From Across the Field: 8-6-2020

Time and Change

Summer’s heat or winter’s cold-The seasons pass the years will roll-Time and change will surely show-How firm thy friendship … OHIO!

Those lines from Carmen Ohio, the Ohio State alma mater, have never had more meaning than they have over the past couple of days. On Monday, it was announced that I would be starting in a new position as the Extension Beef Cattle Field Specialist. This new role will take me back to southeast Ohio to Noble County, home of the Eastern Ag Research Station.

While I am looking forward to continuing my career in an area of specialization, it is definitely bittersweet. I’ve been fortunate and thankful to have had the opportunity to begin my Extension career in Henry County and to serve a great agriculture community with some top notch co-workers. Over the next couple of weeks I will be sure to take some time to reflect on the great experience that I have had here in Henry County.

On a different note, the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) last week announced the confirmation of an exotic tick, known as the Asian longhorned tick, has been found in Gallia County.

The tick was found on a stray dog, which was later transported to a shelter in Canal Winchester. The tick was identified on May 28 by The Ohio State University and sent to the federal lab for confirmation.

“Due to the nature of this pest, the female ticks can reproduce without a male, so it only takes one tick to create an established population in a new location,” said ODA State Veterinarian Dr. Tony Forshey. “This pest is especially fatal to livestock, so producers should practice preventative measures and be on the lookout for this new threat.”

The Asian longhorned tick is an exotic East Asian tick that is known as a serious pest to livestock. U.S. Department of Agriculture first confirmed the presence of this tick in the U.S. in New Jersey in 2017.

Asian longhorned ticks are light brown in color and are very small, often smaller than a sesame seed. They are difficult to detect due to their size and quick movement. They are known to carry pathogens, which can cause disease in humans and livestock, and may also cause distress to the host from their feeding in large numbers.

In the United States, the tick has been found in or near counties with large horse, cattle, and sheep populations. To protect against infestations report this to your local veterinarian or ODA’s Division of Animal Health at 614-728-6220.

Also, stay tuned to fsr.osu.edu for updates regarding a virtual Farm Science Review. This years review will still include the many education opportunities, delivered digitally to your home or office. Schedules for the Ask the Expert, Small Farms Center, virtual field demonstrations, and more will be available soon.

I’ll end this week with a quote from one of my favorite speakers, Mike Rowe: “I can say the willingness to get dirty has always defined us as an nation, and it’s a hallmark of hard work and a hallmark of fun, and dirt is not the enemy.” Have a great week.

Garth Ruff,

Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Educator

OSU Henry County Extension

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