Month: June 2018

The Farm Economy: How Bad Is It?

By: Brent Gloy, Agricultural Economic Insights

Maybe it’s just me, but it seems that there have been a large number of recent articles in the press about the negative situation in the farm economy (for example 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 you get the idea).  This was further driven home when a friend recently called to ask just how bad economic conditions are on the farm. I thought it might be a good time to provide some analysis of the current situation.  Continue reading →

Over 1,000 Farmers Share How They Market Grain

By: Sara Schafer, for Farm Journal’s Pork

Successfully marketing grain is one of the biggest challenges most farmers face. Tight margins, weather uncertainty and global trade issues can quickly derail the best laid plans.

Crop prices continue to be the No. 1 challenge for farmers. That’s according to a new report from FarmLogs. In the 2018 State of Grain Marketing Report, the crop marketing software company surveyed more than 1,000 farmers across the country on their grain marketing habits and strategies.  Continue reading →

Wheat and Barley: Cool, Wet Late-Season Conditions

By: Pierce Paul OSU Extension Corn and Small Grains Disease Specialist

Head Scab in Wheat

Cool weather and moisture after flowering often means extended grain-fill and high yields, especially when disease levels are as low as they were at the time of pollination and early grain development in some fields. However, excessive rainfall associated with the cool temperatures could increase the severity of diseases that thrive under cool conditions. But with the crop now well into grain-fill and even turning in some locations, there is very little you can do about late-season diseases. The pre-harvest interval for some of the best fungicides is 30-45 days, which mean that they are now off-label in most areas, given that harvest will likely begin in less than 30 days. Continue reading →

Calf Castration Considerations

By: Lew Strickland, Extension Veterinarian, University Of Tennessee
Previously published on Drovers Online

One of the questions that I hear the most concerning castration is; when should I castrate my calves Doc? Many producers will castrate their calves when they are two or three days old, which is my preferred period. Castration should occur when the calf is rather young. The older the calf, the more likely that calf will suffer a setback (which cost the producer money). In addition, larger calves are more difficult to handle and restrain for the procedure. The latest castration should be done is one month prior to weaning to avoid any extra stress from the weaning process. Bull calves castrated at or following weaning can retain a stag like appearance and attitude that the feedlot operator discounts. Purebred operators can still castrate bull calves that are culls and still realize some profit. Continue reading →

Who Can Work on Your Farm?

By: Emily G. Adams, Ohio State University Extension Educator, Coshocton County, Ohio
Previously published by Ohio Ag Net

The 2018 hay baling season has arrived and, for some farms, that means more labor than usual is required to get all the jobs done. That labor may include your own children or grandchildren. Today we’ll take a look at what the law allows and also consider what types of jobs kids are capable of handling from a developmental standpoint.

One great reference to guide these considerations are “Youth on the Farm: What Type of Farm Work Can They Perform” by Peggy Hall and Catherine Daniels in the OSU Agricultural and Resource Law Program. Another very helpful publication is Penn State Extension’s “Children and Safety on the Farm.” Continue reading →

From Across the Field – Making Observations

Hopefully everyone had a nice Memorial Day weekend and had the opportunity to enjoy the warm up either by spending time with family or by getting field work done. With the warm up there has been significant progress in planting and previously planted crops, especially corn had grown rapidly as we acquire some heat units. As always be careful out there on the roads, lets end the planting season on a safe note as we get nearer to the end. Continue reading →

Current Commodity Situation and Outlook for Ohio

By: Ben Brown, Farm Program Manager, Dept. of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics, The Ohio State University.

Agriculture is an uncertain industry, where the only certainty is a guarantee that there will indeed be uncertainty and risk. Already in 2018, frequent rains have delayed spring planting and increased the risk of disease and pest pressure. International trade disputes have increased the volatility in grain and livestock markets and international oil supply forecasts have led to unexpected increases in farm input costs. While the drivers of risk fall outside the hands of producers, individuals responds, react, and decide based on the best information available. This report summarizes several of the commodities important to Ohio producers and provides an outlook of supply and demand given current policies and expectations. Continue reading →

Lyme Disease Myths and Tips for Prevention

By: Kristin Rose, previously published by Farm Journal’s Pork online

Lyme disease is now the most reported vector-borne disease in the United States and the CDC released a report showing that diseases from biting insects, ticks, and mosquitoes in the U.S. have tripled since 2004.

Brandon Jutras, a Lyme disease researcher in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Virginia Tech, says, “Warming temperatures are playing an important role in this increase. Ticks not readily killed due to warmer winters, are coming out earlier in the season and spreading to more northern areas. Another factor likely playing a role in the increase is public and physician awareness.” Continue reading →