Research

Finding Value In Sharing Farm Data

By: Jenna Lee and John Fulton, OSU Extension Digital Ag

What will sharing my farm data accomplish and what is the value?

Many farmers may find themselves thinking about this very question as they weigh the benefits and drawbacks of sharing their farm data. The potential to realize value from data can often stem from sharing it via digital technologies to service providers or other consultants. In many cases, it may be necessary for a grower to share farm data with multiple entities in order to obtain the largest return on investment possible. While many simple solutions have been presented to farmers that make it easier than ever to share data, the benefits and tangible value of doing so have not been clearly or accurately conveyed. Continue reading Finding Value In Sharing Farm Data →

Insights From The 2017 Census Of Agriculture

Source: Ohio Ag Net

In April the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the results of the 2017 Census of Agriculture, spanning some 6.4 million new points of information about America’s farms and ranches and those who operate them, including new data about on-farm decision making, down to the county level.

Information collected by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) directly from farmers and ranchers reveals both farm numbers and land in farms have ongoing small percentage declines since the last Census in 2012. At the same time, there continue to be more of the largest and smallest operations and fewer middle-sized farms. The average age of all farmers and ranchers continues to rise. Continue reading Insights From The 2017 Census Of Agriculture →

Research Continues to Address Lake Erie Woes

By: Ohio Ag Net

Ohio Sea Grant, on behalf of The Ohio State University, The University of Toledo and the Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE), has released the third-year research findings update for the statewide Harmful Algal Bloom Research Initiative (HABRI), which seeks solutions for harmful algal blooms in Ohio.

The initiative consists of more than 50 science teams working on different critical knowledge gaps identified by front-line state agencies that include the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA), Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA), Ohio Department of Health (ODH), and Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). Continue reading Research Continues to Address Lake Erie Woes →

Climate Change Gets Local

By Emily Unglesbee
DTN Staff Reporter, Previously published by DTN

LONDON, Ohio (DTN) — At 6 feet, 8 inches tall, with a bushy, orange beard, Aaron Wilson towers very visibly above the crowds at Ohio State University’s Farm Science Review.

But it’s what he’s talking about that really makes him stand out at the annual farm trade show.

In addition to OSU Extension, Wilson works at the Byrd Polar & Climate Research Center, studying the effects of climate change, an often controversial and misunderstood topic in agriculture. Continue reading Climate Change Gets Local →

From Across the Field – Cold Weather Reading

The groundhog who saw his shadow and predicted six more weeks of winter ought to be fired. We are now in the third week of April and it feels more like January. As we monitor soil temperatures at the Hoytville OARDC Branch, we are currently around 44 degrees Fahrenheit, about five and half degrees lower than the average over the past 17 year. That being said I wouldn’t be in a hurry to rush out with the planter. I’ve heard from a lot of guys that they can be done planting in a week to 10 days. If that is the case getting an early May start doesn’t sound too bad. Continue reading From Across the Field – Cold Weather Reading →

Five High-Tech Farming Trends

By: JoAnn Alumbaugh, Farm Journal

“What one generation sees as a luxury, the next sees as a necessity,” said Anthony Crosland, British Labor Party politician and author, in his most cited sentence. History has shown this to be true: One need not look further than cell phones, televisions, hand-held devices and computers, for starters. Then look at how living conditions and diets have changed, as societies have become more affluent.

Dr. Lowell Catlett, a popular speaker and retired regents professor and dean emeritus from New Mexico State University, says achieving significant increases in meat production will require “continued applications of new and emerging technologies. Continue reading Five High-Tech Farming Trends →

Changing climate highlighted at Conservation Tillage and Technology Conference

By: Matt Reese, Ohio Ag Net

Increased rainfall in larger doses and warming temperatures in the future are likely, building on trends that have already been seen in Ohio.

The first day of the Conservation Tillage and Technology Conference included many presentations including nutrient management, crop production, water quality, technology and innovation during the event at Ohio Northern University in Ada. The role of the changing climate cannot be ignored in agriculture’s ongoing challenges with nutrient management and water quality. Continue reading Changing climate highlighted at Conservation Tillage and Technology Conference →

8 Ag Statistics to Know in 2018

By: Sara Schafer,Top Producer Editor

USDA looked into its crystal ball this week and released its first round of numbers for many key forecasts for agriculture in 2018.

“There are a lot of factors that could shift farm income higher or lower than our current forecast,” says USDA Chief Economist Robert Johansson. “Prices may be higher due to growing global economic growth driving demand for agricultural commodities.” Continue reading 8 Ag Statistics to Know in 2018 →

Improve Decisions With Extension’s 2017 eFields Research Report

By: Elizabeth Hawkins on behalf of the Digital Ag Team and contributors to eFields, Ohio State University Extension

eFields is an Ohio State University program dedicated to advancing production agriculture through the use of field-scale research. Investigations are designed to answer questions that matter to farmers and insights from these studies are used to help farmers and their advisors understand how new practices and techniques can improve farm efficiency and profitability. Projects focus on precision nutrient management strategies and technologies to improve efficiency of fertilizer placement, enhance placement of pesticides and seed, automate machinery, and to develop analytical tools for digital agriculture. Continue reading Improve Decisions With Extension’s 2017 eFields Research Report →

2017 Census of Agriculture Gets Underway

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) starts mailing the 2017 Census of Agriculture to the nation’s producers this week. Conducted once every five years, the census aims to get a complete and accurate picture of American agriculture. The resulting data are used by farmers, ranchers, trade associations, researchers, policymakers, and many others to help make decisions in community planning, farm assistance programs, technology development, farm advocacy, agribusiness setup, rural development, and more. Continue reading 2017 Census of Agriculture Gets Underway →