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Developing a Farm Digital Strategy 1 – Introduction

| Clifton Martin

Digital technologies today are shaping how we do business and how we conduct our personal lives. Smart phones, iPads, tablets, and other devices are used daily by people of all ages around the globe. Precision agriculture (PA) technologies are also now common on farms. Farm machinery comes from the manufacturer with technologies already embedded including internet connection capabilities already installed. This abundance of technology is capable of collecting large volumes of data for a field.

From OSU Factsheet FABE-555, Developing a Farm Digital Strategy 1 – Introduction

This fact sheet is part of a 3-part series examining digital technology in agriculture and considerations for farm managers.  Links to all three are below.

Developing a Farm Digital Strategy 1 – Introduction

Developing a Farm Digital Strategy 2 – Precision Technology and Data Generation

Developing a Farm Digital Strategy 3 – Data Management Considerations

Establishing a Fair Pasture Rental Rate

| Clifton Martin

Questions often arise as to what constitutes a fair rental price. Since there is not a commercial market for pasture, determining the price often becomes a matter of bargaining. Supply and demand is probably the most important factor in determining the price. If there is a large quantity of pasture available in a given area and very few farmers needing extra pasture, rents may be low. Likewise, if there were little pasture acreage for rent but many farmers needing extra pasture, rents may be bid higher.

From OSU Factsheet, Establishing a Fair Pasture Rental Rate, FR-8, By Jeff Fisher and David Mangione.

This is a good source for information if you are in discussion for pasture rental agreements and seeking guidance on setting a price.

Extension News Highlights Oct 26

| Clifton Martin

Online Mortality Composting Certification | Ohio BEEF Cattle Letter 

Forage Focus: Baling Hay at Farm Science Review | Ohio BEEF Cattle Letter 

Extended Drydown in Corn | Agronomic Crops Network 

Stalk Rots Showing Up in Some Corn Fields | Agronomic Crops Network 

Ohio Corn, Soybean and Wheat Enterprise Budgets – Projected Returns for 2021 | Farm Office 

Freezer Beef Sales Explode During Covid19 Pandemic……Will Your Customers Be Ready to Buy Again? | Ohio Ag Manager 

Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2.0 | Ohio Ag Manager

Extension News Highlights Oct 19

| Clifton Martin

Be Prepared for Combine Fires during Harvest Season | Agronomic Crops Network 

Gibberella Ear Rots Showing up in Corn: How to Tell It Apart from Other Ear Rots | Agronomic Crops Network 

Tar Spot Showing up Again in 2020 | Agronomic Crops Network 

Knowing What You Are Feeding: HAY SAMPLING 101 | Ohio BEEF Cattle Letter 

Nutrition for Lambing | OSU Sheep Team 

Best Practice Sheep Handling | OSU Sheep Team 

Ohio Corn, Soybean and Wheat Enterprise Budgets – Projected Returns for 2021 | Farm Office 

Study at Penn State to Examine Potential for Birds to Eat Spotted Lanternfly | BYGL 

Fall 2020 Webinar Series on Invasives, Emerald Ash Borer University – The Green Tree Killing Insect and More! | BYGL

“Giant Mutant Mosquitos”, or, Crane Flies

| Clifton Martin

Many people have noticed an unusual amount of Crane Flies around their homes in the past two weeks. This is widespread regional phenomenon and environmental conditions for the past year are credited for the outbreak. This is generally expected to be short-lived.

See these two articles discussing Crane Fly emergence:

“Giant Mutant Mosquitoes” Abound

Are those Mosquitoes on Steroids…No, They are just Crane Flies.

 

Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources – Forestry , Bugwood.org

Ohio Farm Custom Rates 2020

| Clifton Martin

Farming is a complex business and many Ohio farmers utilize outside assistance for specific farm-related work. This option is appealing for tasks requiring specialized equipment or technical expertise. Often, having someone else with specialized tools perform a task is more cost effective and saves time. Farm work completed by others is called “custom farm work” or more simply, “custom work.” A “custom rate” is the amount agreed upon by both parties to be paid by the custom work customer to the custom work provider.

This publication reports custom rates based on a statewide survey of 377 farmers, custom operators, farm managers, and landowners conducted in 2020. These rates, except where noted, include the implement and tractor if required, all variable machinery costs such as fuel, oil, lube, twine, etc., and the labor for the operation.

(Source: Custom Rates and Machinery Costs, https://farmoffice.osu.edu/farm-mgt-tools/custom-rates-and-machinery-costs, accessed on Oct. 5, 2020)

Link to ‘Ohio Farm Custom Rates 2020’

Link to OSU Custom Rates and Machinery Costs Website