ODA Free Farm Pesticide Disposal Collection Event Will Be at the Morgan County Fairgrounds August 9

Link to ODA Press Release

August 9, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.: Morgan County, Morgan County Fairgrounds
2760 South Riverside Drive, McConnelsville, Ohio 43756

The pesticide collection and disposal services are free of charge, but only farm chemicals will be accepted. Paint, antifreeze, solvents and household or non-farm pesticides will not be accepted.

The pesticide collections are sponsored by ODA in conjunction with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. To pre-register, or for more information, contact the Ohio Department of Agriculture at 614-728-6987.

Participating in statewide lepidopteran moth trapping network

I am participating in the statewide moth trapping network that monitors key pests in agronomic crops which are reported through the Crop Observation and Recommendation Network (CORN).  We are currently trapping for True Armyworm, Black Cutworm and have setup traps for European Corn Borer.

Updates and reports are here:

Lep Monitoring Network Update #2 – Black Cutworm & True Armyworm 

Lep Monitoring Network – Ohio Black Cutworm and True Armyworm Monitoring

Muskingum Youth Horticulture Education Project Application

The Muskingum County Master Gardener Volunteer Program is offering a spring project for teachers or youth leaders with an interest in horticulture.  This year (2023), teachers and youth leaders in Muskingum County may apply for a seed starting kit by completing the attached application. We expect that they will be used in conjunction with instruction about seed germination, pollination, and growing food as appropriate.

Twenty kits will be available. If more applications than that are received by the deadline of February 24, 2023, awards will be made in order of date submitted. Kits include labels, growing media, seeds, and three 24-cell self-watering seed starting tray systems.  We hope these can aid in in providing an enjoyable experience for you in your classroom.

The application is available here: go.osu.edu/mgvedgrant.

The application is very similar to last year, with an added question about the need for supplemental lighting.  We may have the opportunity to loan some light resources for some projects, but not all, so if you believe that would be helpful please indicate as appropriate in your application.

Fall is the Best Time to Sample for Soybean Cyst Nematode (SCN)

Soybean cyst nematode (SCN) remains the most economically damaging soybean pathogen in North America. If SCN levels are above damage threshold, significant yield reduction can often take place without visible symptoms. To know if the nematode is present in a field, soil sample for SCN testing must be properly collected. The presence of SCN in a field, but most importantly, the SCN numbers will determine the best management strategy. Therefore, you need to test your fields to know your SCN numbers.

Full Article at Fall is the Best Time to Sample for Soybean Cyst Nematode (SCN) | Agronomic Crops Network (osu.edu)

It’s a great time to take a soil test…

Autumn is one of the better times to collect a soil sample and get it sent to the lab.  The Extension Office is just one of many resources to help get this done.  We have soil test kits ready at the office available for $9.

We loan soil core probes for a $10 deposit, returned on receipt of the tool back to the office.

Resources to help include:

Soil Testing for Ohio Lawns, Landscapes, Fruit Crops, and Vegetable Gardens

Interpreting a Soil Test Report

Fertility Management of Meadows

Soil Testing for Ohio Lawns, Landscapes, Fruit Crops, and Vegetable Gardens

Soil Acidity and Liming for Agronomic Production

Corn, Soybean, and Alfalfa Yield Responses to Micronutrient Fertilization in Ohio