Author: Mark Badertscher

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

Western Bean Cutworms Not in Traps This Year

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OSU Extension Logo

October 2, 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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Western Bean Cutworms Not in Traps This Year

by Mark Badertscher, OSU Extension Educator

Ohio State University Extension, Hardin County – Western Bean Cutworms were not caught in Hardin County OSU Extension traps this growing season. Four bucket type traps were placed around the county starting in July and were checked weekly for this pest by trapping the adult moth. The trapping of this agricultural crop pest is a part of a statewide OSU Extension monitoring program.

According to the OSU Department of Entomology, the Western Bean Cutworm was historically found in the western Corn Belt, where it was a common pest of dry beans and a sporadic pest of corn. Starting in the year 2000, economic damage from this pest was found on corn in Iowa and Minnesota. Since then, this pest has continued to rapidly spread eastward, reaching Ohio in 2006. Most moths have been caught in the extreme northwest or west central portion of Ohio.

The adults emerge in late June–early July after fully grown larvae overwinter inside soil chambers in the soil 3–8 inches deep. The adults are mostly dark brown and black, with three characteristic markings that distinguish them from other moths: (1) a white stripe on the top edge of the forewing, (2) a light brown tan colored dot, and (3) a comma or crescent-shaped mark behind the dot. Mid-flight of the adults usually occurs in mid-July, with adult flight ending by mid to late August. There is one generation per year.

Larvae are tan in color, and can be identified by two broad stripes immediately behind the head. Other characteristics of WBCW larvae are absence of microspines on the body (unlike corn earworm) and lack of net-like marks on the head capsule (unlike corn earworm larvae). In pre-tassel corn, larvae will move to the whorl to feed on the flag leaf and unemerged tassel. Once the tassel emerges, larvae then move to the ear, while feeding on corn pollen, leaf tissue, and silks. By the 4th instar, larvae will enter the ear through the tip, or 7th instar, larvae emerge from the ear and fall to the ground to overwinter in soil chambers. Pupation occurs in May, immediately before adult emergence.

Larvae are tan in color, and can be identified by two broad stripes immediately behind the head. Other characteristics of WBCW larvae are absence of microspines on the body (unlike corn earworm) and lack of net-like marks on the head capsule (unlike corn earworm larvae). In pre-tassel corn, larvae will move to the whorl to feed on the flag leaf and unemerged tassel. Once the tassel emerges, larvae then move to the ear, while feeding on corn pollen, leaf tissue, and silks. By the 4th instar, larvae will enter the ear through the tip, or 7th instar, larvae emerge from the ear and fall to the ground to overwinter in soil chambers. Pupation occurs in May, immediately before adult emergence.

Hardin County cooperating farmers participating in this local research were Dan Hiller, Jerry Layman, Steve Poland, and Paul Ralston. For more information on the Western Bean Cutworm, see OSU Fact Sheet FC-ENT-40-09 written by Andy Michel, Celeste Welty, Ronald Hammond, and James Eisley.

Western Bean Cutworm Adult

Western Bean Cutworm Adult

Western Bean Cutwrom Larva

Western Bean Cutworm Larva

Agriculture Hall of Fame Nominations Sought

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OSU Extension Logo

September 24, 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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Agriculture Hall of Fame Nominations Sought

by Mark Badertscher, OSU Extension Educator

Ohio State University Extension, Hardin County – Applications will be accepted for the 2013 Hardin County Agriculture Hall of Fame through the end of business on October 15. Nominees must have made their major contribution to agriculture primarily as a result of being born, growing up, living in, or working in Hardin County, Ohio. Outstanding agriculturalists may be nominated by individuals or organizations. Nomination forms are available at the Hardin County OSU Extension office or on the Hardin County OSU Extension website at: hardin.osu.edu. Completed forms must be returned to the OSU Extension Office, 1021 W. Lima Street, Suite 103, Kenton, Ohio, 43326, no later than October 15, 2013.

The Purpose of the Hardin County Agriculture Hall of Fame is to recognize and honor outstanding contributions to agriculture by Hardin County people. Annual awards will be made to men or women who have been instrumental to the success and excellence of agriculture, either as a farmer or in an agriculturally related field. We desire to honor and give public recognition to those who have brought distinction to themselves, have made outstanding contributions to their professions, and whose community involvement has served as a stimulus to others. Selected individuals who have been instrumental to the success and excellence of agriculture, will be honored at the Agriculture Hall of Fame Awards Banquet, scheduled for Tuesday, December 3, 2013.

Ag Hall of Fame Purpose and Nomination form 2013     Ag Hall of Fame Purpose and Nomination form 2013

County Fair Champion Carcasses Evaluated at Annual Carcass Show

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OSU Extension Logo

September 17, 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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County Fair Champion Carcasses Evaluated at Annual Carcass Show

by Mark Badertscher, OSU Extension Educator

Ohio State University Extension, Hardin County – The Hardin County Carcass Show of Champions was held this past week at Mt. Victory Meats. A group of adults and young people were on hand to hear judge Lorraine English discuss the merits of the winning animal carcasses from the 2013 Hardin County Fair. English, a recent OSU graduate and past member of the OSU Meats Judging Team, is this year’s coach of the OSU Meats Judging Team. She has judged numerous county fair carcass shows.

The Grand Champion and Reserve Champion steers, barrows, gilts, lambs, and goats from the Hardin County Fair are sent to Mt. Victory Meats for holding and processing. As in all county fairs, the winning animals are carefully tested by the Ohio Department of Agriculture for any illegal residues. These winning animals were again found to be drug free and of high quality.

The project animals are evaluated in the show ring by experienced judges, who try to estimate which one will yield the highest quality of lean meat. For the Carcass Show, actual measurements are taken of the weight, muscle, and fat to determine the quality and amount of meat which can be harvested from the meat animals.

The steers were evaluated for percent boneless trim retail cuts, as well as USDA quality grades. The champion steer had a 14.8 square inch ribeye area, with 0.70 inches of back fat. The marbling in the ribeye gave the champion a choice quality grade. The first place steer had yield grade of 3.3 (on a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 has the most meat). The reserve champion steer had a 14.6 square inch ribeye area, 0.50 inches of back fat, and a higher yield grade of 2.8. This second place steer also received a choice quality grade. Because of this higher yield grade, the reserve champion steer’s carcass ranked higher than the champion steer’s carcass.

The hog carcasses are evaluated based on the amount of lean muscle they will yield in combination with the amount of back fat. On the four hog carcasses in the show, the loin muscle areas ranged from 8.2 to 10.7 square inches, with the champion gilt having the largest loin muscle area. The champion gilt also scored the highest percent lean muscle with 9.5 percentage points higher than the reserve champion barrow. The champion gilt also had a lower amount of back fat than any of the other hogs. Overall, the champion gilt’s carcass ranked higher than the reserve champion gilt. The reserve champion barrow’s carcass ranked higher than the champion barrow because of carcass quality.

The champion and reserve champion lamb carcasses had similar boneless trim retail cuts with both animals finishing out at 47%. Although both lambs were similar in percentage of muscle, the quality grades and adjusted boneless trim retail cuts placed the reserve champion lamb’s carcass over the champion lamb’s carcass. The reserve champion lamb’s carcass graded low prime with 43.9% adjusted boneless trim retail cuts while the champion lamb’s carcass graded high choice with 41.9% adjusted boneless trim retail cuts.

When comparing the goat carcasses, the reserve champion goat’s carcass was 8 pounds heavier with 48.1% boneless trim retail cuts and had a ribeye area of 2.1 square inches. The champion goat’s carcass dressed out with 47.6% boneless retail cuts but only had a ribeye area of 1.7 square inches. Back fat was negligible as the reserve champion carcass ranked higher than the champion goat’s carcass when evaluated by the carcass show judge.

The carcass show animals illustrate the high quality of meat animals being produced by Hardin County 4-H and FFA members. These young people and their parents need to be commended on the outstanding job they are doing with the feeding and care of their project animals. The complete carcass show data is available at the OSU Extension office and on Hardin County Extension’s website at: http://hardin.osu.edu/ , under the Announcements area. It can also be found on the Hardin County Extension Facebook page.

The Carcass Show of Champions is organized by the Hardin County OSU Extension staff, and is sponsored by the Hardin County Sheep Improvement Association, the Hardin County Pork Producers, the Hardin County Cattle Producers, the Hardin County Fairboard, and Craig and Ed Powell at Mt. Victory Meats.

Hardin Co 2013 Carcass Results

Carcass Show

Lorraine English served as the official judge of the Hardin County Carcass Show of Champions.

Extension Rainfall Report for August 2013

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September 12, 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 August 2013

by Mark Badertscher, OSU Extension Educator

Ohio State University Extension, Hardin County – During the month of August, Extension volunteer rainfall reporters received an average of 1.94 inches of rain. The most rain for this month, 3.33 inches, fell in Marion Township, as measured by Mark Lowery. The least rain reported during the month, 1.25 inches, was reported in Taylor Creek Township by Silver Creek Supply. During the same month last year, an average of 3.84 inches of rain fell. The rainfall recorded in August over the past ten years averaged 4.50 inches.

For the growing season since April 15, the average precipitation in the townships was 18.48 inches, ranging from 23.10 inches in Jackson Township to 14.64 inches in Dudley Township. The growing season average rainfall was 1.11 inches below the ten year average for Hardin County for the same period.

Some farmers are taking delivery of lime to be applied on fields to raise soil pH values as per soil test recommendations. Some corn fields have experienced nitrogen stress from the large amounts of rain received in late June and through July followed by a dry August. Soybeans are beginning to mature, turning yellow with some fields dropping leaves which will soon signal the beginning of fall harvest.

Editor: See attached table for your use.

August 2013 summary

Extension Rainfall Report for July 2013

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August 8, 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 July 2013

by Mark Badertscher, OSU Extension Educator

Ohio State University Extension, Hardin County – In the month of July, Extension rainfall reporters recorded an average of 7.4 inches of rain in Hardin County. Last year, the average rainfall for July was 3.09 inches. This past month was an extremely wet month as rainfall was 3.21 inches above the ten year average rainfall for the month of July. Jim McVitty, in Jackson Township, received 9.55 inches of rain for the month, the most of any of the township sites. The least rain in July, 4.91 in., was collected in Hale Township by Tim Ramsey. For the growing season from April 15 through July, the average precipitation in the townships was 16.53 inches, with a range from 12.75 to 21.32 inches. Weather continued to play a role in the crop growth and development as wheat harvest was delayed by the constant rains in the early part of July, affecting grain quality. There was also a high wind event that accompanied one storm which left some corn blown over in parts of some fields, most of which has recovered. Soybeans that were drowned out early in the growing season have been stunted in some areas and will not recover in other areas. The wet conditions have encouraged some root rot and related fungal diseases in the soybean crop. Crop conditions are better in well-drained soils, with corn showing the most tolerance to the wet weather.

Editor: See attached table for your use.

July 2013 summary

Semi Annual Cheese Sale

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NEWS ARTICLE – August 29, 2013

For more information, contact Mark Badertscher at the Extension Office 419-674-2297

SEMI ANNUAL CHEESE SALE
The Hardin County Dairy Service Unit is holding their semiannual cheese sale. There are a variety of cheese to choose from including Colby, Muenster, Smoked Cheddar, Mozzarella; KoJack, American Processed, Farmers Cheese, Cheddar; Big Eye Swiss, Baby Swiss, Lacey Swiss (low cholesterol, low fat), Hot Pepper, and Trail Bologna. Cheese is in approximately 2 pound units, except for the American and Hot Pepper Cheese which are sold in 5 pound loaves. The bologna comes in 1-1 3/4 pound rings.

Order forms can be obtained at the Extension Office (419-674-2297) at 1021 W. Lima St. Suite 103 or online at hardin.osu.edu. Deadline for ordering cheese is October 22, with pick-up dates November 1st from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. or November 2nd from 9:00 until 12:00 p.m. at the home of Dan and Molly Wagner. Those orders not picked up will be considered canceled. No deliveries will be made. Pay amount due at pick-up.

Cheese sale fall

image001
Carrie Newland
Office Associate
OSU Extension Hardin County Office
1021 W. Lima St., Suite 103
Kenton OH 43326
419-674-2297
http://hardin.osu.edu

Extension Rainfall Report for June 2013

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July 5, 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 June 2013

by Mark Badertscher, OSU Extension Educator

Ohio State University Extension, Hardin County – In the month of June, Extension rainfall reporters recorded an average of 4.21 inches of rain in Hardin County. Last year, the average rainfall for June was 1.63 inches. Rainfall for the current month is 0.09 inches less for the month than for the ten year average rainfall in the month of June. Cessna Township received 6.27 inches for the month, the most of any of the township sites. The least rain in June, 2.45 inches was collected in Liberty Township. For the growing season since April 15, the average precipitation in all the townships was 9.13 inches, with a wide range from 6.54 inches in Dudley Township to 12.17 inches in Cessna Township. Much needed rains came in late June as rainfall was spotty earlier in the month. Corn roots have grown out into the nitrogen bands of fertilizer and the plants have grown significantly and turned a dark green color. Soybeans have begun to canopy, but are showing stress in areas from too much rain all at once. Wheat harvest will be delayed because of wet weather and needs hot, dry days before farmers can begin to cut the crop.

Editor: See attached table for your use.

June 2013 summary

Hardin County Fair Carcass Show of Champions

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August 28, 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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Hardin County Fair Carcass Show of Champions

by Mark Badertscher, OSU Extension Educator

Ohio State University Extension, Hardin County – Did you ever wonder how well the grand and reserve champion fair animals will grade out on the rail? The OSU Extension office is pleased to announce the 2013 Hardin County Fair Carcass Show of Champions to be held Tuesday, September 10 at 6:00 pm. The annual carcass show will be held at Mt. Victory Meats, 670 East Marion Street in Mt. Victory. The carcass show will evaluate the meat value of the grand champion and reserve champion steers, barrows, gilts, lambs, and goats.

Carcass value will be determined by evaluating the dressing percentage, square inches of loin, external fat thickness, internal fat, quality grade, yield grade, and adjusted percent of muscle. Carcass information is very important to breeding livestock operations for making genetic improvements in their seed stock animals and also serves as an effective marketing tool for producers who sell their livestock for meat. The Hardin County Fair Carcass Show of Champions is sponsored by Ohio State University Extension, Mt. Victory Meats, the Hardin County Fairboard, the Hardin County Sheep Improvement Association, the Hardin County Cattle Producers, and the Hardin County Pork Producers.

2013 carcass show flier

Hardin County Crop Walk

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August 13, 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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Hardin County Crop Walk

by Mark Badertscher, OSU Extension Educator

Ohio State University Extension, Hardin County – How does your garden grow? The Hardin County OSU Extension is sponsoring a Crop Walk program on Tuesday, August 20 from 6:00-8:30 pm. The program will include an emphasis on fruit and vegetable production. The location of the program will be 19809 County Road 200, Mt. Victory, Ohio 43340, which is about a half mile past the Scioto Valley Produce Auction.

OSU Extension Horticulturist Brad Bergefurd will be giving recommendations on plant nutrition and soil fertility. Dr. Sally Miller, plant pathologist from the OSU Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center will be discussing plant disease problems common with fruits and vegetables. Dr. Celeste Welty, OSU entomologist will share information about how to manage insect pests while keeping the beneficial insects around.

The program will be held outside so bring your lawn chair and umbrella in case of rain. There will be a diagnostic table so be sure to bring along any plant problems, plant diseases, and insect specimens for questions and answers. The program will conclude with walk through a produce patch, pointing out produce issues and how to deal with them.

2013 Crop Walk Flier