soil Prior to Germination: While soil moisture is necessary for germination, soybean seeds will not germinate when soils are saturated because oxygen is limiting. Saturated Soil during Germination: Saturated soils during soybean germination may cause uneven emergence. In a laboratory study, soybean germination was reduced by ~15% after only one hour of flood conditions (Wuebker et al., 2001). After 48 hours of flood conditions, soybean germination was reduced 33-70% depending on when imbibition (seed taking up water) began relative to the flooding conditions. Practically, for Ohio, this means if soybean seeds were further along in the germination process when flooding occurred, the seeds will be more susceptible to flooding stress.  Continue reading this article at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/201919/wet-weather-and-soybean-stand.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corn of Many Colors – Alexander Lindsey, Steve Culman, Peter Thomison

As corn is emerging and beginning to grow, we are again seeing many colors present. In any given field, corn can appear dark green in sections, while other sections are yellow and occasionally purple. Yellowing (due to low nitrogen or sulfur uptake and/or limited chlorophyll synthesis) or purpling (reduced root development and/or increased anthocyanin production) of corn plants at this stage of development generally has little or no effect on later crop performance or yield potential. If it’s induced by environmental conditions, the yellow or purple appearance should change to a healthy green after a few sunny days with temperatures above 70 degrees F (and as soils dry). If plants remain yellow then closer inspection and assessment is needed to determine if the yellowing is caused by nutrient deficiency or some other factor. Cooler wet conditions often increase the appearance of these different colors. Some hybrids are more likely to increase anthocyanin (purple pigment) content when plants are cool. Finish reading this article at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/201918/corn-many-colors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Western Bean Cutworm Monitoring – Amy Raudenbush, Kimberley Gault, Mark Badertscher, Bruce Clevenger, Sam Custer, Tom Dehaas, Allen Gahler, Mike Gastier, Jason Hartschuh, Andrew Holden, Stephanie Karhoff, Rory Lewandowski, KJ Martin, Cecelia Lokai-Minnich, David Marrison, Les Ober, Eric Richer, Garth Ruff, Jeff Stachler, Mike Sunderman, Alan Sundermeier, Curtis Young, Andy Michel, Kelley Tilmon

The Ohio State University Western bean cutworm (WBC) network has officially started monitoring traps as of last week. Green bucket traps containing a lure were placed along the edges of corn fields during the week of June 17th. The first trap count includes WBC adults captured during the week of June 24th. Overall, 22 counties monitored 62 traps across Ohio; which resulted in 12 WBC adults captured (0.2 average moths per trap) The adults are moths that begin to emerge in late June and peak flight occurs anytime between the 2nd through 4th week of July. See more at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/201920/western-bean-cutworm-monitoring.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forages for the Future Regional Program – Dennis Riethman

Many alfalfa and forage stands across the state took a beating this winter and the wet spring has added insult to injury.  Forage stands were damaged this past winter, and the wet spring has further deteriorated stands that appeared they might recover.  So what are the options to assuring a forage supply for the future? A Forages for the Future Program will be held on July 25, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the St. Henry H.S. Commons located at 391 E. Columbus St. in St. Henry, Ohio.  During this program discussions will be held addressing the current forage situation and look at best practices for forages.  Discussions will include alfalfa variety selection and establishment, forage options other than alfalfa, weed control in alfalfa and other forages, forage harvesting best practices, and feeding considerations with a varied forage inventory.  Presenters include Dr. Mark Sulc, OSU Extension Forage Specialist, Dr. Jeff Stachler, OSU Extension Educator from Auglaize County, and Dr. Maurice Eastridge, OSU Department and Animal Sciences.  The program is free to attend but registration is requested by July 22 by contacting Denny Riethman at Riethman.24@osu.edu or calling the Mercer County OSU Extension Office at 419-586-2179.  Thank you to St. Henry FFA, Mercer Landmark, and Dairy Farmers of America as sponsoring supporters of this program. Find flyer at https://agcrops.osu.edu/sites/agcrops/files/imce/July%2025%202019%20Forages%20for%20the%20Future%20Regional%20Program.pdf.

 

 

 

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