Month: August 2024

National Ag Statistics Service (NASS) Releases Cash Rental Rates

From the desk of Barry Ward, Leader, Production Business Management, Director, Income Tax Schools at The Ohio State University

 The Ohio State University, College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, 614-688-3959 Office, ward.8@osu.edu

https://farmoffice.osu.edu/

The USDA NASS Ohio Cash Rent County Estimates for 2024 were released yesterday by NASS this past Friday. The attached Formatted USDA NASS Survey County Average Cash Rents Summary 2017-2024 contains the 2017 through 2024 Ohio county average estimates. This data can be accessed directly through NASS Quick Stats at https://quickstats.nass.usda.gov/.

The Insects Were Quiet This Summer, Until…Notes on Corn Leaf Aphid, Spider Mites, Fall Armyworm, and Soybean Aphids

Aphids on corn leaves

Article is taken from https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2024-26/insects-were-quiet-summer-until%E2%80%A6notes-corn-leaf-aphid-spider by Kelley Tilmon, Amy Raudenbush, Andy Michel

Corn Leaf Aphids
Corn leaf aphids are making an unusual appearance this year in field corn, reaching high numbers in our test plots and in other locations in Ohio.  This outbreak is not restricted to Ohio, but appears to extend throughout the Midwest and also into the coastal southern US and also southern Canada.  Other aphid species may be in the mix on corn, but corn leaf aphid is the dominant species.  We do not recommend spraying for aphids in field corn regardless of numbers, because there won’t be an economic return with the relatively low value of the crop per acre.  Sweet corn and popcorn may be a different story – if in doubt, contact specialty crop entomologist Ashley Leach leach.379@osu.edu The good news is that in most cases the natural enemies are taking care of the aphid populations.  In the outbreak pockets we’ve been observing, lady beetle larvae and adults, syrphid larvae, lacewing larvae/adults, parasitoids, and insect-killing (entomopathogenic) fungus abound, and are knocking back populations as they build.  The fungus is especially effective, and humid weather and rain will give it a boost. Lady beetle larva feeding on corn leaf aphids.

Lady beetle larva feeding on corn leaf aphids. Photo credit: Amy Raudenbush.

Continue reading The Insects Were Quiet This Summer, Until…Notes on Corn Leaf Aphid, Spider Mites, Fall Armyworm, and Soybean Aphids →

Soybean Vein Necrosis Virus and Downy Mildew

Soybean field

Article is taken from  https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2024-26/soybean-vein-necrosis-virus-and-downy-mildew by Horacio Lopez-Nicora

As we progressed with our field scouting this past week, it has become evident that Soybean Vein Necrosis Virus (SVNV) is making a noticeable presence in our soybean crops across various regions. SVNV, a viral disease primarily spread by thrips, manifests typically as yellowing and necrosis along the veins of the soybean leaves. Initial symptoms include chlorotic lesions that evolve, resulting in a necrotic, vein-associated appearance. The impact of SVNV on overall yield is still under investigation, but early infection is generally more detrimental. Growers should be vigilant about thrip populations and adopt integrated pest management strategies, including the use of resistant varieties if available, to mitigate the spread of this virus.

Continue reading Soybean Vein Necrosis Virus and Downy Mildew →

Fall Forage Management

Alfalfa forage field

Article is taken from https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2024-26/fall-forage-management by Dr. John Yost

The fall is a critical time in our yearly forage management calendar. Regardless of how the growing season has progressed, your fall management practices will set the stage for getting the next spring off on the right foot. In this article, we will give some recommendations on soil fertility, fall planting of new alfalfa stands, and when to take the last forage harvest for the season.

Your soil fertility program is far and above the most critical component of your alfalfa management. While current weather conditions and harvest timing will most influence the quality of a single cutting, a well-balanced fertility program will ensure that the plant has the available resources to perform within its environment. Again, the goal is to finish the growing season with a healthy plant that has had sufficient time to accumulate top growth that will protect the crown from cold temperatures during the late fall and winter. Allowing for enough top growth will also allow the plant to increase its energy reserves to initiate rapid growth in the spring.

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Save the Date: CAP Field Day on August 28, 2024

CAP Field Day
Nutrient Management
August 28, 2024   5-8 pm
Location – Todd Hesterman Farm
R 802 Rt 109, Napoleon, Ohio 43545

No Cost to Attend,  Meal Included,   Registration needed by August 26
Contact Alansundermeier@gmail.com  or call 419-261-0625

CAP Field Day: Nutrient Management

Two August Field Days to Explore Barriers and Benefits of Crop and Livestock Integration

Exploring Crop and Livestock Integration Field Days

Article taken from https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2024-25/two-august-field-days-explore-barriers-and-benefits-crop-and by Cassandra Brown

Over the last 50 years, both crop and livestock production systems in the U.S. have become increasingly specialized and separated. A two-year Ohio State project has partnered with 31 working Ohio farms to examine the economic, ecological, and social impacts of specializing or integrating these farming systems. During this event, attendees will consider soil health results and other on-farm data from our two-year study, join in discussion with study participants about the benefits and barriers to integrating crop and livestock systems, and hear about specific strategies or issues from area farmers.

There is no cost to attend, but registration is required to receive the meal provided during the event. This project is supported by a grant from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

Two options to attend “Exploring Crop and Livestock Integration: Barriers and Benefits”

Wheat field unharvested

Article taken from https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2024-25/2024-ohio-wheat-performance-test-results-available-online by Laura Lindsey, Matthew Hankinson

Results from the 2024 Ohio Wheat Performance Test are now online by clicking here. This year’s report includes 84 winter wheat varieties and 17 brands grown in five counties (Wood, Wayne, Darke, Union, and Pickaway) (Figure 1).

In fall 2023, wheat was planted within 14 days of the fly-free date. Fall growth was good, and wheat entered dormancy in great condition. Higher than normal growing degree days in March through June accelerated crop development. Wheat was harvested about 10 days earlier than normal, with harvest dates ranging from June 18 in Pickaway County to July 2 in Wayne and Darke County. Overall, wheat yield was lower than the previous year, likely due to higher levels of disease and shorter grain fill period. In 2024, average grain yield across the five counties was 83 bu/acre (90 bu/acre average high and 75 bu/acre average low). In 2023, the average yield across locations was 108 bu/acre (117 bu/acre average high and 95 bu/acre average low).county map of ohio

Figure 1. The 2024 Ohio Wheat Performance Test was conducted in five counties and included 84 winter wheat varieties.

The purpose of the Ohio Wheat Performance Test is to evaluate wheat varieties, blends, brands, and breeding lines for yield, grain quality, and other important performance characteristics. This information gives wheat producers comparative information for selecting the varieties best suited for their production system and market. Varieties differ in yield potential, winter hardiness, maturity, standability, disease and insect resistance, and other agronomic characteristics. Selection should be based on

Battle for the Belt: Season 2, Episode 18- Planting Date and Weed Control Interactions

Champion Belt for Battle for the Belt in corn

Article is taken from https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2024-25/battle-belt-season-2-episode-18-planting-date-and-weed-control by Taylor Dill, Osler Ortez, Laura Lindsey, Alyssa Essman

Episode 18 of Battle for the Belt is now available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbf-dlV-jmc

In Episode 18, we are with Dr. Alyssa Essman, Weed Control Extension State Specialist, at the Western Agricultural Research Station in South Charleston, Ohio talking about weed management considerations for different planting dates.

Weed Control Considerations
The critical period for weed control is the first four to six weeks after crop planting. This period is when the young plants are most sensitive to competition with weeds for resources such as moisture and sunlight. Timely weed management, especially within this window, will reduce yield loss potential from the presence of weeds. In situations where soybean or corn are planted, but inclement weather prevents us from being able to get back into the field in a timely manner, it is very important to refer to herbicide labels and the weed control guide to evaluate management options. In areas that have had dry weather, the use of adjuvants becomes especially important, as plants develop a thicker cuticle and the herbicide has a harder time getting into the plant.

Weed Control in Corn – Western Site
The fifth planting date (June 17) of Battle for the Belt has more weed competition than the other planting dates at this time, as the plants were not tall enough yet to fully canopy, and the weather had not allowed a post emergence application. The height of weeds, growing past the top of the corn, shows that the weeds have a competitive advantage. In these plots, the plants near the weeds are about a leaf in growth stage behind the plants that are further from the weeds. In earlier planting dates, there is greater canopy closure and fewer weeds.

Continue reading Battle for the Belt: Season 2, Episode 18- Planting Date and Weed Control Interactions →

Lep Monitoring Network – News on WBC and CEW, Update # 15

Article taken from https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2024-25/lep-monitoring-network-%E2%80%93-news-wbc-and-cew-update-15 by Stephanie Pflaum, Amy Raudenbush, Maddie Brillhart, Nic Baumer, Lee Beers, CCA, Trevor Corboy, Allen Gahler, Don Hammersmith, Mary Jo Hassen, Alan Leininger, Ed Lentz, CCA, Sarah Noggle, Les Ober, CCA, Jordan Penrose, Mike Sunderman, Frank Thayer, Kyle Verhoff, Brooks Warner, Jacob Winters, Curtis Young, CCA, Andy Michel, Kelley Tilmon

We have just finished out our 15th week of monitoring for Ohio pests at the Lep Network. This past week, we have seen a continuation of WBC numbers trending down and a slight increase in the CEW average. As was mentioned last week, WBC populations across Ohio have most likely hit their peak numbers of the season and a decline should be expected. While we are most likely beginning to round out of the peak for this pest, any counties with averages that are still above 7 should continue scouting until their county numbers have significantly declined.

Western Bean Cutworm numbers are peaking in many counties across the state
This past week was our 6th week monitoring for WBC in Ohio. The statewide average for WBC decreased again from 1.9 during the week ending on July 21st to 1.0 for the week ending July 28th. The counties with the highest averages are Sandusky (19.0), Huron (7.0) and Henry (4.8) (Figure 1). While we are relatively certain that we have surpassed the peak in WBC moths for this year and are starting the decline, it is still important to be scouting for WBC egg masses (Figure 2). As mentioned above, if this week’s average topped 7 moths in your county, see below for tips on how to scout for this damaging pest. Counties that should continue scouting this week are: Huron and Sandusky.

Continue reading Lep Monitoring Network – News on WBC and CEW, Update # 15 →