Artificial intelligence is quickly becoming more than a buzzword in agriculture. As farmers manage tighter operating windows, labor challenges, rising input costs and increasingly complex field conditions, Artificial intelligence-enabled equipment is helping turn machine data into decisions and action directly in the field. On this Ohio Ag Net Podcast, powered by Ohio Corn and Wheat, AGCO’s Andrew Sunderman shares what farmers need to understand about where AI is headed in agriculture.
Plus, the late-season rains are beneficial to the later planted corn and soybeans, but they could be a detriment as far as mold, disease, sprouting, stalk quality and vomitoxin. James Jacobs with Seed Genetics Direct has some insights on how mud may not be the biggest challenge for farmers this fall.
On National Nematode Day 2026, Dusty is joined by Dr. Horacio Lopez-Nicora, OSU Extension Soybean Pathologist and Nematologist, along with Dr. Taylor Dill, Director of Research for the Ohio Soybean Council, to discuss the issues of SDS, SCN, and how they are connected. They also talk about the importance of pulling soil samples after harvest to check your SCN numbers.
A soil test is one of the most profitable investments a grower can make when developing a nutrient management strategy. While standard fertility testing remains the foundation of sound agronomic decision-making, some operations are increasing the return on soil sampling by including additional analyses beyond traditional nutrient recommendations. Soil health tests and soybean cyst nematode (SCN) testing are examples of specialized analyses that can help growers make more informed decisions and improve crop performance.
In many cases, adding these tests requires little additional effort. Depending on the laboratory being used, growers may simply select additional analyses on the submission form. Often, the soil collected for routine nutrient analysis exceeds the amount needed for laboratory nutrient analysis. Rather than discarding the excess soil, it can be placed into another sample bag for additional tests. If there is insufficient volume to divide the sample, collecting a few extra cores during sampling can easily provide enough material.… Continue reading
This year has brought many weather extremes, including record rainfall in August. As the saying goes, “rain makes grain.” However, days on end of rain, cloudy conditions, and humidity in mid-August have also raised another concern: vomitoxin (VOM) potential.
For many, July remained fairly hot and dry, and by Aug. 1 the risk of vomitoxin appeared low. However, the persistent high-moisture conditions from Aug. 10-21 have led to the development of gibberella ear mold, which often manifests as vomitoxin-infested grain.
The good news is I anticipate many will also see very good yields, particularly on the well-drained acres planted early. These acres have had the opportunity to alter their DNA (stress memory) based on a multitude of stresses: dry early, cool and wet May, dry again, and wet late. When plants experience a specific stress a second time (e.g., wet), after enduring it earlier, they can alter genes to handle the repeated stress better.… Continue reading
By Dusty Sonnenberg, Field Leader, a project of the Ohio Soybean Council and Soybean Checkoff
In 2019, the H2Ohio program was announced as an effort to address concerns of water quality issues and tackle the algal bloom issues that were impacting the state. Dr. Chris Winslow is Director of the Ohio Sea Grant College Program and The Ohio State University’s Stone Laboratory. Winslow has been involved in water quality research and monitoring the situation since the beginning of the H2Ohio program and joins Dusty to look back at the work that has been done, progress that has been made, as well as future initiatives to further accomplish the goals of H2Ohio.
Allison Ryan, director of marketing and communications for MVP Dairy in western Ohio, is among the inaugural recipients of the National Dairy Shrine Emerging Leader Award. She talks with Ohio Ag Net’s Joel Penhorwood about her career in dairy communications, connecting agriculture with consumers, and the importance of authenticity when telling agriculture’s story.
The National Dairy Shrine officially awarded Allison with the honor at the 2026 World Dairy Expo, along with fellow Ohioan Dr. Bo Harstine of Select Sires Inc.… Continue reading
By Mike Zuzolo, Global Commodity Analytics & Consulting LLC
With energy resuming its rally, tightening supplies and little sign of demand rationing, grains and soybeans have one more major hurdle to jump for a counter-seasonal harvest rally: the late-September Trump-Xi meeting.
Geopolitical fundamentals continue to show escalation, rather than the de-escalation the trade had priced in, in key commodity regions of the Middle East and Baltic. In my view, this has helped keep the entire commodity complex supported.
In addition, USDA continued to raise U.S. average prices for wheat, corn and soybeans in its September WASDE update, a feature that usually suggests limited demand rationing is taking place. Since May, USDA has increased the average corn price by 30 cents per bushel to $4.80 and the soybean price by 60 cents per bushel to $12.
In the aftermath of the September WASDE report, two major questions are running through my mind heading into October:
Based on information from my clients and subscribers, was USDA correct in lowering its corn yield estimate while raising its soybean yield estimate?
Last month I was cycling with a friend. Before we reached the halfway mark, we decided to bypass a longer route because daylight was shrinking. The miles flew by in a hot, humid evening with zero air movement. Despite that sticky weather, as we got closer to his home, we made another decision, this time adding miles back in. Crazy huh! We were soaked from the humidity. The twice-amended route got us back five minutes after the official sunset. I quickly remembered that a ride leader on a group ride calls that feat “leaving nothing on the table,” referring to daylight hours. Producers will be achieving that feat now, in reference to working long hours, dozens of times this fall, as some could still be harvesting in mid-November. Here’s to a safe, successful harvest season.
On Tuesday, Sept. 1, December 2026, CBOT corn closed at $5.46, up 6.5 cents as it made fresh new contract highs for four consecutive days.… Continue reading
U.S. beef and pork exporters could see improved access to the Chinese market as the United States and China continue working through broader trade issues.
High-level trade talks were held last week in conjunction with a summit between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. While the discussions did not produce announced breakthroughs on trade, the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) is encouraged by the potential for agricultural products, including U.S. beef and pork, to receive more favorable treatment.
“There’s a couple of things that stand out,” said Dan Halstrom, USMEF president and CEO. “Number one, I think we’re especially encouraged that the two sides are really looking to separate trade between non-sensitive goods under the recently established U.S.-China Board of Trade.”
He said U.S. beef and pork, including variety meats, are expected to be among the products considered for more favorable treatment from a tariff standpoint.
“This also provides a path forward where we can maybe separate agriculture and specifically U.S.… Continue reading
Ohio lawmakers have passed legislation establishing a 90-day suspension of the state’s gas tax, sending the measure to Gov. Mike DeWine for his signature. The temporary tax holiday aims to provide immediate financial relief to farmers, motorists, and agricultural transporters across the state as fuel costs remain elevated.
“As farmers harvest crops and transport cattle to market, high fuel prices increase operating costs and place additional economic pressure on already shrinking bottom lines,” said Lindsey Hall, president of the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association
The bill passed the Ohio General Assembly with bipartisan backing following widespread calls for relief. State leaders estimate the average driver will save approximately $80 at the pump over the three-month period. For Ohio’s agricultural community, where fall field operations, harvest transport, and heavy machinery operations require heavy diesel and fuel use, the savings are expected to be substantial.
“Ohio farmers are navigating a difficult farm economy, and high fuel prices add another major expense when farm margins are already stretched thin.… Continue reading
For Week #9 of Feeding Farmers, Ohio Ag Net’s Ty Higgins traveled to Shelby County to deliver lunch to Watercutter Farms. Mark Watercutter, along with his brother, Joe have row crops and feed out some cattle just outside of Anna. Find out how crops in that part of the state are coming along, how soon they will in the fields for harvest and Mark’s description of the current cattle market.
Just outside of Fayette, Ohio sits Camp Palmer. For many 4-H youth in northwest Ohio, many memories and moments that shaped the lives of those involved in agriculture have been made there. Dusty Sonnenberg gets an update from Camp Palmer program specialist Kristy Helberg in this Featured Audio.
Ohio youth and collegiate dairy cattle judges earned several top finishes during national and international judging contests held in conjunction with the 2026 World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wis.
Ohio was represented in the National 4-H Dairy Cattle Judging Contest, National Intercollegiate Dairy Cattle Judging Contest, and International Post-Secondary Dairy Cattle Judging Contest, with teams from Ohio placing among the top seven overall in each competition.
In the 104th National 4-H Dairy Cattle Judging Contest, the Ohio team of Taylor Klopfenstein, Sydney Beiting, Charlie Weiss, and Maggie Rodenbucher placed seventh overall with 1,924 points. The team, coached by Sherry Smith, also placed sixth in oral reasons with 634 points.
Beiting earned an individual top-10 finish in reasons, placing seventh with 221 points.
California won the National 4-H contest with 2,046 points, followed by Wisconsin and New York.
The Ohio State University also earned a top-three finish in the 105th National Intercollegiate Dairy Cattle Judging Contest.… Continue reading
The Ohio AgriBusiness Association (OABA) has announced that registration is now open for its upcoming Women Leading in Ohio Agribusiness Fall Summit, scheduled for Wednesday, November 18, 2026.
Held at the Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center on the campus of The Ohio State University in Columbus, the full-day event brings together women from across the Buckeye State’s agricultural sector for leadership development, professional growth, and industry networking.
Designed for women working throughout agribusiness and related industries, the Fall Summit aims to provide attendees with practical ideas, fresh perspectives, and valuable professional connections to carry back to their operations and workplaces.
The morning kicks off at 8:45 a.m. with registration, followed by standard programming from 9:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Program Highlights:
Women Who Lead: An Executive Panel — The day begins with top-level perspectives as female agricultural executives share their experiences, career insights, and key lessons learned while leading in the industry.
What does the latest research say about how Ohio farmers and their impact on Lake Erie? That and much more are part of this special in-depth conversation that follows up two years later from an initial talk between Ohio Field Leader Dusty Sonnenberg and Dr. Chris Winslow, director of the Ohio State University’s Stone Lab.
Ohio Field Leader is brought to you by Ohio soybean farmers and their checkoff.… Continue reading
The number of hogs and pigs on U.S. farms declined 2% over the past year, according to the latest inventory report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.
As of Sept. 1, there were 74.3 million hogs and pigs on U.S. farms, down from September 2025 but up 2% from the 73.0 million head reported June 1, 2026.
The Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report, released Sept. 24, showed 68.4 million of the total inventory were market hogs, while 5.87 million were kept for breeding.
The latest numbers come as pork producers continue to manage production decisions amid changing market conditions. The inventory figures provide an indication of the size of the U.S. hog herd and the potential supply of pork moving into the coming months.
From June through August, U.S. producers weaned 34.5 million pigs, down 2% from the same three-month period in 2025. Producers averaged 11.96 pigs weaned per litter during the period.… Continue reading
Ohio Ag Net’s Allison Kinney is joined by Tim Parks, owner of Parks Garden Center and a site coordinator for the Ohio Valley Giant Pumpkin Growers, to discuss the fascinating world of giant pumpkin production. Parks shares how he got started in competitive pumpkin growing, explains what sets giant pumpkins apart from traditional jack-o’-lantern varieties, and highlights the critical role genetics play in producing record-breaking fruit. He also walks listeners through the giant pumpkin growing season, from planting a seed in the spring to growing pumpkins that can reach more than 2,700 pounds, with some gaining 60 to 70 pounds per day during peak growth.
Following the summit between Presidents Trump and Xi, the American Soybean Association points to China’s continued commitment to purchase a minimum of 25 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans annually in years 2026, 2027, and 2028. These annual commitments provide important demand and greater certainty for U.S. soybean farmers.
“As soybean farmers look to strengthen and expand markets, China’s annual commitment to purchase 25 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans provides critical stability, and we expect those commitments to be fully met,” said ASA President and Ohio soybean farmer Scott Metzger. “China remains an important market for U.S. soybeans, and we want to see a strong trading relationship that allows more customers in China to purchase our soybeans.”
ASA is disappointed U.S. soybeans were not included among the agricultural products receiving additional tariff relief from China. China’s remaining 10% retaliatory duty limits access for private Chinese importers, meaning soybean trade will continue to be handled primarily by China’s state-owned enterprises.… Continue reading
The latest USDA report shows Ohio crops continuing to mature as harvest gets underway in scattered areas across the state. Corn and soybean condition ratings remain solid, reflecting a crop that has generally held its potential heading into the beginning stages of the season. USDA reports there were 2.6 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending Sept. 27.
Corn reaching the dent stage is at 93%, ahead of last week’s 88% average, and ahead of the 91% average. Mature corn for the state is sitting at 48%, above last week’s 32% but below the 58% average. Corn harvested is sitting at 3%, below the 7% average. Ohio corn condition was rated 66% good to excellent, with 53% good and 13% excellent.
Soybeans dropping leaves has reached 59%, ahead of last week’s 40% but behind the 74% five-year average. Soybeans that have been harvested are at 2% below the 12% average.… Continue reading
As farmers navigate another challenging year, the agricultural outlook varies widely by commodity and geography. Trey Miller from Farm Credit Mid-America to discuss current farm economy trends.
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