Month: September 2019

Consumers Prefer Real Beef Over Alternatives

By: Greg Henderson (previously published by Drovers online)

Alternative protein products may have drawn rave reviews and national headlines this year, but consumers still prefer real beef produced on real farms.

That’s the conclusion of a survey of about 1,800 U.S. food consumers conducted by Purdue University’s Jayson Lusk, Ghent University post-doctoral research fellow Ellen Van Loo and Michigan State University agricultural economist Vincenzina Caputo. Continue reading Consumers Prefer Real Beef Over Alternatives →

From Across the Field – Playing Catch Up 9/4/19

Over the long weekend I had the opportunity to return to Morgan County to spend time with the family preparing for the county fair. The fair has always been a huge part of our Labor Day week, especially since my father has been on the fair board since my brother and I were done exhibiting Jr. Fair projects. I think for the first time maybe ever, we will not have any fair entries as our antique tractor is buried in the back of the hay barn.

As I drive around the county crop conditions look pretty good if I could just turn back the calendar to August. Talking to colleagues across the state they have been fooled by some earlier planted fields that are beginning to reach maturity as they forgot about the few timely planted fields, and that most are still looking dark green. Surprisingly the fields I have been have low disease prevalence, even though there are signs of plant stress in some fields. Continue reading From Across the Field – Playing Catch Up 9/4/19 →

The Agronomic Crops Team will welcome you to the Farm Science Review

By: Harold Watters, OSU Extension

The Farm Science Review this year is September 17, 18 and 19th at the London, Ohio location at the intersection of US 40 and State Route 38. Things at the site actually look pretty good – crops were almost planted on time, grass was mowed pretty much on time, the parking lots have settled since the 2017 fiasco – and more gravel is in place just in case. Tickets can be purchased from your local Extension office, from many ag retailers or on-line at the FSR website: https://fsr.osu.edu/onlineticketform. Map Your Show will help you find and quickly locate what it is you are looking for – https://fsr19.mapyourshow.com/. Continue reading The Agronomic Crops Team will welcome you to the Farm Science Review →

Harvesting Options for Summer Annuals

By: Mike Estadt, AgNR Educator, OSU Extension, Pickaway County (originally published in The Ohio Cattleman early fall issue)

Summer annuals such as sudangrass or sudangrass X sorghum hybrids are likely near ready for harvest.

This month I drove across I-70 interstate to Kansas City, Missouri. Along the way I observed at least a dozen semi-trailers headed east with loads of high-quality hay. Some of this hay may have been delivered to Ohio where very little good hay has made this year. I also saw several fields planted with summer annuals where corn should have been. Continue reading Harvesting Options for Summer Annuals →

Pricing Standing Forage in the Field

By: Mark Sulc, OSU Extension Forage Specialist

How to value a standing hay crop is challenging. Assigning an appropriate value includes the buyer and seller agreeing on the market value for the hay and then adjusting for harvest costs and other factors that contribute to the price of hay sold in the open market, some of which are challenging to quantify. Continue reading Pricing Standing Forage in the Field →

Sorting Out the Soybean Herbicide Resistance Traits

By: Mark Loux, OSU Extension

The world of soybean herbicide resistance traits has gotten more complex over the past several years.  The good news is that we have new options for control of herbicide-resistant weeds, although it can be a little difficult to sort out which one is best for a given situation and whether the possible downsides of certain traits are tolerable.  The following is a quick rundown of what’s available and some things to consider when selecting seed.  Continue reading Sorting Out the Soybean Herbicide Resistance Traits →

From Across the Field – Yield Goal 8/29/2019

Over the past couple of weeks, the various crop tours have traveled the Corn Belt and have made their yield estimates. Looking ahead those projected yields would certainly be welcomed, but they are only going to attainable if Mother Nature is willing to extend the growing season, as crop development is roughly a month behind on average. A later than average frost, which is the long-term trend would certainly help improve yields and reduce grain drying costs.

At our forage program last week, a now retired OSU county agent mentioned that he had a client that many years ago had some 40-40-40 late planted corn; 40 bushel per acre, 40% moisture, with a 40-pound test weight. I certainly don’t think that will be the case this year, however an early frost at this point would only add to the challenges that 2019 has brought. That said, I would suggest that growers take some time, if you haven’t already to investigate propane costs for this fall if you suspect grain moisture will be a factor during harvest. Continue reading From Across the Field – Yield Goal 8/29/2019 →

Small Ruminant Production Workshop – Wilmington Ohio

By: Brady Campbell, OSU Animal Sciences

Small ruminant production continues to grow across the nation as the market for this industry remains strong. Small ruminants, including sheep and goats, are two livestock species that are most easily adapted to any type of production system. Regardless if you are someone that is interested in just getting into the industry or a seasoned veteran, I encourage you to attend the latest small ruminant production workshop.

Sponsored by the OSU Sheep Team, The Ohio State University Extension, Wilmington College, and Ohio Sheep and Wool Program, I’d like to invite you to the Small Ruminant Production Workshop – Addressing Needs for a Successful Production Season. This workshop will be held on Friday, October 4, 2019 from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm at the Wilmington College Academic Farm in Wilmington, Ohio. Over the course of the day, attendees will hear from Extension specialist and Animal Science faculty and staff members covering an array of topics including flock and herd management, facilities and handling, nutrition and health, forages and marketing, as well as carcass quality and fabrication. Continue reading Small Ruminant Production Workshop – Wilmington Ohio →

“Ask the Expert” Area Seeks to Help Farmers Mitigate the Challenges of 2019 at this year’s Farm Science Review

By: David Marrison, OSU Extension Coshocton County

Each year, faculty and staff of The Ohio State University address some of the top farm management challenges which Ohio farmers are facing during the “Ask the Expert” sessions held each day at the Farm Science Review at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center near London, Ohio.  The 20 minute “Ask the Expert” presentations at Farm Science Review are one segment of the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) comprehensive extension education efforts during the three days of the Farm Science Review which will be held September 17-19 in London, Ohio. Continue reading “Ask the Expert” Area Seeks to Help Farmers Mitigate the Challenges of 2019 at this year’s Farm Science Review →

Pricing Standing Forage in the Field

By: Marc Sulc, OSU Extension

Question: How do I set a price to buy a standing hay crop still growing in the field?

Answer:  How to value a standing hay crop is challenging.  Assigning an appropriate value includes the buyer and seller agreeing on the market value for the hay and then adjusting for harvest costs and other factors that contribute to the price of hay sold in the open market, some of which are challenging to quantify. Continue reading Pricing Standing Forage in the Field →