February 19, 2021

Good evening,

Are you a beef or dairy cattle producer interested in assuring the best possible bids for your market cattle? If so, you might be interested in participating in our Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) certification training coming up Tuesday, February 23. The webinar starts at 6:00 pm and you need to pre-register to get the link sent to your email. There is limited seating for Hardin County cattle producers who are unable to watch it on a computer because of poor internet or access. See the attached news release and flyer for information about how to participate. Since in-person seating is limited to 10 individuals seated 6 feet apart with a mask, you will need to call me at 419-767-6037 if you are interested in attending at the Extension office in Kenton. No walk-ins are permitted due to the pandemic as per OSU and county health department guidelines.

Beef Quality Assurance Training News Release

Beef Quality Assurance Training Flyer

Have you enrolled your farms in ARC/PLC for the 2021 crop year yet? Producers will need to make sure they have enrolled their FSA farms and made their elections with the FSA office before the March 15 deadline. Don’t wait until the last minute to make your 2021 crop year elections. There is not much information out there yet but it may be in your best interest take a look at how things have changed. You will want to watch the recording of one of our Hardin County OSU Extension ARC/PLC seminars held this past week available now at Hardin County ARC-PLC Webinar for more information. You can view parts of the webinar or the entire program at your own pace, and I have also included the slides with notes with this email in case you are interested in further study. If you have questions, feel free to contact me. In addition, there is another statewide OSU Extension ARC/PLC webinar coming up February 25. You can see the attached flyer for more details about how to connect to this live webinar.

ARC/PLC 2021 Crop Year Decision Slides

Statewide OSU Extension ARC/PLC Webinar Flyer

I heard that the Northwest Ohio OSU Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Newsletter booklet has finally arrived in mailboxes so make sure you take a look at it if you received one to read about available OSU Extension programs and specifically, pesticide and fertilizer recertifications. As explained in previous e-newsletters, there are both online and in-person options for you to get your private applicator licenses renewed if this is your year to get that done. I have included a news article about this subject, describing the options for Hardin County. Make sure you take a look at it as most of these local recertification update classes happen the first week of March and you need to pre-register for whichever method you decide to use to get recertified. Again, there are no walk-ins due to limited seating at the different locations. Also, if you need to get certified for fertilizer for the first time (apply fertilizer on 50 acres or more of crops for sale), there is an upcoming Fertilizer Certification training in Lima on March 3 that I have attached a flyer with details about how to register to attend. Our next Virtual Ag Coffee Hour is coming up Friday, March 5 so check out the attached flyer about how to participate in our roundtable discussion and learn about Ohio Farm Custom Rates.

Pesticde-Fertilizer Recertification News Release

First Time Fertilizer Certification Flyer

Virtual Ag Coffee Hour Flyer

The next “Water Quality Wednesday – Best Management Practices for Water Quality” webinar is coming up February 24. The same day, there is a 2021 Ohio Cattle Feeding School in the evening. The Conservation Tillage & Technology Conference (CTC) is also virtual this year.  This annual agronomy and soil health event, which is normally held in Ada at Ohio Northern University, will be held online March 9-12.  A “new” crop to Ohio, hemp, will be the subject of the 2021 Ohio Land Grant Hemp Conference being held March 5-6 virtually. Participate in this conference if you are curious about the potential of this crop in Ohio. See the attached flyers for information about how to register for these upcoming events. As an added bonus, I have included the latest Ohio Fruit News that you may be interested in looking at if you produce fruit or hops on your property.  In addition, there are some ag crops articles included below for your reading.

Water Quality Wednesdays – BMP Flyer

2021 Ohio Cattle Feeding School Flyer

2021 Virtual CTC Flyer

Virtual Hemp Conference Flyer

Ohio Fruit News – February 2021

 

Mark

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Health and Safety Recommendations for On-Farm Grain Bin Facilities – Wayne Dellinger, Dee Jepsen

In the ten-year period from 2009 to 2018 Ohio had 9 fatalities in grain handling and grain storage facilities. Five of these fatalities were from suffocation and 2 were from falls from the structure, while the others involved auger entanglements. Purdue University reported 38 grain entrapments across the U.S. in 2019. Twenty-three of these entrapments resulted in a fatality. Read more about grain bin safety at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2021-04/health-and-safety-recommendations-farm-grain-bin-facilities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summary of Multi-State State Research on Soybean Row Width, Planting Date, and Plant Population – Laura Lindsey

With funding from the United Soybean Board, soybean agronomists across the US came together to summarize soybean row width, planting date, and seeding rate research trials. (Ohio-specific research trials were funded by Ohio Soybean Council.) Here’s what we found: Row width: Soybean row width varies across the US. In Ohio, most farmers plant soybean in 7.5, 15, or 30-inch row widths. Across the US, narrow rows (7 to 15 inch) out-yielded wide rows (≥ 30 inches) 69% of the time. Narrow rows tend to out-yield wide rows due to earlier canopy closure which facilitates light interception and drives photosynthesis. Click on https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2021-04/summary-multi-state-state-research-soybean-row-width-planting to learn more about this multi-state soybean research.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corn and Soybean School: Q and A on Corn Disease Management with Fungicides – Pierce Paul

On Feb 11, 2021, I gave a talk entitled “Management of Gibberella ear rot and Vomitoxin in Corn with Fungicides: Lessons Learned from Head Scab” as part of the 2021 Virtual Corn and Soybean School. I summarized years of fungicide efficacy research on head scab, a disease of wheat caused by the same fungus (Fusarium graminearum [Gibberella zeae]) that causes Gibberella ear rot (GER) in corn. Head scab and vomitoxin in wheat have been more widely studied than GER and vomitoxin in corn, as a result, a lot more is known about fungicide efficacy against scab/vomitoxin than against GER/vomitoxin. I therefore used lessons learned from head scab research, coupled with data from a limited number of GER fungicide efficacy studies to provide guideline on GER and vomitoxin management in corn. More than 220 people attended the 40-min-long program, asking questions covering various aspects of corn pathology. Continue reading at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2021-04/corn-and-soybean-school-q-and-corn-disease-management-fungicides.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Register Now for Virtual CTC – Mark Badertscher

Have you registered yet for this year’s Conservation Tillage & Technology Conference (CTC)? This annual conference, which is normally held on the campus of Ohio Northern University in Ada will be virtual this year. Four days of topic related programming will be provided March 9-12, 2021 (Tuesday-Friday). There is still time to register and get your snacks ready for this year’s conference. Each day will start at 8:00 a.m. (EST) and will have 5 hours of great value, ending about 2:00 p.m. That adds up to 20 hours of presentations on current topics important for farmers, crop consultants, and educators. Because the program is virtual and therefore travel is not an issue, the planning committee has put together a list of national experts from universities, agencies, industry professionals, and others. Finish reading about the CTC at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2021-04/register-now-virtual-ctc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Updated Tri-State Fertilizer Recommendation Webinar – Ed Lentz, Eric Richer

A virtual walk through the Updated Tri-State Fertilizer Recommendations for Corn, Soybean, Wheat, and Alfalfa will be offered on February 23 at 8:30-10:00 a.m. and again at 7:00-8:30 p.m. Private and commercial fertilizer recertification 0ne-hour credit will be offered to those who participate during the ‘live’ programs. Each participant will receive in the mail a copy of the Tri-State Fertilizer Recommendations; hardcopy may not arrive prior to class. Cost for the program is $15. Register and pay for the program at the following link: https://osu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_abl3hg2w8MFWmou. The zoom link for the program will be sent to your email one day before the webinar. Instructors and contacts for the program include Eric Richer – 419/337-9210, richer.5@osu.edu and Ed Lentz – 419/422-3851, lentz.38@osu.edu

 

 

 

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

February 5, 2021

Hello,

Have you enrolled your FSA farms into ARC/PLC programs for crop year 2021 yet?  The deadline is coming up March 15. This was the subject of our Virtual Ag Coffee Hour this morning. Join Hardin County OSU Extension for an ARC/PLC Farm Bill Decision Virtual Workshop to assist with 2021 Farm Bill Decisions. Phil Lautenschlager, CED of Hardin Farm Service Agency plans be a part of this program to help answer questions. Find out the latest ARC/PLC Farm Bill information to help your farm operation decision-making process for 2021. Different examples will be provided using the decision-making tools. There will be two sessions available Thursday, February 11 at 1:00 pm and 6:00 pm. For more information and how to register, check out the attached news release and flyer.

ARC-PLC Farm Bill Decision News Release

ARC-PLC Hardin Flyer

Speaking of FSA programs, I have also attached information about the USDA Quality Loss Adjustment program. USDA is providing critical support to our nation’s farmers and ranchers through the Quality Loss Adjustment Program (QLA). QLA aids producers who suffered eligible crop quality losses due to natural disasters occurring in calendar years 2018 and/or 2019. Both 2018 and 2019 were marked with a variety of natural disasters. This includes excess moisture, which impacted much of the Midwest. Read more on the attached fact sheet as FSA is accepting applications for QLA from January 6, 2021 to March 5, 2021.

Farmers_QLA_Program_Factsheet_2021

I have been receiving several calls about Pesticide and Fertilizer Recertification meetings for this year. As mentioned in the previous Hardin County Agriculture and Natural Resources Update, all virtual and in-person meetings are listed in the Northwest Ohio ANR Newsletter if you have not received a copy in the mail by now. It was supposed to arrive in people’s mailboxes in January, but so far I haven’t heard of anyone receiving it from people that I have talked to who are on our mailing list. Hopefully the U.S. Postal Service will deliver it soon as most of these trainings are the first week of March. Give me a call at 419-767-6037 if your license expires this year and we will discuss options and get you registered to attend or participate online.

There have been several virtual OSU Extension webinars and other events happening so hopefully you have taken advantage of some as most of them are free to attend. If you missed an event live, most of them have been recorded and you can view them on OSU AgCrops YouTube Channel or OSU Precision Ag YouTube Channel.  To find out more about OSU Extension virtual programs, read my attached articles “OSU Extension Ag Programs Go Virtual” and “OSU Extension Livestock Webinars.” I have also included flyers for Agronomy Team Programs, Ag Tech Tuesdays, and Corn College & Soybean School. A year ago we planned a Farm Succession Workshop but did not get enough people registered to have it. This year that same workshop is available as a virtual workshop. You can find out details about how to register by February 10 and participate with the “Planning for the Future of Your Farm” flyer. I have also attached a flyer promoting the Water Quality Wednesdays series that our own Water Quality Extension Associate Boden Fisher has helped coordinate.

Virtual OSUE Ag Winter Programs News Release

Livestock Webinars News Release

February Agronomy Team Programs Flyer

Ag Tech Tuesdays Flyer

Corn College-Soybean School Flyer

Planning For Future Farm Flyer

Water Quality Wednesdays Flyer

Finally, I have been getting some questions about vomitoxin in corn. Please see the attached news release that was sent to the media this past week for more information and recommendations about this issue. Also, Julie Platz of American Farmland Trust has asked me to share a flyer for farmers who produce feed for dairy farms in Hardin County. If you fit this description and are interested in programs to improve soil health, contact her for more information either by her email or phone number that are listed on the flyer. Below I have included some ag crops articles for you to read during this cold weekend.

Vomitoxin in Corn News Release

Dairy Feeds Soil Health Flyer

 

Mark

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conservation Tillage and Technology Conference Will Be Virtual – Mark Badertscher

You won’t want to miss this year’s Conservation Tillage & Technology Conference (CTC). The annual conference, which is normally held on the campus of Ohio Northern University in Ada will be virtual this year. Four days of topic related programming will be provided March 9-12, 2021 (Tuesday-Friday). You’ll need to furnish your own snacks during the scheduled breaks. Read more about this year’s CTC at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2021-03/conservation-tillage-and-technology-conference-will-be-virtual.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Herbicide Resistance in Ohio Waterhemp Populations – Mark Loux

Waterhemp populations across the Midwest continue to develop more complex variations of herbicide resistance. Multiple resistance to an increasing number of herbicide sites of action is the norm in many populations in states west of Ohio. Waterhemp has on the whole developed resistance to seven sites of action, which are listed at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2021-03/herbicide-resistance-ohio-waterhemp-populations along with more information about this topic.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Upcoming Cold Temperatures and Winter Wheat – Laura Lindsey, Ed Lentz, Pierce Paul

The upcoming forecast of cold temperatures has sparked some concern about damage to the winter wheat crop. Fortunately, winter wheat is very resistant to cold temperatures during the months of December, January, and February when the plant is dormant. During these months, winter wheat can withstand below freezing temperatures, especially when there is snow cover. In early 2019, Ohio experienced polar vortex temperatures without snow cover. However, no (or minimal) damage was observed in winter wheat. Read more about how cold temperatures affect winter wheat at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2021-03/upcoming-cold-temperatures-and-winter-wheat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fertility Calculator for Ohio Recommendations – Version Update – Greg LaBarge

An update to the Fertilizer Calculator for Ohio has been posted at https://go.osu.edu/ohiofertilitytool. The Fertilizer Calculator for Ohio (Version 2021) corrects an error in calculating whole field fertilizer cost and standardizes the width of field/subfield description fields across tool forms based on user feedback. The tool is a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet developed to support users who want to generate their own recommendations based on the Tri-State Fertilizer Recommendations for Corn, Soybeans, Wheat, and Alfalfa, 2020. The spreadsheet is designed to be compatible with Excel version 1997-2003 or later. Continue reading this article at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2021-03/fertility-calculator-ohio-recommendations-version-update.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corn College and Soybean School – Amanda Douridas, Mary Griffith, Laura Lindsey

The Agronomic Crops Team will host a virtual Corn College and Soybean School on February 11, 2021. Corn College is in the morning, from 9:00 – 12:00pm, with Soybean School in the afternoon from 1:00-4:00pm. Each program will feature updates from OSU Specialists. CCA CEUs are available. The schedule for the day and information about how you can participate in this free virtual program can be found at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2021-03/corn-college-and-soybean-school.

 

 

 

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