Month: March 2018

From Across the Field – Time to Look at Inputs

If you ask a group of my friends to describe me using a handful of words, you will probably get a variety of answers, some of which I am proud of, and some others not fit for print (all in good humor though). One description that would probably come up a few times, of which I am generally proud of, is the word frugal. Frugal means to be economical with regards to money, or as I like to say “thrifty”. Growing up on a small beef and hay operation in the foothills of Appalachia, we didn’t have much of a choice other than to be thrifty when it came to farming. Still to this day the only new piece of farm equipment my father has ever owned was a four-basket hay tedder that he purchased some 15 years ago.  In our farming operation low cost and efficiency was the name of the game, especially when it came to raising forage. The goal was to maximize quality and yield at low costs. Continue reading →

Changing climate highlighted at Conservation Tillage and Technology Conference

By: Matt Reese, Ohio Ag Net

Increased rainfall in larger doses and warming temperatures in the future are likely, building on trends that have already been seen in Ohio.

The first day of the Conservation Tillage and Technology Conference included many presentations including nutrient management, crop production, water quality, technology and innovation during the event at Ohio Northern University in Ada. The role of the changing climate cannot be ignored in agriculture’s ongoing challenges with nutrient management and water quality. Continue reading →

Study Shows Most Farmers are in Compliance With Fertilizer Recommendations in Western Lake Erie Region

From Ohio Ag Net

As farmers prepare for their 2018 crop, newly released research shows that a large majority of those whose fields drain into western Lake Erie are adhering to ag experts’ guidelines for fertilizer rates and application practices. The study concludes, however, that the recommendations themselves should be re-examined to better protect western Lake Erie from pollution resulting from agricultural runoff.

The findings are presented in a special issue of the Journal of Soil and Water Conservation published by the Soil and Water Conservation Society (SWCS). Continue reading →

2018 Fertilizer Prices Turn Higher

By: David Widmar, Agricultural Economic Insights

In a post from October, we reviewed fertilizer price trends and noted prices, especially for anhydrous ammonia, had continued lowers. Over the last four years, the relevant budget question has been “how much lower” will fertilizer prices be for the upcoming year. While reduced fertilizer prices in 2018 seemed possible just a few months ago, recent data – based on the USDA’s reported fertilizer prices from Illinois – show fertilizer prices have turned higher for 2018. Continue reading →

From Across the Field – Spring Approaches

Where did February go? Last week I finished with a bit about the wet and soggy weather, and at the time of writing, things are starting to dry out. As opposed to watching the wind and rain here in Napoleon this past weekend, I drove back to southeastern Ohio where my parents and brother live. Upon arriving, it only took a single step out of my truck to realize that it was just as wet and even muddier than when I left Henry County.

Despite the rain, mud, and rising water there were some signs of spring that we have yet to experience here in NW Ohio. For example, I noticed while driving that some of the shrub and brush type plants were beginning to produce buds, and that pastures were starting to green up. Perhaps, the most evident indicator of the coming spring were the lambs and calves that had been born since my last trip to visit around New Year’s. Continue reading →

Tax Dilemma: Section 199A Controversy

By Tyne Morgan, US Farm Report

The new tax code is being assessed, and many are calling it a mixed bag for agriculture.

Section 199A is an area that some producers want to see changed, and others want it left untouched.

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Ia.) says legislators reached a fix last week, but sources close to the matter say that’s simply not true.

Watch the Farm Journal Report on U.S. Farm Report above.

A Look at Acid Rain and the Farm Phosphorus Conundrum with Water Quality

By Matt Reese, Ohio’s Country Journal

Farmers understand that Lake Erie turns green in the summer and that part of the blame is rightfully being directed at agriculture due to issues related to nutrient management, specifically phosphorus. What is less understood is why this is happening.

In a time period where on-farm phosphorus application levels have decreased substantially and recommended conservation practices have increased in the agricultural landscape, the troubling harmful algal blooms again started showing up in the Western Basin of Lake Erie after many thought the water quality issues had been corrected decades earlier. Continue reading →

Revised Phosphorus Index Can Help Curb Agricultural Runoff

From Ohio’s Country Journal

Ohio farmers will soon have access to a newly revised tool that can quickly and easily tell them their risk of agricultural phosphorus runoff that could potentially move into Ohio waterways such as Lake Erie.

The revised Ohio Phosphorus Risk Index is a program developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resource Conservation Service to help farmers assess their risk of phosphorus moving off farm fields. It will soon allow farmers to input their farm-specific data to generate their risk of phosphorus in agricultural runoff through an online program. Continue reading →

5 Factors Influencing Grain Markets

By: Sara Schafer, Farm Journal’s Pork

This year’s season-average price for corn is forecast at $3.40, which is up 3% from 2017. The season-average price for soybeans in 2018 is forecast at $9.25, a 0.5% drop from 2017, per USDA’s forecast at its 2018 Agricultural Outlook Forum. ( USDA Photo by Preston Keres )

Trade will remain a critical factor, as the decline in U.S. trade share of the last several years is expected to slow, says Robert Johansson, USDA Chief Economist. © USDA

The official start of spring is just a few weeks away. As the planters start rolling and acres are claimed by crops, how will grain prices respond? Continue reading →