Month: May 2014

Rainfall Patterns Create Challenging Crop Growing Season

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November 7, 2013

Agricultural News Release

For more information, contact Mark Badertscher

OSU Extension Educator, Agriculture and Natural Resources

419-674-2297 or badertscher.4@osu.edu

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Rainfall Patterns Create Challenging Crop Growing Season
by Mark Badertscher, OSU Extension Educator

Ohio State University Extension, Hardin County – With the help of fifteen volunteer rainfall reporters, the Hardin County Extension office has collected unofficial township rainfall data for the past twenty-one consecutive years. This year, the last half of April was wetter than normal, delaying planting until later in May. Late June and July brought heavy rains to Hardin County, flooding soybeans on low ground and delaying wheat harvest.

Although most of the corn crop tolerated the rain, soybeans on low ground or in poorly drained soils were severely stressed. The corn crop did well until a July windstorm, when several fields suffered damage. The corn straightened up and continued to grow well in areas of the county where the planting date and rainfall worked in its favor. The heavy rains in late June and July also brought several fungus related diseases to both the soybean and corn crops. The timely rains did a good job pollinating the corn.

August brought less rain than normal, causing some upper pods of the soybeans difficulty, producing poor fill or small beans. During the growing season, from April 15 through October 15, average rainfall was 24.43 inches. This is only 0.06 inches below the ten-year average growing season precipitation, but 1.89 more inches of rain than last year’s growing season. Harvest came later this year, with some corn still in the fields due to excess rains in October.

Soybean harvest is nearly complete now, but harvest in a few remaining fields has been slowed or stopped by wet conditions. Although most corn has been harvested, several fields still remain to be shelled. Grain yields have been quite variable, depending greatly on the date of planting and the occurrence of scattered summer showers on each particular farm. Overall, soybeans yields are reported down, while many corn yields are better than normal.

Fall planting of winter wheat has emerged with good stands, although few acres have been planted. Acres of cover crops are on the rise with several farmers exploring the benefits of soil conservation and nutrient recycling. There has been a large amount of fall tillage in the county, possibly to help aerate the soil from the summer rains and help reduce compaction with less need for spring tillage work.

The most rainfall recorded during the growing season was 28.99 inches in Jackson Township by Jim McVitty. The least amount of rain was recorded in Dudley Township by Dale Rapp, with 20.22 for the season. A range of 8.77 inches in rainfall accumulation from high to low across Hardin County is an indication of the variability in rainfall across Hardin County in 2013.

Editor: See attached table for your use.

Season Rainfall 2013 summary

Soybean Research Conducted in Hardin County

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October 30, 2013

Agricultural News Release

For more information, contact Mark Badertscher

OSU Extension Educator, Agriculture and Natural Resources

419-674-2297 or badertscher.4@osu.edu

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Soybean Research Conducted in Hardin County

by Mark Badertscher, OSU Extension Educator

Ohio State University Extension, Hardin County – Five Hardin County soybean fields were part of a statewide OSU Extension Soybean Yield-Limiting Factor Study to determine how to increase production, profits, and quality for local farmers. This research was conducted in 60-70 fields in Ohio, collecting information about soil quality, pests, and management practices. Fields were mapped using Global Positioning System (GPS) points based on two normal production areas and one low production area. Separate soil tests were taken in each area for soil quality and presence of soybean cyst nematode. Field scouting was done to determine the type and amount of insects, weeds, and diseases at two different stages of crop growth, while leaf samples were collected at the flowering growth stage of the soybean plants.

A cultural practices survey was completed identifying crop rotation, tillage methods, seed information, planting information, field drainage, fertilization, and pest management. Harvest date and yield data was collected for each of the three areas in each field. A grain sample was taken from each area for lab analysis of protein and oil content. Data collection was a collaborative effort among faculty, graduate students, and Extension personnel. Soil quality factors, pests, and soybean yield will be correlated to management practices using multivariate analysis conducted by the Ohio State Statistical Consulting Center.

Research results and recommendations will be shared as statewide information to improve soybean production in Ohio. Laura Lindsey, Assistant Professor of Soybean and Small Grain Production, Department of Horticulture and Crop Science at The Ohio State University, was the lead researcher with this study. Cooperating Hardin County farmers participating in this study were Craig Geberin, Ted Griffith, Jan Layman, Paul Ralston, and Mark Watkins. The study was made possible in part by a grant from the Ohio Soybean Council.

 

Improved Practices Goal of Sheep Tour

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October 23, 2013

Agricultural News Release

For more information, contact Mark Badertscher

OSU Extension Educator, Agriculture and Natural Resources

419-674-2297 or badertscher.4@osu.edu

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Improved Practices Goal of Sheep Tour

by Mark Badertscher, OSU Extension Educator

Ohio State University Extension, Hardin County – The Hardin County Sheep Improvement Association will be touring three sheep farms and two sheep industry related locations as part of the annual Hardin County Sheep Management Tour being held October 26-27. A group of 25 active and retired sheep producers will be making stops in Hancock County, Holmes County, and Marion County to learn about best sheep production approved practices. They will also be hearing about new or different philosophies of raising and marketing sheep and wool. An emphasis on the trip will be innovative and interesting ideas which help in the management of day-to-day production chores as well as finding improved ways of accomplishing tasks.

The group will meet at a restaurant for breakfast to go over the weekend’s plans, and then visit the University of Findlay Animal Sciences Center. This new facility is used to teach students livestock production management practices as well as instruct pre-veterinary students. The group will then travel to Holmes County to tour the Mt. Hope Auction. This auction is a major sheep market for Ohio producers who are looking for steady stream of buyers and sellers to maximize their operation’s profits. The group will then stop at a Holmes County Dorset sheep farm which conducts its own pregnancy tests and practices sound record keeping. They will enjoy Amish home cooking and hospitality in-between stops as part of the tour.

After spending the night in Holmes County, the second day of the Hardin County Sheep Management Tour will include another stop at a Holmes County sheep farm which raises Dorset crossbreds. This farm is unique because it is operated by a veterinarian who feeds barley instead of corn in the sheep rations. The group will then travel to Marion County for its final stop to see how a producer, who is a board member of the Ohio Sheep Improvement Association, uses progressive ideas to raise the Shropshire breed. The group will then conclude its tour by traveling back to Hardin County to share information with other local producers and put their newly acquired ideas into practice.

Giant Ragweed, Marestail Problem Weeds in Some Area Soybean Fields

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October 15, 2013

Agricultural News Release

For more information, contact Mark Badertscher

OSU Extension Educator, Agriculture and Natural Resources

419-674-2297 or badertscher.4@osu.edu

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Giant Ragweed, Marestail Problem Weeds in Some Area Soybean Fields

by Mark Badertscher, OSU Extension Educator

Ohio State University Extension, Hardin County – Giant Ragweed and Marestail (horseweed) are problem weeds in some Hardin County soybean fields this fall. A survey of 105 Hardin County soybean fields was conducted in September to determine which weeds are considered problem weeds in the county. There were also some fields with some volunteer corn, which had grown from the previous year’s crop. This on-going research is conducted annually by OSU Extension to find out which weeds are competing with crops for nutrients and moisture, which decreases yields while increasing herbicide and other input costs.

The weed survey was conducted over a three day period, driving around the county and stopping at each intersection on a chosen route. Weeds were scouted from the road in standing soybean fields with amounts being recorded as widespread, large patches, or occasional. After being recorded, these results are sent to OSU Weed Scientist Mark Loux for further analysis and statewide comparison. The study will then be repeated yearly to find out the pattern of weed infestation around the county and state from year to year. This information gives OSU Extension specialists better information for making weed control recommendations as some weeds are becoming resistant to certain herbicides that were once used to control them. Although 68 fields were found to contain weeds, 37 fields were considered weed free.

Giant ragweed was found in 32 fields with 9 widespread, 4 large patches, and 19 occasional. Marestail (horseweed) was found in 28 fields with 3 wide spread, 6 large patches, and 19 occasional. Volunteer corn was found in 32 fields with 0 widespread, 4 large patches, and 28 occasional. Other weeds occurring in smaller amounts were giant foxtail in 5 fields with 2 widespread, 1 large patch, and 2 occasional. Pigweed was found in 4 fields with 1 widespread, 1 large patch, and 2 occasional. Lambsquarter was found in 4 fields with 1 widespread, 2 large patches, and 1 occasional. Cocklebur was found in 1 field, occurring occasionally.

 

giant ragweed

Giant Ragweed

Marestail

Marestail (horseweed)

 

Extension Rainfall Report for September 2013

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October 9, 2013

Agricultural News Release

For more information, contact Mark Badertscher

OSU Extension Educator, Agriculture and Natural Resources

419-674-2297 or badertscher.4@osu.edu

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Extension Rainfall Report for September 2013

by Mark Badertscher, OSU Extension Educator

Ohio State University Extension, Hardin County – During the month of September, Extension volunteer rainfall reporters received an average of 3.23 inches of rain. The most rain for this month, 3.7 inches, fell in Taylor Creek Township, as measured by Silver Creek Supply. The least rain reported during the month, 2.5 inches, was reported in Roundhead Township by Mike Lautenschlager. During the same month last year, an average of 6.81 inches of rain fell. The rainfall recorded in September over the past ten years averaged 3.85 inches.

For the growing season since April 15, the average precipitation in the townships was 21.71 inches, ranging from 26.43 inches in Jackson Township to 17.25 inches in Dudley Township. Even with the higher rainfall during late June and the month of July, the growing season average rainfall was still 1.73 inches below the ten year average for Hardin County for the same period. Recent heavy rains have paused soybean harvest, but farmers should be back in the fields once crop moisture and field conditions improve.

Editor: See attached table for your use.

September 2013 summary