Is it time to cull the mature female and replace her with a heifer?

Cull or keep this mature cow?

Article is taken from https://u.osu.edu/beef/2024/07/10/is-it-time-to-cull-the-mature-female-and-replace-her-with-a-heifer/#more-16653 by Dr. Andrew Griffith, Assistant Professor, Livestock Marketing Specialist, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of Tennessee

I had a discussion last week concerning selling older cows and replacing them with bred heifers. This is an important decision for most cow-calf producers including myself as I have bred heifers for sale and I have some older cows whose useful life in the breeding herd is extremely short. Thus, there are multiple questions to answer.

The first is if and when a mature female should be marketed. The second is if she should be replaced with a younger breeding female now or at some later date.

From the market price perspective, it is extremely important to compare the value of the mature female with the value of replacing her. As an example, boning utility cows in Tennessee had an average price of $143.50 per hundredweight last week and had an average weight of 1,210 pounds, which results in a value of $1,736 per head.

The decision at this point is to develop and breed a female or to purchase a bred female. Bred females are guaranteed bred and will generate revenue more quickly which makes them more valuable than one to be developed and bred.

Thinking of Grain Market from Field: Updated 2024 Planting Estimates and Market Outlook

Article taken from https://u.osu.edu/ohioagmanager/2024/07/04/thinking-of-grain-market-from-field-updated-2024-planting-estimates-and-market-outlook/ by Dr. Seungki Lee, Department of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics,  The Ohio State University

Click here to access a PDF of this report

 

Highlights 

  • Despite relatively hot and dry conditions, new crop growth is plain sailing.
  • Corn acreage is estimated to be larger than expected.
  • US grain stocks for both corn and soybeans are the highest post-Covid.
  • Ohio on-farm soybean stock is 64% higher than in 2023.

Introduction

Summer is a busy season for grain producers, leaving little time to analyze the market and strategize sales plans. Nevertheless, the first week of July is a good time to take a “10,000-foot view” of the market, as the USDA releases several important reports by the end of June. In this article, we will discuss grain market outlook by reviewing the USDA new crop planting estimates, WASDE report, and grain stocks report.

Continue reading Thinking of Grain Market from Field: Updated 2024 Planting Estimates and Market Outlook →

Register today, space is limited.

Article is taken from https://u.osu.edu/beef/2024/07/10/beef-cattle-a-i-workshop-hosted-in-muskingum-county/

OSU Extension Muskingum County will host an introduction to artificial insemination of beef cattle on July 30 and August 1, 2024 from 6:00 to 8:30 pm at the Extension Office in Zanesville. This two-night workshop is a classroom event starting on night one and concluding with hands-on-practice on night two.

Topics that will be covered during this workshop include: Advanced Reproductive Tract Anatomy and Physiology, Estrous Synchronization, Pasture Considerations, Expected Progeny Differences (EPD’s), and Tools, Equipment, & Techniques. Program cost is $20 per person and RSVP’s are due July 25.  The classroom location is the meeting room at the Rural Services Building, 225 Underwood St, Zanesville, OH.

Please RSVP and register using the online webform and payment portal found at go.osu.edu/muskingumbeef.

Direct questions to Clifton Martin, Extension Educator, Muskingum County (740-454-0144), or to Dean Kreager, Extension Educator, Licking County (740-670-5315), or see this flyer.

Risk of Corn Grain Contamination with Vomitoxin in Ohio in 2024: July 8 Projection

Article taken from https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2024-22/risk-corn-grain-contamination-vomitoxin-ohio-2024-july-8 by Jason Hartschuh, CCA, Pierce Paul, Stephanie Karhoff, CCA

Mycotoxins, specifically deoxynivalenol (DON), commonly referred to as vomitoxin, has become a significant problem for Ohio corn growers. What was once considered an every-ten-year problem, has now become a yearly challenge in some sections of the state. DON contamination of grain is often associated with Gibberella ear rot (GER), a disease caused by the fungus Fusarium graminearum. The Ohio State University Cereal Pathology Lab led by Dr. Pierce Paul has been researching and developing weather-based models to predict when weather conditions are favorable for DON contamination of corn grain. The current models have an 80% accuracy at predicting when conditions are favorable for grain to be contaminated with at least 1 ppm DON, meaning that based on data collected so far, the models are correct about 8 out of 10 times at predicting whether DON contamination will reach or exceed 1 ppm.

The fungus that produces DON infects corn ears during pollination while silks are wet (R1 growth stage). Each week, we will be updating the models and share estimates of the chance of grain in various parts of the state being contaminated with at least 1 ppm DON. This information will be made available through the C.O.R.N newsletter. Predictions generated by these models should only be applied to corn pollinating during the model’s prediction model’s prediction window, which is specific for each area of the state and field within that area. As a result, each week predictions will likely change for the corn that is pollinating based on changes in weather conditions. Similarly, during any given week, predictions will likely change from one field to another based on hybrid maturity, planting date, and weather condition, all of which affect the silking/pollination window.

Continue reading Risk of Corn Grain Contamination with Vomitoxin in Ohio in 2024: July 8 Projection →

Certified Crop Adviser Exam Online Study Course

Image Credit: United Soybean Board

Article is taken from https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2024-22/certified-crop-adviser-exam-online-study-course by Greg LaBarge, CPAg/CCA, Lee Beers, CCA, Amanda Douridas, CCA, Stephanie Karhoff, CCA

This online course will help those aspiring to become Certified Crop Advisers prepare for the program’s required exams. The self-paced course covers fundamental crop production concepts included in the local and International Certified Crop Adviser exam.

Key concepts in the program’s four competency areas of nutrient management, soil & water management, pest management, and crop management are covered. The course includes video instruction, example quizzes, and resource materials. The highlighted resource materials include free items such as factsheets and guides and for-sale publications available for more in-depth study.

Course instructors are seasoned Certified Crop Advisers with OSU Extension. Amanda Douridas, Madison County Ag/NR Extension Educator; Stephanie Karhoff, Field Specialist Agronomic Systems; Lee Beers, Trumbull County Ag/NR Extension Educator; and Greg LaBarge, Field Specialist Agronomic Systems serve as instructors.

Registration for the course is open now through October 31, 2024. Enrollees have 24/7 access to course content through December 31, 2024. The registration fee is $155. To register and make the secure online payment, use the link: https://go.osu.edu/ccaonline.

Find general information about the CCA program at https://www.certifiedcropadviser.org/. Information on the Ohio program can be found at https://www.oaba.net/aws/OABA/pt/sp/cca.

Have you Registered for the July 31st Cover Crop ‘Til You Drop Field Day?

Soil depth tool next to crop

Article is taken from https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2024-22/have-you-registered-july-31st-cover-crop-%E2%80%98til-you-drop-field-day by Amber Emmons, CCA, Rachel Cochran, CCA

We are now only three weeks away from Ohio State University Extension’s Water Quality Team field day: Cover Crop ‘Til You Drop! View the video below for more information about this conservation-focused field day.

The field day will begin at 9:00 AM on Wednesday, July 31st, 2024, at 13079 Rd 10L, Ottawa, OH. The field day will wrap up at 2:00 PM with an optional wetland tour to follow. The keynote speaker for this event will be Dr. Manbir Rakkar, Soil Fertility and Nutrient Management State Specialist with The Ohio State University Extension. She will discuss how cover crops interact with both soil health and water quality.

Have you registered yet? We hope to see you on July 31st! Visit go.osu.edu/24WQTeamFieldDay or contact Rachel Cochran at Cochran.474@osu.edu with questions.

Plan now to make your summer forage seeding!

Article is taken from https://u.osu.edu/beef/ by Stan Smith, OSU Extension, Fairfield County

With Ohio’s wheat harvest being completed early this year it allows ample time to plan and prepare to do an August forage seeding. Over the next month soil fertility testing should be accomplished, perennial and biennial weeds can be controlled, and ample time remains for selecting and securing the desired forage species for seeding.

Continue reading Plan now to make your summer forage seeding! →

2024 Ohio Farm Custom Rates Released

Farm equipment in a field.

Article is taken from https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2024-21/2024-ohio-farm-custom-rates-released by Barry Ward, Eric Richer, CCA, John Barker, Amanda Bennett

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 tasks is more cost-effective and saves time. Farm work completed by others is often referred to as “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.

Custom rates increased for the majority of field operations in 2024 as compared to surveyed rates in 2022 but the increases did vary by operation. Examples include an increase of 6% for Planting Corn (30 Inch Rows with Fertilizer Application), 5.6% for Harvesting Corn (Combine, Grain Cart, Haul Local to Farm), 21% for Spraying (Self-Propelled Sprayer, Crop Protection Chemicals), and 24% for Field Cultivator.

New field operations in this year’s survey and summary include drone/UAV application and cover crop seeding.

Continue reading 2024 Ohio Farm Custom Rates Released →

Nutrient Value of Wheat Straw

Photo Courtesy of Curtis Young

Article from https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2024-21/nutrient-value-wheat-straw by Laura Lindsey, Ed Lentz, CCA, Eric Richer, CCA

Before removing straw from the field, it is important for farmers to understand the nutrient value. The nutrient value of wheat straw is influenced by several factors including weather, variety, and cultural practices. Thus, the most accurate values require sending a sample of the straw to an analytical laboratory. However, “book values” can be used to estimate the nutrient value of wheat straw. In previous newsletters, we reported that typically a ton of wheat straw contains approximately 11 pounds of N, 3.7 pounds of P2O5, and 29 pounds of K2O. According to the 2024 Second Quarter Fertilizer Prices Across Ohio bulletin (https://u.osu.edu/ohioagmanager/2024/04/15/2024-second-quarter-fertilizer-prices-across-ohio/) and nutrient removal “book values”, one ton of wheat straw would remove approximately $14.12 of P2O5 & K2O.

Continue reading Nutrient Value of Wheat Straw →

Woodland Wisdom – New Course

Registration is now open for a new online course and webinar series Woodland Wisdom: Learn to Balance What You Have with What You Want.  This new online course offers woodland owners a way to enhance their land management skills.  There are 7 sessions covering a wide range of topics designed to help woodland owners focus on opportunities their land offers.

Registration is open here.

Chronic Wasting Disease in Deer Workshop offered regionally

Are you a hunter, landowner, or wildlife enthusiast? If so, please join the Ohio State University Extension and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife for an evening workshop about chronic wasting disease (CWD) in Ohio’s wild deer herd.

Chronic Wasting Disease in Ohio’s Wild Deer Herd: What You Need to Know

  • August 8 – Hardin County
  • August 12 – Union County
  • August 29 – Wyandot County
  • September 5 – Crawford County
  • September 10 – Allen County
  • September 12 – Marion County

 All workshops are 6:30 – 8:30 pm. See the attached flyer for more information.  

Each workshop will cover:

  • What is Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)?
  • Navigating Disease Surveillance Area Regulations
  • Carcass Handling Restrictions & Best Management Practices
  • Where and How to Test My Deer for CWD?
  • How does CWD impact Deer Management?

 There is no fee to attend these workshops. Due to space limitations, REGISTRATION is REQUIRED.

Visit go.osu.edu/cwdworkshop to register.

Marne A. Titchenell, Wildlife Program Director, OSU Extension, School of Environment and Natural Resources, College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, 210 Kottman Hall, 2021 Coffey Rd, Columbus, OH 43210, 614-292-0402  Office, titchenell.4@osu.edu  u.osu.edu/wildside,  woodlandstewards.osu.edu  senr.osu.edu

Youth Gardening to promote educational skills.

Youth is the heart of Paulding County! When we talk about opportunities to develop skills that last a lifetime, we are talking about those career development skills and life skills like time management, and hard work. Paulding County Extension is offering its fourth season of a youth gardening program starting on June 4, 2024, and running through August 6, 2024.

“This year, we have expanded the program to offer meal and snack possibilities from produce grown in the garden.”, shared Emma Horstman, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences.

We are inviting all youth ages 8-12 to join the Paulding County Extension Office in their children’s gardening and cooking summer program. This program is geared towards 8-12-year-old youth interested in gardening, cooking, and healthy eating. This goal is to attend all sessions and enrollment is limited to 20 youth.​ Registration is required by going to the link http://go.osu.edu/24GreenThumbs.

The program aims to develop life and career skills while learning educational concepts in gardening and cooking. Youth will meet every Tuesday morning from 9:30 – 10:30 AM starting June 4 in the Youth Leadership Building, 503 Fairground Drive, Paulding, OH 45879. ​ Continue reading Youth Gardening to promote educational skills. →

Celebrate our rivers at RiverFest 2024!

For the eighth year in a row, Defiance is celebrating the Maumee and Auglaize Rivers with RiverFest, hosted at Pontiac Park from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM on Saturday, June 29th, 2024. There will be activities, demonstrations, food, and fun for everyone! Bring your kids, ages 1 to 100 for Kids River Passport STEAM activities, including Project Wet and other demonstrations by Defiance Soil and Water Conservation District, Defiance City Schools, Defiance College Science Club, Yoga in the Park, Camp Lakota/Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts of Western Ohio, ODNR Scenic Rivers, OSU Extension, The Nature Conservancy, Maumee Watershed Alliance, and more! A living history encampment will provide a taste of local history, then you can grab a taste of current history by visiting one of the food trucks at the park! A kayak raffle will also be held during RiverFest! More information can be found at the Land To Lake website, landtolake.org, or Click here to view the event flyer.

23rd Annual Master Gardener Volunteer Plant Sale

The pop of color from a flower, the bees on the native plants, and the taste of a homegrown tomato are all aspects of spring and summer in NW Ohio and one the Paulding County Master Gardener Volunteers love. The 23rd annual sale will continue in 2024 with some changes. The sale will be one day only on Saturday, May 18th from 8:00 AM until 12:00 PM or until the plants are sold out. The sale will occur at the Paulding County Fairgrounds inside the Block Building at 503 Fairground Drive, Paulding, OH 45879.

Plants and more will still be available at the 2024 Paulding County Master Gardener Volunteer plant sale. The sale will include perennials, annual flowers, herbs, vegetables, trees, potting containers, natives, and shrubs. Most items are between $1-$10 each. The proceeds from the sale will go back into the community Master Gardener Volunteer projects and programs. Continue reading 23rd Annual Master Gardener Volunteer Plant Sale →

NW Ohio Small Ruminant Tours

Defiance and William County OSU Extension are working together to host farm visits across both counties. During May, six (6) farm visits will focus on local sheep production facilities.  The aim of the program is for students, farmers, and community members to have the chance to interact and ask questions to local sheep producers. The tour is a great opportunity to have a boots-on-the-ground experience and learn more about agriculture in the community. The events are completely free, we ask that you register in advance so we can take the proper biosecurity steps. The Defiance County stops on the tour will be held starting at 6 pm on May 9th outside of Edgerton, May 16th outside of Holgate, and May 23rd outside of Defiance. For more information and to register contact us at the Defiance County Extension office (419-782-4771) or follow the link go.osu.edu/sheeptour.

To see the official flyer click here.

Avian Influenza Detected in Dairy Cattle

On Monday, March 25th the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Center for Disease Control (CDC) issued a statement confirming the identification of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in dairy cattle located in Texas and Kansas. They have suspected that HPAI may be a contributing factor in the unclassified illness affecting older, mid to late lactation dairy cattle in several herds in New Mexico, Texas, and Kansas over the past two months. It is not yet clear if all reports of the unclassified illness are caused by HPAI. The full press release from USDA can be found here. The OSU Extension Vet Med team worked on a factsheet attached here. The following are answers to common questions producers and the general public may have about this outbreak.

Timeline for Solar Eclipse from Paulding County EMA Office

Press Release from Paulding County Emergency Management Agency, Edward Bohn EMA Director, 451 McDonald Pike  Paulding, Ohio 45879

Office (419)-399-3500, ema@pauldingcounty-oh.com, Cell (419)-399-7226

April 4th, 2024

TIMELINE FOR THE TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE IN PAULDING COUNTY, OHIO

Monday April 8th, 2024

It BEGINS at 1:51 pm

The TOTALITY begins at 3:09 pm

The TOTALITY ends at 3:12 pm

The Solar Eclipse will be OVER at 4:34 pm

Ohio Fruit News 2024 Summary of March Topics

The March issue of Ohio Fruit News (OFN) is attached and also available online. In this issue you will learn about:

  • Fruit Tree Planting Tips
  • Updates on Chlorpyrifos
  • Tips for tuning up your sprayer
  • Woolly apple aphid identification and management
  • Best practices for planting strawberries

Register for Paulding’s Agricultural Technology and Farm Data Course!

Ohio State University Extension Paulding County and Rhodes State College are partnering to provide a three-part education series focused on showing farmers how to use the data they are already collecting on their operations. Most farms are already collecting many kinds of data, including field boundaries, yield maps, soil test results, etc. This course will show attendees how to combine this data with publicly available data layers such as elevation and soils maps to better understand the performance of their management practices. The first session will take place from 6:00PM to 8:00PM on Tuesday, April 2nd, 2024, at the Paulding County Extension Office. Continue reading Register for Paulding’s Agricultural Technology and Farm Data Course! →

Women’s Tractor Safety and Operation held in Williams County

This event is a partnership between Williams and Steuben County Extension and is sponsored by Truland Equipment. The program is geared toward women in agriculture but is open to any participant.

  • Date & Time: Monday, April 8th 5:30-8:30 pm
  • Location: Truland Equipment, 2773 US-6, Edgerton, OH
  • Description: Participants have the opportunity to learn how to safely operate agricultural equipment in a fun, relaxed environment. Dinner is included in the cost.
  • Sponsored by Truland Equipment.
  • Dee Jepsen is the keynote speaker.
  • Registration: https://go.osu.edu/tractor_safety or call (419) 636-5608
    • Space is limited and registration is required by April 1st.
  • Cost: $25

Womens Tractor Operation and Safety program 4-8-2024 Williams County Official Flyer