The thermometer has warmed up (relatively speaking) here in NW Ohio over the past couple of days, which is a welcome sight for many.  The recent cold snap was a bit rough on the office, as I think we have all battled a cold since the start of the new year. I had the pleasure of thawing out some pipes in my basement, as did many others as it appears, based on the scarcity of heat lamp bulbs at the store. The forecast for the end of this week and into the weekend is a mix of good and bad, as the welcome warmer temperatures look to bring with them a dose of snow, rain, or a wintery mix.

Looking back while fairly short lived, this recent blast of Arctic air, brought some of the colder temperatures that I can remember. My parents and grandparent talk about the blizzard of 1978, but was long before my time. However, a couple of other cold spells do stick out in my mind. I was in college during the Polar Vortex of 2014, where even Ohio State had a couple of snow days. Columbus drivers are bad enough on dry pavement, let alone on ice skates.

The other cold winter that comes to mind would have been in early 2003 where there was enough snow in Morgan County that we missed the better part of three straight weeks of school. A fourth grader at the time, I remember this winter in particular as there was too much snow to get a sled to go, so Dad made sledding paths on the hill in our yard with an Oliver 1600 tractor. Let’s say that made for quite the fun break from school.

While we are back to close to normal temperatures for this time of year, there is still opportunity for more winter weather, so do not put away the warm clothes and snow shovels just yet. Those planning on applying dicamba pesticide next growing season have an opportunity to not only stay warm, but also get certified to apply the various dicamba soybean formulations on January 25^th in Findlay.

Any dicamba-specific training will meet the training requirement to apply Xtendimax, Engenia, or FeXapan, regardless of which company (BASF, Monsanto, Dupont) sponsored the meeting. Any person(s) applying the previously mentioned herbicides is required to attend one of these trainings prior to the application. Keep in mind that dicamba-specific training does not take the place of the traditional Pesticide Applicator Training, which will be held in Henry County on March 15^th. Also, the 2018 Weed Control Guide has just been released is available online or by ordering a hard copy at the Extension office. Please call the office if you have any questions regarding either fertilizer or pesticide certification this winter.

I’ll end this week with a thought from Henry Rollins who said “In winter, I plot and plan. In spring, I move.” Have a great week.

Upcoming Events
Jan. 25^th BASF Dicamba Training, Findlay
Feb. 1^st RSVP’s due for NW Ohio Crops Day
Feb. 9^th NW Ohio Crops Day

Garth Ruff,
Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Educator
OSU Henry County Extension