August 28th, Grazing and Forage Field Day in Licking and Knox Counties

Extension in Licking and Knox Counties are teaming together with the Ohio Forage and Grasslands Council to provide a drive it yourself tour of two locations in Licking County and one in Knox County on August 28th.  Our tour will begin at Lightning Ridge Farm in Granville where Bill O’Neill raises Longhorn cattle utilizing intensive grazing. With twelve divided lots and the capability to increase divisions into twenty-four paddocks, cattle are moved daily and have access to portable piped water. We will also discuss the value of hay quality preservation while touring a new hoop barn constructed for hay storage. The second stop in the tour will move six miles north to a field managed by Ned Campbell who has provided space to plant about twelve varieties of forages following wheat harvest. Attendees will be able to observe and discuss the value of these forages for grazing or harvesting. For the final stop, we will move further north into Knox county to learn about the use of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) approved warm-season grass production. This field day will begin at 6817 Cat Run Rd. Granville, OH 43023 at 11:00 a.m. and conclude at 3:00 p.m.

There is a $10 registration fee per person. Lunch is included with registration. A $5 discount will be applied if the person registering is an OFGC Member or a resident of the host county. Payment will be collected at the field day. Please register within one week of the event you plan to attend by completing a quick registration form here.

Questions about the Summer Forage Field Day can be directed to Gary Wilson by calling 419-348-3500, Dean Kreager 740-618-6332, or Sabrina Schirtzinger 740-397-0401 .

2021 Farm Science Review to be live and in person

Published on July 23, 2021

LONDON, Ohio—The Ohio State University’s Farm Science Review, which was held online last year because of the pandemic, will return this year to be live and in person for the 59th annual event.

The premier agricultural education and industry exposition is set for Sept. 21–23 at Ohio State’s Molly Caren Agricultural Center, 135 State Route 38, near London.

“While research, teaching, and serving communities throughout Ohio never stopped during the pandemic, we are grateful to once again be in person, working together, to advance our industry,” said Cathann A. Kress, Ohio State’s vice president for agricultural administration and dean of the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES).

CFAES is the host of Farm Science Review, which brings in more than 100,000 people annually.

Kress called the event a “critical component of our land-grant mission to provide research-based information and practical education to the people of Ohio and beyond.”

Jacqueline Kirby Wilkins, a CFAES associate dean and the director of the college’s Ohio State University Extension outreach arm, said Farm Science Review gives a “wonderful opportunity” to explore the latest CFAES research.

Featured at the event will be more than 100 educational sessions, including “Ask the Expert” talks; 600 exhibits; the most comprehensive field crop demonstrations in the United States; a career exploration fair; and immersive virtual reality videos of agricultural activities.

There will also be a new online component, said Nick Zachrich, Farm Science Review’s manager. Called “Farm Science Review Live,” it will “bring content from the Molly Caren Ag Center to wherever you are in the world with internet access,” he said.

It’s a next big step in ramping up the event’s digital tools, which in recent years have seen the addition of a mobile app and a digital directory, both designed to help people navigate the grounds.

“Our staff has strived to make it easier for visitors to find the exhibitors and information they need. But seeing the entire 100-acre exhibit area is a tall task, especially when stopping to discuss business with exhibitors or attend a session,” Zachrich said.

“Farm Science Review Live” will help people see what they might have missed, or will let them go back to watch and learn again, he said.

“It builds on our commitment to use the best tools available to make connections between farmers and other professionals in agriculture with our exhibitors and educators.”

Hours for Farm Science Review are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 21–22 and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 23. Tickets are $7 online, at county offices of OSU Extension, and at participating agribusinesses which include these Licking County locations:

Farm Credit, Utica

Granville Milling in Granville and Johnstown and Pataskala

H. W. Martin and Son, Hebron

Hanby Farms / Heritage Co-op, Nashport

Legend Farm and Feed Supply, Newark

Utica Feed and Hardware

Tickets are $10 at the gate. Children ages 5 and under are admitted free.

For more information, visit fsr.osu.edu.

FARM OFFICE LIVE IS BACK!

Barry Ward, David Marrison, Peggy Hall, Dianne Shoemaker, Julie Strawser – Ohio State University Extension

 

Farm Office Live returns this summer to provide the latest outlook and updates on ag law, farm management, ag economics, farm business analysis and other related issues. Targeted to farmers and agri-business stakeholders, our specialists digest the latest news and issues and present it in an easy-to-understand format.

The live broadcast is presented monthly. In months where two shows are scheduled, one will be held in the morning and one in the evening. Each session is recorded and posted on the OSU Extension Farm Office YouTube channel for later viewing.

Current Schedule:

July 23 10:00 – 11:30 am December 17 10:00 – 11:30 am
August 27 10:00 – 11:30 am January 19 7:00 – 8:30 pm
September 23 10:00 – 11:30 am January 21 10:00 – 11:30 am
October 13 7:00 – 8:30 pm February 16 7:00 – 8:30 pm
October 15 10:00 – 11:30 am February 18 10:00 – 11:30 am
November 17 7:00 – 8:30 pm March 16 7:00 – 8:30 pm
November 19 10:00 – 11:30 am March 18 10:00 – 11:30 am
December 15 7:00 – 8:30 pm April 20 7:00 – 8:30 pm

 

 

Topics we will discuss in upcoming webinars include:

  • Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP)
  • Legislative Proposals and Accompanying Tax Provisions
  • Outlook on Crop Input Costs and Profit Margins
  • Outlook on Cropland Values and Cash Rents
  • Tax Issues That May Impact Farm Businesses
  • Legal Trends for 2021
  • Legislative Updates
  • Farm Business Management and Analysis
  • Farm Succession & Estate Planning

 

Who’s on the Farm Office Team?  Our team features OSU experts ready to simplify farm management issues and make farm ownership less stressful.

  • Peggy Kirk Hall — agricultural law
  • Dianne Shoemaker — farm business analysis and dairy production
  • David Marrison — farm management
  • Barry Ward – farm management and tax

 

Register once at  https://go.osu.edu/farmofficelive and you will receive a reminder with your personal link to join each month.

The Farm Office is a one-stop shop for navigating the legal and economic challenges of agricultural production. For more information, visit https://farmoffice.osu.edu or contact Julie Strawser at strawser.35@osu.edu or call the Farm Office at 614.292.2433.

 

What is the WASDE Report and Why is It Important?

by: Chris Zoller, Extension Educator, ANR, Tuscarawas County

Click here for PDF of this article

The World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report is prepared monthly by the Interagency Commodity Estimates Committees (ICECs) which are chaired by representatives from the Agricultural Marketing Service, Economic Research Service, Farm Service Agency, and Foreign Agricultural Service.  The National Agricultural Statistics Service provides data about U.S. production and each ICEC (one for each of nine commodities) compile and analyze data from U.S. and foreign sources to produce the report.

The WASDE report is prepared under very tight security in a “lock-up” area inside a USDA building.  On the day of the report release, doors in this room are secured, window shades are closed, and telephone and internet communication blocked!  Analysts attending the meeting must present their credentials to a guard before entering to finalize the report.  The WASDE report is released at 12:00 noon Eastern time, and not a minute sooner.

Who Provides Information?

The Interagency Commodity Estimates Committees described earlier use information from a variety of USDA sources.  The National Agricultural Statistics Service provides data related to U.S. crop and livestock production.  The USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, official data from foreign governments, satellite imagery, and weather data are also provided about foreign crop and livestock production and use.

All of this information is reviewed by ICEC members with broad expertise and perspective.  To arrive at a consensus about the forecasts, the committee considers alternate assessments of domestic and foreign supply and use.

Commodity Balance Sheets

Do you remember back to your introductory economics class?  One of the basic principles taught was supply and demand (see graph below).  Those who develop the WASDE report use information to provide the agricultural industry with a baseline for supply and demand of given commodities.  If a large supply is anticipated (think of it as a bumper yield), but domestic or foreign demand is not high, the result is lower prices. On the flip side, a poor harvest (lower quantity) combined with increased demand results in increasing commodity prices.  We have seen commodity markets move up or down within minutes of a WASDE report being released.

A balance sheet for U.S. and world wheat, rice, coarse grains, oilseeds, and cotton is provided.  Coarse grains include corn, barley, sorghum, and oats).  Oilseeds include soybeans, rapeseed, and palm).  The U.S. also reports sugar, meat, poultry, eggs, and milk on the balance sheet.   Separate estimates are provided for components of supply and demand and domestic use is divided into major categories (for example, corn for feed and corn for ethanol use).

Of interest to many is the reported season-average farm price for farm commodities.  Price forecasts are made by experts who carefully analyze the supply and demand sides of the balance sheet, along with commodity models, and in-depth research of domestic and international issues.

Why is the WASDE Important?

Agriculture operates in a global market and supply and demand are constantly changing.  A monthly balance sheet of major commodities provides farmers, industry professionals, and others a current source of information.

Not everyone agrees with every number reported in each WASDE, but everyone should feel confident that a tremendous amount of research and time are invested to provide the most accurate report possible.

Where Can I Read the WASDE Reports?

Current and historical (since 1974) WASDE reports are available here: https://www.usda.gov/oce/commodity/wasde.  These reports are approximately 40 pages in length, but an approximate five-page summary of coarse grains, oilseeds, and cotton is provided at the beginning of the report.  Detailed data tables accompany the report.

Sources:

WASDE FAQs, United States Department of Agriculture, https://www.usda.gov/oce/commodity-markets/wasde/faqs

WASDE Report, United States Department of Agriculture, https://www.usda.gov/oce/commodity/wasde

Seeding Perennial Forages in Late Summer

Author: Mark Sulc

The month of August provides a window of opportunity for establishing perennial forage stands or filling in seedings made this spring that have gaps. The primary risk with late summer forage seedings is having sufficient moisture for seed germination and plant establishment. The decision to plant or not will have to be made for each individual field, considering soil moisture status and the rainfall forecast. Rainfall and adequate soil moisture in the few weeks immediately after seeding is the primary factor affecting successful establishment.

No-till seeding in August is an excellent choice to conserve soil moisture for seed germination. Make sure that the field surface is relatively level and smooth if you plan to no-till, because you will have to live with any field roughness for several years of harvesting operations.

Sclerotinia crown and stem rot is a concern with no-till seedings of alfalfa in late summer where clover has been present in the past. This pathogen causes white mold on alfalfa seedlings and infects plants later during the cool rainy spells in late October and November. Early versus late August plantings dramatically improve the alfalfa’s ability to resist the infection. Late August seedings are very susceptible to this disease, with mid-August plantings being intermediate.

In a no-till situation, minimize competition from existing weeds by applying glyphosate burndown before planting. If herbicide-resistant weeds are present, such as marestail, creates a very difficult situation with no effective control options in no-till management, so conventional tillage for seedbed prep is probably a better choice in those situations.  

For conventional tillage seeding, prepare a firm seedbed to ensure good seed-to-soil contact. Be aware that too much tillage depletes soil moisture and increases the risk of soil crusting. Follow the “footprint guide” that soil should be firm enough for a footprint to sink no deeper than one-half inch.  Tilled seedbeds do not need a pre-plant herbicide.

Patching in new 2021 spring seedings with gaps is possible this late summer, even for alfalfa. Autotoxicity will not be a limiting factor yet in alfalfa seedings made this spring. Alfalfa plants that are less than a year old will not release enough of those compounds into the surrounding soil that are toxic to new seedlings of alfalfa. So, this summer is the last opportunity to try to “patch-in” alfalfa in thin areas of alfalfa stands seeded this spring.

Grassy weeds are probably present in the thin areas of those new spring seedings, so consider applying a grass herbicide as soon as possible. If broadleaf weeds are present, effective herbicide options are much more limited, because most broadleaf herbicides labeled for use in alfalfa are only effective when the weeds are quite small. Before applying a herbicide check its label for pre-plant time intervals that may be required. Use only herbicides with little or no time interval between application and seeding forages. Do take a cutting in early August and then immediately drill seed into the thin areas. Try to time drilling the seed when you see some rain in the forecast, especially if the soil is dry.

The following steps improve the chances for stand establishment success regardless of what type of seeding you are making:

  • Soil fertility and pH: The recommended soil pH for alfalfa is 6.5 to 6.8. Forage grasses and clovers should have a pH of 6.0 or above. The optimal soil phosphorus level for forage legumes is 30 to 50 ppm Mehlich-3 and for grasses 20 to 30 ppm Mehlich-3. The optimal soil potassium level is 120 to 170 ppm for most of our soils.
  • Check herbicide history of field. A summary table of herbicide rotation intervals for alfalfa and clovers is available at  http://go.osu.edu/herbrotationintervals.  Forage grasses are not included in that table, so check the labels of any herbicides applied to the field in the last 2 years for any restrictions that might exist.
  • Seed selection: Be sure to use high quality seed of adapted varieties and use fresh inoculum of the proper Rhizobium bacteria for legume seeds. “Common” seed (variety not stated) is usually lower yielding and not as persistent, and from our trials the savings in seed cost is lost within the first year or two through lower forage yields.
  • Planting date: Planting of alfalfa and other legumes should be completed between late July and mid-August in Northern Ohio and between early and late August in Southern Ohio. Most cool-season perennial grasses can be planted a little later. Check the Ohio Agronomy Guide for specific guidelines (see http://go.osu.edu/forage-seeding-dates).
  • Planter calibration: If coated seed is used, be aware that coatings can account for up to one-third of the weight of the seed. This affects the number of seeds planted in planters set to plant seed on a weight basis. Seed coatings can also dramatically alter how the seed flows through the drill, so calibrate the drill or planter with the seed to be planted.
  • Seed placement: The recommended seeding depth for forages is one-quarter to one-half inch deep. It is better to err on the side of planting shallow rather than too deep.

Do not harvest a new perennial forage stand this fall. The ONLY exception to this rule is perennial and Italian ryegrass plantings.  Mow or harvest those grasses to a two and a half to three-inch stubble in late November to improve winter survival.  Do NOT cut any other species in the fall, especially legumes.

Scout your new forage seeding this fall on a regular basis. Post-emergence herbicide options exist for alfalfa that control late summer and fall emerging winter annual broadleaf weeds. A mid- to late fall application of Butyrac (2,4-DB), bromoxynil, Pursuit or Raptor are the primary herbicide options for winter annual broadleaf weeds. Fall application is much more effective than a spring application for control of these weeds especially if wild radish/wild turnip are in the weed mix.  Pursuit and Raptor can control winter annual grasses in the fall in pure legume stands but not in a mixed alfalfa/grass planting.  Consult the 2021 Ohio, Indiana, Illinois Weed Control Guide and always read the specific product label for guidelines on timing and rates before applying any product (https://extensionpubs.osu.edu/2020-weed-control-guide-for-ohio-indiana-and-illinois-pdf/).

Choosing a ripe melon

Chow Line: Deep yellow field spot on watermelon key to choosing sweet, ripe melon

Published on July 23, 2021

What’s the best way to choose the perfect melon?

Whether it’s watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew, or other melons, summer days (or any day!) are a wonderful time to indulge in these delicious, nutritious fruits.

Not only do these fruits taste wonderful, but they are also healthy, low-calorie treats that are packed with vitamins. For example, a cup of cantaloupe has 60 calories and is rich in vitamins A and C, while a cup of honeydew has 64 calories and is rich in vitamin C and potassium and provides B vitamins. A cup of watermelon has about 45 calories and has significant amounts of vitamins A and C.

Watermelon is also 93% water, and the red variety is a good source of lycopene, a phytonutrient that gives watermelon its color. Lycopene appears to protect the body against a growing list of cancers, which includes prostate cancer, breast cancer, endometrial cancer, lung cancer, and colorectal cancers, according to an Ohio State University Extension Ohioline fact sheet.

Another benefit is that lycopene helps protect cells in the body from damage associated with heart disease.

When choosing the perfect cantaloupe, it is important to make sure the melon has no bruises or discolorations. It should have a smooth, slightly sunken, and well-rounded stem end; a sweet, musky aroma; and a prominent and evenly distributed corky web-pattern that is buff or a light tan color on either a green, yellow, or gray background.

Ripe honeydew should have a creamy yellow color when picked. If the melon is green when picked, it will never ripen, according to the OSU Extension fact sheet. The skin should have the feeling of velvet, and the blossom end should feel slightly springy.

When it comes to watermelons, here are a few tips from OSU Extension, the Watermelon Board, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture on how to pick the best one:

  • Look at the spot where the melon has been resting on the ground. A pale yellow or cream spot indicates ripeness, while a pale green or white spot indicates immaturity.
  • Scratch the surface of the rind with your thumbnail. If the outer layer slips back with little resistance, showing the green-white under the rind, the watermelon is ripe. Scratching unripe melons leaves only a darker, depressed line.
  • Choose a melon with a smooth surface, a dull sheen, and well-rounded ends.
  • Choose a melon that doesn’t have bruises, cuts, or dents.
  • Pick up the watermelon. It should be heavy for its size. As a watermelon is 93% water, most of the weight is water.
  • If you are choosing precut watermelon, the more red flesh and less white rind, the riper the melon.

And remember, even though you typically don’t eat the peel from most melons, it is important that you wash the melons under running water before cutting into them. Melons are grown on the ground and can sometimes harbor harmful bacteria. Peeling or cutting unwashed produce can transfer dirt or other contaminates from the surface of the produce to the portion of the fruit or vegetable you plan to eat.

In fact, firm produce such as melons should be scrubbed with a clean produce brush before peeling or cutting into them. And they should then be dried off with a clean paper towel or cloth to further reduce harmful bacteria that may be on the skin, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Chow Line is a service of the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences and its outreach and research arms, OSU Extension and the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center. Send questions to Chow Line writer Tracy Turner, 364 W. Lane Ave., Suite B120, Columbus, OH 43201, or turner.490@osu.edu.

Editor: This column was originally reviewed by Shari Gallup, educator, family and consumer sciences, OSU Extension.

Farm Office– Ohio New and Small Farm Colleges Set for 2021

Farm Office Blog

Friday, July 23rd, 2021

Written by Peggy Kirk Hall, Associate Professor, Agricultural & Resource Law

 

“Bringing small farms in Ohio to life” is the theme of the 2021 New and Small Farm College program.  The program focuses on the increasing number of new and small farm landowners that have a need for comprehensive farm ownership and management programming.  OSU Extension has offered the college to farm families since 2005. Its mission  is to enhance understanding of production practices, the economics of land use choices, legal issues, marketing alternatives, and sources of assistance. Since the program began, the New and Small Farm College has reached over 1175 participants from 57 Ohio Counties representing almost 900 farms, sharing its three educational objectives:

  1. Improve the economic development of small familly owned farms in Ohio.
  2. Help small farm landowners and families diversify their opportunities into successful new enterprises and new markets.
  3. Improve agricultural literacy among small farm landowners not actively involved in agricultural production.

If you are a small farm landowner wondering what to do with your acreage, ask yourself these questions:

  • Are you interested in exploring options for land uses but not sure where to turn or how to begin?
  • Have you considered adding an agricultural or horticultural enterprise, but you just aren’t sure of what is required, from an equipment, labor, and/or a management perspective?
  • Are you looking for someplace to get some basic farm information?

If you or someone you know answered yes to any of these questions, then the Ohio State University New and Small Farm College program may be just what you are looking for.  Consider how these topics that we cover in the college can help you with your small farm goals:

  • Getting Started (goal setting, family matters, resource inventory, business planning)
  • Appropriate Land Use -Walking the Farm
  • Where to Get Assistance, (identifying various agencies, organizations, and groups)
  • Financial and Business Mgmt.: Strategies for decision makers
  • Farm Insurance
  • Soils
  • Legal Issues
  • Marketing Alternatives

The Ohio State University New and Small Farm College is held one night a week for seven weeks.  The 2021 Ohio New and Small Farm College program occur in three locations across the state:

  • Pike County area, to be held at the OSU South Centers facility, 1864 Shyville Road, Piketon, Ohio 45661, (Located off US 32 – Appalachian Hwy). Classes will be held on Wednesday evenings beginning August 18 and concluding September 29, 2021. For more information contact Pike County Extension Office at 740-289-4837.
  • Fayette county area, Fayette County Extension Office, 1415 US Route 22 SW, Washington Court House, Ohio 43160. Classes will be held on Thursday evenings beginning August 19 and concluding on September 30, 2021. For more information contact the Fayette County Extension Office at 740-335-1150.
  • Wayne County area, to be held at the OSU Wooster Campus, The Shisler Conference Center, 1680 Madison Avenue, Wooster, Ohio 44961. Classes will be held on Tuesday evenings beginning August 31 and concluding October 12, 2021. For more information, contact Wayne County Extension at 330-264-8722.

All colleges begin at 6:00 pm with a light dinner followed by presentations at 6:30 pm and concluding at 9:00 pm.

In addition to the classroom instruction, participants will receive tickets to attend the 2021 Farm Science Review (www.fsr.osu.edu ), September 21, 22, & 23 Located at the Molly Caren Farm, London, Ohio. A soil sample analysis will also be provided to each participating farm.

The cost of the course is $125 per person, $100 for an additional family member.  Each participating family will receive a small farm college notebook full of the information presented in each class session plus additional materials.

Registrations are now being accepted. For more details about the course and a registration form, contact Tony Nye, Small Farm Program Coordinator 937-382-0901 or email at nye.1@osu.edu.

 

 

 

Licking County Master Gardener Open House and Summer Programs

The Master Gardener Volunteers have been very busy this year.  They are hosting a Garden Open House on July 17th,  from 10-2.  In addition they are having Mornings in the Garden events once a month, sessions at the Canal Market twice a month, and Lawn Chair Learning lessons once a month.  Details for all of these can be found by clicking on this link.  2021 events brochure

Grazing and Forage Field Day in Licking County

Extension in Licking and Knox Counties are teaming together with the Ohio Forage and Grasslands Council to provide a drive it yourself tour of two locations in Licking County and one in Knox County.  Our tour will begin at Lightning Ridge Farm in Granville where Bill O’Neill raises Longhorn cattle utilizing intensive grazing. With twelve divided lots and the capability to increase divisions into twenty-four paddocks, cattle are moved daily and have access to portable piped water. We will also discuss the value of hay quality preservation while touring a new hoop barn constructed for hay storage. The second stop in the tour will move six miles north to a field managed by Ned Campbell who has provided space to plant about twelve varieties of forages following wheat harvest. Attendees will be able to observe and discuss the value of these forages for grazing or harvesting. For the final stop, we will move further north into Knox county to learn about the use of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) approved warm-season grass production. This field day will begin at 6817 Cat Run Rd. Granville, OH 43023 at 11:00 a.m. and conclude at 3:00 p.m.

There is a $10 registration fee per person. Lunch is included with registration. A $5 discount will be applied if the person registering is an OFGC Member or a resident of the host county. Payment will be collected at the field day. Please register within one week of the event you plan to attend by completing a quick registration form here.

Questions about the Summer Forage Field Day can be directed to Gary Wilson by calling 419-348-3500, Dean Kreager 740-618-6332, or Sabrina Schirtzinger 740-397-0401 .

“Assessing the Health of Your Woods” July 9 virtual program

By David Apsley

Our July 9th program will be held virtually and will touch on a wide range of woodland health issues ranging from  insects and diseases (both native and non-native) to a lack of desirable regeneration in the understory.  The program will focus on  the benefits of and how to use the “HealthyWoods” phone app which was developed by University of Kentucky and University of Tennessee Extension in cooperation with Ohio State University and other extension programs in the eastern US https://healthywoodsapp.org/.   This new resources was developed to help you to quickly and easily identify common issues facing your woodland.

Our featured presenter will be Ellen Crocker, Ph.D. a  Forest Health Extension Specialist  from the University of Kentucky.  Ellen was instrumental in the development of this useful resource for woodland owners.

We highly recommend downloading HealthyWoods from your app. store prior to the program.  It is available in both Android and iOS.

This program will take place from 10AM to Noon on July 9.  Click here to register