Good afternoon,

The big news this past week was the change in the weather.  After several weeks with very little moisture, Hardin County finally received rain.  Although it varied in amounts depending on location, it was much needed for the crops around the county.  Most corn was tasseling or beginning to tassel and soybeans were beginning to produce pods.  Vegetative growth slowed not only in corn and soybean, but also in forage crops.  See the latest Ohio Crop Weather report for July 27 for more information.  Extension rainfall reporters recorded an average of 1.85 inches of rain in Hardin County during June.  Last year, the average rainfall for June was 7.08 inches.  Rainfall for the month was 3.63 inches less than the ten-year average rainfall in the month of June.  Hale Township received 3.45 inches, the most of the township sites.   The least rain in June, 0.38 inches was reported in Liberty Township.   For the growing season since April 15, the average precipitation in all the townships was 8.12 inches, with a range from 10.15 inches in McDonald Township to 6.90 inches in Jackson Township.  More local information about the lack of rain and its effect on crops can be found in the attached Extension Rainfall Report for June.

Ohio Crop Weather

June 2020 Rainfall Summary

Hardin County farmers experienced an average wheat harvest this year with good grain quality due to the lack of rain near harvest time.  Much straw was baled in area fields and some is still being baled.   For more information about wheat harvest, see the article written by Hancock County OSU Extension Educator Ed Lentz that I have included.  This article explains how wheat is harvested and what farmers do to prepare for harvest.  News coming out of Columbus announced that the Farm Science Review would be a virtual show this year.  For the first time in its nearly 60-year history, The Ohio State University’s Farm Science Review, scheduled for September 22 to September 24, will not be held in-person due to the pandemic.  Stay tuned for further information about what is being planned as we move forward with this virtual event.

Wheat Harvest News Release

The Ohio Department of Agriculture will be sponsoring collection events for farmers wishing to dispose of unwanted pesticides. This year, the closest collection is happening in Hancock county on August 19 from 9 am – 3 pm at the Hancock County Fairgrounds located at 1017 E. Sandusky Street, Findlay.  See the attached news release for more details about what is accepted at this upcoming event in case you have old pesticides that you need to dispose of.  I have also included a document put out by OSU College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences titled “What You Need to Know About Animal Processing on the Farm in Ohio.”  Animal processing on farm is a practice of harvesting (slaughtering) one’s own food animals to provide for their own families is and even though not common today, there is some on farm slaughter going on and this document might help to answer some important questions you might have.

Ag Pesticide Disposal News Release

What You Need to Know About Food Animal Processing in Ohio

Join us for our monthly Virtual Ag Coffee Hour to discuss county agriculture and issues in Hardin County.  Keep up to date and share information about what is happening in local agriculture with our round table discussion.  We look forward to you joining the discussion on Friday, August 7 starting at 8:00 am to find out what is happening on the farms in your area.  You can join the Zoom meeting online at https://osu.zoom.us/j/97848928801?pwd=b1MvRnU2cTJSdWNwanY0d1lTekQydz09 or by dialing (312) 626-6799 and entering the Meeting ID: 978 4892 8801 and Password: 431218 when asked.  If you are interested in reading the latest ag crops articles from the CORN Newsletter, see the ones included below.

 

Mark

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ODA Asks Public to Not Plant any Unsolicited Packages of Seeds – Stephanie Karhoff

The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) has been notified that several Ohio residents have received unsolicited packages in the mail containing seeds that appear to have originated from China. The types of seeds in the packages are currently unknown and may contain invasive plant species. Similar seed packets have been received recently in several other locations across the United States. Read more at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2020-24/oda-asks-public-not-plant-any-unsolicited-packages-seeds.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2020 Ohio Wheat Performance Test – Laura Lindsey, Matthew Hankinson

Yield results for the 2020 Ohio Wheat Performance Test are online at: https://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/wheattrials/default.asp?year=2020. The purpose of the Ohio Wheat Performance Test is to evaluate wheat varieties, blends, brands, and breeding lines for yield, grain quality, and other important performance characteristics. This information gives wheat producers comparative information for selecting the varieties best suited for their production system and market. Varieties differ in yield potential, winter hardiness, maturity, standability, disease and insect resistance, and other agronomic characteristics. Selection should be based on performance from multiple test sites and years. Finish reading the article at

https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2020-24/2020-ohio-wheat-performance-test.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Crop Staging Videos – Alexander Lindsey, Amanda Douridas

A new suite of crop staging videos have been built by faculty at The Ohio State University that highlight corn, soybean, and alfalfa. The videos highlight some common staging methods for each crop, and connect the staging guidelines to practice using live plants in the field. The videos can be found in the “Crop Growth Stages” playlist on the AgCrops YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbqpb60QXN3UJIBa5is6kHw/playlists. These compliment some of the wheat staging videos previously posted on the AgCrops YouTube channel as well. As the crops progress through the reproductive stages, expect some more videos to be posted! Continue reading this article at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2020-24/new-crop-staging-videos.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leafhoppers, Grasshoppers, and Beetles, Oh My! – Kelley Tilmon, Andy Michel

As the summer progresses we are receiving reports of insect problems often encouraged by hot, dry weather.  Last week we reported on spider mites and especially if you are in an area of continued dry weather we recommend scouting your soybeans and corn  https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2020-22/watch-spider-mites-dry-areas. Some areas are also reporting increases in young grasshoppers in soybeans, another insect favored by dry weather.  Grasshoppers of often start on field edges so early scouting may allow for an edge treatment.  Japanese beetles are another common defoliator of soybean that are starting to appear.  Both of these pests fall into a general defoliation measurement, and we recommend treatment if defoliation is approaching 20% on the majority of plants in post-flowering beans.  Click on https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2020-23/leafhoppers-grasshoppers-and-beetles-oh-my to read the original article.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Late Summer Establishment of Perennial Forages – Mark Sulc

The month of August provides the second window of opportunity for establishing perennial forage stands this year. The primary risk with late summer forage seedings is having sufficient moisture for seed germination and plant establishment, which is a significant risk this summer given the low soil moisture status across many areas. The decision to plant or not will have to be made for each individual field, considering soil moisture and the rain forecast. Rainfall/soil moisture in the few weeks immediately after seeding is the primary factor affecting successful establishment. Finish reading about late summer establishment of perennial forages at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2020-23/late-summer-establishment-perennial-forages.

 

Mark A. Badertscher

Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator

OSU Extension Hardin County

1021 W. Lima Street, Suite 103, Kenton, OH 43326

419-767-6037

hardin.osu.edu

 

Good evening,

Since the last Hardin County Agriculture and Natural Resources Update, I have been working with our new Water Quality Extension Associate Boden Fisher to help him with soil health sampling in four Hardin County fields.  I would like to thank the cooperating farmers: Jeffry Billenstein, Austin Heil, John Krock, and Paul Ralston for providing soybean fields for this project.  Boden has also been busy taking samples in Hancock and Putnam counties as he is responsible for working in a three county area.  To read more about Boden and the goals of the Extension Water Quality Associate program, see the attached news release.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Boden Fisher

Water Quality Associate News Release

The Ohio State University has a new mission statement for Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension.  It reads “Ohio State University Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources empowers Ohio’s agriculture and natural resources communities, provides outreach and education based on unbiased research, and cultivates relationships to strengthen the economic viability and quality of life for Ohioans.”  Learn more about OSU ANR Extension from the attached infographics document which also includes facts about eFields, Beef Quality Assurance, fact sheets, Farm Bill, publications, Master Gardener Volunteers, CORN Newsletter, ANR videos, pesticide/fertilizer training and certification.

ANR Infographics

Hot and dry conditions continue to cover the area, as the latest Ohio Crop Weather report for July 6 rated most corn and soybean crops in good condition.  Find out more information from this attached statewide report.  Locally, corn leaves are rolling and soybeans are starting to bloom with slow growth.  Rainfall reports coming in for June are showing low numbers for the townships in Hardin County.  Farmers have harvested most of the wheat crop, started baling straw, hauling manure on wheat stubble, and are in the process of making the second cutting of hay.  Join us tomorrow morning at 8:00 am for our monthly Virtual Ag Coffee Hour to give an update of the crop conditions in your neck of the woods.  You can connect by clicking on https://osu.zoom.us/j/93671352897?pwd=SHBRcFNoRDZweTh3VEZmUFgzUWRTUT09 or by calling in at (312) 626-6799 with the Meeting ID: 936 7135 2897 and password 854633.

Ohio Crop Weather Report

Western Bean Cutworm moth counts continue to  be low with three more traps added near Mt. Victory, Foraker, and Jumbo.  You can read more about this pest and the statewide monitoring in the article below along with other timely crop articles.  If you still need to get your pesticide or fertilizer recertification completed for a license that expired on March 31, 2020 due to the pandemic, you can now access and do the recertification online at https://pested.osu.edu or continue to wait until we are permitted to hold a live make-up recertification class at the Extension office.  In the meantime, stay cool and hope that we get some rain soon.

 

Mark

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Western Bean Cutworm Numbers Remain Low Across Ohio – Amy Raudenbush

We are now in the second week of monitoring for Western bean cutworm (WBC) in Ohio. Similar to last week, WBC adult numbers remain low in all monitoring counties. Trap counts for the week of June 29 – July 5 resulted in a total of 56 WBC adults (0.67 average moths per trap). Overall, 26 counties monitored 84 traps across Ohio. No counties reported capturing more than 1 moth / day over the 7-day monitoring period; therefore, all counties currently remain below the recommended levels that indicate scouting for egg masses should begin.  See a statewide map and other resources at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2020-21/western-bean-cutworm-numbers-remain-low-across-ohio.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Double Crop Soybean Recommendations – Laura Lindsey

As small grains are harvested across the state, here are some management considerations for double-crop soybean production. Relative maturity (RM) has little effect on yield when soybeans are planted during the first three weeks of May. However, the effect of RM can be larger for late planting. When planting soybean late, the latest maturing variety that will reach physiological maturity before the first killing frost is recommended. This is to allow the soybean plants to grow vegetatively as long as possible to produce nodes where pods can form before vegetative growth is slowed due to flowering and pod formation.  If you still plan to plant double crop soybean in this dry weather, go to https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2020-20/double-crop-soybean-recommendations for more information.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corn Growth in Hot and Dry Conditions – Alexander Lindsey, Peter Thomison

In recent days we have been experiencing 90 degree F days with limited precipitation, and so we are starting to see some leaf rolling in corn. Some of this may be related to reductions in soil moisture, but may be related to restricted root systems as well. Depending on the stage of corn at the time of these conditions, different effects on yield may be expected. Corn ear development occurs throughout the growing season, and extreme temperature or moisture stress at different growth stages will decrease different aspects of grain yield.  Read more about corn growth in these conditions at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2020-21/corn-growth-hot-and-dry-conditions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Drought Projections Do Not Go Well With Fungicide Applications – Anne Dorrance, Pierce Paul

Several calls this past week for fungicide applications on corn and soybean at all different growth stages.  So let’s review what might be at stake here. In soybeans, frogeye leaf spot and white mold on susceptible varieties when the environment is favorable for disease easily pay the cost of application plus save yield losses.  Let’s dig a bit deeper.  Both of these diseases are caused by fungi but frogeye leaf spot is a polycyclic disease, meaning that multiple infections occur on new leaves through the season while white mold is monocyclic and the plant is really only susceptible during the flowering stage.  Both of these diseases are also limited geographically in the state.  White mold is favored in North East Ohio and down through the central region where fields are smaller and air flow can be an issue.  Frogeye has been found on highly susceptible varieties south of 70, but it is moving a bit north so it is one that I am watching.  Find out more regarding soybean and corn fungicide applications in hot and dry conditions at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2020-21/drought-projections-do-not-go-well-fungicide-applications.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mid-Season Weed Management in Soybeans – Hot, Dry Edition – Mark Loux

A few weed-related observations while we try to stay cool and hope for a day of rain or at least popup thunderstorms. One of the frequent questions during extended dry weather is – do I wait for rain before applying POST herbicides, or just go ahead and apply before the weeds get any larger and tougher to control.  Our experience has been that it’s best to go ahead and apply when weeds are still small, even if it’s dry, and herbicides will usually do what they are supposed to.  Letting them get larger without any sure forecast for rain can make for a tough situation that requires higher rates or a more injurious mix.  On the other hand, waiting to apply can be fine if there is a good chance of rain within the next few days.  It’s not always an easy decision. There’s more at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2020-21/mid-season-weed-management-soybeans-%E2%80%93-hot-dry-edition.

 

Mark A. Badertscher

Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator

OSU Extension Hardin County

1021 W. Lima Street, Suite 103, Kenton, OH 43326

419-767-6037

hardin.osu.edu