Crops

While Brazil is positioned to surpass the U.S. in corn exports this year, the data don’t indicate the trend leading to this development will necessarily continue, as the South American country faces many challenges when it comes to agriculture and trade, a national ag economist said.

“U.S. exports have been hindered by droughts that have affected key areas of the Corn Belt,” said Krista Swanson, NCGA Lead Economist. “But the U.S. has several relative advantages in the global corn market that can be harnessed to support our $90 billion corn industry.”

The U.S. is bolstered by far superior infrastructure and sustainable farming practices, Swanson said. For example, she said Brazil is 86.6% of the size of the entire United States but has just 25% of the roadway miles found in this country, of which only 12.4% are paved. Nearly 70% of roadway miles are paved in the U.S.

The comments were made during a joint press conference hosted by the National Corn Growers Association and the U.S.… Continue reading

The Ohio Soybean Association (OSA) has announced its first ever Hometown Tour. The Hometown Tour will follow OSA to several farms across the state, where farmers can gather to learn about precision ag, including autonomous tractors, as well as specialty soybean opportunities, soy-based biofuels and more. Lunch will be provided and there is no cost to attend; however, attendees must register in advance. CCAs, CPAgs, CPSSs and CPSCs who attend are eligible to receive one CEU credit.

“We’ve had great success with farmer meetings, and we decided to take our organization on tour and meet farmers where they are,” said Patrick Knouff, OSA president and Shelby County soybean farmer. “We hope to provide a day full of fellowship and expert insight, especially since each meeting’s agenda will look slightly different.”

Tour dates, which will run from 11:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., include:

Thursday, Aug. 10

Goebel Farms, Stryker, OH

Friday, Aug. 25

Layman Farms, Kenton, OH

Monday, Aug.

By James J. Hoorman, Hoorman Soil Health Services

A mixed bag is occurring this year.  Some farmers have col, dry soil while others are getting too much rain.  Variable weather conditions mean there are a variety of nutrient problems.  The most common complaint seems to be slow growing soybeans.  Soybeans planted into heavy cereal rye combined with cold nights is resulting in slower soybean growth, especially if it is dry (slow nutrient release).  As summer progresses, temperatures should warm up the soybeans should catch up.  Rye residue conserves moisture and keeps the soil in a more ideal range for optimal plant and microbial growth later in the season when temperature get hotter, high 80’s and 90’s. 

There are several nutrient issues farmers can scout for this year.  On corn and soybeans, Boron (B) and Calcium (Ca) deficiency symptoms are noticeable.  On corn, look for parallel lines or just slight zipper effects on the outside of the leaf to identify B deficiency. … Continue reading

Timely precipitation supported row crops, with notable improvements in both corn and soybean condition, according to Ben Torrance, State Statistician, USDA NASS, Ohio Field Office. The most recent U.S. Drought Monitor report showed 59.6 percent of the State as abnormally dry or worse, with a reduction in acres meeting drought criteria. Conditions matching the moderate drought rating were observed in 24.9 percent of the State. Topsoil moisture conditions were rated 4 percent very short, 16 percent short, 73 percent adequate, and 7 percent surplus. Statewide, the average temperature for the week ending on July 16 was 73.8 degrees, 0.4 degrees above normal. Weather stations recorded an average of 0.71 inches of precipitation, 0.24 inches below average. There were 5.2 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending July 16.

Last week’s field activities included herbicide and fungicide applications and winter wheat harvesting. Reporters identified increased pest pressure in row crop acres.… Continue reading

By Alyssa Essman, OSU Extension State Specialist, Weed Science, Adapted from C.O.R.N. 2023-22

The 2023 growing season has brought a range of stress inducing weather patterns, from drought to waterlogging. Stressful conditions can make soybean more susceptible to injury from postemergence herbicides.

Yellow flash (glyphosate)

Temporary yellowing of newly emerged soybean leaves due to glyphosate application to glyphosate-resistant beans. More common in:

Conditions conducive to rapid soybean growth (high temperatures and/or humidity)

High rates/areas of overlap

Areas with micronutrient deficiency

Injury often appears one to two weeks after application and often disappears by 21 days after the area was treated. There is no evidence of yield loss from this phenomenon.

Glufosinate injury

Injury symptoms where glufosinate was applied to glufosinate-resistant beans:

Chlorosis, or yellowing, and some necrosis

Often worse when applied in hot, humid conditions

Injury often short-lived

Leaf malformation

Group 15 herbicides are an important component of late-season waterhemp management in soybean.… Continue reading

By Glen Arnold, CCA, OSU Extension Field Specialist, Manure Nutrient Management. Adapted from C.O.R.N. 2023-21

Wheat harvest is underway in parts of the state and some farmers are planting double-crop soybeans. The summer manure application window following wheat harvest is typically the 2nd largest application window each year. In recent years there has been more interest from livestock producers in applying manure to newly planted soybeans to provide moisture to help get the crop to emerge.

Both swine and dairy manure can be used to add moisture to newly planted soybean fields. It’s important that the soybeans were properly covered with soil when planted to keep a barrier between the salt and nitrogen in the manure and the germinating soybean seed. It is also important that livestock producers know their soil phosphorus levels, and the phosphorus in the manure being applied, so soil phosphorus levels are kept in an acceptable range.… Continue reading

By Matt Reese

It is a well-known fact that including wheat in the crop rotation has many positive benefits, both in terms of the environment and the bottom line. 

“We get the objection pretty regularly that wheat is a disruption from the fall/spring rotation. Wheat is ready for harvest around July Fourth when guys want to do other things during the holiday weekend, but at the at the end of the day, we hear all the time that the producers are bottom-line oriented so, regardless of the crop, if it’s a healthy addition to their farm, they’re usually willing to give it a try and make that investment in equipment and labor,” said Ken Davis, with Grow Pro Genetics. “You can’t be afraid of old-fashioned hard work and when it pays off, we find that guys will come back to it.”

Grow Pro Genetics specializes in soft red winter wheat breeding programs to maximize the benefits of wheat and minimize the challenges. … Continue reading

By Doug Tenney, Leist Mercantile

US highlights – Corn 2023 production 15.320 billion bushels and a yield at 177.5  bpa. Last month 15.265 billion bushels, yield of 181.5 bpa. Soybean 2023 production 4.3 billion bushels, last month 4.510 billion bushels. Note that the drop in US soybean production for 2023 is down significantly due to lower acres which were detailed with the June 30 Acreage Report.

More US highlights – US corn exports for 2022-2023 down 75 million bushels, corn for ethanol down 25 million bushels. US soybean exports for 2022-2023 down 20 million bushels, crush unchanged.  

World highlights – Brazil soybean production 156  million tons, last month was 156 million tons. Argentina soybean production 25 million tons, last month was 25 million tons. Brazil corn production 133  million tons, last month 132 million tons.

USDA today projected China would be importing 99 million tons of soybeans during the current marketing year from September to August.… Continue reading

By James Hoorman, Hoorman Soil Health Services

The Canadian Wildfires are playing havoc on humans, livestock, and agriculture.  At least 3,000 Canadian wildfires have burnt over 20 million acres with over 500 wildfires still active.  The fire season in Canada runs from May to October and this is the worst fire season (Level 5) since 1989. Dry weather, drought, plus poor forestry management has led to a lot of fuel for these wildfires, resulting in smoke and air pollution for the Midwest and Northeastern USA.

The hazy atmosphere is due to excess smoke and fine particulates in the atmosphere and can cause lung and breathing issues. Fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) in smoke inhaled in the lungs can lead to many health problems. Wildfire smoke symptoms include coughing, stinging eyes or eye irritation, fatigue (tiredness), headaches, rapid heartbeat, scratchy throat, short breath, runny nose, and wheezing.   People with asthma and heart disease are at the most risk of having adverse reactions to the smoke and fine particulates. … Continue reading

The Ohio State University at Lima will host a Drainage Installation Field Day on the campus farm on Tuesday, July 25, 2023.

Field demonstrations by the Ohio Land Improvement Contractors of America, or OLICA, will begin at 9 a.m. and will continue in an open-house-style format throughout the day. The event is free and open to the public. Parking will be available off Thayer Road. Maps of the campus with parking and registration areas marked are available as part of the registration process.  Lunch will be provided at noon. Bruce Clevenger, a farm management field specialist with Ohio State University Extension, will make a short educational presentation about crop yields and the economic benefits of drainage and drainage water management. Space is limited for lunch, so RSVP by July 16. Register here or visit go.osu.edu/limadrainageday for more information.

The schedule is:

• 9 a.m.-noon: field demonstrations
• Noon-1:30 p.m.: lunch and educational presentation
• 1-3 p.m.: demonstrations continue in the field

The field day is brought to the area by The Ohio State University at Lima; Ohio State’s Department of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering; and OSU Extension, in cooperation with the Ohio Land Improvement Contractors Association, and OLICA Associate members.… Continue reading

Aimpoint Research, a global strategic intelligence firm, released a new report, “A future without glyphosate” exploring the complexities of glyphosate’s impact on our agricultural system, farmers’ livelihoods, the economy, and the environment if the most widely used herbicide in the U.S. was no longer available. Ultimately, the report concludes that U.S. farmers and the agricultural system would eventually adapt, but the near-term consequences to the economy, environment, and farmers would be costly and far-reaching.

“Ongoing public debate about glyphosate has led some to question what the impacts would be if it were no longer available and Aimpoint Research is uniquely suited to develop that future scenario,” said Colonel (retired) Mark Purdy, Aimpoint Research Chief Operations Officer. “We leveraged multiple research methods, including open-source research, economic modeling, subject-matter expert interviews and military-style wargaming techniques to understand the impact of glyphosate on our agricultural system.”

“While markets would adapt to a world without glyphosate, it would be a substantial economic cost to farmers and cause the rapid release of greenhouse gasses, reversing decades of conservation and sustainability gains,” said Gregg Doud, Aimpoint Research Chief Economist.… Continue reading

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

The OFL Podcast for this month is on the road again with the latest Ohio Field Leader Road Show. Join Dusty at the Farm of Bob Suver in Clark County. Bob is a member of the Ohio Soybean Council and serves on the Market Development Committee. Along with being a 35 year no-till soybean producer, Bob also travels abroad developing markets for Ohio soybeans. He explains the ongoing work of USSEC and WISHH.  Dusty and Bob discuss no-till soybean production as well as market development both at home and abroad, and how check-off dollars make it happen.

Pursuant to Section 924.07 of the Ohio Revised Code, Brian Baldridge, Director, Ohio Department of Agriculture will conduct an election of the Ohio Corn Marketing Program Board on December 5, 2023.

The Ohio Corn Marketing Program is designed to increase the market for corn and enhance opportunities for Ohio corn growers. The program provides funds for corn research, education, and market development and promotion.

The election to the Board will include these five districts.

District 2: Ottawa, Sandusky, Seneca, Wood

District 6: Ashland, Knox, Marion, Morrow, Richland

District 8: Auglaize, Mercer, Miami, Shelby

District 11: Darke, Montgomery, Preble

District 14: Fayette, Highland, Pike, Ross

The Nomination Procedure is as follows:

• Nominating petitions may be obtained from Brian Baldridge, Director Ohio Department of Agriculture

Legal Section

8995 East Main Street

Reynoldsburg, Ohio, 43068-3399

Telephone (800) 282-1955 or (614) 728-6390

• Petitions require at least 25 valid signatures from Ohio corn growers who reside within the district in which the candidate seeks election.… Continue reading

By Brianna Gwirtz, OCJ field reporter

What do content creation, grain farming and cheerleading have in common? To most, the answer may seem elusive, but for Zoe Kent, these seemingly disparate elements have defined her life and career. From the fields to the vibrant screens of social media, Zoe has transitioned from her role as a farmer into an influential online persona.

As the eighth generation on her family’s Crawford County farm, Kent can’t recall a time when she wanted to be anything but a farmer.

“Maybe when I was in fifth grade, I thought about being a hairdresser, but I got over that pretty quickly,” Kent said with a smile.

As a child and a teenager, Kent was involved in a lot of extracurricular activities including 4-H, FFA and cheerleading. Her high school cheerleading career followed her into college, where she participated on the Ohio State University team while pursuing a degree in agricultural business.… Continue reading

By John Schoenhals, Pioneer Field Agronomist, Northern Ohio

There are many “adages” that fit all sorts of weather or farming situations, but one of my favorites came from my mom: “Normal is just a setting on the dryer.” Like most years, there has been nothing “normal” about the first half of the 2023 growing season.

Crop growth this year has been subjected to extremes in temperature, precipitation, and air quality/sunlight. The impacts of these extremes can be seen in the development of crops, and may continue having impacts on crops through the rest of the season.

Corn development is primarily driven by growing degree unit (GDU) accumulation. So far this year, GDU accumulation is near or below average. This is in contrast to several recent years in which GDU accumulation was above average for most of the growing season. While it may seem that the corn crop is “behind” where it should be based on calendar dates, most fields are at expectations based on GDU accumulation since planting.… Continue reading

By Alexander Lindsey, Laura Lindsey, Osler Ortez, Ohio State University Extension

Smoke from Canadian wildfires in 2023 has been prevalent in Ohio this year, and it has come into the state earlier in the season than in past years (like 2021). This condition has potential to cause harm to plants, but the diffuse light (instead of direct bright sunlight) may help to offset or negate reductions in overall light intensity.

Some of the main concerns related to crops:

1. Smoke reduces light availability, which could negatively impact photosynthesis in crops (process of converting CO2 into biomass). Reports have shown that reduced light intensity of 15% did not reduce corn yield, though yield losses have been evident when sustained shading (reduced light availability) of 30-50% was imposed.
2. If present in sufficient quantities near where the plants are growing, gases like ozone can induce plant stress and cause issues in growth and development.