Month: November 2017

From Across the Field 11-8-2017

This past weekend, I returned to southern Ohio to help with a couple of projects on the family farm. The main project this fall is to finish a new house for my parents before winter. This past week the basement walls were poured, but Mother Nature put a halt on moving any soil for a few days.

When I mention that my parents are building a new house, the first question I usually get pertains to their age, as it may sound odd for a couple approaching retirement to be building a new house. However, long term this decision seems like a no brainer. A newer, more energy efficient home on the main 100-acre farm will only increase the value of the property when compared to a 150-year-old farm house that is a bear to heat, and currently is in need of a major roof restoration. Continue reading From Across the Field 11-8-2017 →

What Should a Landowner do if a Pipeline is Improperly Constructed?

By: Peggy Kirk Hall, Monday, July 31st, 2017

Written by Chris Hogan, Law Fellow, OSU Agricultural & Resource Law Program

Several pipeline projects are crisscrossing the state. While some landowners are just seeing equipment and workers show up on their property, others are seeing pipelines be buried and the land being reclaimed. Some Ohio landowners question whether pipelines on their property and reclamation of the land are being carried out properly. Continue reading What Should a Landowner do if a Pipeline is Improperly Constructed? →

2017 Ohio Soybean Performance Trials- Yield Data Available

 

By: Laura Lindsey, Wayde Looker

2017 Ohio Soybean Performance Trials

Yield results for the 2017 Ohio Soybean Performance Trials are available online at: https://stepupsoy.osu.edu/soybean-production/variety-selection/ohio-soybean-performance-trial Seed quality information will be available within two weeks.

The purpose of the Ohio Soybean Performance Trials is to evaluate soybean varieties for yield and other agronomic characteristics. This evaluation gives soybean producers comparative information for selecting the best varieties for their unique production systems. New for 2017- Varieties were grouped, tested, and analyzed by maturity (early and late trials). Conventional, Liberty Link, Roundup Ready, and Xtend varieties were tested in the same block to allow for head-to-head comparisons. A double asterisk (**) is used to denote the variety with the highest yield within a yield and maturity grouping. A single asterisk (*) is used to denote varieties with yield not statistically different than the highest yielding variety.

 

Delay Sought for Reporting Farm Air Emissions

With a Nov. 15 deadline looming, the National Pork Producers Council and the U.S. Poultry and Egg Association today filed a brief in support of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s motion to delay a mandate that farmers report certain air emissions from manure on their farms.

In April, a federal court, ruling on a lawsuit brought by environmental activist groups against EPA, rejected an exemption for farms from reporting “hazardous” emissions under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) and the Emergency Planning Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA). CERCLA mainly is used to clean hazardous waste sites but has a federal reporting component, while EPCRA requires entities to report on the storage, use and release of hazardous substances to state and local governments, including first responders. Continue reading Delay Sought for Reporting Farm Air Emissions →

From Across the Field 11-2-2017

I feel like I am starting to sound like a broken record when it comes to the weather situation and harvest. At this point we are adequate to slightly above with regards to soil moisture going into winter.

A colleague of mine in his weekly column this past week, wrote about how there are really two seasons in Ohio, warm and cold. He differentiates the two based on whether or not, long johns are part of his daily attire. I agree with his assessment that we are in fact entering the cold season as I have found the need for a sweatshirt and jacket (rather than long johns) this past week. Continue reading From Across the Field 11-2-2017 →

Reducing the environmental impact of dairy waste

Previously in Ohio’s Country Journal

Two researchers in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) at The Ohio State University are studying how to cut methane gas produced by cows and reduce the phosphorus and nitrogen that end up in their manure — and potentially waterways. Continue reading Reducing the environmental impact of dairy waste →

CCA Training Available

By: Harold D. Watters, CPAg/CCA

The Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) Exam Training program, sponsored and delivered by the OSU Agronomic Crops Team, will be offered at the Shelby County Extension Office, 810 Fair Rd, Sidney, Ohio 45365 on January 10 & 11, 2018 beginning at 9:00 a.m. on the 10th and adjourn by 5:00 p.m. on the 11th. Continue reading CCA Training Available →

Taking Measure of Ohio’s Opioid Crisis

By: Mark Rembert, Michael Betz,  Bo Feng, and Mark Partridge

Opioid addiction, abuse, and overdose deaths have become the most pressing public health issue facing Ohio. Ohio leads the country in drug overdose deaths per capita, a rate that continues to rise, overwhelming families, communities, and local governments across the state. In this policy brief, we aim to contribute to the understanding of this unfolding crisis and highlight insights that can inform policymaking. Continue reading Taking Measure of Ohio’s Opioid Crisis →

The Definition of Insanity

By: John F. Grimes, OSU Extension Beef Coordinator

From last week’s Ohio Beef Cattle Letter

At some point in time, you have probably seen in print or heard in conversations the title I am using in my article this issue. The phrase typically goes something like this: “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.” While you may not find this definition of insanity in a Webster’s dictionary, I have found this “real-world” definition of insanity to be very accurate. Unfortunately, I’m afraid that the “real-world” definition can be easily found in today’s beef industry.

The beef industry has experienced a significant amount of economic volatility throughout the current decade. Continue reading The Definition of Insanity →