By Dee Jepsen, State Agricultural Safety and Health Leader
As tractors, combines and grain appear on Ohio roads, roadway safety becomes a focus for all who share the road with farm machinery.
Vehicle collisions can happen at any time. Many result from the speed difference between slower-moving farm equipment and passenger vehicles, especially when motorists are distracted and don’t slow down in time before colliding with machinery. Other collisions happen when cars and trucks pass farm implements without a clear view of oncoming traffic.
Passenger vehicles play a role in roadway safety. Drivers in rural areas should be alert to the possibility of encountering slow-moving farm vehicles and be prepared to slow or stop. A little patience is needed this season as farmers move equipment and grain from fields to market. Try to avoid roads where farmers are actively working and limit tailgating or swerving behind large equipment where you can’t be seen by the tractor driver.… Continue reading
AgRevolution CEO Stacy Anthony joins Ohio Ag Net to talk how the company is flipping the traditional dealership model on its head. Instead of farmers hauling equipment in for service, AgRevolution brings parts, service, and solutions directly to the farm through a fleet of mobile trucks and a farmer-first mindset.
By Dee Jepsen, Ohio State University Extension Agricultural Safety Specialist
While farming is an occupation of productivity and pride, it’s also part of the agricultural industry, which is the most dangerous industry for workers across the country.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the agricultural sector reported 448 fatalities in 2023. Ohio contributed 2% to this national statistic. While this number may seem low, when reported by rate per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers, it becomes evident that farming is indeed the most hazardous industry.
How the numbers are calculated: In 2023, agriculture had a fatality rate of 20.3, while transportation and warehousing reported 12.9, and construction reported 9.6. Admittedly, other industries have more fatalities by numeric count, but they spread their injuries over a larger workforce. Using a rate-based calculation is important because it standardizes hours worked by the population of workers, making for more consistent comparisons across industry groups.… Continue reading
By Jason Hartschuh, OSU Extension Field Specialist, Dairy Management and Precision Livestock
Ohio is home to about 145,000 sheep on 4,133 farms, according to the 2022 census of agriculture, making it the 11th largest sheep production state in the country. These sheep are raised in both extensive and intensive systems, but precision livestock technologies are having a worldwide impact on both production systems. Precision livestock farming, PLF, is the use of real-time monitoring technologies to manage the flock at the animal level. This includes using monitoring equipment, data, user interface software, and artificial intelligence to guide decision-making. While other species have more developed precision livestock technologies, many different technologies are under development.
The most widely utilized technology is Electronic Identification (EID) Tags. These tags can pair with many other management tools to help improve sheep management. The most common uses are to pair with scale systems that automatically record sheep weights when they are on a scale.… Continue reading
As Farm Science Review 2025 kicks off, Dale Minyo visits with Dale Everman of Homan Inc. to highlight the equipment and innovations on display this year. Homan Inc. is showcasing a wide range of tools to help livestock and grain farmers. The featured equipment on their lot includes mixers, pumps, ventilation, and monitoring systems.
Catch all the details and learn where to find Homan Inc. at this year’s Review.… Continue reading
In this video, Jeff Lentz, General Sales Manager for AgRevolution, dives deeper with Dale Minyo about what separates the new equipment dealer from others in the market, including their on-farm focus.
By John Fulton, Elizabeth Hawkins, Stephanie Karhoff, and Aaron Wilson
Ohio State’s eFields program has allowed farmers across Ohio to conduct on-farm, field-scale research, generating practical insights into how products, technologies, and practices affect crop yields and profitability. One of the key strengths of on-farm research is its ability to aggregate data over time, enabling both regional and site-specific analysis of production strategies. For example, the eFields team conducted a seven-year statewide analysis that revealed planting date and relative maturity are key drivers of corn and soybean yields in Ohio, providing data-backed guidance for farmers and consultants.
The study analyzed data from 475 on-farm strip trials conducted between 2017 and 2023. These trials were carried out in partnership with farmers across the state, with detailed information on planting practices, crop varieties, field conditions, and weather data collected for each study. By aggregating this data, the eFields team was able to identify patterns that go beyond individual field results.… Continue reading
In this video, Daniel Stansbury, General Service Manager for AgRevolution, talks with Ohio Ag Net’s Dale Minyo about the company’s growing presence in Ohio and their unique approach to service with a heavy focus toward on-farm visits.… Continue reading
Ohio cornfields are entering a critical stage of development. Now is the time to scout for foliar diseases, such as gray leaf spot and northern corn leaf blight, that can significantly reduce yield. Gray leaf spot appears as narrow, rectangular lesions that run parallel to leaf veins. It thrives in warm, humid conditions, exactly what much of Ohio has experienced this July. Northern corn leaf blight shows up as long, cigar-shaped tan lesions and often strikes earlier in the season, especially in fields with a history of the disease or continuous corn. Both diseases can reduce photosynthetic area and lead to premature leaf death, cutting yields by 10% to 30%.
While manually scouting fields is an option, digital tools are available that can support scouting today, helping to identify fields or areas of fields. Drone scouting has evolved to provide an aerial view of fields, utilizing different camera technologies that can identify corn diseases and patterns not visible from the ground.… Continue reading
Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern announced on July 29 a definitive agreement to merge, forming the first true transcontinental railroad in the United States. The combined network will connect more than 50,000 route miles across 43 states, linking nearly 100 ports and delivering coast-to-coast service for American shippers.
Under the terms of the agreement, Union Pacific will acquire Norfolk Southern in a stock and cash transaction, implying a value for Norfolk Southern of $320 per share based on Union Pacific’s unaffected closing stock price on July 16, 2025, and representing a 25% premium to Norfolk Southern’s 30-trading day volume weighted average price on July 16, 2025. The value per share implies an enterprise value of $85 billion for Norfolk Southern, resulting in the creation of a combined enterprise of over $250 billion.
“Railroads have been an integral part of building America since the Industrial Revolution, and this transaction is the next step in advancing the industry,” said Jim Vena, Union Pacific Chief Executive Officer.… Continue reading
In this episode of the Ohio Ag Net Podcast, Dusty Sonnenberg and Brianna Smith chat with Ray Foos, ODOT Survey Operations Manager, and John Fulton, OSU Extension State Specialist on Precision Planting. They discuss the upcoming changes to the Geodetic Datum and how it will affect farmers.
Then, Dale Minyo talks with Luke Crumley, Director of Public Policy and Sustainability for Ohio Corn and Wheat. He highlights the wins of the recent reconciliation bill passing, along with the many funds protected for farmers within the Ohio State Budget.
Next, Joel Penhorwood continues to highlight a major piece of the Ohio State Fair, the open livestock shows. Joel highlights two shows, beef and sheep, talking with the Baney Sisters at Creek Bottom Farm and Tom Wallace and Family from Miami County.
To wrap up, Joel catches up with Jada Shroyer, of Logan County, who exhibited the Grand Champion Market Sheep at the 2025 Ohio State Fair, along with Madison Shatto, of Shelby County, who exhibited the Reserve Champion Market Sheep.… Continue reading
As yields get larger and harvesting time narrows, the new Brent Avalanche model 3298 with unrivalled 3,150 bushel capacity maximizes your combine efficiency. As the largest-yet Brent Avalanche grain cart, it’s capable of filling up to 3 semi loads of grain and getting back to the combine, minimizing harvest-time bottlenecks. And it features the pivoting auger design that has made the Avalanche grain cart a farmer’s favorite since 1998.
Its ultrafast unloading speed of up to 1,000 bushels per minute quickly unloads into waiting trucks to quickly catch the next combine loads. The cart’s versatility is enhanced with optional right- or left-hand unloading to meet farmer preferences.
The low-profile, dual-auger design offers easy filling and the steep-sloped hopper handles high-moisture grain with ease for complete cleanout. The dual augers are powered by an exclusive drivetrain with a belt-driven 20”-diameter horizontal auger working in conjunction with a heavy-duty, direct-drive 90-degree gearbox for the 24” vertical auger.… Continue reading
Farming may be in Trevor German’s roots, but his sights are set higher – roughly 10 feet higher, to be exact. With Eagle Eye Agriculture, he’s taken to the skies, swapping traditional sprayers for high-tech drones that deliver fungicides, cover crops, and data with precision.
German is the sixth generation on his family’s farm in Delphos, Ohio. Over the last 150 years, the farm has undergone significant changes, shifting from a livestock and vegetable production-focused enterprise to a row crop operation.
“Growing up, I never had a huge interest in agriculture,” German said. “Then, as I got older, I got into 4-H, and I showed pigs and cattle, and that got me around the farm a little more, helping with odds and ends. Now my brother and I are working on our transition plan once my grandpa decides to step away from farming.”
Knowing he wanted a future in agriculture, German enrolled at Ohio State University to study agricultural business.… Continue reading
Ohio had a challenging planting season in 2025, with cooler temperatures and wet weather. The data from the Midwestern Regional Climate Center(MRCC) from May 1 to June 14 showed that Ohio had above-normal rainfall. In the northwest part of the state, the precipitation was 1 to 4 inches above normal, with counties closer to Lake Erie experiencing the greatest amounts. A cluster of counties in the central and southeastern parts of the state experienced 2 to 4 inches above normal precipitation. Despite the planting challenges, I hope that the excess rain helped the southern counties replenish their groundwater reserves, which had depleted during the 2024 drought. The MRCC data also show that the average maximum air temperatures during May 1–June 14 remained about 1 to 3 degrees Fahrenheit below normal. The cooler weather likely affected crop emergence and soil drying. … Continue reading
In this unique take on the Cab Cam, Dusty Sonnenberg heads to Eagle Eye Agriculture and the operation of Trevor German. They focus on aerial drone services for farmers, including liquid and dry application, plus aerial imaging.
Ohio Ag Net’s Dale Minyo sits down with Stacy Anthony, CEO of AgRevolution, a new name in Ohio farm machinery focused on meeting you right at the farm. The two discuss how they’re bringing equipment and service solutions directly to local producers with a FarmerFirst mindset.
Brought out for display only a couple of times a year, including this Independence Day weekend, the antique tractor collection of Ernie Hageman at Buggy Wrench Farm is something to behold.
Ernie passed away in 2022, but his legacy continues in his family’s devotion to the tractors. Located outside of Sidney in the western part of the state, Ohio Ag Net’s Joel Penhorwood talks with Mary Lou Hageman and grandson Kyle Wright about the collection, which includes the “1923 Experimental,” deemed the world’s oldest Farmall.… Continue reading
By Erdal Ozkan Professor and Extension State Specialist, The Ohio State University
Applying pesticides requires a high level of skill and knowledge. Over the years, sprayers’ increasing size and complexity have necessitated even more attention to efficiency, efficacy, and safety when spraying pesticides. Although each crop requires a slightly different approach to pesticide application, some general principles apply to nearly all spraying situations. Here are my top 10 recommendations (not in any particular order) that will make spraying efficient and effective, resulting in a higher level of biological efficacy expected from pesticides applied:
Select the best nozzle type and size for the job. Although each component of the sprayer plays a role in achieving success in pesticide application, nozzles have the most significant impact. Nozzles are available in various types and sizes, each designed for a specific target and application. Most manufacturers’ catalogs and websites feature charts showing which nozzle type is best for a particular job.
Apple Farm Service is proud to announce the addition of Great Plains Ag equipment to their Washington Court House, Ohio location. This addition will allow Apple Farm Service to carry equipment, parts, and handle service warranty at all of their five locations.
“We have a positive relationship with Great Plains Ag and are excited to support our area farmers further at our Washington Court House store” said Kent Holmes, marketing manager at Apple Farm Service. “The addition of Great Plains at all five locations will benefit our customers with more available parts, quicker turn around, and less drive time for some.”
Great Plains is an American based and built company headquartered in Selina, Kansas. The company’s origins began in 1976 with their introduction of seeding equipment. Today, the company manufactures innovative tillage, seeding, and planting equipment. They proudly stand behind their slogan of “Harvest Starts Here”.
“Apple Farm Service also wants to share our appreciation for Anderson Equipment, who unfortunately had to close their doors earlier this spring,” stated Bill Apple, president and CEO of Apple Farm Service.… Continue reading
Most of you reading this article have probably never seen a wind tunnel. I want to describe what a wind tunnel looks like, how it operates, and, more importantly, how we use it to help soybean growers apply pesticides more efficiently and effectively by matching sprayer technology to soybean canopy characteristics. More specifically, we hope the results from this research will assist soybean growers in selecting the best nozzles and soybean varieties that increase the likelihood of pesticide droplets depositing on hard-to-reach areas of the soybean canopy, where insects and diseases may be present. We aim to address two questions that soybean producers often pose: 1) Are row spacing and plant population essential factors for effective spray deposition and coverage in the soybean canopy, and 2) What spray technology is available and recommended to maximize the efficacy expected from the pesticides applied?
Studies have shown the complexity of spray penetration in dense crop canopies.… Continue reading
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