This weed has been showing up everywhere this spring.  The yellow flowers may be attractive but it is toxic to livestock especially if it is made in hay where the animals can’t eat around it.  See the pictures below and click on this link for a 12 minute video: Managing Cressleaf groundsel in hayfields

The Licking County Sheep Improvement Association is hosting a show on June 5, 2021 at the Hartford Fairgrounds.  There will be classes for both breeding sheep and market lambs as well as showmanship.  This is a great opportunity to prepare for the fair!  Click here for the flyer: 2021 Sheep Show Flyer

After being postponed in 2020 we are happy to offer the Licking County Farm Tour again this year.  Once again, Licking County Extension has teamed with Licking County Farm Bureau and the Licking County Soil and Water Conservation District to provide access for you to see what is going on at 2 great local farms.  These locations are Watts Family Farm and Timbuk Farms.  Please click here for more details: Li. Co. Farm Tour Flyer 2021

Licking and  Muskingum County will host a live online Beef Quality Assurance certification program on May 18 at 7:00 pm using the Zoom software platform. Registration for this program is available at: BQA REGISTRATION

This program will be hosted and taught by Dean Kreager, Extension Educator in Licking County and Clifton Martin, Extension Educator in Muskingum County .

All producers selling beef for meat are encouraged to have BQA Certification.  This is not required; however, some buyers will only purchase from certified producers.

“Beef Quality Assurance is a nationally coordinated, state implemented program that provides systematic information to U.S. beef producers and beef consumers of how common sense husbandry techniques can be coupled with accepted scientific knowledge to raise cattle under optimum management and environmental conditions. BQA guidelines are designed to make certain all beef consumers can take pride in what they purchase – and can trust and have confidence in the entire beef industry” (National BQA).

Online certification and recertification is also available anytime at https://www.bqa.org/beef-quality-assurance-certification/online-certifications.

Certification is valid for 3 years from the date completed.  If you are not comfortable with a zoom meeting or online training, we plan to have in-person training at some point.  Please feel free to contact me about other options or with any questions.  kreager.5@osu.edu

For those with licenses expiring in 2021 you have until July 1, 2021 to complete recertification. We have 2 options available.

• In-person training on June 22^nd from 6-9 p.m. for pesticide and 9-10 p.m. for fertilizer. The fee will be $35 payable with cash or check at the door.  Pre-registration is required due to limited seating.  Call 740-670-5315 to reserve your seat.  Face masks will be required.  You are welcome to bring snacks or drinks.
• An online work at your own pace recertification class is also offered. Visit osu.eduand scroll down to “2021 Ohio Self-Paced Online Pesticide and Fertilizer Recertification” for registration links. The cost for this is $35 for Pesticide and $15 for Fertilizer.

The Licking County Sheep Improvement Association will be hosting its 4th annual artificial insemination day on August 21, 2021.  This year goats will be included.  Click on this link for information Artificial Insemination Day 8.21.21  Sign up soon to reserve a spot and to receive the protocol and supplies.

Results from 2020 inseminations of 104 ewes

• Overall percentage of ewes inseminated resulting in live births = 55.8%
• Live lambs birthed per ewe = 1.53
• Pregnancy rate with fresh semen = 66.7%
• Pregnancy rate with frozen semen = 50.7%