Top Headlines

By Dan Armitage, Buckeye Sportsman

It’s no news to me that Ohio’s oak trees are offering an abundance of acorns this season. The red oaks that tower over our small, metal-roofed cabin have been letting us know since September by shedding their fruit, which sounds like a rifle shot when a premium acorn hits the “tin” roof. Official numbers back-up our own findings: the 2023 survey of acorn abundance on select Ohio wildlife areas shows an average of 40% of white oaks and 54% of red oaks bore fruit, according to the Ohio Division of Wildlife (ODOW). The long-term average for white oak production is 37%, and 54% for red oaks.

“The thousands of acorns a mature Ohio oak tree drops on the forest floor will feed about 90 wildlife species,” said Kendra Wecker, ODNR Division of Wildlife Chief. “Deer, turkeys, squirrels, ruffed grouse, blue jays, raccoons, woodpeckers, foxes, and more seek out and eat acorns throughout the fall and winter.”… Continue reading

By Mitch Greve, Channel technical agronomist — Northwest Ohio

Producers in Ohio experienced a unique set of challenges in 2023 including delayed planting, poor emergence, drought and water stress, disease, stalk rots, and ear molds to name a few. This variability can teach farmers lessons around how to manage their crops in future years.

Planting conditions for much of the state were favorable early and not-so favorable the deeper into May that we got. Planting for success starts with good uniform soil moisture and temperature, seed-to-soil contact, and accurate delivery of seed from the planter to the soil. Most growers across the state did not have all three critical components, as weather was less than favorable in the latter half of May with drier soil conditions and delayed planting from early May rainstorms. All this variability can contribute to varying yield ranges that farmers may experience this fall.

Disease was minimal through the midway point of the season, but when we finally started receiving rainfall in August, it set us up to have a conducive environment.… Continue reading

By Doug Tenney, Leist Mercantile

US highlights – Corn 2023 production 15.234 billion bushels, last month 15.064 billion bushels, yield 174.9 bpa, last month 173.0 bpa. Soybean 2023 production 4.129 billion bushels, last month 4.104 billion bushels, yield 49.9 bpa, last month 49.6. 

Additional US highlights – US corn exports for 2023-2024 were actually up 50 million bushels, corn for ethanol was unchanged. US soybean exports for 2023-2024 were unchanged and crush was unchanged.     

Following the noon USDA report release, corn was down 8 cents, soybeans down 23 cents, and wheat down 15 cents. Moments before the report was released, corn was down 5 cents, soybeans down 11 cents, and wheat down 14 cents.

US 2023-2024 ending stocks: corn 2.156 billion bushels, last month 2.111 billion bushels; soybeans 245 million bushels, last month 220 million bushels; and wheat 684 million bushels, last month 670 million bushels.

Trader estimates for 2023-2024 US ending stocks: corn 2.129 billion bushels; soybeans 221 million bushels; and wheat 669 million bushels.… Continue reading

Managing manure application when STP >50

By Greg LaBarge

I often get questions about managing manure applications in fields where Soil Test P (STP) is above the maintenance limit of 50 parts per million (ppm) in the Tri-State Fertilizer Recommendations for Corn, Soybean, Wheat, and Alfalfa, Bulletin 974. Be aware that the Tri-State Fertilizer Recommendations provide recommendations for the economical use of purchased fertilizer. The 50 ppm maintenance limit is the STP level where “no agronomic response, either higher yield or benefit of a higher STP, results from added fertilizer.” The Tri-State Fertilizer Recommendations only address crop agronomic needs, not P’s environmental impact. If you need to apply manure to a field with STP greater than 50 PPM, how can it be done to limit field P loss?

The publication Assessing Nutrient Loss Risk in Ohio, NRCS, 2020 provides environmental P loss criteria based on the STP in a field.… Continue reading

The American Farm Bureau Federation County Activities of Excellence awards celebrate unique, local, volunteer-driven programs that serve as models of innovation for local program development.

The winning counties, including 11 from Ohio, receive a grant to fund participation in the Farm Bureau CAE Showcase at the 2024 American Farm Bureau Annual Convention & Trade Show Jan. 19-24, in Salt Lake City. AFBF received 151 entries across all membership categories, with only 24 activities nationwide being selected to present at the convention.

“Ohio having more CAE winners than any other state is becoming a regular occurrence,” said Melinda Witten, Ohio Farm Bureau senior director, leadership development. “Our members take great pride in their communities and these awards are truly a testament to the hard work Ohio Farm Bureau staff and volunteers put into county programs across the state.”
Here are Ohio’s winners.

Adams County: Farm Bureau Day at the Fair
Adams County Farm Bureau partnered with the local hospital and OSU Extension to provide no cost health care screenings and breakfast to current members.… Continue reading

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has announced a statewide effort focused on creating and improving upland bird habitat in Ohio. Private landowners and producers can apply for funding through the NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Applications for EQIP are taken on a continuous basis, however, interested landowners are encouraged to contact their local NRCS service center prior to the anticipated Feb. 16, 2024 sign-up deadline for fiscal year 2024 funding. 

“Private landowner involvement plays such an important role in preserving these species loved by hunters and other recreationalists,” said John Wilson, Ohio NRCS State Conservationist. “With the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, we can help landowners place conservation practices on their land that will make a measurable difference in upland gamebird habitats.” 

With upland bird populations declining, diverse quality habitats are critical, making private landowner actions key in creating and maintaining complex habitat requirements to help the birds thrive.… Continue reading

BroadbandOhio has awarded $125,000 in grants to help establish high-speed internet connectivity to The Ohio State University’s Molly Caren Agricultural Center in London. 

The center is part of Ohio State’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) and is home to the annual, three-day farm show, Farm Science Review.

The agricultural connectivity will ensure that the center can be used as a demonstration area and proving ground for autonomous farming equipment, which promises increased efficiencies, reductions in environmental impacts, and enhanced overall productivity in the agricultural sector. 

“As we continue through the digital agricultural revolution, reliable broadband is critical,” said Cathann A. Kress, Ohio State vice president of agricultural administration and CFAES dean. “We are grateful to BroadbandOhio for this investment, which will amplify our college’s research and delivery of cutting-edge technologies and practices to Ohio’s producers and agribusinesses through Ohio State University Extension,” which is CFAES’ statewide outreach arm.… Continue reading

By Jon Scheve, Superior Feed Ingredients, LLC 

Corn closed last week 3 cents lower than the week prior. In 65 of the last 67 trading sessions, December corn has closed between $4.70 and $5. One positive was that corn did not make a new low for the calendar year.

Beans, however, had a great finish to the week by breaking out to the high side to levels not traded since mid-September. This might be attributed to the weather conditions in Brazil that could be causing some traders a bit of concern. 

The Mato Grasso region in the north, where nearly 25% of Brazil’s beans are raised, has been hot and dry. While in the south, where another 25% of Brazil’s beans are grown, it has been very wet, which has delayed planting. However, there is a favorable weather window forecasted for next week that could allow for some planting advancement. Regardless, the southern areas still have until late November until delays would cause yields to be compromised while the northern areas are still early in the growing cycle.… Continue reading

By Matt Reese

Hopefully, a bountiful, safely harvested crop from a growing season’s worth of work has paid off. The hay is made. The bins are full. The combine is back in the shop. Preparations for livestock have been taken care of for the winter. It is a good feeling as 2024 draws near to reflect on the blessings resulting from the year’s labors with the promise of a chance to rest and relax after the long hours of harvest. Now is the chance to reap the rewards of agricultural efforts sewn in 2023.

While this time of year is wonderful for so many to celebrate so much, it can also be a very difficult time for those whose efforts in 2023 did not turn out as planned. Weather, pests, diseases, interest rates, commodity markets, equipment breakdowns, and countless other factors can make the best efforts fall short on the farm.… Continue reading

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

Ohio farmers plant approximately 5 million acres of soybeans every year. With a statewide average of 56 bushels per acre, that is over 280 million bushels of soybeans produced annually. Soybean farmers sell the whole bean, but processors break up the soybean into components.  Soybean meal and soybean oil are the two primary components. Until recently, soybean oil was considered the by-product, and soybean meal was the primary protein source for livestock feed. Recently that has changed as the soybean oil has gained market share and added tremendous value to the bean. The soybean meal still carries significant value, and livestock remain the number one market of soybeans because of the soybean meal component. One goal of the Soybean Check-off is to create market demand, and understanding the market helps decision makers to effectively allocate their resources.… Continue reading

In this episode of the Ohio Ag Net Podcast, hosts Matt Reese of Ohio’s Country Journal and Dusty Sonnenburg of Ohio Ag Net talk with Leah Hetrick, Ohio Farm Bureau Director of Legal Education and Member Engagement. They discuss Current Agricultural Use Value, also known as CAUV, for Ohio farmers. Nearly half of Ohio’s counties will be reevaluated this year, determining property value. Hetrick explains that farmers have recently been having questions especially regarding taxes and what it means for farmland value. 

 More in this week’s podcast:   

• Scott Fenwick, Clean Fuels Alliance American: Fenwick is the technical director and he talks about biodiesel with Dale.
• Morgan Anderson & National FFA Convention Update: Joel talks with newly elected Eastern Region Vice President, Morgan Anderson. He also mentions Ohio FFA highlights at the 96th National FFA Convention.  
• Lawrence Onweller, Fulton County Farmer: He chats with Matt about slow harvest progress with high moisture levels. 

After a round of precipitation and overnight freezes early last week, the row crop harvest progressed steadily, according to Ben Torrance, State Statistician, USDA NASS,Ohio Field Office. Topsoil moisture conditions were rated 19% short, 67% adequate, and 14% surplus. Statewide, the average temperature for the week ending on November 5 was 43.0 degrees, 5.7 degrees below normal. Weather stations recorded an average of 0.56 inches of precipitation, 0.16 inches below average. There were 4.6
days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending November 5.

Though corn moisture content remained higher than average, the corn harvest’s pace accelerated last week. Farmers in northern tier counties reported instances of cob rot, mold, and sprouting in harvested grain. 45% of corn was harvested and the moisture content of corn grain at harvest was 22%. Eighty-nine percent of soybeans were harvested and the moisture content of soybeans at harvest was 13%. Corn condition was 87% good to excellent. … Continue reading

Hauling grain and livestock over the roads can raise questions about state and federal transportation regulations. The Ohio Farm Bureau legal team has created the Farmer’s Guide to Trucking Regulations as a free resource, exclusively for members.

The newly revised guide includes a farm driver checklist, overview of both state and federal regulations and exemptions, details on CDL qualifications, details on inspections, load regulations, hazardous materials, emergency response information and more.

“Navigating through both state and federal laws, in addition to identifying any agricultural exemptions that may apply, can easily become a burdensome and confusing endeavor,” said Leah Hetrick, director of legal education and member engagement with Ohio Farm Bureau. “This guide was built with the intention to gather and organize information and resources that may help answer some of the common questions we receive, and to inform our members of important regulations they should be aware of.”

Also in the second edition of the guide, find updates related to the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Transportation Act (MAP-21), including federal exemptions that apply to “covered farm vehicles.”… Continue reading

By Elizabeth Hawkins and Jason Hartschuh, CCA, Ohio State University Extension

Corn harvest progress in Ohio has been behind pace as field drying has been slower than expected. Currently only 29% of the corn crop has been harvested compared to a 5-year average of 49%. With the recent rainfall and colder temperatures in the forecast, it will become much more difficult to field dry corn creating a need to send high moisture corn to the dryer. 

As the weather turns cooler, it can become much more difficult to manage wet grain. It also becomes more difficult to determine moisture since most moisture meters are not accurate when grain temperature falls below 40 degrees F. In order to get an accurate moisture estimate, put a grain sample in a sealed container and let it warm to room temperature, and retest moisture. It is also recommended that you allow the corn coming out of the dryer to cool to room temperature before testing moisture, especially if the tester is kept in a cool area.… Continue reading

Lawrence Onweller

It is going slow. The corn planted in May isn’t drying down. It’s still running 24% moisture. The yields are good, but we’re burning through a lot of gas and that part is going slow. The moisture in the corn just doesn’t want to drop, especially the fuller season corn. It just takes a long time to take twice as much moisture out and that’s literally what you’re doing when you’re harvesting 24% corn, you’re taking almost double the amount of moisture out.

With the weather, you’re able to harvest part of the day and then do field work part of the day. We’ve had sprinkles — no large rains in the last couple of weeks — just intermittent rains that haven’t really slowed down harvest. 

We’re seeing a lot of the corn yield in the 220s. That’s really good and the last 3 years it’s been like that.… Continue reading

We continue our series highlighting the outstanding Ohio Ag Net radio affiliates carrying the best in Ohio ag news.

We say thank you to WBCO AM/FM serving Crawford and surrounding counties. Tune in to 107.5 FM and 1540 AM to hear the Ohio Ag Net Monday-Friday at 8:07 a.m., 12:05 p.m., and 5:10 p.m.

The best in Ohio ag news is easy to find! If your current station doesn’t feature the voice of Ohio Ag—turn the dial! Click here to view the complete affiliate listing, including air times.… Continue reading