Month: June 2011

Why Oats, and Not Cereal Rye or Wheat?

– Stan Smith, PA, Fairfield County OSU Extension

Last week in this publication we suggested that planting oats on acres that were left unplanted to corn or soybeans this spring might be utilized for growing oats which could be grazed or harvested after November 1. Since then the question has been asked why we’d encourage the planting of oats this time of year instead of cereal rye or wheat. Rye is, indeed, an alternative, but based on our experience, here’s the way we view the three forages. Continue reading Why Oats, and Not Cereal Rye or Wheat? →

Just Because We’ve Always Done It That Way, Doesn’t Make It Right

– John F. Grimes, OSU Extension Beef Coordinator

One of the great strengths and at the same time, great weaknesses of the beef industry in this country is the wide diversity of genetics that we have at our disposal to utilize in a wide range of environments. We obviously have a wide range of climatic conditions where beef is produced ranging from the cold winters of upper Midwest, the arid conditions of the western states, the plentiful moisture and resulting mud in the eastern Corn Belt, to the heat of the southern states. When you compare these varying conditions to the controlled environments that species such as poultry, swine, and in many cases dairy utilize, you can understand why we see much more variability in the look of cow herds across the country. It certainly makes the job tougher for the beef industry to Continue reading Just Because We’ve Always Done It That Way, Doesn’t Make It Right →