Ag Safety and Health

East Ohio Women in Agriculture Conference

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Registration is now open for the 2025 East Ohio Women in Agriculture Conference on Friday, March 21 from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm at Shisler Event Center on The Ohio State University’s Wooster Campus, 1880 Madison Avenue, Wooster, OH 44691. This is a very special year as we celebrate our tenth year together with our biggest conference yet!

This year’s program will feature 24 break-out sessions in 6 tracks including: Plants, Animals, Business & Marketing, Home & Family, Special Interest, and Personal Development. These informative and interactive sessions are presented by Ohio State University Extension educators, farmers, industry professionals, and partner agencies.

We are thrilled to have international speaker, author, and farm coach, Elaine Froese, at our conference this spring. She’s on a mission to guide farm families, across North America, to get unstuck, communicate better, find harmony through understanding, and secure a profitable farm legacy. Elaine is traveling from her home farm in Manitoba, Canada to speak with us! She will share a special keynote about Living an Intentional Life, will teach a breakout session to help tackle tough family conversations, and will have Coach on Call individual sessions available throughout the day. Every participant will also get a copy of Elaine’s book, “Farming’s In-Law Factor.” You can learn more about Elaine Froese at elainefroese.com.

Registration information can be found at go.osu.edu/eowiareg25 and you can learn about sponsorship opportunities at go.osu.edu/eowiasponsor25.

Using De-icers this Winter

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Chemical de-icers will help remove ice, but can also cause damage to the surrounding environment.  Over application of chemical de-icers can shorten the life span of concrete surfaces, corrode metal railings, pollute streams and lakes through run-off water, damage soils and stunt or kill plants adjacent to de-iced areas.  Manual snow-removal followed by the application of an abrasive such as damp sand to create traction can keep sidewalks safe without the problems associated with de-icers.  Using de-icers wisely, or replacing them with manual removal and abrasives, can minimize the potential for damage while keeping steps and sidewalks safe.

Most de-icing chemicals are technically “salts” that work by lowering the freezing point of water below 32° F.  Salts can damage plants in two ways:

First, by direct contact with snowmelt containing de-icers or in salt spray from roadways.  Repeated shoveling or blowing snow that contains de-icers onto nearby landscape plants will increase the likelihood of contact injury.  Direct contact can cause bud death and twig dieback resulting in the growth of twig clusters known as “witches brooms.”  Evergreens exposed to salts can show symptoms as early as February or March, including needle flecking, yellowing or browning, and twig dieback.

Second, by repeated yearly applications the resulting build-up in adjacent soil may damage plant roots so they are unable to take up water.  Plants symptoms include wilting even when soils are moist, an abnormal blue-green cast in the foliage, marginal leaf burn or needle tipburn, and general stunting or lack of vigor.  Over time, some clay soils may have their structure changed by extremely high salt levels and become unable to support plant life.  Well-drained soils can be watered heavily to leach some of the excess salts out, but this will not work with fine-textured clay soils or soils with inadequate drainage.

The following five major ingredients offered in different brands of chemical de-icers each bring advantages and disadvantages:

  • Calcium chloride – the traditional ice-melting product that continues melting ice in temperatures down to about -25 degrees F.  It rarely harms plants unless used in excess, but it can create a slippery, slimy surface on concrete and other hard surfaces.
  • Rock salt – the original ice melter and the least expensive available now.  Because it’s sodium chloride, it’s effective down to about 12 degrees F.  It can, however, damage not only concrete and plants but also soils and metals.
  • Potassium chloride – another chloride formulation that can damage plant roots.  Plus, it can cause serious plant injury when washed or splashed on foliage.
  • Urea (carbonyl diamide) – a fertilizer sometimes used to melt ice.  It’s only about one-tenth as corrosive as sodium chloride, but it still can contaminate ground and surface water with nitrates.  Urea is only effective to about 21 degrees F.
  • Calcium magnesium acetate (CMA) – a newer product made from dolomitic limestone and acetic acid (the principal compound in vinegar).  CMA does not form a brine as the salts do, but rather helps prevent snow particles from sticking to each other or the road surface.  It has little effect on plant growth or concrete surfaces; however, its performance decreases below 20 degrees F.

Make sure areas receiving snow and de-icers have good drainage so a thorough watering in the spring can help flush the excess salts.  Plant tolerance is increased if the soil is rich in organic matter.  Soils can be amended with organic matter such as compost or peat moss.  Incorporating Gypsum into the soil may also help offset some of the negative effects of de-icing salts.  Incorporate 10 to 20 pounds of gypsum per hundred square feet prior to planting in salt exposure areas.

Article by Ted Wiseman, ANR Educator Perry County, can be reached at 740-743-1602 or wiseman.15@osu.edu. This column is provided by the OSU Extension Agricultural Safety and Health Team. https://agsafety.osu.edu/.

Winter Weather Preparedness on the Farm

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With the turn of the calendar year coming off a year with a record setting number of tornados in Ohio, what should we expect for early 2025?  The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecasts the 2024-2025 winter season in Ohio have temperatures leaning above to likely above normal, and precipitation leaning above to likely above normal.  While these forecasts are for the overall winter season, OSU Extension Climate Specialist Aaron Wilson cautioned of the possibility of significant snowfall or ice accumulation in the coming days.  This could be followed by very cold, Artic air through the first half of January.

How do we prepare the farm for such conditions?  Take advantage of daylight, when temperatures are warmer, and when weather is favorable to winterize equipment and buildings.  This is also a good time for routine maintenance so there is less probability of breakdowns needing repair when conditions are less than favorable.

Keep an eye on the weather.  Being aware of not only the short-term forecast, but also the long-term forecast is as important in the winter as it is in the Spring when trying to get crops in the ground.  Before a heavy snow falls, it is beneficial to clearly mark where drives are and especially where any lagoons and ponds are located.  This will assist those less familiar with the layout of the farmstead to avoid dangerous situations.

Be prepared for the unexpected with livestock.  Do not wait until temperatures are below freezing to shop for a water tank heater.  You will most likely find an empty shelf.  Have water tank heaters ready as well as any heat lamps that may be necessary for farrowing, lambing, kidding, etc.  Have a contingency plan for power outages that will allow you to get water to livestock.  Depending on the forecast, you may want some extra supplies of feed and bedding material in case trips to town and deliveries may be delayed or not possible.

Take care of yourself!  Layer clothing so depending on the amount of physical labor you are performing you may remain comfortable.  Ensure your head and hands are always warm.  Even as in the summer, be mindful to stay hydrated and avoid over-exertion.  When using alternate power and heating sources, be mindful of carbon monoxide buildup and provide adequate ventilation.  At all times, let someone know where you will be working.

Being prepared increases safety, reduces stress, and facilitates smooth operation in less-than-ideal circumstances.

For more information, please call Wayne Dellinger at the Union County Extension Office at 937-644-8117 or email dellinger.6@osu.edu.