Month: April 2024

It is not too late to prune your blackberries and raspberries

From OSU Fact sheets HYG-1431 and HYG-1421
WHAT STEPS SHOULD BE FOLLOWED TO SUCCESSFULLY PRUNE FLORICANE-FRUITING ERECT BLACKBERRIES?

Blackberries are considered to be biennial fruiting plants. Primocanes are actively growing vegetative shoots that are produced in the first year, and the floricanes are normally the fruit-producing canes. Some erect blackberry varieties (e.g., Prime Jim, Prime Jan) produce fruit on primocanes in the fall. Primocanes, left untipped, can grow several feet in length. In the following year, primocanes mature into floricanes. Once the fruit has been harvested, the floricanes will eventually die. All spent floricanes should be removed from the blackberry planting. By removing the spent floricanes, more room will be available for new primocanes to grow the following year. Continue reading It is not too late to prune your blackberries and raspberries →

Crabgrass Control in Your Lawn

       

Some of the earliest emerging broadleaf weeds have begun to emerge.  The biggest problem with weeds in turfgrass is reduced aesthetic value, although some weeds can out compete turfgrass when management is reduced.  Smooth and large crabgrass, yellow foxtail, and annual bluegrass are the most frequent annual grass weeds in turfgrass. 

Smooth crabgrass emerges in the spring before large crabgrass.  Smooth crabgrass emergence begins slowly when soil temperatures in the upper inch of soil reaches 54F for seven days and moisture is available.  This 54F soil temperature occurs many times when the dogwood begin to flower and the forsythia flowers begin to fade.  Visit this website to track soil temperature for your area: http://www.greencastonline.com/tools/soil-temperature .

Waiting to apply crabgrass preventer until just before emergence will ensure control of smooth and large crabgrass later into the season.  Peak crabgrass emergence is from mid-May to July 1st.  Crabgrass preventer must be applied before plants emerge, otherwise it will not be effective.  After applying the crabgrass preventer irrigate the lawn to get the herbicide incorporated into the soil.

If crabgrass densities are high, a postemergence herbicide application may be required.  If you have used preemergence crabgrass preventer for many years and have successfully controlled the crabgrass, it may be wise to stop applying the crabgrass preventer and scout to see whether any crabgrass will emerge.  If it does emerge then apply a postemergence herbicide.  Crabgrass can be controlled with some postemergence herbicides, but timing and rate are very important to effectively control crabgrass.  Effective postemergence herbicides include Dimension, Methar 30, Acclaim Extra, MSMA Turf Herbicide, and Drive 75 DF, but some of these may be difficult to obtain.  When applying postemergence herbicides be sure to obtain thorough coverage and do not mow for two days before and after the herbicide application.

From: SMITH.3204  Connie Smith, Fairfield County Extension
Source: OSU Buckeye Yard and Garden Line

A Day in the Woods – 2024 Lineup & Brochure

Happy Spring!

We are proud to announce the lineup of events for the 2024 edition of A DAY in the WOODS – our 13th season!

May 10 – Evaluating your Woods

June 14 – Getting a Handle on Invasive Species

July 12 – Native Grasslands and Pollinator Habitat

August 9 – Prescribed Fire: Ecology & Implementation (Smokey’s Birthday!)

September 13 – Night Flyers (5pm)

October 11 – Critter Homes: Wildlife Habitat Improvements

November 8 – Forest Stand Improvement

You can find our 2024 brochure here: 2024 ADIW Brochure.

It includes all relevant details for events and registration. You can also keep an eye on our Facebook Page and Website for any updates.

We look forward to seeing you in 2024!

Ag Law Case Updates

The Ag Law Harvest

By:Jeffrey K. Lewis, Esq., Program Coordinator, OSU Income Tax Schools & ANR Extension Thursday, March 28th, 2024
Picture of utility vehicle.

Spring has officially sprung, and so have a few interesting legal updates. In this edition of the Ag Law Harvest we cover aggravated vehicular assault in a farm utility vehicle, “Made in the USA” labels, the Corporate Transparency Act’s legal woes, USDA’s Dairy Margin Program, and the U.S House Committee on Agriculture’s Agricultural Labor Working Group’s final report.

Driver of Farm Utility Vehicle Cannot be Found Guilty of Aggravated Vehicular Assault.
The Supreme Court of Ohio ruled that a driver of a farm utility vehicle involved in a crash cannot be convicted of a felony for injuring passengers because the vehicle does not meet the definition of a “motor vehicle” under Ohio’s criminal code. Joshua Fork of Sandusky County crashed his Polaris utility vehicle while driving under the influence at a party in 2020. Two of Fork’s passengers sustained serious injuries as a result of the accident. Fork was convicted of operating a vehicle under the influence (OVI), and two counts of aggravated vehicular assault. Fork did not contest his OVI conviction but did appeal his aggravated vehicular assault conviction to the Sixth District Court of Appeals. The case eventually made its way to the Supreme Court of Ohio. Continue reading Ag Law Case Updates →

Ohio Fruit News – March Issue

The March issue of OFN is available on-line. In this issue you will learn about:

  • Fruit Tree Planting Tips
  • Updates on Chlorpyrifos
  • Tips for tuning up your sprayer
  • Woolly apple aphid identification and management
  • Best practices for planting strawberries

Click here to see the Ohio Fruit News

Don’t Let Your Farm Insurance Be an Afterthought – Especially with all the severe weather!

Don’t Let Your Farm Insurance Be an Afterthought

By: Robert Moore, Thursday, March 21st, 2024

Legal Groundwork

Think about your key farm advisors. You likely have regular conversations with your agronomist, veterinarian, equipment dealer, and grain buyer throughout the year. But when was the last time you spoke with your insurance agent?  For many farmers, insurance agents fall outside their regular circle of communication. This can be a risky oversight. Here’s why regular contact with your insurance agent is crucial:

  • Proactive Protection: Unlike other advisors you might consult reactively for problems, your insurance agent plays a preventative role. They ensure your farm has the right coverage to bounce back from unexpected events.
  • Customized Coverage: Farms are unique operations. A good insurance agent will understand your specific risks and tailor your policy accordingly. This could involve covering unique assets, activities, or environmental concerns.
  • Maximizing Coverage: Insurance policies can be complex. Regularly reviewing your policy with your agent helps ensure you understand your coverage details, including property value limits, replacement options, and liability protection levels.

Take Action Today: Schedule an Insurance Review

Here are some talking points to get the conversation started with your agent:

  • Policy Review:  Go over your current coverage thoroughly. Are all your farm properties and assets listed accurately? Are the listed values up-to-date to reflect true replacement costs?
  • Coverage Gaps: Discuss any unique farm activities or assets that might require additional coverage beyond your current policy.
  • Liability Needs:  Evaluate your current liability coverage. Is it sufficient for your operation?

An Investment in Peace of Mind

An hour or two spent with your insurance agent can make a world of difference in the event of a loss.  They can be your partner in safeguarding your farm’s financial future.  Don’t wait until a problem arises; take charge today and schedule a comprehensive insurance review.

For more information on farm insurance options, consult the Farm Insurance: Covering Your Assets bulletin available at farmoffice.osu.edu.