Kayla Scott, Graduate Research Associate, Department of Animal Sciences

Hosted by the departments of Animal Sciences and Extension at The Ohio State University, we are pleased to announce the offering of the Small Ruminant 509 program held in the Animal Sciences Building on the Columbus campus on June 13-14, 2025. Programs such as Beef and Pork 509 have shown success with bridging gaps in producer understandings of live animal production as it relates to carcass outcomes and overall meat quality. Up to this point, small ruminant producers in the state have had limited opportunities to participate in a program as such. The overall aim of this Extension program is to provide statewide education to sheep and goat producers looking to further their knowledge of live animal evaluation and selection, meat processing, meat quality, and the economics of marketing small ruminants, in a real-world, hands-on learning environment.

To showcase the versatility and variability of small ruminant production in Ohio, a number of different breeds and types of small ruminant animals will be utilized in this program. During the two-day event, participants will have the opportunity to evaluate animals on the hoof, with fleeces on and off, as well as evaluate animals in a live auction format, to estimate potential meat yield. Those estimates will then be matched with what the carcasses yield after harvest, by evaluating carcass characteristics in addition to cutability tests. Participants will also test their butchery skills by learning and understanding how to properly break down a carcass. Lastly, participants will be able to test their skills of preparation and cookery of different small ruminant products, by grilling and smoking different cuts of meat, to see the impacts that the method of preparation has on palatability. Registration can be found at go.osu.edu/SR509. For those that have questions about the event, feel free to contact Dr. Brady Campbell at campbell.1279@osu.edu.

Thanks,

By: Eric Richer, Associate Professor and Field Specialist, Farm Management, OSU Extension; Carl Zulauf, Professor Emeritus, OSU Department of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics; and Aaron Wilson, Assistant Professor and Field Specialist, Ag Weather and Climate, OSU Extension

According to the May 27 Crop Progress Report by USDA National Ag Statistics Service, Ohio had only 54% of corn planted, well behind the 5-year average of 73% planted. In 2024, 74% was planted by this report date. In 2019, a year with significant planting delay, only 22% of the corn had been planted by this report date. In that year, the wettest spring conditions were confined to northwest Ohio. In contrast, much more of the state has received well above average precipitation in 2025, with areas near the Ohio River and northeast Ohio seeing the largest difference compared to normal.

The lag in corn planting progress this year has prompted increasing interest in evaluating the Prevented Planting option available through multi-peril crop insurance. The purpose of this article is to walk through the options, mechanics, and economics of electing prevented planting for your corn crop utilizing 2025 values.

We are not crop insurance agents, so our most important message is that for those thinking about prevented planting talk sooner rather than later with your insurance agent.

In Ohio, June 5 is the date at which prevented planting becomes an electable option.  For soybeans, the date is June 20.

As of June 5, a farmer who has individual farm yield (YP) and revenue (RP and RP-HPE) insurance for corn has 3 basic options: Continue reading Considerations When Using the Prevented Planting Option →

Join us June 27^th for our Friday Escape to the Forest Webinar: On the Brink: Early Detection of Woodland Invasive Plant Species

Ohio State’s ANR educator Carrie Brown will take a look at which plant species may be your next invader.

Registration is available here

 Can’t join us live?  The webinar will be recorded and posted on the Woodland Stewards website https://woodlandstewards.osu.edu/resources/webinars

ISA and SAF continuing education credits have been applied for.

Here is a summary of reported rainfall totals for April from throughout Licking County.  For comparison, 2023 April average was 4.17 and 2024 April average was 6.70.  I can also tell you that most people have already exceeded the May totals for the last 2 years.

The Licking County Extension Office is currently taking applications for a part time Office Associate position.  The deadline for applications is May 18, 2025.

Position Highlights

The primary role of the support staff member in Licking County is to support the county office team members in their educational, research, and service efforts.

• Supporting all Extension program areas as requested, utilizing technology to create correspondence, newsletters, brochures, and flyers.
• Answering phones, assisting clients, coordinating calendars, creating reports, and maintaining records.
• Working as a team member to provide a high level of customer service, ensuring that the process is timely, efficient, and accurate.
• Maintaining program information including files and databases.
• Helping maintain the county’s general fiscal records, conducting or supporting banking, ensuring financial documents conform to university guidelines.
• Maintaining equipment inventory log, tracking equipment checked out of the office, and maintaining office supply inventory, copier, and other leased equipment contracts.

How to apply

Visit: hr.osu.edu/careers and search for job #R127807 (Office Services Coordinator 2) to view the complete position description and to apply.

OSU Extension’s Licking County Master Gardener Volunteers are providing two outdoor clinics in May.

May 17 – Choosing and preparing a vegetable garden plot.

May 31 – What to grow and how to grow it successfully.

Classes will be from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. at the Learning Garden behind the Extension Office.  In case of rain, classes will move into the polyhouse at the same location.

Click here for flyer

I continue to receive calls about poison Hemlock.  While it will soon be having white flowers and going to seed, we still need to work together to get this weed under control.

Poison hemlock is an invasive weed that continues to spread rapidly across Licking County as well as the rest of the state.  It is on the Ohio Noxious Weed List.  Ten years ago, you would find it in a few patches here and there but now you see it along almost every roadside, fence row, stream, and nature path.  The County, Townships, and Park Districts are working to control poison hemlock in their areas, but it is critical that property owners also eradicate this weed from their property.

Why is it important? 

All parts of poison hemlock are toxic to people and animals!  This is one of the deadliest plants in North America.  This plant is toxic through ingestion or absorption through sensitive areas such as the eyes or nasal passages.  Contrary to some social media posts, poison hemlock is not known to cause skin rashes.  Wild parsnip may grow in the same areas, has some similar appearance characteristics, and can cause severe skin irritation from contact.  It is important to be familiar with the differences between these two plants.  Wild parsnip has yellow flowers, does not have purple spotting on the stems, and has less of a lacelike appearance on the leaves.

Identification

Poison hemlock has a 2-year life cycle and will vary greatly in appearance depending on the stage in its life.  The plants will reach 6-10 ft. tall in their second year and in early summer will have white flowers that look similar to wild carrot.  The large stalks will have a characteristic purple spotted appearance. In the fall and early spring, poison hemlock will be found as a thick rosette.

Pictures thanks to Joe Boggs – OSU Extension

Control (From Purdue fact sheet FNR-437-W)

When the plants are big, the most effective control may be mowing to prevent seed production, followed with herbicide applications to rosettes and resprouts.

• Manual – Can be effective for single plants or very small infestations. Pull or dig up all plants, place in trash bag and dispose of with regular trash. Always wear protective clothing, including gloves and eye protection, to prevent the plant from contacting skin.
• Mechanical – Mowing or cutting may be effective control but must be repeated often because the taproot can send up new shoots after a single mowing. Tilling or grubbing can kill hemlock and prevent seed production but is generally not recommended because of soil disturbance.
• Chemical – Effective for large infestations and for spot spray applications to individuals and clumps. Herbicide application should be performed while the plant is actively growing and before flowering. First year basal rosettes may be sprayed from midsummer through fall. Second-year plants begin bolting flower stalks in April and begin flowering in mid-May. Follow-up treatments will be required, as seeds already present in the soil sprout. Follow label directions and use a surfactant to increase effectiveness. Some herbicide options are: Glyphosate containing at least a 41 percent concentration can be mixed to create a 2 percent spray solution. Thoroughly wet all surfaces of the plant but not to the point of runoff.  For other concentrations of glyphosate, adjust mixture according to the label.  Use caution with glyphosate as it is nonselective and will damage or kill any plant it contacts. Other options include 2,4-D or Triclopyr.  These are broadleaf-specific herbicides that will not harm grasses. Herbicides are most effective on first-year rosettes or very small second-year plants.

Glyphosate, 2,4-D, and Triclopyr are active ingredients in herbicides and are sold under a number of brand names.  These are commonly sold and used by homeowners.  Ask your supplier for assistance with brands they carry.

Once the plant has bloomed, chemical control is too late.  Seed is already formed and will likely be viable.  Mowing when seed has formed will likely spread the seed further. This seed typically survives about 2-3 years in the soil.

While noxious weeds in public right of ways are cared for by government organizations such as the township, county, or park district, it is very important that homeowners do their part to help prevent the spread of noxious plants.

For further information, look up articles by Joe Boggs in the Buckeye Yard & Garden online or contact your local OSU Extension office.  In Licking County, the number is 740-670-5315.

The Lamb Luau show will be taking place again this year on June 7, 2025.  This is a great opportunity to get those lambs and goats out to a show before the fair.  The event is organized by the Licking County Sheep Improvement Committee and sponsored by many local businesses.

Click on this link for the flyer with details:   Lamb Luau 2025 with logo