Month: January 2019

Local programs and events in Licking County.

We have many projects under development that we will offer to you over the next several months.  These include an apple tree grafting workshop, Agriculture Hall of Fame Breakfast, breeding soundness exams for bulls, a hydrangea school,  a youth farm safety day in partnership with the Licking Valley FFA, and a farm tour in partnership with Licking County arm Bureau and the Licking County Soil and Water Conservation District.  Keep watching for more details on these and other events as dates get closer.

Dean Kreager

Ohio State expert warns about effect of rock salt on plants

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — Rock salt and other de-icing agents can be especially useful in tackling cold, long winters in Ohio. But according to a horticulture expert at The Ohio State University, if misused, these chemicals can cause damage to plants around it.

Consumers in Ohio and other icy states have used de-icing agents for years to remove snow and ice from driveways, sidewalks and porches. The rock salt lowers the freezing point of the ice by creating a solution of water and salt.

However, this salt has other effects: damaging or even killing plants, shrubs, and grass in surrounding areas, said Pam Bennett, an associate professor in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences. Continue reading Ohio State expert warns about effect of rock salt on plants →

Private pesticide applicator re-certification and fertilizer re-certification.

If you are due to renew your certification for private pesticide or fertilizer application we are offering 3 opportunities in Licking County.

  1. March 11th from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. in Hopewell Hall room 53 of the OSU Newark / COTC campus.  The first 3 hours will be for pesticide re-certification and the 4th hour will be for fertilizer re-certification.
  2. March 12th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in Hopewell Hall room 53 of the OSU Newark / COTC campus.  The first 3 hours will be for pesticide re-certification and the 4th hour will be for fertilizer re-certification.
  3. March 21st from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. at the Ag Services Building conference room (Extension Office).  The first 3 hours will be for pesticide re-certification and the 4th hour will be for fertilizer re-certification.

Register by calling 740-670-5315.  The fee of $35 will be payable at the door and will include materials and food.  For those who are only attending the fertilizer section the cost will be $10.  This fee is in addition to the $30 that ODA has you send to them.

New requirements for the use of dicamba products.

The Ohio Department of Agriculture sent this notice about training required to use  dicamba products.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Brett Gates, (614) 752-9817, bgates@agri.ohio.gov

ODA REMINDS FARMERS OF REQUIREMENTS FOR DICAMBA USE

Revised label and new training required before use in 2019

REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio (Jan. 16, 2019) – The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) is reminding farmers of revised labels and new training requirements for applicators who intend to use dicamba herbicide products this year. In October 2018, U.S. EPA approved revised labels for the three dicamba products that are labeled for use on soybeans: Engenia (BASF), XtendiMax (Monsanto) and FeXapan (DuPont).

“Like any other product, we want to ensure licensed applicators are properly following label directions as they get ready for this growing season,” said Matt Beal, chief of the ODA Division of Plant Health. “This not only helps ensure the safe use of pesticides, it also helps prevent misuse and mishandling.”

The manufacturers of these dicamba products also agreed to additional requirements for their products. Some of the requirements include:

  • 2019 labels supersede all prior labels for these products. Applicators must obtain a copy of the new label and must have that label in their possession at the time of use
  • Only certified applicators may purchase and apply the products
    • Those operating under the supervision of a certified applicator may no longer purchase or apply.
    • Anyone who mixes, loads or cleans dicamba application equipment must become licensed.
    • ODA will host additional “Dicamba Ag Only” exams in February and March for those looking to become a certified applicator. Visit agri.ohio.gov for more details.
  • Applicators must complete dicamba-specific training
  • Increased recordkeeping requirements
  • Wind speed restrictions
  • Temperature inversion restrictions
  • Sensitive/susceptible crop consultation
  • Spray system equipment clean-out

More details on these revisions can be found in the attached fact sheet. Applicators looking for a list of ODA-approved trainings can visit www.agri.ohio.gov. For questions, applicators can contact the ODA Pesticide and Fertilizer Regulation Section at 614-728-6987 or pesticides@agri.ohio.gov.

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