By Christine Gelley, Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator, Noble County OSU Extension – Published in the Ohio Beef Cattle Letter – https://u.osu.edu/beef/

Time remains to accomplish seedings.

With the drought conditions we have experienced this summer, many livestock producers and haymakers are concerned about the winter to come and how to stretch resources to next spring when the supply of stored forages will be low. Other than doing the rain dance and hoping for yield salvation on third cutting hay, what else can we do to boost forage availability now and through to the spring?

We can practice good management tactics. Those ones that we should be doing every year, but become more critical during times of stress, like now. We can restrict animals from overgrazing areas that we will need later this fall. We can consider reducing the size of the herd while prices are decent at the sale barn and have fewer mouths to feed through the winter. We can start shopping for supplemental winter feed now, because as supply dwindles and the months turn cold, demand will increase and so will costs.

There is limited time left to plant emergency annual forage crops, but it is an option. If we get some rain and a delayed frost, there may be a chance to push seeding beyond the recommended planting windows for annual forages in hopes of having forage available to graze or harvest yet this fall. In a normal year, this risk is probably not economically feasible. However, in a year where losing money on a forage planting, but having forage to eat is a better alternative than having none at all, it may still be worth it to try. It depends on how much you are willing to risk. Regardless, if you are going to take the risk, now is the time.

There is also the option to start beefing up your current pastures and hayfields with an August forage planting of perennial cool-season forages (image with planting recommendations included above, referenced from Athens County OSU Extension). Newly seeded forages will not provide more feed in 2024, but they should provide assistance with recovery from 2024 stress in the 2025 growing season.

*Here is some advice for fall management of recently seeded forages, whether annual or perennial:

• Late-Summer/Fall Seeded Perennial Forage Mixes-
  • These forages should not be harvested, clipped, or grazed until the following year (spring). It is usually best to do the first harvest mechanically. Do not graze these plantings until soils are firm.
• Annual Small Grains-
  • Harvest/Graze before the early heading stage. Grazing can begin at 6 inches. Leave 3-inch stubble if expecting regrowth. Do not graze when the plants are frozen if you are expecting spring regrowth.
• Annual Brassicas-
  • Begin grazing these forages about 80 days after seeding through 150-180 days after seeding or as it lasts. These forages are ideal for strip grazing. You can rotationally graze if 6-inch stubble remains. Provide adequate fiber to animals at all times to prevent digestive upset.
• Annual Warm-Season Grasses-
  • Harvest/Graze before seed heads form. Grazing can begin at 18 inches for most types. Leave 8-inch stubble for most types. Do not graze if expecting a freeze. Wait a week after a freezing event to graze again to avoid issues with prussic acid and/or nitrate poisoning.

Here is some guidance for managing established perennial forages:

• Cool-Season Forage Mixes-
  • If stockpiling pasture for fall/winter grazing, stop grazing now. Fertilize with a maintenance amount of nitrogen early September. Begin grazing in the fall when sufficient growth has occurred. Leave at least 3-inch residual after grazing.
• Warm-Season Forage Mixes-
  • Stop grazing by early-September leaving 8-inches of stubble. Apply maintenance fertilizer as needed after the last grazing event. Allow theses forages to rest and regrow until May.

*This advice does not apply to horses. Do not graze horses on any of the forages listed under “recently seeded forages”. For additional recommendations on fall grazing for horses, or to address scenarios not described in this article, reach out to your OSU Extension Educator.

By Ryan McMichael, Mercer County Extension Educator, Agriculture & Natural Resources, Jordan Penrose, Morgan County Extension Educator, Agriculture & Natural Resources, Lee Beers, CCA, Trumbull County Extension Educator, Agriculture & Natural Resources, Stephanie Karhoff, CCA, Field Specialist, Agronomic Systems  – Published in the Agronomic Crops Network C.O.R.N Newsletter – https://agcrops.osu.edu/

Disease pressure remains relatively low across the state as cooler temperatures continue for a few more days. Main field activities this past week included fungicide applications in corn and soybeans, second- and third-cutting hay, and tiling in harvested wheat fields. Keep reading for region-specific details from Ohio State University Extension Educators and Specialists.

Central & West Central – Ryan McMichael of OSU Extension Mercer County reported that soybean has reached the R6 growth stage (full seed) and is in good condition despite weed escapes. So far, the most problematic weed species are volunteer corn, velvet leaf, giant ragweed, and waterhemp. Corn is also in good condition and early planted fields have reached dent growth stage (R5).

Southeast – OSU Extension Educator Jordan Penrose of Morgan County shared that both corn and soybean are in fair condition. Weed and pest pressure remain low, but the area is still extremely dry, especially south of I-70. Second-cutting hay is being made, but reported yields are low. Continued dry conditions haven also taken a toll on pasture fields, as area growers start to feed hay.

Northeast – Lee Beers of OSU Extension Trumbull County reported that corn and soybean are in good condition with adequate soil moisture levels. Soybean growth stage ranges from R2 (full bloom) to R6 (full seed), and corn is anywhere between R2 (blister) and R4 (dough). Disease pressure is low, with no signs yet of white mold in soybean, and low incidence and severity of tar spot and northern corn leaf blight in corn so far. Severe storms however damaged property and lodged several hundred acres of corn, with lodging severe in some instances.

Fields damaged by August 6 storms in Northeast Ohio.

By Clint Schroeder, Program Manager, Ohio Farm Business Analysis Program, Eric Richer, Associate Professor and Field Specialist, Farm Management, and Amanda Bennett Miami County Extension Educator, Agriculture & Natural Resources – Published in the Ohio Ag Manager Blog – https://u.osu.edu/ohioagmanager/

Click here for PDF version of the article

Results from a quarterly survey of retail fertilizer prices in the state of Ohio revealed fertilizer prices were slightly lower than the July national averages reported by Progressive Farmer for the second consecutive quarter – DTN (Quinn, 2024). The survey was completed by 17 retailers, representing 11 counties, who do business in the state of Ohio. Respondents were asked to quote spot prices as of the first day of the quarter (July 1st) based on sale type indicated. This is part of a larger study conducted by OSU Extension to better understand local fertilizer prices, which began in December 2023.

In summary, survey participants reported the average price of all fertilizers was lower in Ohio compared to the national prices, with Potash ($456/ton in Ohio versus $506/ton nationally) and 28% UAN ($309/ton in Ohio compared to $345/ton nationally) offering the largest discounts (Quinn, 2024).

The chart below (Table 1.) is the summary of the survey responses. The responses (n) are the number of survey responses for each product. The minimum and maximum values reflect the minimum and maximum values reported in the survey. The average is the simple average of all survey responses for each product rounded to the nearest dollar. We recognize that many factors influence a company’s spot price for fertilizer including but not limited to availability, geography, volume, cost of freight, competition, regulation, etc.

Table 1. Third Quarter 2024 Ohio Fertilizer Prices

When compared to results from the previous quarter’s survey, prices for nitrogen products saw a modest decrease in price while phosphates were mixed with MAP increasing while DAP and 10-34-0 were lower. Potash prices decreased for the second consecutive quarter, coming in $34/ton lower than in the first quarterly report. Conversely, Sulfates were mixed with Ammonium Sulfate prices increasing again to $581/ton, which is $63/ton higher than at the beginning of 2024. Ammonium Thio-Sulfate price had a slight decrease of $7/ton. If you are a retailer interested in participating in this study, please contact Amanda Bennett at bennett.709@osu.edu.

Resources

Bennett, A., Richer, E., & Schroeder, C. (2024). 2024 First Quarter Fertilizer Prices Across Ohio. Ohio Ag Manager Blog. https://u.osu.edu/ohioagmanager/2024/01/17/first-quarter-2024-fertilizer-prices-across-ohio/

Bennett, A., Richer, E., & Schroeder, C. (2024). 2024 Second Quarter Fertilizer Prices Across Ohio. Ohio Ag Manager Blog. https://u.osu.edu/ohioagmanager/2024/04/15/2024-second-quarter-fertilizer-prices-across-ohio/

Quinn, R. 2024. DTN Retail Fertilizer Trends. DTN Progressive Farmer. Accessed online July 10, 2024 at https://www.dtnpf.com/agriculture/web/ag/crops/article/2024/07/10/anhydrous-urea-lead-retail-prices

By Stephen R. Koontz, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Colorado State University – Published in Ohio BEEF Cattle Letter – https://u.osu.edu/beef/

US corn acres were projected higher than anticipated.

The end of June was the second major feed market impacting report. USDA NASS Acreage revealed 91.5 million acres of corn to be planted. That is up from the 90.0 million acres reported in the Prospective Plantings report from March. Of the 91.5 million acres, 3.4 million acres had yet to be planted when the survey was conducted and that occurs the first two weeks of June. Some of the strongest jumps in plants between the March and June reports were in Kansas and Nebraska. Corn basis in the southern plains has been strong for years and this jump in acreage has likely that market in mind.

It will be interesting to see the WASDE in two weeks. If there is any forecasted increase in usage for new crop corn – because with these acres and trend yields then corn production will be better than 15 billion bushels. And if usage remains steady, then the stocks-to-use ratio will increase to more than 16%. This level of stocks has not been seen since the 2005/06 crop year. New crop corn futures have fallen to between $4.15-$4.20 and $4.00 will be pressured if yields are better than the trend, which seems likely given the rainfall that much of the corn belt has seen. The cattle – and every other protein animal – industry is looking at prospects of the lowest feed grain prices in years.

What about forage prices? Alfalfa hay is down around $200 per ton nationally and in many regions. Other hay is around $150 per ton. Prices for lower-quality cattle and feedlot hay have relaxed a lot this spring. This hay in Nebraska, Colorado, and Kansas is bringing just better than $100 per ton and there are several reported transactions below $100 especially of big round bales. There will be a good bit of rained-on hay in the southeast, in the corn belt, and in the northern plains.

And pasture conditions? Nationally, 25% is in the Poor and Very Poor category. Western states are in very good shape and comparable to last year at just below 20%. The Great Plains and Southern Plains regions are also in good shape and comparable to last year. Finally, the southeast is much improved over the dry conditions observed last fall. The Drought Monitor is much improved this year in corn, forage and pasture, and cattle growing regions.

Further, we continue to see some reduction in the long-fed inventories. Cattle on feed for more than 150 days – calculated from the report last week – are still strong compared to last year and strong compared to all but the peak of the COVID disruptions. But inventories are down sharply from the prior month. And cattle on feed for over 120 days – also calculated – are below those from 2022 and 2021. That is the first time in nine months. The longest-fed inventories remain the burden but are being cleaned up.

By Trevor Corboy, Brown County Extension Educator, Agriculture & Natural Resources and Community Development, Kendra Stahl, Crawford County Extension Educator, Agriculture & Natural Resources, Dean Kreager Licking County Extension Educator, Agriculture & Natural Resources, Jacob Winters, Auglaize County Extension Educator, Agriculture & Natural Resources, Stephanie Karhoff, CCA, Field Specialist, Agronomic Systems  – Published in the Agronomic Crops Network C.O.R.N Newsletter – https://agcrops.osu.edu/

The southern half of the state remains especially dry as corn and first crop soybean enter early reproductive stages. Field issues Ohio State University Extension Educators and Specialists have seen this past week include gray leaf spot on corn, poor weed control, and chlorosis or yellowing in soybean.

Southwest – Trevor Corboy of OSU Extension in Brown County reported that the region received anywhere between 0.5 – 2.5 inches of rainfall, as dry conditions persist. Main field activities in southwest Ohio included 2nd cutting hay and herbicides being applied to double crop soybean fields. Both soybean and corn are in good condition and wheat harvest is nearly complete.

Northwest – Kendra Stahl of OSU Extension Crawford County shared that wheat harvest is on average >85% complete in northwest Ohio. Growers have also been busy finishing 2nd cutting hay, double crop soybean planting, and baling straw. First crop soybean is in fair condition, and corn is in good condition. Early symptoms of gray leaf spot were seen after humid conditions 2-3 weeks prior. The most common weed issues so far have been giant ragweed, velvet leaf, volunteer corn, foxtail, and waterhemp.

Southeast – OSU Extension Licking County Extension Educator Dean Kreager reported that rainfall has been variable across the region but well below average since early June. Dry conditions have slowed forage growth in hay and pasture fields, but corn is in excellent condition as it begins to tassel. Soybean in fair condition and earlier planted fields have reached R1 (flowering).

Central and West Central – Jacob Winters of OSU Extension Auglaize County shared that fungicide applications in corn began in some areas this past week. Other field activities included tillage, herbicide applications, and second cutting hay. Wheat harvest is ≥80% complete in the region. Corn planted in April and early May has begun tasseling and is in good condition. Soybeans are approaching flowering and are also in good condition. Yellowing soybeans were observed in West Central Ohio, potentially from potassium deficiency, dry conditions, and/or herbicide damage.