Farm Management

Paulding County Pesticide and Fertilizer Recertification is schedule for January 23, 2025

Paulding County Fertilizer & Pesticide Recertification Classes

Attention Paulding County farmers and applicators! Mark your calendars for the Fertilizer and Pesticide Recertification Workshop on Tuesday, January 23, 2025. This is an important opportunity to renew your certifications and stay compliant while learning about the latest in fertilizer and pesticide management.

Event Details:

đź“… Date: Tuesday, January 23, 2025
đź“Ť Location: Paulding County Extension Office
503 Fairground Drive, Paulding, OH 45879

⏰ Schedule:

  • Fertilizer Recertification: 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
  • Pesticide Recertification: 9:45 AM – 12:45 PM

đź’˛ Cost:

  • Fertilizer Only: $10
  • Pesticide Only: $35
  • Combo (Fertilizer + Pesticide): $45

🍴 Light snacks will be provided with registration.

Important Information:

🚨 Pre-registration is mandatory.Spots are limited, and no walk-ins will be accepted.

🗓️ Registration Deadline: January 17, 2025

đź”— Register Here: go.osu.edu/PauldingPATFERT25
(Scan the QR Code below for quick access!)

Contact Information:

For questions or additional information, contact:
Sarah Noggle
📧 Email: noggle.17@osu.edu
đź“ž Phone: (419) 399-8225

Don’t miss this chance to recertify, connect with other producers, and gain valuable knowledge for the upcoming growing season. Reserve your spot today! 🌾

NW Ohio Newsletter 2025

📬 The 2025 Northwest Ohio Newsletter is Coming!

Exciting news! The 2025 Northwest Ohio Newsletter will be hitting mailboxes near the end of December! 🗓️

Packed with the latest updates on agriculture, Extension programming, and community opportunities, this newsletter is your go-to resource for staying informed and connected.

Prefer to read online? 📲 Check out the Virtual Version here.

Stay tuned—there’s a lot to look forward to as we kick off a new year together! 🌾

#Agriculture #Extension #NWOhio #StayConnected #LeanOnYourLandGrant #PauldingCountyStrong #OSUE

Ohio Maple Days 2024

Registration is now open for Ohio Maple Days 2024.

Friday, December 6th we will be offering a workshop on transition and estate planning featuring Ohio State University’s own David Marrison and Robert Moore.  While this workshop is a part of Ohio Maple Days it is open to any landowner who wants to participate.  Registration is available here.

 Saturday, December 7th is a day for everything maple.  Topics this year include an expert panel on filtering, cost-share programs, managing a timber sale, marketing for producers, and a grading and tasting session to name a few.  Visit with vendors and enjoy a maple-themed lunch.  Registration is available here.

Maple Days Flyer 2024

Farmer and Farmland Owner Income Tax Webinar

Article by Barry Ward & Jeff Lewis, Income Tax Schools at The Ohio State University

Are you a farmer or farmland owner wanting to learn more about the recent tax law issues? If so, join us for this webinar on Friday, December 6th, 2024, from 10 am to noon. This webinar is a part of our Farm Office Live Series and serves as our Farm Office Live! Webinar for December. To register for this webinar, go to: https://go.osu.edu/register4fol

This webinar will focus on issues related to farmer and farmland owner income tax returns as well as the latest news on CAUV and property taxes in Ohio and another reminder regarding changes to the Ohio Commercial Activity Tax (CAT). This two-hour program will be presented in a live webinar format via Zoom by OSU Extension Educators Barry Ward, David Marrison, and Jeff Lewis. Individuals who operate farms, own property, or are involved with renting farmland should participate. Continue reading Farmer and Farmland Owner Income Tax Webinar →

NW Ohio Corn Fields Needed for Research Projects

Are you a farmer in Northwest Ohio who planted corn this year? The Water Quality Extension Associates are looking for partners to participate in an “End-of-Season Soil Nitrogen After Corn” study to help understand nitrogen use and efficiency and potential adjustments to N programs. OSU Extension will pay lab costs for up to two samples per farm.

For more information, please visit go.osu.edu/eosnitrogen or reach out to Rachel Cochran at cochran.474@osu.edu or Heather at torlina.1@osu.edu.

Space Weather Disturbances and Farm GPS Interruptions: Understanding Last Week’s Solar Flares

Over the past week, one of the most frequent questions and concerns brought to the Paulding County Extension Office was about GPS malfunctions affecting farm operations. Many farmers reported having to manually steer combines, manure tankers, fertilizer applicators, and grain carts due to disrupted GPS signals. So, what caused these issues, and how can farmers prepare for similar disruptions in the future?

Introduction

Last week, a series of intense solar flares, part of ongoing solar activity, caused disruptions to satellite-based systems around the globe. Farmers using GPS technology for precision agriculture were particularly impacted, as these tools are essential for tasks like planting, soil mapping, and irrigation management. This article will explore how space weather, specifically solar flares, affects farm operations dependent on GPS, the science behind solar flares, and what to expect as we head toward the solar maximum. Continue reading Space Weather Disturbances and Farm GPS Interruptions: Understanding Last Week’s Solar Flares →

Farm Office Live Scheduled for October 18

OSU Extension will be offering the October Farm Office Live webinar on Friday, October 18 from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.  Farm Office Live is a monthly webinar of updates and outlooks on legal, economic, and farm management issues that affect Ohio agriculture. Some of the topics that will be addressed during this webinar include Fall Crop Insurance Update, USDA Drought Assistance Programs, Legal Update, Tribute to Paul Wright, Practical Out of Country Labor Resource for Farms, 4th Quarterly Fertilizer Price Summary, and  Winter Program Update. Featured speakers include guest Farm Office members Peggy Hall, Jeff Lewis, David Marrison, Robert Moore, Eric Richer, and Clint Schroeder. Register for this and future Farm Office Live webinars through this link on farmoffice.osu.edu.

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.

Cover Crops Roundtables – Join us monthly!

Join Paulding County Extension for their monthly, year-round series focusing on topics related to cover crops at their Cover Crops Roundtable meetings! These meetings are held on Tuesdays each month from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM at the Paulding County Extension Office. Continue reading Cover Crops Roundtables – Join us monthly! →

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/.

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.

Continue reading Fall Forage 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”

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 →

Organic Grain Production Field Day – Marketing, Mindset and Weed Management

Organic grain equipment

Article is taken from https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2024-23/organic-grain-production-field-day-marketing-mindset-and-weed by Cassandra Brown, Eric Richer, CCA, Eugene Law, PhD

The Ohio State University and the Organic Agronomy Training Service (OATS), will host the workshop “Organic Grain Production – Marketing, Mindset and Weed Management” on Monday, August 19 at Bishop Family Farms in Mount Blanchard, Ohio.

Organic grains can be profitable, but organic production and marketing are quite different from conventional practices. This all-day event will provide agricultural advisors and farmers an opportunity to better understand the unique challenges, tools, and benefits of organic grain production.

Programming runs from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with registration opening at 9:30 a.m. Morning sessions are centered around the 3 M’s crucial in organic transition: mindset, machinery, and marketing. Talks and panel discussions will feature experienced farmers and grain marketers, along with organic educators from OATS and Ohio State. After lunch, the focus is on organic weed management in grains, with machinery demonstrations and talks by workshop farmer speakers and Ohio State weed ecology specialist Eugene Law.

The cost of $20 includes a provided lunch. Up to 4 hours of CCA credits are also available. For more information and to register, please visit https://organicagronomy.regfox.com/ohio-grain-workshop.

2024 Third Quarter Fertilizer Prices Across Ohio

Loading of fertilizer applicator

Article is taken from https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2024-23/2024-third-quarter-fertilizer-prices-across-ohio by Clint Schroeder, Eric Richer, CCA, Amanda Bennett

Results from a quarterly survey of retail fertilizer prices in the state of Ohio revealed fertilizer prices were slightly lower than the July national averages reported by Progressive Farmer for the second consecutive quarter – DTN (Quinn, 2024). The survey was completed by 17 retailers, representing 11 counties, who do business in the state of Ohio. Respondents were asked to quote spot prices as of the first day of the quarter (July 1st) based on sale type indicated. This is part of a larger study conducted by OSU Extension to better understand local fertilizer prices, which began in December 2023.

In summary, survey participants reported the average price of all fertilizers was lower in Ohio compared to the national prices, with Potash ($456/ton in Ohio versus $506/ton nationally) and 28% UAN ($309/ton in Ohio compared to $345/ton nationally) offering the largest discounts (Quinn, 2024).

Continue reading 2024 Third Quarter Fertilizer Prices Across Ohio →

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.

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 →