The Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Development Economics (AEDE) at The Ohio State University is welcoming several new faculty during the 2011-2012 academic year.  This month we highlight Professor Allen Klaiber, who comes to us with his Ph.D. from North Carolina State University after previously serving on the faculty at Penn State.  He teaches several key classes dealing with statistical methods, environmental and resource economics and regional economic development.  A focus of much of his research is the valuation of environmental amenities using data from housing markets.  Some of you may have seen him at the Farm Science Review in September, where he participated in the panel discussion on shale oil development in Ohio.  In addition to being an economist, Allen is an avid birder and orchardist.

Welcome Allen!

 Departmental Website: http://aede.osu.edu/about-us/our-people/h-allen-klaiber-0    

Publications in Google Scholar: http://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Allen+Klaiber&hl=en&as_sdt=1%2C36

By: Wm. Bruce Clevenger, OSU Extension Educator, CCA &
Harold Watters, OSU Extension Field Specialist, CPAg/CCA

In farm business, managers solicit the advice or opinion from people near and sometimes far from the farm location. These advisers may have a specialized understanding or experience that can help improve the farm operation. When it comes to agronomic crop recommendations, a farm’s adviser has the potential influence to impact crop yields, equipment purchases, farm operations, water quality and profitability.

What are the extra letters seen following agronomy professionals that advise your farm? CCA stands for Certified Crop Adviser and CPAg stands for Certified Professional Agronomist. What’s the difference and why should I value their opinion?

Certified Crop Advisers earned their certification by passing rigorous state and international exams. For Ohio, the tri-state exam includes Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. CCAs must also sign and adhere to a code of ethics that places the customer’s needs first. CCAs meet and often exceed the high standards set by the American Society of Agronomy (ASA). Technology transfer is an important part of being a CCA. Agricultural scientists offer training to CCAs and depend on them to pass that knowledge on to the grower. Up to date knowledge on the latest developments in agriculture is a pride of the CCA program and certification standards require CCAs to earn 40 hours of continuing education units every two years. In Ohio the CCA program is administer by the Ohio Agribusiness Association under the direction of the Ohio CCA Board. ASA Certification is the standard by which agronomy professionals are judged internationally for more than 30 years.

Certified Professional Agronomists earn their certification by passing an exam as well, but also have a degree in agronomy, or a related degree such as soils, horticulture, or even range science with most having a M.S. degree in their major. Even though CPAgs have been around since the 1970’s as a separate program, as of January 2012, the two programs have been merged. Now both CCAs and CPAgs are represented by a state or regional CCA board; with CPAgs also holding board positions. One difference between the CCA and the CPAg, with the degree also comes a requirement for more experience – a minimum of four years vs. two for the CCA. And the Professional Agronomist is also required to participate in continuing education programs, but must earn 50 hours every two years, with ten in the area of Professional Development. Often those extra ten hours are spent in preparing and delivering training for CCAs.

To find a certified agronomy professional or become a CCA or CPAg visit: https://www.agronomy.org/certifications

The Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Development Economics (AEDE) at The Ohio State University, is welcoming several new faculty during the 2011-2012 academic year.  This month we highlight Professor Gopalakrishnan, who teaches several key environmental and resource economics courses in the department.  Here’s Sathya’s short biography and statement of interests:

I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Development Economics at The Ohio State University. I obtained a PhD in Environmental and Resource Economics from Duke University in 2010. I also have a Master of Science degree in Agricultural Economics from Michigan State University and a Master of Arts in Economics from the University of Hyderabad, India. I am originally from Chennai (Madras), India.

An interest in exploring the ubiquitous interdependencies between economic agents with conflicting interests and dynamic natural resources motivates my research. I study feedbacks between physical processes and economic decisions, and the policy implications of these interconnected dynamic systems. I have a specific interest in coupled models of complex coastal (physical) and economic systems, non-market valuation of environmental amenities and bioeconomic modeling. When I am not working, I enjoy classical Indian Music and nurture my interest vegetarian cooking.

Welcome Sathya!

Departmental Website: http://aede.osu.edu/about-us/our-people/sathya-gopalakrishnan    

Publications in GoogleScholar: http://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&q=Sathya+Gopalakrishnan&btnG=Search&as_allsubj=some&as_subj=bus&as_sdt=1%2C36&as_ylo=&as_vis=0

The Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Development Economics (AEDE) is welcoming several new faculty during the 2011-2012 academic year. This month we highlight Professor Steve Vickner, who teaches several key agribusiness courses in the department, including Agribusiness Management and Agribusiness Marketing. Here’s Steve’s short biography and statement of interests:

Although a California native, Steve considers Columbus, Ohio his hometown as he grew up here. He completed a B.S. in Economics with a minor in mathematics at Bowling Green State University in 1989. He moved to Colorado and completed a M.B.A. in the Daniels College of Business at the University of Denver in 1990. After three years working in industry Steve went back to graduate school to pursue his M.S. and Ph.D. in Agricultural and Resource Economics at Colorado State University (1994,1997). Since then Steve has served as a faculty member in the Department of Agricultural Economics at the University of Kentucky and the Department of Economics at Utah State University. Steve’s current teaching/research appointment is in the area of agribusiness management and marketing. As for hobbies, he enjoys anything outside, but prefers archery/bowhunting and fly fishing the most. Last month, Steve caught his first Lake Erie steelhead salmon (an 18-incher) in Conneaut Creek near Ashtabula on his favorite 8-weight fly rod. He plans to go back after the 25-inch salmon that are sometimes caught in those tributaries to Lake Erie.

Welcome Steve!
Steve’s Departmental Website: http://aede.osu.edu/about-us/our-people/steven-vickner

Steve’s Publications in GoogleScholar: http://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=steve+Vickner&hl=en&as_sdt=1%2C36&as_sdtp=on

Jill Clark, Jeff Sharp and Shoshanah Inwood

Many local food systems advocates focus on increasing the number of farmers selling their products directly to consumers, but this type of direct marketing is only one strategy for increasing the consumption of local foods. Over 90 percent of all food for home consumption is acquired from retail venues (such as grocery stores) (USDA, ERS, 2010), suggesting an important strategy to increase the consumption of Ohio grown foods by Ohioans, is to focus on increasing the flow of these foods through the state’s distribution and retail market systems. This research is the first attempt at inventorying the existing produce retail-distribution structure to identify opportunities, barriers and the development needs associated with increasing the flow of Ohio grown fruits and vegetables to existing retailers and ultimately Ohio consumers. The research we report draws on our review of previous food system studies, as well as interviews we conducted with Ohio retailers, and a survey of produce distributors in the state. The goal of this work is to generate useful information that can identify next steps in scaling-up the connections between Ohio specialty crop producers and Ohio retail markets. To read full report click here

By:  John Barker, OSU Extension – Knox County

GPS-based yield data has proven to be an extremely valuable management tool on many Ohio farms.  However, improperly calibrated yield monitors can essentially generate difficult to interpret or useless data … Garbage In = Garbage Out. 

Economic risk in agriculture has increased dramatically.  Considering the amount of economic risk involved in each decision, taking the time and patience to properly calibrate a yield monitor is essential if the yield data will be used to make future agronomic decisions for your farming operation.

Most yield monitors operate on the same basic principles. Yield monitor manufacturers strive to build accuracy into their units; however, each machine has its sources of errors. Proper calibration requires harvesting 3 to 5 separate calibration loads.  Each load should represent different flow rates.  This can be easily accomplished by harvesting at different speeds (i.e. 3 mph, 3.5 mph, 4 mph, 4.5 mph, 5 mph, etc.)  The different flow rates represent different yield levels to the yield monitor.  Additionally most manufacturers recommend that the calibration load weigh between 3,000 to 6,000 pounds, approximately 50 – 100 bushels.  Each load should be individually weighed in a weigh wagon or other accurate scales.  If one load appears to be uncharacteristically high or low, redo that load before completing the calibration.

Check the accuracy of your yield monitor throughout the harvest season.  To insure consistent data additional calibrations may be necessary.  Multiple calibrations are essential in higher moisture grain.  For example corn at 25% moisture moves through a combine much differently than corn at 17% moisture.

Other important tasks:

• Calibrate for each grain type.
• Calibrate grain moisture sensor
• Calibrate temperature sensor

See the following yield monitor checklist for more tips.

Yield Monitor Checklist

Before Operation

• If you have not already done so, back up any data from the previous season on the memory cards, thumb drives, monitors, etc., After the previous harvest data is backed up delete the files from the memory devices. It is good practice to keep several back up copies of the raw data in different locations in case it is lost, stolen, damaged or modified.
• Check your memory card, thumb drive, etc., to be sure they work properly.
• Contact your local dealer or manufacturer to make sure that you have the recent software and firmware upgrades for your yield monitoring and mapping system. You can obtain information about these upgrades through your manufacturer’s web site or by contacting technical support. 
• Check all cables, connections, and sensors for wear or damage from rodents. 
• For elevator-mounted moisture sensor units make sure the grain is cleaned out and the manual clean-out motor works and all doors are shut! 
• Inspect the flow sensor. Look for wear on the grain elevator and missing or worn paddles. Check to make sure that the spacing between the paddles and the top of the elevator meets the manufacturer’s requirements. 
• Look for wear on the flow sensor’s impact or deflector plates and replace if plates appear worn. 
• If you purchase a new or used combine with an existing yield monitor installed double check to make sure it is installed properly. 
• Avoid running electrical wires next to the GPS antenna which may cause interference with the receiver signal. Running wires perpendicular to each other decreases the chance for electrical noise that may occur from other electronics. 

During Operation, Prior To Calibration 

• Make sure your memory card, thumb drive, etc., is installed into your yield monitor and turn on your combine and yield monitor. Make sure there is proper communication between the card and the display monitor. Usually an error message will appear on the display indicating there is no communication with the card. 
• Check to see if you are receiving a good differential correction signal (DGPS).
• Raise and lower the header to make sure the stop height switch operates correctly. Some monitors are equipped with a manual switch which turns on and off data collection to your monitor. You may have to adjust the header height switch to accommodate the preferences of different operators during harvest. 
• Make sure to set row width according to number of rows for a row crop header and the appropriate width of a cutting platform header. 
• Engage the separator and observe the elevator speed on the monitor to see if it is working. 
• Put the combine in drive and make sure the ground speed indicator is working. 
• Before calibrating loads make sure you will be using accurate scales to weigh the grain. Certified scales or calibrated weigh wagons are recommended. If you are using weigh wagons it is recommended to leave the wagon in one location in the field. Moving the weigh wagon through a field causes it to shake and bounce which can throw off the calibration of the weigh wagon. Make sure you are also using the same scales throughout calibration. 

During Calibration

• When collecting temperature readings of the equipment for some yield monitors make sure the combine has been out in normal operating temperatures for several hours. For example, taking a temperature reading from the combine when it has been in the shed or under a shade tree is much different than under direct sunlight. Take temperature readings close to the moisture sensor on the combine. 
• Collect moisture calibrations for each grain type. Take a good representation of the moisture of the grain harvested throughout the loads. 
• When calibrating monitor for ground speeds use typical field conditions rather than a road or waterway. Tire slippage can create inaccuracy with calibration. 
• Harvest calibration loads at different flow rates. Yield will vary throughout the field. Adjusting flow rates will improve accuracy. When calibrating loads it is recommended to use loads between 3,000 to 6,000 pounds. This helps reduce variability with excess grain that may be in the combine. 
• Gather loads in well represented areas of the field. Avoid starting calibration loads on turn rows, weed patches, or areas of major topography changes in the field. Hillsides and rolling ground can impact calibration load data because of how the grain impacts the flow sensor. If you are unable to avoid topographical changes make sure you get a good representation of loads going up-and-down hill and side-to-side of a hill. 
• It is recommended to calibrate for each type of grain for each year. The dynamics of the combine changes from wear and tear and can influence the outcome of your yield data. 
• When conducting on-farm research trials or harvesting fields with multiple varieties consider creating a calibration load for each treatment or variety. For example, calibrate for regular corn and high oil corn separately due to the differences in test weight and moisture characteristics of the grain. 
• Calibrate for different moisture levels per type of grain. For example, calibrate differently for corn below 22% moisture versus corn above 22% moisture. 

During Harvest 

• Correct any malfunctions or errors indicated by the yield monitor. This can include moisture and flow sensors not working properly and loss of DGPS signal. Make sure the monitor is actually collecting data. Sometimes one can manually switch off data collection on the monitor and forget to turn it back on. 
• If you have a long harvest season it would be wise to do periodic calibration loads throughout the season to check or improve accuracy. It is suggested to recalibrate if you see more than a 5 percent difference in error, 5 lb/bushel differences in test weight, or temperature changes greater than 10 degrees. 
• It is recommended to back-up data onto your computer and data storage devices frequently throughout the harvest season. A simple electrical shock form improper wiring or lightning can destroy your data. 
• If significant changes are made to the elevator chain, paddles, or flow sensor during harvest you will need to recalibrate. Tightening the elevator chain, replacing old paddles or changing the gap of the flow sensor to the paddles changes the outcome of the previous calibration. 
• If you run into problems with the monitoring equipment during harvest check through the trouble shooting information in the operators manual. Contact technical support if you are unable to solve the problem. 

By: Barry Ward, Leader, Production Business Management, Department of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics

 The Department of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics has a new look to its website. There are many changes to the site that will enable users easier access to class and instruction information, extension/outreach information, research and events. The front page (http://aede.osu.edu/ ) offers the “Latest News” about faculty, students, instruction, research and Extension related to the Department. A section on “Upcoming Events” allows users to check the calendar for important upcoming events.

The website is broken down into several sections that will help clients find the appropriate subject matter.  These sections are as follows:  Undergraduate Program, Graduate Program, Programs and Research, and Publications. Extension/Outreach users will find most of the information that they seek in the “Programs and Research” section or the “Publications” section.

The “Undergraduate Program” section contains information on courses offered, required coursework for AEDE undergraduate majors and minors, scholarships, career opportunities, the Agribusiness/NAMA Club and other information.

The “Graduate Program” section  includes information on current courses offered, The Masters Program, The Doctoral Program, Admissions, Professional Placements and others topics.

The “Programs and Resources” section includes sections on the Agricultural and Resources Law Program, the Agricultural Outlook and Policy Program, the Andersons Program, the C. William Swank Program, the Center for Farmland Policy and Innovation, the Environmental Policy Initiative, the Exurban Change Program, the Farm Income Enhancement program, OSU Income Tax Schools, the National Program for Integrated Dairy Risk Management Education and Research, OSU Farm Management, the Ohio Business Retention and Expansion Initiative, the Ohio Cooperative Development Center, the Ohio Dairy Web, the Retail Market Analysis program, the Rural Finance Program, and the VanBuren Farm Management program.

The publications section will contain Departmental publications targeting the needs of AEDE clientele. The web address is: http://aede.osu.edu/

By David Marrison, OSU Extension Educator

On June 15, 2011 the USDA announced the establishment of four additional Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) project areas to promote the cultivation of giant miscanthus that can be converted into energy to be used for heat, power, liquid biofuels, and bio-based products. One of the areas accepted was been Ashtabula County in Northeast, Ohio and targets 2011 enrollment of 5,344 acres in Ashtabula, Geauga, Lake, and Trumbull, Ohio, and Crawford, Erie, and Mercer counties, Pennsylvania. The sponsor for this project is Aloterra Energy, LLC and the project area surrounds the company’s biomass conversion facility in Ashtabula, Ohio.

Selected producers are eligible for reimbursements of up to 75 percent of the cost of establishing a perennial bioenergy crop. They can receive up to five years of annual payments for planting miscanthus. Assistance for the collection, harvest, storage and transportation of crops to facilities will be also available for two years, per producer, in the form of a matching payment for up to $45 per ton of the delivery cost.

BCAP was authorized in the 2008 Farm Bill, is a primary component of the strategy to reduce U.S. reliance on foreign oil, improve domestic energy security, reduce pollution and spur rural economic development and job creation. The sign-up period to receive BCAP money began on Monday, June 20, 2011. Click here to read the complete information on the BCAP Program.The Farm Service Agency (FSA) will be administering the program with conservation planning assistance from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Producers interested in participating in the project areas should visit their local FSA county office (check out http://www.fsa.usda.gov/bcap.

The Ohio Ag Manager team was recognized at the conclusion of 2010 by the agriculture web site Agriculture.com (http://www.agriculture.com/) as one of their Top Ten Internet Sites for 2010.

Agriculture.com began publishing their [A] List of best agricultural features on the Internet in July of 2010. The [A] List includes websites, blogs, social media postings, user comments and other Internet-based content developed by agribusinesses, agricultural media, and farmers. The list was developed by this web site based on the idea that farmers and other agriculturalists are busy people and will appreciate guidance in finding useful and entertaining information.

“All the links on the [A] List are considered top drawer,” says Successful Farming and Agriculture.com Editor-in-Chief Loren Kruse. “But our staff also felt there are some features that deserve to be short listed.”

The Ohio Ag Manger Team’s team is very pleased to be recognized by Agriculture.com as one of their top ten sites for 2010!

The complete article published by Agriculture.com can be found at:
http://www.agriculture.com/news/technology/best-of-a-list-ten-top-picks-from_6-ar13264