Month: May 2019

From Across the Field – Not So Fast my Friends

I often enjoy a Saturday morning in the fall getting geared up for college football by listening to ESPN’s College Gameday. If you haven’t tuned in, just prior to a noon kickoff each host makes picks of who they think who will win the biggest games of the week. Typically, one of the analysts, either Desmond Howard or Kirk Herbstreit make the first selection only to be rebuked by Lee Corso and his trademark, “Not so fast, my friends.”

I feel that how this spring has been. Just when Mother Nature gives us a couple of decent drying days, she pulls a Coach Corso. There have been a few acres planted across the area, but much of the seed for this year’s crop remains in a bag. Continue reading From Across the Field – Not So Fast my Friends →

Prevent Plant…What’s That Again?

Eric Richer & Chris Bruynis, OSU Extension Educators

Wet conditions in Ohio and the Eastern Corn Belt has slowed (halted?) planting progress for Ohio producers. According to the May 20th Crop Progress Report by USDA National Ag Statistics Service, Ohio had only 9% corn planted. Surprisingly that was ‘double’ what was planted the week before and well behind the 5-year average of 62% planted. In 2018, Ohio was 69% planted by this report date.

Certainly, the Prevent Plant (PP) crop insurance tool has become a hot topic this year. Many of you have had the chance to attend prevent plant meetings or speak with your crop insurance agent. If not, we will try to briefly summarize your options and strongly suggest you talk to your agent or utilize one of the calculators (see associated “Decision Tools” article by Sam Custer) to determine which option best suits your farm operation. Continue reading Prevent Plant…What’s That Again? →

Prevented Planting Decision Tools

By: Sam Custer, OSU Extension Educator, Darke County

We have reviewed two prevented planting decision tools that can serve as a resource in your decision making process with your crop insurance agent. Both tools also provide resources for determining replant decisions.

In a recent Farmdocdaily article Schnitkey, G., C. Zulauf, K. Swanson and R. Batts. “Prevented Planting Decision for Corn in the Midwest.” farmdoc daily (9):88, Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, May 14, 2019 they highlighted their decision tool. Continue reading Prevented Planting Decision Tools →

The Implications of Late Planting for the 2019/20 Corn Balance Sheet

By: Todd Hubbs and Scott Irwin, Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics, University of Illinois. farmDoc Daily

USDA’s release of the Crop Progress report on May 20 showed corn planting at 49 percent nationally.  The planting progress in numerous major corn producing states lags behind historical averages significantly.  The implications for corn acreage and yield are potentially large in 2019.  The purpose of this article is to explore the implications of late planting on corn acreage and yield and investigate the consequences for the corn balance sheet in the 2019-20 marketing year.

Acreage Implications Continue reading The Implications of Late Planting for the 2019/20 Corn Balance Sheet →

Ohio Corn, Soybean and Wheat Enterprise Budgets: Projected Returns For 2019

By Barry Ward, Ohio State University Assistant Extension Professor, Leader Production Business Management

Production costs for Ohio field crops are forecast to be largely unchanged from last year with slightly higher fertilizer and interest expenses that may increase total costs for some growers. Variable costs for corn in Ohio for 2019 are projected to range from $356 to $451 per acre depending on land productivity. Variable costs for 2019 Ohio soybeans are projected to range from $210 to $230 per acre. Wheat variable expenses for 2019 are projected to range from $178 to $219 per acre. Continue reading Ohio Corn, Soybean and Wheat Enterprise Budgets: Projected Returns For 2019 →

How Late is Too Late for Corn?

By: Harold Watters, Ohio State University Extension CCA

As I write this it is obvious that the majority of the corn crop this year will be planted after May 20. I sat last Thursday with a grower from Miami County. We figured the days it takes him to dry out, then to plant first corn and then soybeans and determined that at least some of his crop will be planted into June no matter what. Yields are likely to be reduced. Continue reading How Late is Too Late for Corn? →

Prevented Planting Decision for Corn in the Midwest

By: Gary Schnitkey, Krista Swanson, Ryan Batts, Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics,University of Illinois
Carl Zulauf, Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Development Economics, Ohio State University

Continued wet weather and saturated soils over much of the Midwest suggests that many farmers will be facing decisions on whether to take prevented planting.  Prevented planting is available for those individuals purchasing the Common Crop Insurance (COMBO) product. Once the final planting date has arrived, the farmer can choose to take a prevented planting payment, plant corn, or plant soybeans or another crop. A cover crop can be planted on prevented planting farmland, but there are restrictions on haying and grazing the cover crop. Continue reading Prevented Planting Decision for Corn in the Midwest →

See How 1,000 Farmers Market Their Grain

By: Sara Schafer, Top Producer Editor, Farm Journal online

Grain marketing is a vital component of a profitable farm operation and is one of the top challenges farmers wish they could overcome. That’s according to a new report from FarmLogs. In the 2019 State of Grain Marketing Report, the farm management software company surveyed more than 1,000 farmers across the country on their grain marketing habits and strategies. Continue reading See How 1,000 Farmers Market Their Grain →

Yellow Fields Forever

By: Joe Boggs, OSU Extension
The dichotomous nature of cressleaf groundsel (a.k.a. butterweed) (Packera glabella; syn. Senecio glabellus) tests the tolerance of lovers of native wildflowers.  On one hand, a sea of golden-yellow flowers carpeting farm fields in Ohio provides welcome relief from highway monotony.  On the other hand, upright 2 – 3′ tall plants dominating Ohio landscapes presents a weed management challenge.

Cressleaf Groundsel

Cressleaf groundsel is so-named because its lower leaves resemble watercress.  Its alternate common name of butterweed comes from its conspicuous buttery yellow flowers. Continue reading Yellow Fields Forever →

Forage Shortage: Considering Early Weaning

By Garth Ruff, Extension Educator, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Ohio State University Extension, Henry County

Low hay inventory this past winter combined with poor pasture stands due to excessive moisture have led to a greater proportion of thin beef cows both across the countryside and on the cull market. As we evaluate the toll that this past winter took on forage stands, especially alfalfa, hay is projected to be in short supply as we proceed into next winter as well. Continue reading Forage Shortage: Considering Early Weaning →