Top Headlines

POET Biorefining – Leipsic awarded five organizations a total of $2,500 through the 2021 Never Satisfied Community Grant Program. 

• The Putnam County Goat and Sheep Committee was awarded $500 to purchase a new wash rack at the Putnam County Fairgrounds.
• The Putnam Country Agriculture Society was awarded $500 to repair gates and roads at the fairgrounds.
• The Putnam County Swine Improvement Committee & County Calf Keepers was awarded $500 to enhance barn conditions at the fairgrounds. 
• The Project Lifesaver Committee’s was awarded $500 for their Project Lifesaver program, which provides search and rescue devices for those with special needs.
• The Miller City FFA Alumni was awarded $500 to develop an education courtyard at the Miller City school district for students to grow produce as part of their coursework.

“At POET, investing in our communities is a top priority,” said Ken Miceli, POET Biorefining – Leipsic general manager. “Each of these organizations is dedicated to making our communities a better place.… Continue reading

2021 Vineyard Expansion Assistance Program (VEAP) is now open to new and existing Ohio vineyards. VEAP allows wineries to invest in and plant high-quality, high-value grapes onsite instead of purchasing them from other states. The VEAP is an incentive program created and funded by the Ohio Grape Industries Committee (OGIC). 

Due to the small number of grapes produced in Ohio, many wineries, farmers markets’, and retailers are forced to purchase grapes of several different varieties from other states in order to meet production needs. The VEAP is designed to provide a more stable source of high-quality, high-value grapes grown in Ohio. Additionally, the program will allow for more Ohio wines to qualify for the Ohio Quality Wine (OQW) program and increase consumer awareness of Ohio’s premier wines made from Ohio-grown grapes.

The VEAP funding will cover only the cost of the grape vines planted. OGIC has allocated $90,000 for this competitive program.… Continue reading

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The Ohio Soybean Council (OSC) Board of Trustees has five district seats up for election this year. All eligible candidates interested in running for the OSC Board must obtain at least 15 valid signatures on the petition available at www.soyohio.org/petition. 

All petitions must be submitted to the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) by mail and must be postmarked no later than July 6, 2021, and received by July 13, 2021.

OSC is the Qualified State Soybean Board for Ohio and manages state soybean checkoff dollars. The OSC Board is made up of farmer volunteers who direct the investment of checkoff dollars to improve the profitability of Ohio soybean farmers.

Districts up for election are:

• District 1: Fulton, Henry, Lucas, and Williams Counties — incumbent Todd Hesterman is eligible to run for another term.
• District 2: Erie, Ottawa, Sandusky, and Wood Counties — incumbent Nathan Eckel is eligible to run for another term.
• District 5: Allen, Hancock, and Putnam Counties — incumbent Bill Bateson is term-limited.

 By Richard Purdin, Taylor Dill, Les Ober, CCA, Ohio State University Extension

With wheat harvest underway, keep an eye out for a new and emerging weed challenging cereal grain and forage producers across the state. Roughstalk bluegrass has taken root in wheat fields and newly established forage stands. This weed has reached population levels high enough to inhibit the harvest of cereal grains, reduce the quality of forages, and crowd out newly established forages.

What is it?

Roughstalk bluegrass (Poa trivialis) is a perennial cool-season grass that has traditionally been an issue in turfgrass production. This plant can be found growing throughout the Midwest. Roughstalk bluegrass has a high level of tolerance to shade and wet conditions or poorly drained soils. This weed can reach heights of 1- to 3-feet tall, often climbing above winter cereal grains and reducing growth. Most commonly roughstalk bluegrass is not noticed by producers until late May or early June when cereal grains are in the boot stage of growth.… Continue reading

Ten thousand acres in the Upper Scioto River watershed are eligible for a pilot carbon credit and water quality payment program launched by the Soil and Water Outcomes Fund in conjunction with the Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association, Ohio Soybean Council, Nutrien Ag Solutions, and the American Farmland Trust.  Enrollment is now open.

By implementing new practices such as strip-till or no-till, introducing cover crops, or adjusting nitrogen fertilizer rates, farmers in 20 eligible Ohio counties can earn annual payments of up to $40 per acre.  

“The Soil and Water Outcomes Fund is not prescriptive about the conservation changes chosen,” said Joe Winchell, the program’s conservation agronomist who is dedicated to assisting farmers with enrollment. “Farmers are welcome to add or expand the conservation practices that work best for their operation.”

Under the Soil and Water Outcomes Fund, farmers are paid based on the volume of environmental outcomes generated by newly implemented conservation practices.… Continue reading

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has filed for a temporary restraining order against the owner of dairy farm after a massive manure leak has caused significant pollution of the nearby Moores Fork stream. The farm in question is not an Ohio licensed dairy farm. It is a herd-share farmer providing access to raw milk.

The motion filed on June 8 against Charles Carney in Clermont County comes after an investigation by the Ohio Department of Agriculture discovered the stream was completely black with manure and extending as far downstream as one mile.

“This isn’t a farm right now. It’s a biohazard that needs cleaned up before more harm is done,” Yost said. “I am stepping in to start the cleanup process.”

Carney has a manure storage pond on his property that has overflowed and his property is full of manure.

Investigators with ODA visited Carney’s farm after a complaint was made of dead fish in Moores Fork.… Continue reading

More than $1 billion in payments will be released over the next several weeks starting June 15 for agricultural producers with approved applications for the Quality Loss Adjustment (QLA) Program and for producers who have already received payments through the Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus (WHIP+). These U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs provide disaster assistance to producers who suffered losses to 2018 and 2019 natural disasters.

Producers weathered some significant natural disasters in 2018 and 2019, and USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) provided support for crop value and production losses through QLA and crop quantity losses through WHIP+. 

“From massive floods to winter storms, and from extreme drought to excess moisture, natural disaster events in 2018 and 2019 were exceptionally catastrophic for agricultural producers nationwide – many suffered the impacts of multiple events in not just one but both years,” said Zach Ducheneaux, FSA Administrator. “FSA staff worked tirelessly for many months to develop and implement comprehensive disaster programs that meet the varying and unique needs of a large cross-section of U.S.… Continue reading

MVP Dairy, LLC was announced as a U.S. Dairy Sustainability Award winner for their holistic approach to sustainability and commitment to achieving carbon neutrality. This national award honors exceptional dairy farms, dairy processors and others working to improve the wellbeing of people, animals and the planet. 

“Our 2021 winners put U.S. dairy’s great diversity on full display with farms and businesses of all sizes, from coast to coast, showing how dairy is an environmental solution,” said Barbara O’Brien, CEO of the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy.

The Ohio dairy farm is owned by the McCarty and VanTillburg families, whose comprehensive approach to sustainability is rooted in everything they do — from soil health to manure management to animal care.

To conserve natural resources, the MVP Dairy team carefully manages regenerative farming practices that recharge the soil, promote biodiversity, sequester carbon and efficiently use natural resources. These practices have resulted in a reduction of 6,755 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent last year, which is comparable to the average yearly energy use of 662 American homes.… Continue reading

By Shelly Detwiler, berry farmer and dietician

Dwight Schrute loves his beets but let us talk about another root veggie. Radishes and beets both have roots but that is where the similarities end. Sweet and sassy spring radishes are splashing colors and spice this spring. These colorful little gems are some of the first edible bites of color after Ohio winter shades of white, grays and brown. Radishes are easy to grow and take up small garden space. Most are quick to go from seed to tastebuds in less than 30 days. Radishes pop up in a rainbow of hues of red, purples, pinks, white as well as bunch of different shapes and sizes. 

Paul loves radishes. He loves them so much I have been known to get him a couple of bundles tied with a bow as an exquisite, vibrant, and spicy radish bouquet! Perfect for a guy who does not believe in Valentine’s Day.… Continue reading

Spotty precipitation occurred with some areas reporting too much rain and other areas reporting not enough rain, but overall conditions remained adequate for crop growth, according to Cheryl Turner, State Statistician, USDA NASS, Ohio Field Office. Topsoil moisture conditions were rated 90% adequate to surplus, up one percent from the previous week. Temperatures for the week ending June 13 were 6.9 degrees above historical normals, while the entire State averaged 1.25 inches of precipitation. There were 3.0 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending June 13.

Farmers sprayed crops and side dressed nitrogen on corn fields. Oats emerged was complete and oats condition was rated 75% good to excellent. Corn planted progress was complete while corn emerged was at 94 percent. Soybeans planted progress was 95% while soybeans emerged was 86%. Winter wheat headed was 97% and the winter wheat crop was rated 77% good to excellent condition. Pasture and range condition was rated 79% good to excellent condition.… Continue reading

By Matt Reese

All things John Deere will be descending upon the Ohio Exposition Center in Columbus this summer for the Classic Green Reunion 2021.

“The Classic Green Reunion was started when a bunch of John Deere enthusiasts and collectors wanted to put on a national show that would move to different places around the country. The first one was two years ago in Nebraska,” said Mike Smith from Marion County, who is serving as the show chairman for this year’s event. “I just knew that it needed to be in Columbus, Ohio for the second show. It is all about the people. It has to be John Deere, but it doesn’t matter how shiny it is or how dull it is. If you’ve got a John Deere and you want to come and have some fun and display a tractor, implement, or a power unit or a toy or a tool, bring it and enjoy the 3 days.”… Continue reading

For those who may be wondering (and there actually really are people wondering), cicadas are among those insects that are safe to eat.

For those culinary adventurers who want to give them a try, this is the summer to do it in Ohio. The periodical cicada known as Brood X has already started to arrive in the millions in in different areas of the Midwest, including parts of Ohio. Brood X is one of 12 periodical cicadas that emerge every 17 years, from mid-May to late June. Another three broods emerge every 13 years, primarily in southern states.

Brood X includes three species of cicada — Magicicada septendecim, Magicicada cassini, and Magicicada septendecula — each of which will come up at different times during the spring, said David Shetlar, a professor emeritus of entomology with Ohio State University Extension, and The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES).

The Brood X female cicadas lay hundreds of eggs in tree branches.… Continue reading

Join OSU Extension for an in-person small grains field day on June 22 at the Northwest Agricultural Research Station in Wood County. Topics include high input wheat, winter malting barley management, specialty small grains (spring small grains, spelt, hard wheat, and more!), weed control, and double-crop opportunities.

When: Tuesday, June 22, 9:00 AM to noon followed by lunch

Where: Northwest Agricultural Research Station, 4240 Range Line Rd., Custar, OH 43511

Cost: Free! (Please RSVP by June 18 to receive a free boxed lunch sponsored by Ohio Corn and Wheat)

RSVP: https://osu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9Lmf2ivrOAORgbA

For more information, please contact Laura Lindsey (lindsey.233@osu.edu), Eric Richer (richer.5@osu.edu), Nick Eckel (eckel.21@osu.edu), or Ed Lentz (lentz.38@osu.edu).  … Continue reading

By Mike Ryan, OCJ Field Reporter

When introducing a youngster to fishing, a mentor wants to find a body of water with easy access and an aggressive population of feeding fish. This is because there is no better way to get a kid turned on to fishing like some fast-action catching. And this is why many an experienced angler’s first and finest memories of fishing often involve the common bluegill.

With their deep blue/purple face and gill covers, dark-olive-colored lateral bands, and fiery orange-yellow underbelly, bluegill are colorful, beautiful fish to catch. Fishermen admiringly marvel about the power of this undersized dynamo, which is pound-for-pound one of the strongest freshwater fish, the old adage being “if they were the size of a bass, you couldn’t catch ‘em.” 

Averaging only 6 to 10 inches at maturity, the bluegill is exceptionally strong for its size and has a bold character. The deep, slab-sided fish is all-muscle and is an aggressive feeder and protector of nests.… Continue reading

The Ohio Poultry Association (OPA) is accepting suggestions for nominations to serve on the 2022-2023 American Egg Board (AEB), which is U.S. egg farmer’s link to consumers in communicating the value of the incredible egg. AEB is seeking a diverse pool of candidates and appointed members will serve a two-year term. 

“Board members serve a vital role in overseeing and executing AEB’s mission to increase demand for egg and egg products on behalf of U.S. egg farmers,” said Jim Chakeres, OPA executive vice president. “It is an honor to serve with other professionals on a national level to guide the egg community and further our commitment to provide safe, nutritious and affordable eggs to Ohioans and the world.” 

To be eligible for nomination, persons must be producers or representatives of producers and they must own 75,000 or more laying hens. Producers who own less than 75,000 hens are eligible provided they have not applied for exemption and are paying assessments to AEB.… Continue reading

By Jeffrey K Lewis, Research Specialist, Ohio State University Agricultural & Resource Law Program

The Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals issued an order vacating the EPA’s January 2021 small refinery exemptions issued under the Trump administration and sent the case back to the EPA for further proceedings that are consistent with the Tenth Circuit’s holding in Renewable Fuels Association v. EPA.  The Tenth Circuit held that the EPA may only grant a small refinery exemption if “disproportionate economic hardship” is caused by complying with Renewable Fuel Standards.

The EPA admitted that such economic hardship may not have existed with a few of the exemptions granted and asked the court to send the case back to them for further review.  The order granted by the Tenth Circuit acknowledged the agency’s concession and noted that the EPA’s motion to vacate was unopposed by the plaintiff refineries.  … Continue reading

PUBLIC NOTICE 

The election of pork producer delegate candidates for the 2022 National Pork Producers (Pork Act) Delegate Body will take place at 11:30 am Tuesday, June 22, 2021 in conjunction with a Board of Directors meeting of the Ohio Pork Council at The Union, 130 South Main Street, Marion, Ohio. All Ohio pork producers are invited to attend. Any producer, age 18 or older, who is a resident of the state and has paid all assessments due may be considered as a delegate candidate and/or participate in the election. All eligible producers are encouraged to bring with them a sales receipt proving that hogs were sold in their name and the checkoff deducted. For more information, contact the Ohio Pork Council Office, 9798 Karmar Ct. Suite A, New Albany OH 43054, 614-882-5887.… Continue reading

By Doug Tenney, Leist Mercantile

Two things to watch with this report will be old corn ending stocks and old corn US exports. Brazil’s corn production is another key number to watch.

Shortly after the report was released, new corn was up 4 cents, new soybeans down 7 cents, and wheat down 3 cents. Just before the report release, new corn was up 7 cents, new soybeans were up 5 cents, and wheat was up 2 cents. 

US corn exports have been strong since last fall. Ponder this – many have been expecting USDA to raise old corn US exports since January. They have increased but at a much slower pace than expected.  The January WASDE report pegged US corn exports at 2.55 billion bushels. In May that export number was 2.775 billion bushels. Many analysts are expecting that export number to eventually reach 2.9 to 3.0 billion bushels. Since January, USDA has increased the export number three times.… Continue reading