There is nothing more frustrating than getting rejected at the elevator due to high vomitoxin (aka DON) levels. DON is produced by fungi produced on the ear and is usually infected at the time of pollination. To give farmers a better perspective of what happens behind the scenes at a grain elevator, we interview 3-grain merchandisers on their process when DON test levels start creeping up. Jason Beckman (Poet (https://poet.com/grain) ), Lisa Mitchell (Gerald Grain (https://www.geraldgrain.com/) ), and Seth Miller (The Anderson (https://www.andersonsinc.com/) ) take us behind the scenes of their operations to look at testing, grain flow and market impacts. We end with some quick reminders about DON management and to check the C.O.R.N. Newsletter (https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/co…) for updates and research on corn fungicide and disease.
Author: Sarah Noggle
Green Fields Green Dollars Episode 2 is out now!
The second episode of OSU Extension’s newest video series, Green Fields Green Dollars, is now live on the OSU Agronomy YouTube channel! Hosted by Rachel Cochran, Water Quality Extension Associate, and Clint Schroeder, Farm Business Analysis Program Manager, episode two focuses on the economics of cover crop benefits. Check out the video, linked here, to learn more about cover crops’ impact on yield, breakdown of returns by experience level, and value of ecosystem services.
Emergency Haying and Grazing of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Acreage Available for 70 Ohio Counties
By: David Marrison, OSU Extension Field Specialist, Farm Management
Figure 1: September 17, 2024 Drought Monitor
Drought conditions continued to degrade across Ohio. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor report on September 17, 59.56% of Ohio is experiencing severe or greater drought conditions with 9.5% classified as D4 or exceptional drought conditions (Figure 1). It is important to remember that D4 conditions only occur once every 50 to 100 years. Approximately 98% of the state is experiencing at least abnormally dry conditions. One silver lining is the current seven-day forecast shows the potential for rain in many areas of Ohio next week which should help slow the progress of drought should it occur.
The drought conditions have impacted both pastures and hayfields across Ohio. The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) administered under the USDA Farm Service Agency permits emergency haying and grazing on certain CRP practices in a county designated as D2 or higher on the U.S. Drought Monitor, or in a county where there is at least a 40 percent loss in forage production. Continue reading Emergency Haying and Grazing of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Acreage Available for 70 Ohio Counties
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.
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.
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.
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
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
Register for Ohio Pawpaw Conference on May 18
The Ohio Pawpaw Conference will be held in Wooster at the Shisler Center on May 18th. This one-day conference is a great place to learn, share, and network. Be surrounded by other pawpaw producers and enthusiasts. The Pawpaw conference brings in people from all over the state, please share with your clientele as conference capacity is limited. This year we will be hosting a tradeshow of books and products for your production needs and knowledge.
DATE OF CONFERENCE: Saturday, May 18, 2024, 8:00 AM-4:00 PM
COST: $50 (Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Conference Participation, Trade Show, and Bus Tour)
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: May 13
LOCATION: Shisler Conference Center, 1680 Madison Avenue, Wooster, OH 44691 (https://woostervenues.osu.edu/facilities/arden-shisler-center-education-and-economic-development)
REGISTRATION LINK: http://go.osu.edu/PAWPAW2024
Pawpaw 2024 Ohio Conference Flyer
Continue reading Register for Ohio Pawpaw Conference on May 18
Virtual Manure Monday Registration
Manure Monday webinars are back. Manure Mondays Registration Form is included in the link below. Join the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs starting Monday, March 4th, 2024 at 2 pm to continue conversations about a variety of aspects dealing with manure management.
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs invites you to the 2024 Manure Monday Series. Sessions will be delivered through Zoom. The sessions are free. When you register, you will be registered for all sessions. Registration link click here. Session dates will be March 4, 11, 18, and 25 from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm ET. 
- March 4 – Recycling Sand – Emerging Technologies for Sand-laden Manure
- March 11th–Manure Application Logistics and Field Strategies –making the most of every minute of application
- March 18th-Manure Additives –Overview of what’s available and how they work
- March 25 –Composting Bedded Pack Barns -The Ontario Study.
If you have any questions please contact us at by phone at 1-877-424-1300 or by email at ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca.
Farm Doc Provides Look at PLC and ARC-CO Decision for 2024
Don’t miss the deadline of March 15, 2024.
OSU Extension appreciates permission to cross-post this article written by Farm Doc and published on January 16, 2024.
First Look at PLC and ARC-CO for 2024
Because the 2018 Farm Bill was extended, farmers will have the same commodity title choices in 2024 as they have since 2019. These include the Price Loss Coverage (PLC), Agricultural Risk Coverage at the county level (ARC-CO), and ARC at the individual level (ARC-IC) programs. For the first time, the effective reference prices in 2024 for corn ($4.01) and soybeans ($9.26) will be above statutory reference prices ($3.70 for corn, and $8.40 for soybeans). Wheat’s effective reference price will remain at the statutory level of $5.50. Those effective reference prices are well below 2024 ARC benchmark prices: $4.85 for corn, $11.12 for soybeans, and 1 for wheat. As illustrated in the recently updated 2024 Farm Bill What-If Tool — a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet — ARC-CO will trigger larger payments when county revenues are driven by low yields, while PLC payments may be larger with moderately low prices and higher yields, as well as in scenarios with extremely low prices.
Payments from either PLC, and ARC-CO remain relatively unlikely for corn, soybeans, and wheat, even with lower prices expected for 2024. There is a higher likelihood of ARC-CO triggering payments on corn and soybean base acres given the higher benchmark prices compared with PLC’s effective reference prices. However, PLC may be attractive if an individual is concerned about corn and soybean prices falling below $3.75 and $9.00 per bushel, respectively. In addition, producers interested in using the Supplemental Coverage Option (SCO) insurance program will want to enroll in PLC.
Continue reading Farm Doc Provides Look at PLC and ARC-CO Decision for 2024
NW Ohio Agronomy Day
Join Henry County Extension at their NW Ohio Agronomy Day at the Bavarian Haus in Deshler, OH on Wednesday, February 7 from 8:00 AM until 3 PM. If you plan to attend, please take a moment, and register on the registration link. CCA, Commercial, and Private Pesticide Credits will be available. Speakers will include Bruce Clevenger (Economics of Drainage), Dr. Vinayak Shedekar (Drainage Water Recycling), Alan Leininger (Spray Drones), Michael Staton (Management of White Mold in Soybeans), Greg Labarge (Fertilizer Management). Additionally, if you need fertilizer or pesticide credits the day will continue from 3:00 – 4:00 PM.
See the official agenda here.
Ohio State Farm Succession Survey
Do you operate a farm in Ohio? If yes, your participation in a survey about the future of agriculture and farm succession plans across the state would be greatly appreciated. OSU Extension is pleased to be assisting Ryanna Tietje (OSU Senior studying agribusiness at The Ohio State University) with a honors research project. Ryanna is conducting a survey of Ohio’s farmers to gain a better understanding of farm succession in Ohio. If you are the primary operator of an Ohio farming operation, we would greatly appreciate if you would take approximately 15 minutes to complete the survey, which consists of about 45 questions.
The survey can be accessed at: www.go.osu.edu/FarmSuccessionSurvey/ 
Please be assured that the survey does not ask for any personally identifying information. In addition, all responses will remain anonymous and cannot be linked back to your specific operation. This research is being guided by Dr. Margaret Jodlowski and David Marrison. Thank you in advance for your time and effort completing this survey that will help with the advancement of Ohio agriculture!
January Issue of the Ohio Fruit Growers News
Bunch of elderberries with ripe fruit.
The January issue of Ohio Fruit News is available here and also available on-line. In this issue you will learn about:
- Proposed changes to the registrations for Ziram, Thiram and Ferbam, three fungicides that are critical to fruit disease management
- The current status of agricultural water standards for the Produce Safety Rule
- Fruit disease diagnosed in 2023 by the Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic
If the PDF version does not open please follow this link: https://u.osu.edu/fruitpathology/fruit-news-2/
eFields Available digitally
The 2023 eFields report will provide summaries of on-farm research trials conducted around the state. Printed copies are available to you at no cost via the Paulding County Extension.
You can see past reports online at www.go.osu.edu/eFields. Additionally, we would like your help in shaping the future of our research efforts. The following is a survey go.osu.edu/eFieldsImpact to help with our direction in 2024.
OSU Precision Livestock Farming education series
Technology is changing the way we manage plants and animals. When someone says Precision Agriculture, we often think about crop production but there are many opportunities for technology to enhance our abilities to care for livestock. This winter OSU Extension is offering a glimpse at some of these technologies through hour-long weekly webinars. Each week we will have an expert join us to discuss a precision livestock topic for the species of livestock they work with, or forage production. These technologies are allowing us to improve animal husbandry and management efficiency.
The webinars will be from Noon until 1:00 PM throughout the winter 2024 months on January 31, February 7, February 14, February 21, February 28, and March 6. You can register to attend all of the topics or just the one of interest to you. Registration is located at http://go.osu.edu/PLF24 or you can scan the QR Code below. 
Reach out to Jason Hartschuh at hartschuh.11@osu.edu with questions. To see the official flyer on Precision Livestock Farming flyer
Monthly topics include:
- January 31, 2024 – Utilizing Drones and remote imagery to determine forage quality and quantity in pastures and hay fields. Speaker: Dr. Josh Jackson, UK Extension
- February 7, 2024 – How does precision livestock farming relate to swine health? Speaker: Dr. Talita Pilar Resende, OSU Extension
- February 14, 2024 – Sprinkler Effects on Cooling Water Use, Litter Moisture, and Broiler House Environment. Speaker: Dr. Tom Tabler, UT Extension
- February 21, 2024 – Benefits of Data collection at lambing using RFID and handheld recorders. Speaker: Dan Persons, Shearwell Data
- February 28, 2024 – Activity and temperature monitoring systems for dairy calves, heifers, and cows, Speaker: Jason Hartschuh, OSU Extension
- March 6, 2024 – Pen-side Diagnosis of BRD pathogen, Speaker: Mohit Verma, Purdue Extension
New Private Pesticide Applicator Crash Course – Saturday, February 24, 2024
Saturday, February 24th, 2024: New Pesticide Applicator Training – 8:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Basic Information
- Registration on the day of event: 8:15 – 8:30 AM.
- The meeting begins at 8:30 AM and will conclude by 11:30 AM.
- Meeting Location: Youth Leadership Building, 503 Fairground Drive, Paulding, Ohio 45879 (This is a location change via the NW Ohio Newsletter in 2024)
- Cost: $25
- Registration Information: RSVP is MANDATORY with the deadline of February 20. Seating is limited, so no walk-ins will be available.
- Registration: https://go.osu.edu/24PestCrash or scan the QR Code at the bottom to reach the registration link.
This class is geared toward those preparing to obtain a Private Pesticide Applicator License in Ohio. The class covers the basics of how the Ohio Department of Agricultural test is formatted, testing tips, the basics of the CORE category required to be passed by all private and commercial pesticide applicators as well as Category 1 (Agronomic Crops and use of restricted use pesticides).
This new Pesticide Applicator “Crash Course” class is designed to help participants prepare for taking the Ohio private applicator CORE and Category 1 exams administered by the Ohio Department of Agriculture. Study guides need to be purchased separately. Registration will provide handouts and other resources. An additional study by the participants is encouraged beyond the time spent in class. Although this class will help prepare participants in CORE (applying pesticides properly and safely) and Category 1 (Grain and Cereal Crops), other resources will be made available for additional study in other certification categories. Participants can elect to test with ODA following the program on another date.
A light snack will be provided for the event. If you have previously purchased the Pesticide Applicator study materials, please bring those with you. The OSU Extension Office in Paulding County will also have those for sale before the event.
This crash course will cover a study session in the primary area of CORE (General Pesticide Laws and Rules) and have additional information on Category 1 (Agronomic Crops and Pesticides). This course may help those trying to obtain a Commercial Pesticide license in Ohio with information on the CORE section of the Commercial Test. Please note: This is not the actual test offered by the Ohio Department of Agriculture.
For more information, contact Sarah Noggle via email at Noggle.17@osu.edu or call 419-399-8225 and ask for Katie Gorrell to order study materials.