Managing stored grain into summer

Source:  Jason Hartschuh, Elizabeth Hawkins, OSU Extension

If you are storing more grain on farm this spring than usual, you are not alone. Over the last few weeks, we have heard from more producers who are considering holding grain longer into summer months than they normal would. We have also heard a few reports of spoiled grain as producers fill April contracts. Carrying graining into summer has been done for many years successfully but requires much more intensive management than winter grain storage.

Key advice for long term grain storage   

  1. If bins were not cored in early winter core bins now
  2. Verify the moisture content of stored grain is at or below recommended levels
  3. Monitor grain temperature every 3 or 4 weeks throughout storage paying special attention to insect activity and mold
  4. Monitor the roof area for signs of condensation
  5. Cover fans to keep the chimney effect from warming the grain
  6. Provide roof ventilation at two levels above the surface of the grain, one vent should be close to the peak of the bin
  7. Aerate bins on cool mornings every couple weeks as grain at the top of the bin becomes warm

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Ben Brown’s Weekly Market Outlook – 4/24/2020

Here is my market outlook on the likely outcome of large corn supplies in 2020. This is above a market and financial incentive to switch roughly 2 million corn acres to beans in the Eastern Corn-Belt. The full report can be found at [https://u.osu.edu/ohioagmanager/2020/04/24/examining-2020-corn-and-soybean-acreage/](https://u.osu.edu/ohioagmanager/2020/04/24/examining-2020-corn-and-soybean-acreage/)As always a big thank you to Rachel Leggett for her talented video production. Hope to see you around the State of Ohio soon! Go Bucks!

Posted by Ben Brown on Friday, April 24, 2020

Ben Brown’s Weekly Market Outlook

Howdy folks- here is my market update for the week of April 17 on the potential for US soybean crush moving forward. Soybean crush has been the star of the show lately and the March report was eye popping, but it is hard to see soybean crush sustaining that pace. Although, I do think the 20 million bushel increase in the USDA April report is justified. Demand challenges moving forward- likely mean we won't see another crush report like what we saw in March for a while. The written report for the video can be found here- [https://u.osu.edu/ohioagmanager/](https://u.osu.edu/ohioagmanager/)Big thanks to Rachel Leggett and Rob Leeds for the video. Have a great week and hope to see you around the State of Ohio soon!

Posted by Ben Brown on Friday, April 17, 2020

The Effect of COVID-19 on the Farm Economy

It seems as if every night we hear on the nightly news how the COVID-19 pandemic is have devastating effects on the stock market.  But, how often have we heard about the devastating effects the pandemic is having on the farm economy?

The chart below is one I borrowed from Ben Brown’s update in the Farm Office – “Office Hours” which occur every Monday evening from 8 – 9:30 p.m.

January 21st was the date of the first reported case of the Corona Virus in the United States.

Futures Price Decrease:

Please keep our farmers in your thoughts and prayers.  These devastating price reductions will have huge negative impacts on our local farmers for many months to come.

FARMERS AND FOOD GROUPS INNOVATE TO KEEP OPERATIONS VIABLE AS THE CORONAVIRUS SPREADS

FARMERS WHO SELL DIRECTLY TO CUSTOMERS AT FARMERS’ MARKETS AND THROUGH CSAS ARE COMING UP WITH NOVEL SOLUTIONS AT BREAKNECK SPEED TO KEEP THEIR CUSTOMERS FED AND THEIR OPERATIONS VIABLE.

By : Leah Douglas

For Jody Osmund, who runs Cedar Valley Sustainable Farm with his partner, Beth, in Ottawa, Illinois, the shuttering of public spaces to mitigate the spread of the new coronavirus presents a significant challenge. He typically distributes his farm shares at brewery taprooms around the Chicago area, which allows him to share a pint with customers while supporting local businesses. So how should he proceed when many bars and restaurants are closed, and heath guidelines demand that people keep their distance?

Enter the pool noodle.

Osmund used the noodle to mark out a safe distance between him and the members of his community-supported agriculture program at this week’s distribution site. “I’d take their name and get their CSA share. Then [I] would set it down for them and back away before they would pick it up,” he described via email. “It was a little awkward, but the pool noodle was disarming and brought a little levity.”

As the spread of the coronavirus causes many cities to curtail public gatherings, farmers who sell directly to customers at farmers’ markets and through CSAs are coming up with novel solutions at breakneck speed to keep their customers fed and their operations viable.

Some food distribution groups are even rethinking their entire delivery model, trying to ensure that farmers still have a market and customers still have access to fresh food.

Their adaptations include, of course, improving sanitary practices by frequently washing hands and offering sanitizer to customers. Farmers at markets are wearing gloves, handling produce themselves rather than having shoppers select items, and eliminating sampling. Those who distribute CSA shares are pre-bagging and bringing them to customers’ cars or operating in the parking lots of the closed business or churches where they would otherwise distribute.

Some organizations are piloting home delivery for the first time, as many shoppers are self-isolating or quarantined at home. Farm Fresh Rhode Island’s Market Mobile program typically delivers wholesale orders of local produce and other farm goods to restaurants and universities across the state. But this week, the group rolled out a new system that allowed individual households to place orders online and have food dropped off right at their door. Continue reading