For the sixth week of Western Bean Cutworm (WBC) monitoring (July 23-29) six moths per trap were observed. Scouting for egg masses is recommended when adult WBC trap counts average 7 or more moths per week in tasseling or pre-tassel corn. You can learn more about this pest by clicking here to access the OSU Extension Western Bean Cutworm Factsheet.
Join OSU Extension Henry County for the inaugural Tri-State Precision Agriculture Conference on August 11, 2021. Speakers will discuss current trends in tillage equipment, and equipment demonstrations will feature high speed tillage, vertical tillage, strip tillage, and cover crop seeding systems. Fertilizer re-certification and CCA credits available.
When: Wednesday, August 11, 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Where: Northwest State Community College, 22600 OH-34, Archbold, OH 43502
Cost: $20 by August 2, $30 after August 2 including at the door. Free to all FFA and 4-H members. Registration includes catered lunch.
RSVP: RSVP is REQUIRED at go.osu.edu/tristate_pa
For more information, please contact Alan Leininger at 419-592-0806 or leininger.17@osu.edu Continue reading
Paulding County Extension will be hosting two events in Northwest Ohio in August: a soil health tour and a follow-up event with a guest speaker. The soil health tour includes stops around Northwest Ohio showcasing different practices to help improve soil health. A map of tour stops can be found at go.osu.edu/soilhealthtour and will be updated as tour stops are confirmed. The tour stops will be accessible from Friday, August 13th to Thursday, August 19th. Following the close of the Soil Health Tour, Paulding County Extension will host speaker Shalamar Armstrong on August 19th from 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM to speak on cover crops’ effects on Nitrogen and Phosphorus cycling and fate. In addition, farmers that provided sites for the soil health tour will be present to discuss practices and ideas with attendees before and after our speaker. Certified Crop Advisor credits will be available for the event. See flyer and video below for details.
Image: Farm Science Review
The 59th annual Farm Science Review is set for September 21-23 at Ohio State’s Molly Caren Agricultural Center, 135 State Route 38, near London.
Featured at the event will be more than 100 educational sessions, including “Ask the Expert” talks; 600 exhibits; the most comprehensive field crop demonstrations in the United States; a career exploration fair; and immersive virtual reality videos of agricultural activities.
This year’s Farm Science Review will also feature a new online component called “Farm Science Review Live.”
Hours for Farm Science Review are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 21–22 and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 23.
Tickets are available at our office, $7 each. Either cash or check payable to OSU Extension Williams County are accepted. Tickets are $10 at the gate. Ages 5 and under are free admittance.
For the fifth week of Western Bean Cutworm (WBC) monitoring (July 16 – 22) seven moths per trap were observed which means it is time to scout for egg masses in corn fields that are pre-tassel or approaching tassel.
Here is how to scout for WBC and treatment recommendations (provided by Amy Raudenbush):
Field corn should be treated with a foliar treatment if more than 5 % of inspected plants have eggs or larvae. Sweet corn should be treated if more than 4 % of inspected plants have eggs or larvae (processing market), or 1 % of plants (fresh-market). Continue reading
By: Pierce Paul
Not only has rain delayed the harvest of some fields for grain, it has also delayed the baling of straw in several fields that have been harvested. In Ohio, wheat straw is sometimes just as important or even more important than grain, as it is used as bedding for livestock, and in some cases, as a feed ingredient. Delayed baling due to excessive rainfall could cause the quality of the straw to deteriorate as a result of mold growth. To fungi (molds), wheat straw is nothing more than dead plant tissue ready to be colonized. Under warm, wet conditions, saprophytic fungi (molds that feed of dead plant materials) readily colonize wheat stubble, resulting in a dark moldy cast being formed. This problem is particularly severe in lodged fields.
Some of the molds growing on the wet straw in the field, including the fungus that causes head scab (Fusarium graminearum), also produce mycotoxins such as vomitoxin. This could be a concern when using straw for bedding or as a feed ingredient. In general, vomitoxin levels are much higher in straw than they are in the grain, and even when the straw is used as bedding, a small portion of it is consumed. For instance, depending on the production system, pigs may obtain up to 12% of their total feed intake from straw. Pig are particularly sensitive to vomitoixin – it causes vomiting (hence the name), feed refusal, and low weight gain. A good way to tell if the straw is colonized by the scab fungus it to look at the color of the mold growing on it – a pinkish-white mold would be a good indication that the straw could be contaminated with vomitoxin.
Vomitoxin contamination of straw tends to be highest when the straw is baled from fields with high levels of head scab. In addition, straw from fields that were planted with head scab resistant variates usually contain less vomitoxin than straw from fields plated with susceptible varieties. Thankfully, head scab levels were very low in most fields across the state this year, as a result, initial vomitoxin levels in the straw may be low. However, straw from scab-free fields can still be colonized by the fungus and contaminated with vomitoxin, especially if it goes through repeated wetting and drying cycles before being baled. This would be even more of a problem for those fields that have not yet been harvested, as both the grain and the straw could be contaminated with vomitoxin. Moldy straw could also contain other mycotoxins that are harmful to livestock. So, in addition to examining the straw for mold growth (pinkish color), get a sample tested for mycotoxins before using it for bedding or feed.
By: Stephanie Karhoff
For the fourth week of Western Bean Cutworm (WBC) monitoring (July 8-15) four moths per trap were observed. Scouting for egg masses is recommended when adult WBC trap counts average 7 or more moths per week in tasseling or pre-tassel corn. You can learn more about this pest by clicking here to access the OSU Extension Western Bean Cutworm Factsheet.
By: Stephanie Karhoff
Learn how to safely operate agricultural equipment with OSU Extension and Kenn-Feld Group at their Women’s Tractor Safety and Operation Program. OSU Extension Educational Program Manager Lisa Pfeifer will demonstrate how to stay safe around agricultural equipment and identify equipment parts. Then take the driver’s seat and practice operating equipment thanks to our hosting dealership Kenn-Feld Group.
The Women’s Tractor Safety and Operation Program will be held on Saturday, August 28 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Kenn-Feld Group, 2772 US-6, Edgerton. The cost of the program is $10 per person and includes coffee and refreshments.
Women of all ages interested in learning how to operate compact to mid-size tractors in a supportive environment and network with other area women are encouraged to attend. Registration is required by August 23 and is limited to 20 participants. Register online at go.osu.edu/WmsCoTractorSafety or call Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Educator Stephanie Karhoff at 419-636-5608 for more information.
By: Barry Ward, David Marrison, Peggy Hall, Dianne Shoemaker, Julie Strawser – Ohio State University Extension
Farm Office Live returns this summer to provide the latest outlook and updates on ag law, farm management, ag economics, farm business analysis and other related issues. Targeted to farmers and agri-business stakeholders, our specialists digest the latest news and issues and present it in an easy-to-understand format.
The live broadcast is presented monthly. In months where two shows are scheduled, one will be held in the morning and one in the evening. Each session is recorded and posted on the OSU Extension Farm Office YouTube channel for later viewing.
By: Stephanie Karhoff
For the third week of Western Bean Cutworm (WBC) monitoring (July 1 -8) one moth per trap was observed. Scouting for egg masses is recommended when adult WBC trap counts average 7 or more moths per week in tasseling or pre-tassel corn. You can learn more about this pest by clicking here to access the OSU Extension Western Bean Cutworm Factsheet.
The WBC monitoring program is a state-led initiative to better understand insect populations, and develop management recommendations for growers. Each week, statewide WBC numbers will be published in the C.O.R.N. newsletter. Williams County WBC numbers will also be published on this blog on a weekly basis. If you are interested in hosting a trap in 2022, please call the Williams County Extension Office at 419-636-5608.
