2018 Central Ohio Agronomy School – Night #3

Becks Mike Hannewald discusses Creating Management Zones, Hybrid Placement, Multi-Hybrid Results and Hybrid Management at this week’s Agronomy School.

 

 

 

 

 

Mike explains steps in creating zone maps and the accuracy of these zones.

 

The Central Ohio Agronomy School meets every Monday beginning February 5 through March 5 from 6:30 – 9 p.m.

 

2018 Central Ohio Agronomy School – Night #3

Precision Plantings Matt Bennett discusses Multi-Genetic Planting at this weeks Agronomy School.

 

Seed selection is one of the most important production decisions we make every year.

 

 

 

The Central Ohio Agronomy School meets every Monday from  February 5 – March 5 from 6:30 – 9 p.m.

February 5 – Dr. Robert Mullen, Agrium-Potash Corp.
Fertilizer Outlook for 2018
The Phosphorus Situation in Ohio
Sulfur – Fact or Fiction
February 12 – Frank Gibbs, USDA NRCS Soil Scientist (Retired)
Building Soil Health – What are the Benefits?
                           -Aaron Wilson, Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center
Ohio Changing Weather Patterns.
2018 Weather Outlook.
February 19 – Matt Bennett, Precision Planting
Farming by the Foot, not the Field
                             -Mike Hannewald, Beck’s
Multi Hybrid Planting
February 26 – Dr. Mark Loux, OSU Extension
Weed control update for 2016
Palmer Amaranth – We Have It, How Do We Control It?
Palmer, Waterhemp and Pigweed Identification With Real Plants
March 5 – Peggy Hall, OSU Agricultural Law
Legal Issues Facing Agriculture
                        -Barry Ward, OSU Extension
Farm Economic Outlook for 2018
March 12 – Weather Make Up Date

The Central Ohio Agronomy School meets every Monday from  February 5 – March 5 from 6:30 – 9 p.m.

February 5 – Dr. Robert Mullen, Agrium-Potash Corp.
Fertilizer Outlook for 2018
The Phosphorus Situation in Ohio
Sulfur – Fact or Fiction
February 12 – Frank Gibbs, USDA NRCS Soil Scientist (Retired)
Building Soil Health – What are the Benefits?
                           -Aaron Wilson, Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center
Ohio Changing Weather Patterns.
2018 Weather Outlook.
February 19 – Matt Bennett, Precision Planting
Farming by the Foot, not the Field
                             -Mike Hannewald, Beck’s
Multi Hybrid Planting
February 26 – Dr. Mark Loux, OSU Extension
Weed control update for 2016
Palmer Amaranth – We Have It, How Do We Control It?
Palmer, Waterhemp and Pigweed Identification With Real Plants
March 5 – Peggy Hall, OSU Agricultural Law
Legal Issues Facing Agriculture
                        -Barry Ward, OSU Extension
Farm Economic Outlook for 2018
March 12 – Weather Make Up Date

 

The Central Ohio Agronomy School meets every Monday beginning February 5 through March 5 from 6:30 – 9 p.m.

The Central Ohio Agronomy School meets every Monday from  February 5 – March 5 from 6:30 – 9 p.m.

February 5 – Dr. Robert Mullen, Agrium-Potash Corp.
Fertilizer Outlook for 2018
The Phosphorus Situation in Ohio
Sulfur – Fact or Fiction
February 12 – Frank Gibbs, USDA NRCS Soil Scientist (Retired)
Building Soil Health – What are the Benefits?
                           -Aaron Wilson, Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center
Ohio Changing Weather Patterns.
2018 Weather Outlook.
February 19 – Matt Bennett, Precision Planting
Farming by the Foot, not the Field
                             -Mike Hannewald, Beck’s
Multi Hybrid Planting
February 26 – Dr. Mark Loux, OSU Extension
Weed control update for 2016
Palmer Amaranth – We Have It, How Do We Control It?
Palmer, Waterhemp and Pigweed Identification With Real Plants
March 5 – Peggy Hall, OSU Agricultural Law
Legal Issues Facing Agriculture
                        -Barry Ward, OSU Extension
Farm Economic Outlook for 2018
March 12 – Weather Make Up Date

 

The Central Ohio Agronomy School meets every Monday from  February 5 – March 5 from 6:30 – 9 p.m.

February 5 – Dr. Robert Mullen, Agrium-Potash Corp.
Fertilizer Outlook for 2018
The Phosphorus Situation in Ohio
Sulfur – Fact or Fiction
February 12 – Frank Gibbs, USDA NRCS Soil Scientist (Retired)
Building Soil Health – What are the Benefits?
                           -Aaron Wilson, Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center
Ohio Changing Weather Patterns.
2018 Weather Outlook.
February 19 – Matt Bennett, Precision Planting
Farming by the Foot, not the Field
                             -Mike Hannewald, Beck’s
Multi Hybrid Planting
February 26 – Dr. Mark Loux, OSU Extension
Weed control update for 2016
Palmer Amaranth – We Have It, How Do We Control It?
Palmer, Waterhemp and Pigweed Identification With Real Plants
March 5 – Peggy Hall, OSU Agricultural Law
Legal Issues Facing Agriculture
                        -Barry Ward, OSU Extension
Farm Economic Outlook for 2018
March 12 – Weather Make Up Date

The Central Ohio Agronomy School meets every Monday from  February 5 – March 5 from 6:30 – 9 p.m.

February 5 – Dr. Robert Mullen, Agrium-Potash Corp.
Fertilizer Outlook for 2018
The Phosphorus Situation in Ohio
Sulfur – Fact or Fiction
February 12 – Frank Gibbs, USDA NRCS Soil Scientist (Retired)
Building Soil Health – What are the Benefits?
                           -Aaron Wilson, Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center
Ohio Changing Weather Patterns.
2018 Weather Outlook.
February 19 – Matt Bennett, Precision Planting
Farming by the Foot, not the Field
                             -Mike Hannewald, Beck’s
Multi Hybrid Planting
February 26 – Dr. Mark Loux, OSU Extension
Weed control update for 2016
Palmer Amaranth – We Have It, How Do We Control It?
Palmer, Waterhemp and Pigweed Identification With Real Plants
March 5 – Peggy Hall, OSU Agricultural Law
Legal Issues Facing Agriculture
                        -Barry Ward, OSU Extension
Farm Economic Outlook for 2018
March 12 – Weather Make Up Date

 

The Central Ohio Agronomy School meets every Monday from  February 5 – March 5 from 6:30 – 9 p.m.

February 5 – Dr. Robert Mullen, Agrium-Potash Corp.
Fertilizer Outlook for 2018
The Phosphorus Situation in Ohio
Sulfur – Fact or Fiction
February 12 – Frank Gibbs, USDA NRCS Soil Scientist (Retired)
Building Soil Health – What are the Benefits?
                           -Aaron Wilson, Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center
Ohio Changing Weather Patterns.
2018 Weather Outlook.
February 19 – Matt Bennett, Precision Planting
Farming by the Foot, not the Field
                             -Mike Hannewald, Beck’s
Multi Hybrid Planting
February 26 – Dr. Mark Loux, OSU Extension
Weed control update for 2016
Palmer Amaranth – We Have It, How Do We Control It?
Palmer, Waterhemp and Pigweed Identification With Real Plants
March 5 – Peggy Hall, OSU Agricultural Law
Legal Issues Facing Agriculture
                        -Barry Ward, OSU Extension
Farm Economic Outlook for 2018
March 12 – Weather Make Up Date

Ohio Noxious Weed Identification – Week 3 Russian Thistle

Russian Thistle

Family: Goosefoot, Chenopodiaceae.

Habitat: Dry wastelands or spring-sown field crops during dry seasons. Not common in Ohio.

Life cycle: annual.

Growth Habit: 1-2 feet high, multi-branched.

Leaves: Under 1 inch long, sharp-pointed, awl-shaped, dull-green or grayish. Early leaves are soft and elongated, leaves formed later are short, stiff and prickle-pointed, often turning red. A unique and easy-to-identify weed.

Stem: Becomes stiff and woody with age. At maturity this plant breaks from its root and becomes a tumbleweed, scattering seed across open fields.

Flower: Small inconspicuous flowers with red or pink sepals located in the upper branches; note that the bottom left picture (Figure 25) is magnified.

The problem is…. Seeds are spread by windblown tumbleweeds. It frequents dry habitats and is found more commonly in the west central states.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Currently there are 21 weeds on the Ohio Prohibited Noxious Weed List:

  • Shattercane (Sorghum bicolor)
  • Russian thistle (Salsola Kali var. tenuifolia)
  • Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense L. (Pers.))
  • Wild parsnip (Pastinaca sativa)
  • Wild carrot (Queen Anne’s lace) (Daucus carota L.)
  • Oxeye daisy (Chrysanthermum leucanthemum var. pinnatifidum)
  • Wild mustard (Brassica kaber var. pinnatifida)
  • Grapevines: when growing in groups of one hundred or more and not pruned, sprayed,cultivated, or otherwise maintained for two consecutive years.
  • Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense L. (Scop.))
  • Poison hemlock (Conium maculatum)
  • Cressleaf groundsel (Senecio glabellus)
  • Musk thistle (Carduus nutans)
  • Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)
  • Mile-A-Minute Weed (Polygonum perfoliatum)
  • Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum)
  • Apple of Peru (Nicandra physalodes)
  • Marestail (Conyza canadensis)
  • Kochia (Bassia scoparia)
  • Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri)
  • Kudzu (Pueraria montana var. lobata)
  • Japanese knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum)

Each week, for the next 21 weeks, I will post information and pictures on how to identify these invasive and harmful plants.

Currently there are 21 weeds on the Ohio Prohibited Noxious Weed List:

  • Shattercane (Sorghum bicolor)
  • Russian thistle (Salsola Kali var. tenuifolia)
  • Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense L. (Pers.))
  • Wild parsnip (Pastinaca sativa)
  • Wild carrot (Queen Anne’s lace) (Daucus carota L.)
  • Oxeye daisy (Chrysanthermum leucanthemum var. pinnatifidum)
  • Wild mustard (Brassica kaber var. pinnatifida)
  • Grapevines: when growing in groups of one hundred or more and not pruned, sprayed,cultivated, or otherwise maintained for two consecutive years.
  • Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense L. (Scop.))
  • Poison hemlock (Conium maculatum)
  • Cressleaf groundsel (Senecio glabellus)
  • Musk thistle (Carduus nutans)
  • Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)
  • Mile-A-Minute Weed (Polygonum perfoliatum)
  • Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum)
  • Apple of Peru (Nicandra physalodes)
  • Marestail (Conyza canadensis)
  • Kochia (Bassia scoparia)
  • Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri)
  • Kudzu (Pueraria montana var. lobata)
  • Japanese knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum)

Each week, for the next 21 weeks, I will post information and pictures on how to identify these invasive and harmful plants.

Currently there are 21 weeds on the Ohio Prohibited Noxious Weed List:

  • Shattercane (Sorghum bicolor)
  • Russian thistle (Salsola Kali var. tenuifolia)
  • Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense L. (Pers.))
  • Wild parsnip (Pastinaca sativa)
  • Wild carrot (Queen Anne’s lace) (Daucus carota L.)
  • Oxeye daisy (Chrysanthermum leucanthemum var. pinnatifidum)
  • Wild mustard (Brassica kaber var. pinnatifida)
  • Grapevines: when growing in groups of one hundred or more and not pruned, sprayed,cultivated, or otherwise maintained for two consecutive years.
  • Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense L. (Scop.))
  • Poison hemlock (Conium maculatum)
  • Cressleaf groundsel (Senecio glabellus)
  • Musk thistle (Carduus nutans)
  • Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)
  • Mile-A-Minute Weed (Polygonum perfoliatum)
  • Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum)
  • Apple of Peru (Nicandra physalodes)
  • Marestail (Conyza canadensis)
  • Kochia (Bassia scoparia)
  • Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri)
  • Kudzu (Pueraria montana var. lobata)
  • Japanese knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum)

Each week, for the next 21 weeks, I will post information and pictures on how to identify these invasive and harmful plants.

Currently there are 21 weeds on the Ohio Prohibited Noxious Weed List:

  • Shattercane (Sorghum bicolor)
  • Russian thistle (Salsola Kali var. tenuifolia)
  • Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense L. (Pers.))
  • Wild parsnip (Pastinaca sativa)
  • Wild carrot (Queen Anne’s lace) (Daucus carota L.)
  • Oxeye daisy (Chrysanthermum leucanthemum var. pinnatifidum)
  • Wild mustard (Brassica kaber var. pinnatifida)
  • Grapevines: when growing in groups of one hundred or more and not pruned, sprayed,cultivated, or otherwise maintained for two consecutive years.
  • Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense L. (Scop.))
  • Poison hemlock (Conium maculatum)
  • Cressleaf groundsel (Senecio glabellus)
  • Musk thistle (Carduus nutans)
  • Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)
  • Mile-A-Minute Weed (Polygonum perfoliatum)
  • Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum)
  • Apple of Peru (Nicandra physalodes)
  • Marestail (Conyza canadensis)
  • Kochia (Bassia scoparia)
  • Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri)
  • Kudzu (Pueraria montana var. lobata)
  • Japanese knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum)

Each week, for the next 21 weeks, I will post information and pictures on how to identify these invasive and harmful plants.

CROP PRODUCTION COSTS – DO YOU KNOW YOURS?

Which number is closest to your total direct and overhead cost of production per bushel of corn: $3.08, $4.17, or $6.21? Do you know? Forty-two farms completed their 2016 farm business and crop enterprise analysis in 2017. The four lowest cost producers averaged $3.08 per bushel, the median COP was $4.17, and the four highest cost producers averaged $6.21 per bushel.

Only the high 20% of these corn enterprises generated a positive net return for corn. For the other 80%, the personalized benchmark reports they receive helped them identify strengths and areas of opportunity in each crop enterprise.

The highest cost producers will know if their costs were high compared to previous years due to weather or other yield-depressing event or if these numbers are “normal” and are waving a big red flag. Combining the real-numbers information from enterprise and benchmark reports with production information gives each farm manager powerful information to make positive changes.

The 2016 Ohio Farm Business Analysis Crop Summary with Benchmark Reports is now available to download at http://farmprofitability.osu.edu. Forty-two farms with 27,733 crop acres completed both whole farm and enterprise analysis for their 2016 business year. Farm size ranged from 40 to more than 1,900 acres.

The report includes enterprise summaries and benchmark reports for corn, corn silage, soybeans, wheat, alfalfa and mixed hay. Any farm can use this information to supplement their decision-making.

All crop, livestock and dairy farms are encouraged to do farm business analysis for their farm. Thanks to a three-year grant from USDA, Ohio has expanded capacity to do farm business analysis work with four additional Farm Business Analysis Technicians working in Ohio. Each farm receives their farm’s analysis as soon as it is completed. All analyses will be completed by the end of May with benchmark reports and summaries available this summer.

Now is the perfect time to start farm business analysis. For more information, contact a Technician near you:

Licking County 740.670.5315 Dave Grum grum.1@osu.edu

Protect Sheep and Goats with CDT Vaccine

Peggy Coffeen, Dairy/Livestock Editor

This week we have another achieved article resurfacing from just few years ago. In this article, Dr. Eric Gordon, a member of the OSU Sheep Team,outlines the importance of a proper vaccination program. Be sure to check out this quick piece to learn more about the benefits of vaccinating your herd or flock with CDT.

Failing to arm sheep and goats disease protection is a bit like heading into a tackle football game with no helmets or pads. Less protection means greater risk. Vaccines are an important component in suiting up small ruminants to hit the field – or pasture. At minimum, sheep and goats of all ages and stages should be protected from clostridial diseases.

Dr. Eric Gordon, DVM, The Ohio State University, believes that clostridial diseases are the only group that all sheep and goats should be vaccinated against. He recommends using a three-way vaccine generically referred to as CDT, which protects against Clostridium perfringens type C and D and Clostridium tetani (tetanus). Eight-way vaccines are also on the market, but the three-way CDT is the core vaccine for sheep and goats.

Protect Against these Three: CDT
The CDT vaccine is both inexpensive and very effective at preventing the quick and fatal consequences that can result from a clostridial infection. “The key here is vaccination and prevention rather than treatment because usually we are too late to treat it,” Gordon says.Types C and D are the culprits of enterotoxemia.

Type C:
Type C is found around the farm in manure and soil. A young animal may ingest this strain while nursing a doe or ewe with a dirty or contaminated udder. Once inside the body, the bacteria grow rapidly and produce a toxin that results in rapid death.

Type D:
Type D is the clostridial strain tied to overeating disease. While certain levels exist in the stomach, bacteria can proliferate in the small intestine when fast-growing lambs or kids ingest large amounts of feed, grain specifically. These toxins then enter the bloodstream, and the animal responds with body convulsions, jerky movements, salivation and coma. Death can occur in as little as 30-90 minutes.

Tetanus: 
When it comes to tetanus, wounds and lacerations are a conduit for the deadly bacteria to infect the body with deadly toxins. While puncture wounds incurred from in and around facilities are one way tetanus can infect the animal, surgical procedures like castration, docking and dehorning can also present a risk.

Based on his observations, Gordon believes that the method of castration matters when it comes to tetanus. He has seen a higher incidence of tetanus among animals that have been banded compared to those that were surgically cut. This is because the bacteria thrive in an anaerobic environment, which is created by the dead tissue that forms below the band. However, the infection risk from banding is reduced when animals are protected by a vaccine.

Vaccine Recommendations:
From babies to mommas and bucks, protecting against these swift and deadly clostridial infections is a wise choice. At a cost of roughly $0.30 per dose, it is a “pretty cheap and pretty effective” way in assure the health of your animals, Gordon notes. Following the vaccine protocol for kids and lambs and providing an annual booster through adulthood will provide optimal protection.

When ewes and does are vaccinated properly, they are able to pass on temporary protection to their vulnerable babies through colostrum. Gordon recommends that ewes and does be vaccinated in the last month of pregnancy. For first-time moms, he suggests giving two shots – one 6 weeks prior to lambing or kidding, followed by another 3 weeks prior to lambing or kidding. This puts the maximum amount of antibody in colostrum for the lamb or kid.

When the immunization status of the mother is unknown or uncertain, the best bet for disease prevention is to vaccinate the baby at 1-3 weeks of age, followed by two booster shots, each given at 4 week intervals.

For properly vaccinated babies, he recommends administering the CDT vaccine at about 8-12 weeks of age. If the ewe or doe was properly vaccinated, her colostrum will provide good protection up to that point. The timing should also be 1-2 weeks prior to castrating or docking.

And don’t forget about the boys. Gordon suggests hitting rams and bucks with a CDT vaccine about a month before going into the breeding pens. “That’s when most likely to get injured, and injury can lead to clostridial infection,” he notes.

Vaccines are Not Band-Aids:
“Vaccines shouldn’t be a Band-Aid for poor management,” adds Gordon. There are other ways to improve immune function other than vaccinations, and they are just as important. Reducing animal stress and providing good nutrition, clean bedding and housing, ventilation, and an ample water source are basic things that do wonders for animal health. Practicing good hygiene by keeping animals clean and dry will also help prevent the spread of clostridial diseases.

“If we do [these things], it’s amazing what the animal can fight off on its own,” he states. “Coupled along with the vaccination program, that is the answer.”

Crawford County Cattlemen Plan Beef Finishing Tour, You’re Invited

 Jason Hartschuh, AgNR Educator, OSU Extension Crawford Country

The Crawford County cattlemen are planning to tour two beef finishing operations in the Bellevue Ohio area on March 3rd and they would like to extend an invitation to anyone across the state to join them for the tours.

The Erf’s take the Holstein calves they start all the way to finish.

The first stop will be 10:00 am at Lepley’s new slatted floor finishing barn; located at 4084 Prairie Rd Bellevue. From there we will be traveling a few miles to Erf Farm’s, 4516 Yingling Rd Bellevue, to see a dairy beef finishing operation. They purchase deacon calves and raise them through finishing using some the latest technology to feed the deacon calves.

From there we will travel to York Animal Hospital (Dr Mike Mull) 1184 W Main St Bellevue, where we will have lunch with Kevin Elder ODA LEPP. He will be discussing Lake Erie issues and manure hauling regulations. We plan to finish by 1:30 pm.

We will be leaving from Family Farm & Home, 2460 E. Mansfield Street in Bucyrus at 9:00 am, and will have a bus available there if people want a ride with us from Bucyrus. Once it is full we can travel as a caravan to the first stop to keep the group together.

Please RSVP by March 1st, or for more information, contact OSU Extension  in Crawford County at 419-562-8731 or hartschuh.11@osu.edu. For information or directions during the day of the tour call 419-561-1216.

Livestock Water is Essential, Even in Winter

Ted Wiseman, OSU Extension Educator ANR, Perry County

(Image Source: Catskill Merino Sheep)

Water is essential for all livestock regardless of the time of year. So far this year we have certainly had our share of chopping ice, thawing water lines and troughs. With recent temperatures many of us often focus on keeping livestock well fed and with adequate shelter. However, often times we forget about the most important nutrient which is water. Water consumed by livestock is required for a variety of physiological functions. Some of these include proper digestion, nutrient transportation, enzymatic and chemical reactions, and regulation of body temperature.

Although water is the cheapest nutrient we may purchase or provide, it is the one we provide the most of on a per pound basis. For example, every pound of dry matter consumed, cattle will need to drink about seven pounds of water. Consumption of water varies depending upon temperature, size of the animal, feed intake, mineral intake and stage of production. Lack of water consumption will affect animal performance. With colder temperatures feed intake is increased to generate body heat. Decreased water availability reduces feed intake which results in decreased body condition. This is especially important if your newborns arrive in the spring, following reduced water and feed intake which leads to poor fetal growth rates and lactation levels.

To ensure adequate water intake, reports have indicated that water temperature should be 37 to 65 degrees. The rumen operates at 101-102 degrees; ingesting extremely cold water can decrease digestion until the water warms to body temperature. Be sure to monitor waterers regularly, for temperature and cleanliness. Stray voltage is another issue that should be monitored for new installations as well as established watering devises. An electrical AC current above three to four volts is enough to decrease water intake. Tank heaters can be an option, but keeping electrical cords away from any contact with livestock can be an issue.

For many grazing operations ponds, streams and developed springs are the primary sources of water. These may limit the areas to be grazed and where winter feeding is done depending upon how far livestock need to travel to the water source. Producers over the years have utilized technologies by installing pipelines, storage tanks and more recently the use of solar power to move water to various locations. There are numerous styles of watering designs, each have advantages and disadvantages, especially during the winter.

Which style to choose depends upon many factors and you need to spend some time looking at various types and speaking with producers in your area for advice. Just a few things to consider, first what type(s) of livestock do you have or plan to add and how many animals can the waterer handle? Where do you need to place it and how is water going to be delivered? Are you going to need external heat source during the winter? How much maintenance is required and how easy is it to clean? Will your livestock need to be trained to use the system? What is the life expectancy of the waterer? And lastly of course price, but this should not be the deciding factor. A cheaper waterer that doesn’t last as long and requires more of your time to maintain will be much more expensive in the long run.

If given a choice of water sources cattle do prefer to drink from a tank instead of streams or ponds. In a few studies that looked at this, cattle where given access to both with no restriction to stream or pond access. In both studies cattle preferred to drink from tanks 75 to 90 percent of the time. When cattle drink from a pond or stream the second cow normally travels farther into the water source for a cleaner drink.

Good quality water is essential for livestock, regardless of the source you have. Rarely do many of us test our water on a regular basis, but it should be considered. Especially if you notice reduced water intake or refusal. Water analyses for livestock typically include total dissolved solids or salinity, pH (acid or alkaline value), nitrates, sulfates, and hardness. Bacteria can be a health concern, especially during summer months and during drought conditions. If you plan to test your water, consult your water testing lab for proper water sample collecting procedures.

Until spring arrives, keep those water sources opened up and clean.

Spring Vegetable Climate Predictions for Planting 2018

Originally posted in the VegNet Newsletter

By: Tim McDermott, Extension Educator Franklin County

When I am planning when to start seeds in order to get ready for an upcoming spring or fall planting season.  I take the frost date into account, but then I adjust that date according to the weather projections as that gives me insight into how I can maximize production by using weather data plus season extension.

For example,  the fall frost date in central Ohio is around mid-October.   The fall climate prediction data was for a delayed frost date and a warmer fall.  Once I read about this I planted my fall vegetables using this data in anticipation of a longer fall growing season for summer vegetables.

I planted green beans and zucchini in the first week of August 2017.  Both are about 50-60 day vegetables so they would mature long after the frost date normally, and both do not like frost.

Germination was about a week or so later

Because of the delayed frost date, I was able to enjoy a harvest late into fall and ate green beans and zucchini fresh for Thanksgiving dinner.

 

Picture taken Mid-October. Notice due to delayed planting their are no cucumber beetles or stink bugs infesting the plants.

This year the climate prediction center states that we will continue to have a February with temperature swings and periods of heavy precipitation.

For the growing season the prediction is for a gradual warm up from March through May with a wetter than normal spring.  Summer is looking like the warm up continues with a drier than normal precipitation forecast.

BIG THANKS TO THE C.O.R.N. Agronomic Newsletter for data assist. 

CLICK HERE FOR THE LINK FOR THE CLIMATE DATA FROM NWS/NOAA

 

Make sure you check the prediction models when you are making your plans.  It might save you some time and trouble and might  get you some extra production.

Ohio Noxious Weed Identification – Week 2 Grapevines

Grapevines 

Family: Grapevine, Vitaceae.

Habitat: Woods, abandoned sites.

Life cycle: Woody perennial.

Growth Habit: Vining growth habit.

Leaves: Large, rounded, lobed leaves.

Stem: Green and smooth in young plants, but later becomes brown and woody, twisting with peeling bark. Look for woody or green tendrils which can coil around other vegetation.

Fruit: Small grapes in clusters. If the vine has been abandoned for some time, there will probably be no fruit.

The problem is…. These stout vines can smother trees and forest vegetation. Grapevines are only considered a noxious weed if they are growing in groups of 100 or more and are not maintained for two consecutive years.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Currently there are 21 weeds on the Ohio Prohibited Noxious Weed List:

  • Shattercane (Sorghum bicolor)
  • Russian thistle (Salsola Kali var. tenuifolia)
  • Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense L. (Pers.))
  • Wild parsnip (Pastinaca sativa)
  • Wild carrot (Queen Anne’s lace) (Daucus carota L.)
  • Oxeye daisy (Chrysanthermum leucanthemum var. pinnatifidum)
  • Wild mustard (Brassica kaber var. pinnatifida)
  • Grapevines: when growing in groups of one hundred or more and not pruned, sprayed,cultivated, or otherwise maintained for two consecutive years.
  • Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense L. (Scop.))
  • Poison hemlock (Conium maculatum)
  • Cressleaf groundsel (Senecio glabellus)
  • Musk thistle (Carduus nutans)
  • Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)
  • Mile-A-Minute Weed (Polygonum perfoliatum)
  • Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum)
  • Apple of Peru (Nicandra physalodes)
  • Marestail (Conyza canadensis)
  • Kochia (Bassia scoparia)
  • Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri)
  • Kudzu (Pueraria montana var. lobata)
  • Japanese knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum)

Each week, for the next 21 weeks, I will post information and pictures on how to identify these invasive and harmful plants.