Posts

Small Ruminant 509

Press Release:

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.

What’s going on with yellow poplar trees?

Reports of mortality and die-back of yellow poplar trees have been trickling in around southeast Ohio. For more information, I suggest reading this article from the Buckeye Yard and Garden Online: https://bygl.osu.edu/node/2486

 

“The reports primarily came from areas in the state that experienced the record-breaking drought last season, as well as high populations of native yellow poplar weevil (Odontopus calceatus). Tom noted that aerial forest health surveys last season revealed that the weevil was the number one damage-causing agent in Ohio’s forests, with 15,712 acres affected…” Link

 

 

Muskingum Ag Breakfast June 3, 8:00 AM

The next Muskingum Ag Network Breakfast will by Tuesday, June 3, 8:00 AM, at Friendly Hills Camp and Conference Center, 5880 Friendly Hills Road, Zanesville. We will be reviewing farm business analysis summaries from the Ohio Farm Business Analysis Program on current trends in farm profitability. Breakfast is $10.

Other headlines…Farm Bill Reconciliation, Employee vs. Independent Contractor, Pesticide Rule Changes, Commodity Program Payments

House Farm Bill Reconciliation Summary Overview | Farm Office 

Employee or Independent Contractor? Department of Labor’s Latest Guidance Signals Policy Shift | Farm Office 

How Ohio’s Proposed Pesticide Rules Could Affect Teens Working on Farms | Farm Office 

2024 Farm Commodity Program Payment Estimates for Ohio Counties as of May 2025 | Farm Office 

An Update on Ticks and Tick-borne Disease in Ohio, plus the Buckeye Tick Test Lab | Ohio BEEF Cattle Letter 

Concerning parasites, are you controlling what you think you are controlling? | Ohio BEEF Cattle Letter 

Ag Network Breakfast May 6 with Robert Moore, Attorney, OSU Agricultural and Resource Law Program

The Muskingum Ag Network meets the first Tuesday of each month, except for July and August, at Friendly Hills Camp and Conference Center, 5880 Friendly Hills Rd, Zanesville.  Our next program will be May 6, 2025, with Robert Moore, Attorney, OSU Agricultural and Resource Law Program.  Come with your questions for Robert about Ag Law including all things related to estate planning and farm transition. Breakfast is at 8:00 AM and costs $10.

2025 1st half schedule and more info.

Buckeye Tick Test Laboratory is now open for business

The Buckeye Tick Testing Laboratory at Ohio State University is up and running and now ready to accept samples!

The tick population, the number of tick species, and the associated tick-borne diseases in people and animals are rapidly increasing across the Buckeye State. Ohio now has six medically important tick species. These include blacklegged ticks, American dog ticks, lone star ticks, gulf coast ticks, Asian longhorned ticks, and brown dog ticks and each carry one or more pathogens that could be harmful to humans and/or animals (note: pathogens are germs that can cause illness).

The Ohio State University Buckeye Tick Test Laboratory is addressing this critical situation by offering cost-effective tick-borne pathogen testing for the general public with test results within 72 hours. After receiving the test results, individuals can share the information with their medical providers and/or veterinarians. Buckeye Tick Test has the potential to reduce tick pathogen disease for hundreds of people and animals and the data from the tick testing will provide much needed publicly available tick pathogen surveillance information.

The Ohio State University Buckeye Tick Test staff is committed to providing quality tick testing for you and your family (including pets and livestock). Find details on collecting and submitting ticks, and pricing for services, at the Buckeye Tick Test Laboratory at https://buckeyebugbite.osu.edu/

Virtual Beef School, session 4; Heifer Development and Implementing Genomic Testing on Your Farm

With feeder calf values at historical highs, now is not the time to save or improperly develop a replacement female that in coming years simply isn’t going to improve the overall productivity of the herd. With that thought in mind, session 4 of this year’s virtual Beef School will focus on properly selecting and developing only those heifers that fit the goals of the herd.

If you’re contemplating saving and breeding replacement heifers now or in the future make plans to join us during next Wednesday’s fourth and final session of this year’s Virtual Ohio Beef School. We’ll explore the use of genomic testing on your farm to aid in the seedstock selection process, and the proper development of those heifers that are selected and retained.

If you still need to register in order to receive free log-in details, visit: go.osu.edu/beefschool25.

News from around OSU Extension…Pay Stubs, Investing in Herd Expansion, Favorable Planting Weather…

Springtime Decisions | Ohio BEEF Cattle Letter 

Investing in Herd Expansion: Time Value of Money and Opportunity Cost | Ohio BEEF Cattle Letter 

Favorable Planting Weather | Agronomic Crops Network 

Alfalfa Weevils are Active Statewide | Agronomic Crops Network 

Lep Monitoring Network – Black Cutworm and True Armyworm Update # 1 | Agronomic Crops Network 

Understanding Forages and Feedstuffs | OSU Small Ruminant Team 

Gifting to Manage Estate Taxes | Farm Office 

Show Me the Money: Ohio’s New Pay Stub Law | Farm Office 

New Publication: “The Beginner’s Guide to Farmland Ownership”

Nearly 39% of the 880 million acres of farmland in the United States is leased, and in Ohio, this figure approaches 50%. Many individuals who inherit or purchase farmland have limited experience in agricultural management, creating uncertainty regarding effective land stewardship. To assist these novice farmland owners, Ohio State University’s Agricultural and Resource Law Program is pleased to announce the release of our latest publication, “The Beginner’s Guide to Farmland Ownership”, authored by Robert Moore, Attorney and Research Specialist at OSU. This practical, user-friendly resource is now available for download at farmoffice.osu.edu.

Owning farmland is not only a rewarding opportunity but also a significant responsibility, particularly for new landowners with limited farming experience. Whether you’ve inherited farmland or recently purchased it, navigating complex decisions such as leasing, selling, or managing alternative land uses can be challenging. This 48-page, comprehensive guide was developed to help new landowners understand and manage their farmland effectively.

“The Beginner’s Guide to Farmland Ownership” addresses key areas that every new landowner needs to understand. Topics include understanding farmland valuation, exploring leasing arrangements (cash rent, share rent, and flex leases), considerations when selling farmland, managing tax implications, and assessing alternative land uses such as renewable energy or conservation easements. Additionally, the guide explores strategies for protecting farmland through legal instruments and minimizing risk through insurance and business entities.

Visit farmoffice.osu.edu to access this publication.


This was authored by Robert Moore, Attorney and Research Specialist at OSU, and first appeared at https://farmoffice.osu.edu/blog/fri-03142025-1223pm/new-publication-beginner%E2%80%99s-guide-farmland-ownership

 

Corn Research Highlights from 2024 with Dr. Osler Ortez, Friday, March 21

Do you plant corn or are you interested in planting corn?  The final installment of Pizza, Pop, and Profits for 2025 will be Friday March 21st at 12:00Pm in person and 12:30 PM on ZOOM.  Dr. Osler Ortez, Assistant Professor for Corn and Emerging Crops will be our guest.  Join us to hear updates from Dr. Ortez from 2024 Corn research from OSU.

This is a hybrid program available in person or online through Zoom.  Our onsite location will be 225 Underwood Street, Zanesville.

This program is jointly sponsored by the Muskingum County OSU Extension Office and the Soil and Water Conservation District Office.  Find registration and more information herehttps://www.muskingumswcd.org/Events/Pizza-Pop-Profits/