Register for the Ohio Certified Crop Adviser Pre-Exam Class

By: Harold Watters, OSU Extension Agronomic Crops Field Specialist.

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, Sidney, Ohio on January 9 & 10, 2019 beginning at 9:00 a.m. on the 9th and adjourn by 5:00 p.m. on the 10th.

The price for the Pre-Exam preparation class is $250. Secure on-line registration via credit card, debit card or check is available at: http://go.osu.edu/Reg2019class. Continue reading

Changes in Carcass Grade Over Time

By:Andrew P. Griffith, University Of Tennessee.
Previously published by Drovers online.

The beef industry, similar to other industries, is constantly attempting to be more efficient and create more value in the product produced. Most cow-calf producers concern themselves with reproductive efficiencies and pounds of weaned calf per acre of land. These two things are important because a cow-calf producer cannot afford to have very many cows fail to wean a calf, and these producers are in the business of selling pounds with a limited quantity of land. Similarly, stocker producers work to reduce morbidity and mortality rates while also trying to pack on as many pounds as possible with their forage and feed resources. Producers from both of these sectors also attempt to add value by instituting management practices that reduce risk to downstream cattle buyers. Continue reading

Properly Winterizing Sprayers Can Help Mitigate Costly Problems Next Spring

By: Erdal Ozkan, OSU Extension Specialist

This is a busy time of year for many farmers, but taking time to winterize your sprayer now can payoff in avoiding problems next spring.  Without proper winterizing before the temperature falls below freezing, you could end up with a pump that is cracked and/or not working at its full capacity.  Here are some important things you need to do with your sprayer this time of the year.

Rinsing

Make sure to rinse the whole sprayer thoroughly before storing. Continue reading

Key Facts About African Swine Fever

By: Ohio’s Country Journal and Ohio Ag Net

Despite the Chinese government’s control efforts, the spread of African swine fever (ASF) continues in China. The official reports from the World Health Organization (OIE) now say there have been more than 40 cases confirmed in 11 provinces, including one in the far south of the country. Despite this geographic advance, some pig movement has been allowed to help with China’s domestic demand for pork. Continue reading

From Across the Field – Storage Woes

It is like Mother Nature passed a highway patrolman, hit the brakes and geared down temperatures from above 70 to 35 degrees in a real hurry. By in large, the change in temperature will not affect crop yield but will slow the rate of in field drying until we get a hard killing frost. Harvesting higher moisture grain requires more on farm drying capacity and storage, which may be at a premium.

On-farm storage will be a huge advantage this year with low commodity prices. Producers who have the capacity to store grain, especially soybeans may consider waiting to sell at higher prices. Continue reading

Brief Break from Wet Weather Continues before More Wet Weather Returns

By: Jim Noel, National Weather Service
Previously published in OSU Extension’s C.O.R.N Newsletter

We have had a few weeks of colder and drier overall weather after the very warm start to October. We expect dry weather through this Thursday except for a few lake effect showers in northeast Ohio about the middle of the week.

Then the pattern will change. Temperatures will likely remain chilly for the rest of the month but we will gradually wet up again. This week will be the best conditions for harvest or any planting of wheat still needed. Continue reading

High Yields and Aid Help Offset Low Commodity Prices

By: Ohio’s Country Journal & Ohio Ag Net Staff

Record-high crop yields and new government aid are expected to help insulate Ohio crop farmers from significant financial losses that would have occurred because of low commodity prices, according to a recent Ohio State University study.

If net income for farms across Ohio this year follows the projected national trend, then it will decrease by 15% compared to last year’s total. But it could have been a whole lot worse. Continue reading

Avoid Forage Toxicities After Frosts

By: Mark Sulc, OSU Extension Forage Specialist
Previously published in OSU Extension’s Corn Newsletter

As cold weather approaches this week, livestock owners need to keep in mind the few forage species that can be extremely toxic soon after a frost. Several species contain compounds called cyanogenic glucosides that are converted quickly to prussic acid (i.e. hydrogen cyanide) in freeze-damaged plant tissues. A few legumes species have an increased risk of causing bloat when grazed after a frost. Each of these risks is discussed in this article along with precautions to avoid them.

Species with prussic acid poisoning potential Continue reading

Event Announcement – Beef Industry Update Meeting to be held in Williams County

A Beef Industry Update meeting hosted by the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association (OCA) will take place in Williams County. Beef producers from Williams and surrounding counties are encouraged to attend. The meeting will be held Tuesday, Oct. 30 at 6:30 p.m. at the Williams County Fairgrounds — 619 E. Main Street, Montpelier, OH 43543. Continue reading