Low Vomitoxin Levels in Corn but Rain and Delayed Harvest Could Change this Picture

By:  Pierce Paul, Wanderson B. Moraes, Marian Luis

After walking more than 40 corn fields and sampling more than 3,500 ears, we believe that Gibberella ear rot (GER), and consequently, vomitoxin levels likely will be much lower this year than they were last fall. This is because conditions during the weeks after silking were considerably less favorable for the disease to develop and the toxin to contaminate grain this year than last year. However, as is often the case, there were a few exceptions. We found low levels of GER in (sentinel-type) plots and research fields deliberately planted with hybrids that are highly susceptible to the disease, and these plots/fields will likely yield grain with some level of vomitoxin contamination (we are still processing our samples). Averaged across 10 locations, the incidence of GER on a susceptible hybrid ranged from 10 to 20%, i.e., 1 to 2 out of every 10 ears had visual symptoms of GER, and on average, less than 5% of the surface area of affected ears showed symptoms of the disease. Continue reading

Energy costs on the march. Are solar, wind and other renewable energy to blame?

This column appeared in the Columbus Dispatch on October 15, 2021.  See it here.

By: Brent Sohngen, Professor of Environmental and Natural Resource Economics, Ohio State University

The last year has been crazy in energy markets. The grid in Texas failed, California faced blackouts due to persistent drought, which lowered hydroelectricity production, and the fracking industry hasn’t ramped up production in part due to labor shortages. As a result, energy prices are on the march up.  This is not just a problem here in the US, rising prices and supply problems are a worldwide issue. Continue reading

Questions about the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Model of Direct Marketing? Attend a Virtual Mini-Conference October 25, 2021

By:  Eric Richer

There are many options when it comes to direct marketing farm-raised products. One of those option is using the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) model whereby customers buy a weekly ‘subscription’ of fresh produce, meat, eggs, etc. If you have interest in learning more about this model of direct marketing, you may consider attending the virtual mini-conference Thinking Inside the Box: Growing CSA’s Across the Tri-State Region. Continue reading

Jack Frost Will Bite Soon – Precautions for Feeding Frosted Forages

By:  Mark Sulc

One of these days soon we will have a frost. There is potential for some forage toxicities and other problems that can develop after a frost. Prussic acid poisoning and high nitrates are the main concern with a few specific annual forages and several weed species, but there is also an increased risk of bloat when grazing legumes after a frost. Continue reading

Delayed Wheat Planting

By:  Laura Lindsey

In general, the best time to plant wheat is the 10-day period starting the day after the fly-free safe date. When wheat is planted more than 10-days after the fly-free safe date, there is an increased chance of reduced fall growth and reduced winterhardiness. The effect of planting date on wheat yield is shown in Figure 6-2 of the Ohio Agronomy Guide. A free pdf of the guide is available by clicking here: https://stepupsoy.osu.edu/wheat-production/ohio-agronomy-guide-15th-edition (Download the pdf by clicking on the picture of the guide.) Currently, with funding from Ohio Corn and Wheat, we are re-examining the effect of wheat planting date…so stayed tuned next year for those results. Continue reading

OSU Income Tax Schools 2021

OSU Extension Announces Two-Day Tax Schools for Tax Practitioners & Agricultural & Natural Resources Income Tax Issues Webinar
Barry Ward & Julie Strawser, OSU Income Tax Schools

Dealing with the tax provisions of the COVID-related legislation for both individuals and businesses are among the topics to be discussed during the upcoming Tax School workshop series offered throughout Ohio in November and December.

“The annual series is designed to help tax preparers learn about federal tax law changes and updates for this year as well as learn more about issues they may encounter when filing individual and small business 2021 tax returns,” said Barry Ward, Director of the Ohio State University Income Tax School Program. Continue reading

Next Farm Office Live is October 15

Join OSU Extension Faculty and Staff on Friday, October 15 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. as we discuss current farm management and legislation issues.

Details and registration link are available at https://go.osu.edu/farmofficelive.  Below are this week’s topics:

  • Introducing…..Seungki Lee,  new Ag Economist
  • Federal Legislative Update
  • Farm Tax Implications from Federal Legislative Proposals
  • State Legislative Update
  • Ohio Farm Business Analysis 2020: Costs & returns for corn, soybeans and wheat
  • Crop Costs and Margins for 2022
  • Farm Office Program Updates
  • Panel Discussion: Considerations for End of Year Tax Planning with returning Special Guest Robert Moore, Esq.
  • Q&A

We hope to see you at this virtual session! Continue reading

October Harvest Weather Looks Good

By:  Jim Noel

After a brief period of wetness to start October, harvest season looks pretty good.

October temperatures will be well above normal. Rainfall will average close to normal after the brief wetter period this week.

https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/long_range/lead14/

The result will be that the first freeze date will likely be later than normal from October into early November. Continue reading

2021 Williams County Fall Soybean Weed Survey Results

Since 2006, Ohio State University Extension has recorded presence and level of infestation of weed species by surveying soybean fields in the fall. This information informs future weed management studies, led by Weed Science State Specialist Dr. Mark Loux, and identifies which weed species pose the greatest threat. Each county’s ANR Educator drives a 80-100 mi. circular route in his or her county, observing 80-100 soybean fields to estimate levels of weed infestation. Continue reading