Author: John

New drone laws effective in Ohio

By: Peggy Kirk Hall, Attorney and Director, Agricultural & Resource Law Program, OSU Extension

Unidentified drones flying over property have raised many concerns recently, but new laws in Ohio may ease those concerns. The new laws aim to enhance safety, protect privacy, and align state laws with federal regulations for “unmanned aerial vehicles” (UAVs), or “drones.” Passed late last year as H.B. 77 and effective on April 9, 2025, the new laws amend Ohio’s aircraft safety laws to prohibit operating UAVs in certain ways and also address local government use and regulations for UAVs.

​Legal definition of UAV

A UAV, according to the new law, is commonly referred to as a drone and is  a vehicle that does not carry a human operator, is operated without the possibility of direct human intervention from within or on the vehicle, uses aerodynamic forces to provide lift, can fly autonomously or be piloted remotely, and is either expendable or recoverable. The law clarifies that a satellite is not a UAV.

Prohibited drone operations

The law establishes four prohibited actions by UAV operators in Ohio and sets penalties for violating the prohibitions:

  1. Knowing endangerment.  A person shall not operate a UAV “on the land or water or in the air space over this state in a manner that knowingly endangers any person or property or purposely disregards the rights or safety of others.” A violation of this provision can result in a $500 fine and/or up to six months of imprisonment. ​
  2. Interference with law enforcement and emergency responders.  The law prohibits operating a drone in a way that disrupts, interrupts, or impairs the operations or activities of law enforcement, fire department, or emergency medical services.  Criminal misdemeanor or felony charges are possible, depending on whether the interference was committed knowingly or the result of recklessness.
  3. Operation over critical facilities.  Two new provisions apply to “critical facilities,” which includes hospitals that receive air ambulance services; military installations; commercial distribution centers; courts, jails, and prisons; and police stations, sheriff’s offices, state highway patrol stations, and premises controlled by the bureau of criminal investigation.  The law prohibits a person from operating a drone to photograph, record, or loiter over or near a critical facility in two situations.  The first situation is operating a drone with the purpose of tampering with or destroying the facility and the second is operating a drone to further another criminal offense involving harm to a person.  Violations of these laws can lead to criminal misdemeanor and felony charges, depending on the operator’s intent and whether the action is a repeated violation.
  4. Compliance with federal law.  The new law ties into federal law and regulations that require registration of UAVs and licensing for certain UAV operators.  Ohio law prohibits a person from operating a UAV in Ohio if those federal laws or FAA regulations would prohibit the operation, which allows the state to enforce the federal law requirements.

Local governments and drones

Another provision of the new law provides authority to municipalities, counties, townships, and park districts.  These local governments can now adopt local ordinances or regulations for UAVs in two situations: for hobby or recreational uses of drones above a park or other public property and for the use and operation of drones by the local government.

What do the new laws mean for agriculture?  The laws place new responsibilities on drone operators to use drones responsibly and for legitimate purposes while providing remedies for those whose safety or privacy are endangered by drone operations.  In those situations, a person should contact local law enforcement. Federal law requires registration and “Remote ID” tracking technology for UAVs, which can allow identification of the drone operator from an on-the-ground transmitter.  With the new laws, there are now legal options for pursuing enforcement against bad actors.  Local governments can also now enact additional laws to ensure safe drone operation in their public areas.

What the laws don’t do is authorize the “shooting down” of suspicious drones. It is a federal crime to shoot or intentionally harm a drone, even if the drone is flying over someone’s private property. Shooting a drone from the sky can also create safety risks and potential civil liability. Read more about options for dealing with suspicious drone activity in our  previous blog post.

Sharing the Road During Spring Planting Season

Each year, over 500 tractor and machinery roadway crashes occur in Ohio resulting in property damage, injuries and deaths. It’s up to everyone to be extra vigilant as we share our rural roadways. Here are some helpful tips for farmers and motorists.

Information for the Farmers:

  • Obey traffic laws including signs, signals, and speed limits.
  • Ensure all tractors and equipment less than 25mph are equipped with clean and unfaded Slow Moving Vehicle (SMV) emblem that hasn’t faded and dust is removed before transport.
  • Move equipment legally using proper transport modes.
  • When possible, move equipment in off-peak hours or on low traffic routes.
  • Using escort vehicles in the front or back of the machinery can assist when in heavy traffic.
  • Use discretion when pulling to the side of the road to allow motorists to pass.
  • Obey traffic laws including signs, signals, and speed limits.
  • Slow down on turns and curves.
  • Hitch equipment properly to the drawbar or appropriate hitch points with the correct size pins.

Information for the Motorists:

  • Be alert and look for flashing lights and Slow Moving Vehicle (SMV) emblems on tractors and machinery.
  • Slow down as soon as you spot farm equipment. Think about closure time when coming up behind slow moving vehicles. In less than 7 seconds, a motor vehicle traveling 55 mph will close 400 feet behind a tractor traveling 15 mph.
  • Do not speed past farm equipment. Only pass when it is legal and safe to do so.
  • It is often difficult for large equipment operators to see traffic coming from behind.
  • When meeting equipment (in either direction), watch for any obstructions like guardrails, mailboxes, and road signs that may prevent the machinery to move closer to the shoulder of the road.
  • If equipment has pulled over onto the shoulder, do not assume it will stay there; it may be making a wide left turn.
  • Do not stop or pull out in front of equipment with a Slow Moving Vehicle emblem.
  • When passing farm equipment, make sure you can see the lights on the left and right of the tractor before moving back into the lane of travel.

Follow the laws, respect each other, and share the road safely this season.

This article is provided by the OSU Extension Agricultural Safety and Health Team, https://agsafety.osu.edu/. Authored by Dee Jepsen, Professor,  jepsen.4@osu.edu, and Amy Rademaker, Outreach Coordinator, rademaker.3@osu.edu. Graphics provided by Madeline Walthers, Agricultural Communications Student Intern.

Wheat Management for Spring 2025

Today managing your wheat crop requires knowledge of the different growth stages of the plant.  Growth stage identification is critical for scouting and proper timing of fertilizer and pesticide applications.  Each week throughout the rest of the growing season I will discuss the various wheat growth stages I am seeing in our wheat fields and management issues at each stage.  This week I will focus on Feekes 6.  Most of our wheat has progressed to the Feekes 6 growth stage, some fields are approaching Feekes 7 growth stage.

Feekes 6 – First Node Visible. 

Prior to Feekes 6.0, the nodes are all formed but sandwiched together so that they are not readily distinguishable. At 6.0, the first node is swollen and appears above the soil surface. This stage is commonly referred to as “jointing.” Above this node is the head or spike, which is being pushed upwards eventually from the boot. The spike at this stage is fully differentiated, containing future spikelets and florets.

Split wheat stem showing developing spike.

You can remove and carefully examine plants for the first node. It can usually be seen and felt by removing the lower leaves and leaf sheaths from large wheat tillers.  A sharp knife or razor blade is useful to split stems to determine the location of the developing head. The stem is hollow in most wheat varieties behind this node.

 

 

Management.

By Feekes 6.0, essentially all weed-control applications have been made. Do not apply phenoxy herbicides such as 2,4-D, Banvel or MCPA after Feekes 6.0, as these materials can be translocated into the developing head, causing sterility or distortion. Sufonyl-urea herbicides are safe at this growth stage, but for practical reasons, weed control should have been completed by now. Small grains can still show good response to N topdressing at this time.

Weekly Commodity Market Update for April 29, 2025

Brownfield’s Weekly Commodity update featuring former OSU Extension Ag Economist Ben Brown.  In this final episode of Weekly Commodity Market Update, Will and Ben talk about the EPA approving E-15 summer sales, and planting continuing slowly.

Topics:

  • Market recap
  • EPA approves E15 for summer season
  • Planting continues slowly
  • Consumer sentiment drops in April
  • Reports to watch

Market recap (changes on week as of Friday’s close):

  • May 2025 corn down $.04 at $4.78
  • December 2025 corn down $.11 at $4.55
  • May 2025 soybeans up $.14 at $10.49
  • November 2025 soybeans up $.04 at $10.35
  • May soybean oil up 1.42 cents at 49.28 cents/lb
  • May soybean meal down $5.80 at $290.00/short ton
  • May wheat down $.18 at $5.30
  • July 2025 wheat down $.16 at $5.45
  • May 2025 cotton up 0.53 cents at 66.85 cents/lb
  • December 2025 cotton up 1.53 cents at 69.97 cents/lb
  • May 2025 rough rice down $0.55 at $12.935/cwt
  • September 2025 rough rice down $0.07 at $13.475/cwt
  • May WTI Crude Oil up $0.85 at $62.53/barrel

Weekly highlights:

U.S. consumer sentiment plunged 8% in April. The 52.5 reading is the fourth lowest monthly reading since records began in 1952.

For the third consecutive week crude oil stocks were higher (+10.3 million gallons) while U.S gasoline and distillate fuels were down 188 and 98.8 million gallons respectively. Implied gasoline consumption increased sharply on the week and to a calendar year high.

U.S. ethanol production increased to 304 million gallons after matching a calendar year low the week prior. Ethanol stocks decreased 56 million gallons and fell below the same level this time last year.

Weekly export sales of grains and oilseeds were as expected but down week over week. Sales in million bushels reported for corn (45.4) and soybeans (10.2) were neutral. There were net cancelations of 5.3 million bushels of wheat across classes. Rice sales of 1.1 million hundredweight were a four-week high.

Open interest in futures and options positions of grains and oilseeds fell 0.5% week over week. Producers and merchants were net buyers, shrinking their short positions 44,084 contracts. Money managers were net buyers of 1,743 contracts- decreasing their short position.

Grain and oilseed export inspections were bullish for wheat at 23.8 million bushels while neutral for corn (65.1), soybeans (16.1) and grain sorghum (0.855).

U.S. corn planting was 24% this week- a little behind the 28% average for this time of year and a little slower than trade expectations of 25%. U.S. soybean planting is at 18% ahead the 12% on average and the 17% expected in pre-report expectations.

U.S. winter wheat conditions were 49% good to excellent- up 4 points from the week prior and up 2 percentage points from pre-report trade exceptions.

Show Me the Money: Ohio’s New Pay Stub Law

Source: OSU Farm Office

On April 9, 2025, Ohio enacted House Bill 106, known as the Pay Stub Protection Act. This bipartisan legislation marks a meaningful step forward in promoting wage transparency and safeguarding worker rights across the state. Prior to this law, Ohio stood out as one of the few states without a mandate for employers to issue pay stubs. With its passage, the Act now ensures employees are provided with comprehensive earnings statements, bringing Ohio in line with the practices of most other states.

What the Law Requires
Under the Pay Stub Protection Act (codified in Ohio Revised Code Section 4113.14), employers are now mandated to provide each employee with a written or electronic pay statement on every regular payday. These statements must include:

  • Employee’s name and address;
  • Employer’s name;
  • Total gross wages earned by the employee during the pay period;
  • Total net wages paid to employee for the pay period;
  • An itemized list of additions to or deductions from wages paid to the employee, with explanations; and
  • The date the employee was paid and the pay period covered by that payment.

For hourly employees, the following three additional items are also required:

  • Total hours worked during the pay period;
  • Hourly wage rate; and
  • Total number of hours worked beyond 40 hours in a workweek.

Enforcement
While the Pay Stub Protection Act brings Ohio in line with the majority of states regarding wage transparency, it differs from some by not granting employees the right to sue or seek monetary compensation for an employer’s noncompliance. If an employee does not receive a pay stub that meets the Act’s requirements, they must first submit a written request to their employer for a compliant pay stub. The employer then has 10 days to provide the required statement.

If the employer fails to respond within that timeframe, the employee may report the violation to the Ohio Department of Commerce. Should the Department find a violation, it will issue a written notice to the employer. The employer is then required to post the notice in a conspicuous location on the premises for a period of 10 days.

Implications for Employers 
Although many employers already issue pay stubs as a matter of best practice, Ohio law now makes it a legal requirement. This change presents an opportunity for employers to review their payroll systems and make any necessary updates to ensure compliance. Employers should confirm that their pay statements contain all required information and that any third-party payroll providers are also adhering to the new standards.

A Step Toward Greater Transparency
The Pay Stub Protection Act marks a meaningful step forward for worker rights in Ohio. By requiring detailed pay statements, the law equips employees with the information necessary to confirm their earnings and promotes greater transparency and fairness in the workplace.

For additional details about the Pay Stub Protection Act and its requirements, refer to the official legislative text of House Bill 106 or visit the Ohio Department of Commerce’s website.

Corn Growing Degree Days

Mother Nature is finally cooperating, and planting is off to a great start.  A common question is, “After planting how long before I can see corn?”  Once corn is in the ground, you can expect to see emergence around 100 growing degree days after planting. The Table below lists the approximate growing degree days for various corn growth stages.

New this year!  I will have a weather station set up by some of our research plots near Centerburg.  Click here to access our local weather data. This weather data should be able provide information to assist with many of your daily activities such as: spraying records, crop growth & development, insect scouting, anticipated disease pressure, and many more.

Wheat Management for Spring 2025

Today managing your wheat crop requires knowledge of the different growth stages of the plant.  Growth stage identification is critical for scouting and proper timing of fertilizer and pesticide applications.  Each week throughout the rest of the growing season I will discuss the various wheat growth stages I am seeing in our wheat fields and management issues at each stage.  This week I will focus on Feekes 5.  Most of our wheat has progressed to the Feekes 5 growth stage, some fields are in Feekes 6 growth stage.

Feekes 5 – Leaf sheaths strongly erect. 

 

The beginning of the stem elongation phase.  The pseudo-stem is strongly erect and leaf sheaths are elongated. The developing head reaches the terminal spikelet stage and is pushed up into the pseudo-stem.

Terminal spikelet occurs at Feekes 5. This stage marks the completion of the spikelet initiation phase. At this stage, the number of spikelets per head has been determined.   Stress during this stage can reduce total number of kernels per head.

The first hollow stem stage occurs when there is approximately 0.6 inch of hollow stem below the developing head.  Crop water use is about 0.1 inch per day.

Management.

This is an ideal stage for spring topdress nitrogen application. Weed control efforts should be made prior to or during Feekes 5.0 with 2,4-D and other labeled herbicides. This is also a good stage to begin scouting for foliar diseases.  Tillers developing after this time are not expected to contribute to yield.