Crops

By Horacio Lopez-Nicora, Adapted from C.O.R.N. 2023-7

Dr. Travis Faske, prestigious nematologist from University of Arkansas, will visit the Department of Plant Pathology at Ohio State University and give a seminar titled: “Root-Knot Nematodes in Soybean: New Challenges from Old Pests”.

Several species of root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne spp.) can infect and reproduce on soybean in the U.S.  The southern root-knot nematode, M. incognita, is the most widespread species and therefore causes the greatest total damage to soybean production in the southern U.S.  Because of changes in crop production practices recent years this pest seems to be more problematic.  This seminar will cover the distribution and impact of the southern root-knot nematode on soybean and challenges with the use of host plant resistance, crop rotation, and seed-and soil-applied nematicides to mitigate yield losses.

The Department of Plant Pathology welcomes everyone to attend Dr. Travis Faske’s seminar in person or via Zoom. You can attend Dr.… Continue reading

By James Hoorman, Hoorman Soil Health Services

This year a common question is how to control common insect pests of crops and vegetables, a task that is becoming more difficult.  Farmers who use seed treatments and broad-spectrum insecticides to terminate pests generally also terminate the beneficial natural predators.  Some common Ohio corn and soybeans pests include soybean cysts nematodes, stink bug, wireworm, seed corn maggot, black cutworm, and true armyworm.

Soybean Cyst Nematode (SCN) damage soybean roots and has six life stages, 3-4 weeks apart.  Soybean damage looks like stunted yellow soybeans, generally in circular or oval areas where SCN egg populations are high. There are numerous predators to SCN including Endo parasitic fungi, predatory nematodes, mites, Collembola (jumping springtails), Enchytraeids (pot worms), rove beetles, and centipedes. Cover crops like cereal rye and annual ryegrass planted early in the fall when soil temperatures are above 50⁰F may reduce SCN levels 60-80%.   … Continue reading

By Matt Hutcheson, CCA, Soybean Lead/Field Agronomist, Seed Consultants, Inc. 

With spring planting right around the corner, it’s a good time to discuss key management practices and the impact they will have on the upcoming growing season. The crop starts the season with its highest yield potential. That yield potential can be lost throughout the season due to several factors. While many factors leading to yield loss are out of our control (weather, disease, insect pressure, etc.), it is important to properly manage the factors that can be controlled.

With the presence of herbicide-resistance weeds and the growing number of herbicide trait options, it is increasingly important for farmers to be well informed in their weed control decisions. Knowing what weeds are present and which herbicides will most effectively control them is crucial. In addition, growers should understand what herbicide products will be applied (either by themselves or commercial applicator), what level of control is expected, and any required application or plant-back restrictions.… Continue reading

By Alyssa Essman, Ohio State University Extension

Winter annual, biennial, and perennial weeds are starting to become more noticeable up as fields green up across the state. Identification of these species can help in planning for spring burndown programs.  

OSU weed science has resources to help with the identification and control of problematic overwintering weeds. Check out the YouTube page for 360 degree videos of common species such as marestail, common groundsel, field pennycress, henbit, and purple deadnettle. The wild carrot and poison hemlock videos are especially helpful as they can be difficult to tell apart in the seedling stage. More in-depth videos and fact sheets exist for dandelion, wild carrot, poison hemlock, and cressleaf groundsel. Identification of these and several other overwintering species are covered in the Common Ohio Winter Annual Weed Identification video. The Ohio State University Guide to Weed Identification and Identifying Noxious Weeds of Ohio are digital books available on iTunes or GooglePlay that can be helpful for ID and control recommendations on the go. … Continue reading

By Dusty Sonnenberg, CCA, Ohio Field Leader, a project of the Ohio Soybean Council and soybean check-off.

The Clean Fuels Alliance, (previously known as the National Biodiesel Board) recently hosted a group of farmers on “The Big Apple Tour” to New York City.  While there, the participants learned about how biodiesel and renewable fuels, as well as other soybean-based products, are being used in that region.

Nathan Eckel is a soybean farmer from Wood County and member of the Ohio Soybean Council and serves on the Council’s Soy Demand Committee. Eckel was a participant on The Big Apple Tour and was able to gain valuable insights from the soy-based product users they visited, as well as what other needs are where soy could possibly be a solution.

One stop on The Big Apple Tour was with the Fire Department of New York (FDNY).

“We were able to tour the New York City Fire Department training facilities and visit with the firefighters about the biodiesel that they use in their fire engines and ladder trucks,” Eckel said.… Continue reading

By Ed Lentz, CCA, Laura Lindsey, Ohio State University Extension

Wheat has already reached green-up across the state so spring N may be applied anytime fields are fit. Keep in mind that research has shown no yield benefit to early N applications as long as the application was made by Feekes GS 6 (one visible node). (If you need a reminder on how to assess if wheat is at Feekes GS 6, see this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_f3VrqzV5c) Nitrogen applied early has the potential to be lost since wheat will use little N until after jointing. Urea-ammonium nitrate (UAN) or 28% has the greatest potential for loss and ammonium sulfate the least. Urea will have little potential for loss as long as it does not volatize. No stabilizer will protect the nitrate component of UAN, which is roughly 25% of the total N in UAN at application time. 

Ohio State University recommends the Tri-State Fertilizer Recommendation Bulletin for N rates in wheat.… Continue reading

Cory and Carl Atley from Greene County again topped the state in the National Corn Yield Contest, and also came out on top in their category in the nation. Cory turned in the highest yield in Conventional Non-Irrigated in the Corn Belt states with 366.3266 bushels from DEKALB DKC63-91RIB. Carl placed second in the nation in the Conventional Non-Irrigated Class with a yield of 365.5673 bushels per acre. The hybrid used in the winning field was DEKALB DKC63-91. 

The Atleys were among 27 growers — three from each of nine classes — who were named national winners, representing 12 states. There were also 538 state winners nationwide. The 2022 contest participation included 6,337 entries from 46 states. Of the state winners, 

Jim Dauch of Bellevue, placed first in Ohio in the No-Till Non-Irrigated Class with a yield of 300.9277 bushels per acre. The hybrid used in the winning field was Pioneer P1197AM. … Continue reading

By Matt Hutcheson, CCA, Soybean Lead/Field Agronomist, Seed Consultants, Inc. 

Two aspects of stand establishment often discussed by agronomists are emergence and seed spacing. “Picket fence” spacing in corn helps plants grow efficiently and minimizes competition between them. Uniform spacing is an important part of stand establishment. More importantly, however, is uniform emergence. Plants that are just 1 leaf collar behind (due to uneven emergence) significantly reduce yield. According to Paul Jasa, University of Nebraska Extension ag engineer, “When a plant develops ahead of its neighbor, it hurts yield dramatically. It’s going to vary somewhat from year to year, but a plant lagging behind those around it becomes a weed.” To achieve uniform emergence, consistent planting depth is critical.

Field conditions, gauge wheel settings, unit down pressure, and planter speed all affect seeding depth. Set planter depth and check it regularly. A planter may have enough weight to apply the proper down force when full, but what about when it’s almost empty?… Continue reading

By Dusty Sonnenberg, CCA, Ohio Field Leader, a project of the Ohio Soybean Council and soybean check-off

The North Central Soybean Research Program was formed in 1992, shortly after the soybean check-off went national and became a mandatory check-off. It was understood that soybean production challenges and research does not stop at state boundaries, and there was a great opportunity to pool resources and pool expertise.

Ed Anderson has experience in multiple arenas of the soybean industry. For the past 10 years, he has served as Sr. Director of Research at the Iowa Soybean Association and also worked as the Executive Director of the North Central Soybean Research Program (NCSRP). Prior to his work in the not-for-profit world, Anderson was a part of the university system, and previous to that worked for a large private company.

“There have been a number of successes the program has achieved for the stakeholders who farm in the 13 states that make up the NCSRP.… Continue reading

Over 10,400 attendees — farmers as well as exhibitors, industry stakeholders and members of the media — gathered for the 2023 Commodity Classic March 9-11 in Orlando. 

The 2023 event broke the previous Commodity Classic record of 9,770 attendees, which was held in New Orleans in 2016.

“The excitement in Orlando was energizing,” said George Goblish, a Minnesota farmer, ASA member, and co-chair of the 2023 Commodity Classic. “We knew going into the event that registration was up 30% over last year, but to have a record-breaking show just blew us away.”

Kenny Hartman, an Illinois farmer, NCGA member, and fellow 2023 co-chair, said, “There’s nothing like connecting in person, and it just felt like everyone was so excited to come together again to see the best agriculture has to offer. I can’t wait to see everyone again at the 2024 Commodity Classic in Houston.” 

This year’s event featured more than 30 educational sessions, a sold-out trade show with over 400 exhibitors, a keynote address by U.S.… Continue reading

A new University of Illinois project is using advanced object recognition technology to keep toxin-contaminated wheat kernels out of the food supply and to help researchers make wheat more resistant to fusarium head blight, or scab disease, the crop’s top nemesis.   

“Fusarium head blight causes a lot of economic losses in wheat, and the associated toxin, deoxynivalenol (DON), can cause issues for human and animal health. The disease has been a big deterrent for people growing wheat in the Eastern U.S. because they could grow a perfectly nice crop, and then take it to the elevator only to have it get docked or rejected. That’s been painful for people. So it’s a big priority to try to increase resistance and reduce DON risk as much as possible,” said Jessica Rutkoski, assistant professor in the Department of Crop Sciences, part of the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) at Illinois.… Continue reading

The Next Generation Fuels Act was reintroduced in the U.S. Senate today, drawing praise from the National Corn Growers Association. The legislation, which has been one of NCGA’s top advocacy priorities, would lower fuel prices, reduce carbon emissions and help shore-up America’s energy security.

Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) led the bipartisan Senate reintroduction along with Sens. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill). 

“We’re very grateful to Sen. Grassley, along with Sens. Klobuchar, Ernst and Duckworth, for taking the lead on this priority legislation for corn growers,” said Tom Haag, NCGA president. “The Next Generation Fuels Act addresses some of the country’s most pressing concerns by providing consumers with more options in the transition to cleaner fuels and vehicles and supporting our long-term energy security.”

The Next Generation Fuels Act would clean up our nation’s fuel supply and transition new vehicles to use cleaner, more efficient fuels that also lower costs for drivers.… Continue reading

By Matt Reese

The increase in cool, wet spring conditions in recent years has created a suite of challenges for planting and establishing early corn and soybean stands, including damage from slugs.

David Brandt has been dealing with slug issues for decades in his long-term no-till and cover crop fields in Fairfield County.

“In the 80s we were the slug capital of the world here on this farm and we’ve learned to delay planting a little bit to get the soil warmed up, get the cover crops growing really well and then plant the corn or the beans. We maybe wait a little bit to terminate the cover crop too. We found that the slugs do not like corn and beans all that much — they’ll eat the rye or the hairy vetch or the crimson clover way before they eat the corn and beans. The only reason they do is we kill everything else,” Brandt said.… Continue reading

By James Hoorman, Hoorman Soil Health Services

Biologicals may be the next revolution in farming.  Biologicals are natural products, either living or chemical by-products, that benefit crop production.  Chemical by-products include minerals, organic materials, and plant extracts.  Many snake oil type products exist on the market and it is difficult to separate out good products from bad. 

Dr. Jane Fife, 3 Bar Biologics outlined the use of biologics at the Conservation Tillage Conference.  A number of bio-stimulants and bio-fertilizers decrease many environmental stresses like drought, high or low temperatures, and soils with high salts.  Many products also improve the plant’s ability to recycle soil nutrients and speed up biological processes. 

The problem with many biologicals is that they are not highly regulated yet but bioinsecticides are regulated.  A common example is Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) which is a registered and regulated bioinsecticide.  Other substances can be living or nonliving and have been harder to regulate.… Continue reading

Ohio State University Extension invites Ohio grain producers to grab a cup of coffee and join the next edition of a quarterly grain market conversation with Seungki Lee, Assistant Professor in the Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Development Economics (AEDE) from 7:30 to 8:00 a.m. on Friday, April 14, 2023.

During this webinar held via Zoom, Dr. Lee will provide his insights on the World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) crop report.

“These early morning webinars will be a great way for Ohio farmers to learn more about the factors impacting the corn, soybean, and wheat markets,” said David Marrison, Interim Director for OSU Extension’s Farm Financial Management and Policy Institute.  

Producers are encouraged to bring their questions to this early morning conversation.

Click here for the program flyer 

There is no fee to attend this quarterly webinar session. Pre-registration can be made at go.osu.edu/coffeewithDrLee.

Additional sessions will be held on September 15, and November 17, 2023.… Continue reading

By Dusty Sonnenberg and Matt Reese

While many Commodity Classic discussions revolved around green energy, Crawford County farmer Steve Reinhard spent much of the event wearing green (well ahead of St. Patrick’s Day) to highlight the unity of Team Soy. Reinhard serves as the vice chair of the United Soybean Board (USB).

“The theme this year for our booth was Team Soy. Not only are we expressing what we do here at USB and all of our farmer members that lead the board, we also have our team of other cooperators that we work with within that soy family. We have the American Soybean Association right beside us. We have Clean Fuels America, which is right across the aisle way and we do a lot of biofuel stuff with them. Then we also have the U.S. Soy Export Council and they do all of our foreign market development and then we have the United States Egg and Poultry Association and the U.S.… Continue reading