Good afternoon,
The combination of cold weather and frequent rains have kept local farmers from getting a good start on the planting season. According to the latest attached USDA Ohio Crop Weather report, only 3% of the corn and 2% of the soybeans have been planted statewide. I checked a wheat field this past Friday and it was still in Feekes 6 with one joint on the stem, slowed down by the cool weather. It looks like the weather is set to warm up and we should see a dryer period to allow a window to plant corn and soybean fields. I have seen weed growth in fields since neither tillage or spring burn downs have happened in most fields. The unfavorable field conditions have also shortened the window for planting spring forages. I have included an article regarding forage legume stand evaluation for those who are questioning what to do with those fields that are questionable. Some early season manure applications have taken place so I have also included an article about using manure as a nutrient source. A few soybean fields have been planted in the county along with some corn fields. I have included an article titled “Set-Up Soybeans for Success in 2022” taking a look at best management practices.
Forage Stand Evaluation News Release
Early Season Manure Application News Release
Soybean Planting Recommendations News Release
There are a few events coming up locally that you may be interested in attending. OSU Extension is teaming up again with the Hardin Soil and Water Conservation District to offer the Hardin County Pond Clinic on Thursday, May 12. This event will start at 6:30 pm at Neil and Amy Dumbaugh’s pond located at 1547 County Road 50, Ada. It will include a tour of Ada Fish Farms, LLC with a discussion on using Tilapia fish as a way to control weeds. The main speaker will be Steve Fender from Fender’s Fish Farms, author of “Farm Pond Management, The Common Sense Guide” who will also be able to answer pond owner management questions. See the attached article and flyer for more information.
The OSU Extension Master Gardener Volunteers are hosting their annual Hardin County MGV Plant Sale on Saturday, May 14. This event will be from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm at the Friendship Gardens of Hardin County located at 960 W Kohler Street. In addition to plants and garden items from the Hardin County MGVs, the Hardin County Men’s Garden Club and Star Farms Native Plants will have plants available for sale. Come and get your garden questions answered and pick-up free seed packets from the Ohio Victory Gardens program that OSU Extension is cooperating with the Ohio Department of Agriculture this year. If you are unable to attend the plant sale, extra seed packets will be made available at the Extension office and selected local libraries after this date. See the attached news releases and flyers for more details about the Hardin County MGV Plant Sale and Ohio Victory Gardens program.
Hardin County Plant Sale News Release
That’s about all for this edition of the Hardin County Agriculture and Natural Resources Update. I have begun setting up insect traps around the county with three black cutworm traps this past week and today I will add three true armyworm traps as part of this statewide monitoring and research program. Each Friday I check these traps and report the data to entomologists at OSU, which is usually followed up by an article similar to the one below which will provide information and recommendations for management if necessary. Remember to be safe as the weather breaks and field work becomes more active. Tractors and equipment will be working for long hours in the fields and also on the roads. I have provided some ag crops articles below that you may be interested in reading that I believe are relevant and timely for Hardin County.
Mark
Lep Monitoring Network Update – Amy Raudenbush, Suranga Basnagala , Kyle Akred, Mark Badertscher, Lee Beers, Clifton Martin, James Morris, Eric Richer, Beth Scheckelhoff, Cindy Wallace, Curtis Young, Andy Michel, Kelley Tilmon
Eleven counties in Ohio will be monitoring for various agronomic Lepidopteran (moth/caterpillar) pests during the 2022 field season. These counties include Adams, Brown, Clark, Fulton, Hardin, Madison, Muskingum, Trumbull, Van Wert, Wayne and Wood. This network was established to monitor the current pest populations in various regions of Ohio for black cutworm (BCW), true armyworm (AMW), European corn borer (ECB-IA, ECB-NY), corn earworm (CEW), and fall armyworm (FAW). We will report regular updates on this trapping in CFAES’s C.O.R.N newsletter to track the status of these pests in Ohio. Traps for each pest will be deployed when the pest is most likely to be active throughout the season. Read more about this effort at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2022-12/lep-monitoring-network-update
Imbibitional Chilling – Is it a concern? – Alexander Lindsey, Laura Lindsey, Osler Ortez
Warmer temperatures combined with the excitement (and need) to get crops in the ground triggered planting around the state last week (April 18 to April 24) or even before. With some warm days without much precipitation forecasted this week (April 25 to May 1), planting will continue. However, cold temperatures and precipitation after planting can cause imbibitional chilling, and this is something that we should certainly be aware of (watch for!). Imbibitional chilling may occur in corn and soybean seeds if the soil temperature is below 50°F when the seed imbibes (rapidly takes up water from the soil, usually within 24 hours after planting). Imbibitional chilling can cause reductions in stand and seedling vigor. If seeds were planted into soil with at least 50°F of temperature and adequate moisture (at least 40-50% plant available water) for at least one day, the drop in temperature is not likely to lead to imbibitional chilling issues. Cold injury to seedings during emergence may still be a possibility, but until we know how cold the soil gets its unclear how severe that issue may be (if evident at all). Finish reading this article at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2022-11/imbibitional-chilling-%E2%80%93-it-concern
Springtime is Spray Time — Here are Some Tips for Better Spraying – Erdal Ozkan
Applying pesticides requires a high level of skill and knowledge. Increases in the size and complexity of sprayers over the years require even more attention to efficiency, efficacy, and safety. Although each crop requires a slightly different approach to the application of pesticides, some general principles apply to almost all spraying situations. Here are my top 10 recommendations (not in a particular order) that will make spraying efficient and effective resulting in a higher level of biological efficacy expected from pesticides applied. Continue reading at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2022-12/springtime-spray-time-here-are-some-tips-better-spraying
Making On-Farm Trials Easy – Taylor Dill, Elizabeth Hawkins
Planting season is upon us and is a little behind in comparison to last year. Many producers are planning on evaluating input costs and management practices on their farm this season to improve economic efficiency and stay profitable. However, there are some ways to plan on-farm research to get the most accurate data, and therefore make the best decision for your farm. The first element to establish is what are you trying to find out? Fully understanding the question and goal of the trial is imperative to set up the appropriate treatments. Maybe your question is “What is my most economically effective nitrogen rate?” or “Does this new fungicide increase yield and pay for itself?”. When doing on-farm research, consider assessing practices that are critical to the long-term success of the farm. Read more at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2022-12/making-farm-trials-easy
Alfalfa Weevil: Ready, Set, Scout! – Aaron Wilson, Kelley Tilmon, Mark Sulc, Andy Michel
Finally we’ve accumulated enough heat units that significant parts of Ohio are now or very soon will be in prime time for alfalfa weevil. Peak larval activity and feeding damage occur between 325 and 575 GDD. In short, most locations should begin scouting, especially in fields that were damaged last fall by the fall armyworm, because we don’t want to add more insult to those fields early this season. Alfalfa fields should be scouted weekly for weevils until at least the first harvest. Follow-up scouting may be needed after the first harvest in heavily infested fields. Spot problem fields early by checking alfalfa tips for feeding damage – small holes and a tattered appearance. Fields that have a south facing slope tend to warm up sooner and need to be checked for weevil earlier. Continue reading at https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2022-12/alfalfa-weevil-ready-set-scout
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
