By Horacio Lopez-Nicora, OSU Extension Nematologist and Pathologist, adapted from C.O.R.N. 2023-17
The soybean cyst nematode (SCN) remains the most devastating and yield limiting soybean pathogen in Ohio and North America. SCN can cause over 30% yield reduction with no visible symptoms, therefore, early detection of this pathogen relies on testing your fields to know your SCN numbers!
Spring is a good time to sample for SCN. A soil test in spring will reveal if SCN is present and if so, at what levels. If you are planning to participate in an on-farm trial that requires soil sampling, a subsample can be used for SCN testing. Additionally, if you planted corn, a soil sample from that field will reveal if you have SCN but most importantly, how much SCN. Knowing your SCN numbers will help you determine the best management strategy.
Don’t allow the current dry conditions to deceive you. Many, if not most, acres have incredible yield potential given the minimal stress we’ve experienced up until this dry stretch. Tune in to see what proactive steps you may want to consider heading into the coming weeks.… Continue reading
According to Jenny Cox, Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation board president, the foundation has put intentional focus on its purpose and its work, and scholarship awards directly impact that purpose: to inspire and educate the next generation of agriculture.
“One in eight jobs in Ohio are related to food and agriculture. As the demands for employees to fill these roles increase, we want to do our part to cultivate the next generation of workers to grow their careers in agriculture. The opportunity to work with and get to know some of these young people and learn about all of their accomplishments and activities through reviewing scholarship applications is incredibly rewarding. The stories and successes of these young people confirm to me that the future of agriculture is bright.”
Annually, the foundation recognizes Ohio students for their academic effort, community engagement and career interests that link agriculture to community service, education or scientific research.… Continue reading
While skies remained dry and temperatures soared, farmers nearly completed their intended plantings, according to the USDA NASS, Great Lakes Regional Field Office. Dry conditions persisted across many northern and western counties, with the U.S. Drought Monitor rating 74.1% of the State as abnormally dry. Topsoil moisture conditions were rated 30% very short, 46% short, and 24% adequate. Statewide, the average temperature for the week ending on June 4 was 71.4 degrees, 5.9 degrees above normal. Weather stations recorded an average of 0.04 inches of precipitation, 0.92 inches below average. There were 7.0 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending June 4.
Fieldwork competed last week included planting row crops, fertilizer application, hay bailing, and transplanting vegetable crops. Concerns about ongoing excessive dryness loomed last week as farmers in northern counties reported signs of drought stress in corn. Some farmers in western counties described soil crusting as posing challenges to crop emergence.… Continue reading
By Roy A. Ulrich, Technical Agronomist, DEKALB and Asgrow, Southern Ohio
At the mid-point of the 2023 growing season, we have the opportunity to look back at the spring to evaluate the management practices left to employ during the remainder of the growing season. Did the weather put in jeopardy the success of this crop by raining too much? Not raining enough? Can we mitigate the potential impact of those stresses? And, weed control and nutrient deficiencies are timely topics regardless of how the weather has impacted your plans.
Over the last several years, tall waterhemp has continued to expand across the state. There has been more tall waterhemp visually evident late in the growing season poking out of the canopy in soybean fields. Tall waterhemp, like most other weeds in the pigweed family, requires warmer soil temperatures to germinate, so the weeds aren’t present until after our spring-applied residuals start to break down.… Continue reading
National Dairy Month kicks off this week’s episode of the Ohio Ag Net Podcast, hosted by Matt Reese and Dusty Sonnenberg. Scott Higgins joins the conversation to talk about the visions of the American Dairy Association Mideast, and favorite dairy products of the season. They will discuss challenges with slim dairy margins, along with product processing opportunities in the state.
Middle school students are practicing utilizing their wallets at Graham Middle School. Joel Penhorwood interviews Principal Nick Guidera, discussing the GrowNextGen program in his school. Real Money Real World for youth financial literacy was giving hands-on experiences with the dollar.
Matt checks in with WJ Fannin, Ohio Cattlemen’s Association Commercial Cattleman of the Year, in Fayette County. From stockyard sales to individual cuts of meat, his business meets the needs of consumers. They will talk about cattle barn technology and operating a data-driven herd.
0:00 – Intro and opening discussion 6:15 – Nick Guidera on Real Money Real World 13:53 – Cattleman of the Year: WJ Fannin 18:28 – Dairy Outlook with Scott Higgins … Continue reading
One problem that eastern Corn Belt wheat growers face frequently is Fusarium head blight (scab). This disease can cause significant yield loss in addition to reduced grain quality and high levels of mycotoxins. Growers have effectively managed head scab with timely fungicide applications.
One additional tool available to growers for management of Fusarium Head Blight is gene resistance. The Fhb1 gene is widely recognized as an outstanding source of head scab resistance in wheat. This gene is effective in reducing the DON (Deoxynivalenol) levels in wheat, ultimately resulting in better grain quality. DON levels are a major concern in wheat because they cause animal feed refusal, sickness, and decreased weight gain.
For the 2023 sales season all of Seed Consultants’ wheat varieties will have the Fhb1 gene. The Fhb1 gene provides Type II resistance, which slows down or inhibits the spread of the pathogens from the initial infection site.… Continue reading
In this featured audio, Ohio Ag Net’s Joel Penhorwood sits down with Nick Guidera of Graham Middle School to discuss a unique program students took on as their school year came to a close – a partnership between GrowNextGen, a program funded in part by Ohio Soybean farmers and their checkoff, and Ohio State Extension’s Real Money. Real World. initiative.… Continue reading
By Emmy Powell, communications specialist at Texas Farm Bureau
Milk is the ultimate drink. It helps your body rehydrate, repair and replenish. It is full of nutrients and helps your body build strong bones and supports your immune system. Milk contains 13 essential nutrients and minerals: protein, calcium, potassium, vitamin D, vitamin B12, vitamin A, riboflavin, phosphorus, niacin, zinc, iodine, selenium and pantothenic acid. Holy cow! That’s impressive. Compared to alternatives, milk has the least amount of ingredients. It has none of the stabilizers or flavorings often found in the ingredient list of non-dairy alternatives. Milk is not only is the top food source of calcium in the American diet, but it also has a lower carbon footprint than most foods. For centuries, dairy farmers have been good stewards of the environment, and they continue to look for ways to improve and learn more sustainable practices each day. Tasty, nutritious and sustainable…milk will always be my first choice in the morning!… Continue reading
Crop insurance is all about deadlines. It seems like there is always an important date coming up, and they always fall right in the middle of the busiest times of the year for us as farmers. The most important one of those deadlines is fast approaching. July 15, acreage reporting date, is right around the corner. Don’t feel bad if you just rolled your eyes and muttered something under your breath while you read that. I know very few people that actually enjoy filling out their lengthy paper report. But nonetheless it must be done. Have you ever thought to yourself “there’s got to be an easier way to do this”?
Michael Sweeney
Luckily for most there is. It is easier, more efficient, can save you money, and can give you a more accurate actual production history, or APH. Precision acreage reporting is available with nearly every crop insurance company in the United States now.… Continue reading
The Ohio Cattlemen’s Association’s (OCA) Beef Exhibitor Show Total (BEST) program wrapped up the 2022-2023 BEST season on May 6 at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus at an awards banquet attended by over 750 participants and their families. Over 350 BEST exhibitors were awarded for their show success, cattle industry knowledge, photography skills, community service efforts and more.
This year’s BEST program featured seven weekends of sanctioned shows held throughout the state. Over 700 youth participants showed 1,000 head of market animals and heifers throughout the season.
This year’s sponsoring partners were Evans Family Ranch, Ag-Pro Companies, Bob Evans Farms, Diamond T Land and Cattle Co., Dickson Cattle Co., D&E Electric – The Young Family, M.H. EBY, Inc., The Folks Printing, Jones Show Cattle, R.D. Jones Excavating, Ricer Equipment, 6R Farms, Shepard Cattle Company and Weaver Livestock.
BEST Committee
The OCA BEST program is coordinated through the leadership of the BEST Committee.… Continue reading
By Dusty Sonnenberg, CCA, Field Leader, a project of the Ohio Soybean Council and Soy check-off.
From teaching high school agriculture to serving in the Ohio House of Representatives, to providing leadership on the Ohio Soybean Council, Steve Reinhard, a farmer and seed dealer from Bucyrus, understands the value of serving. Reinhard currently serves as Vice Chair of the United Soybean Board (USB). Simply put, the USB is the equivalent to the Ohio Soybean Council on a national level.
The soy checkoff is supported entirely by soybean farmers with individual contributions of 0.5% of the market price per bushel sold each season. The efforts of the checkoff are directed by the United Soybean Board, composed of 77 volunteer farmer-leaders often nominated by their state-level checkoff organizations, called Qualified State Soybean Boards. The nominees are appointed to the board by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. Reinhard is serving in his third and final, three-year term on USB.… Continue reading
AgCredit, one of northern Ohio’s largest lenders to farmers, agribusinesses and rural homeowners, recently welcomed two newly elected members to its Board of Directors.
Terry McClure of Grover Hill and Stephen Reinhard of Bucyrus are both serving their first terms on the 10-member board. McClure represents Region 1, which includes Paulding, Putnam, and Van Wert counties, while Reinhard represents Region 7, consisting of Crawford and Morrow counties. McClure has experience serving on several other Boards, including both Ohio and American Farm Bureau, Ohio Soybean Council, Ohio Wheat Growers and Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. Reinhard has been involved with the Ohio Soybean Council, United Soybean Board, as well as the Airable Research Lab. Their vast, combined experience will greatly benefit AgCredit.
AgCredit’s Board of Directors includes eight members who are elected by stockholders; the remaining two are board appointments to ensure diversity and a range of experience.
The 18 members of AgCredit’s Nominating Committee — one representing each of the 18 northern Ohio counties that AgCredit serves — identify the candidates to fill any seats that may be open on the Board of Directors.… Continue reading
Virgil Strickler announced that he intends to retire as general manager of the Ohio State Fair after this year. Strickler is the longest serving general manager of the Ohio State Fair and is known for implementing the Ohio State Fair’s nationally recognized Youth Reserve Program in 1995.
“Today is bittersweet. I will be forever grateful for the last three decades at the Ohio State Fair,” Strickler said. “I’ve grown up at fairs, and Ohio’s county and independent fairs are what makes our State Fair so strong. I’ve watched my children, and now grandchildren, grow up here. The State Fair means so much to generations of Ohioans, and I’m proud of the strong partnerships we’ve developed over the years, and how they have helped our State Fair grow and improve each year.”
Strickler began working at the Ohio Expo Center in 1993 as agriculture director and was named general manager in 2004. In the wake of Strickler’s announcement, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced that a nationwide search for the next general manager of the Ohio Expo Center & State Fair is now underway.… Continue reading
A couple of noteworthy rural Ohio happenings occurred recently. Levi Haselman, owner of Next Gen Organics in Hancock County, (who joined Ohio Ag Net for a Cab Cam last year), found an antique hand grenade in his recently planted corn field. On May 21, Haselman picked up what he thought was a piece of rusty metal from an old tillage tool to discover it was a grenade, estimated at between 40 and 100 years old. No one is quite sure how it got in a farm field. He called the sheriff, who contacted the Toledo bomb squad. Haselman and his unsettling corn field find were featured on WTOL11 in this segment.
The Ohio Soybean Council (OSC) Board of Trustees has four 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 7, 2023 and received by July 14, 2023.
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 3: Ashland, Ashtabula, Columbiana, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Huron, Lorain, Mahoning, Medina, Portage, Richland, Summit, and Trumbull Counties — Incumbent Jeff Magyar is term-limited.
District 4: Defiance, Paulding and Van Wert Counties — Incumbent Mike Heffelfinger is eligible to run for another term.
On this episode, the Ohio Feild Leader Roadshow makes a stop in Crawford County at the farm of Steve Reinhard. Steve is a soybean farmer and seed dealer, and also serves as Vice Chair of the United Soybean Board. Dusty and Steve discuss the spring planting season of 2023 and also the important work of the United Soybean Board leaveraging check-off dollars for farmers in Ohio and all across the country.… Continue reading
Planting season is underway across Ohio and the midwest, and the Farm Science Review staff is hard at work preparing for this year’s show. The annual farm show is set to take place Sept. 19-21 at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center, and the seeds to a successful FSR have been planted, literally, this spring.
“We dedicate 500 of our acres at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center to field demonstrations that take place during Farm Science Review,” Zachrich said. “We are on track for this year’s harvest demonstrations thanks to the optimal weather that has allowed us to plant in a timely manner.”
The well-known FSR field demonstrations are unique to this three-day event.
“We take a lot of pride in offering our visitors the opportunity to witness both corn and soybean harvesting demonstrations,” Zachrich said. “No other farm show offers their attendees that up-close-and-personal opportunity for harvest of both crops.”
As of May 23, all 500 acres dedicated to field demonstrations have been planted. … Continue reading
Issue 1, a ballot initiative that asks Ohio voters if the state should strengthen the petition process and raise the threshold to 60% for approving constitutional amendment proposals, has the support of Ohio Farm Bureau. “Our members created policies through our grassroots process which strongly supports these proposed constitutional changes,” said Adam Sharp, executive vice president of Ohio Farm Bureau. “Making the process of amending Ohio’s Constitution more fair and thoughtful is something our members think is important and this resolution will accomplish just that.” The ballot measure will be part of a special election Aug. 8. If passed, the resolution will raise the threshold for approving constitutional amendments to 60% and also will modify the requirements for the petition process for proposals to change the constitution, requiring no less than 5% of the electors represented from every county of the state to sign a petition. Currently, signatures must be gathered for only 44 of Ohio’s 88 counties.… Continue reading
Circleville High School opened its classroom doors for agriculture education and FFA for the first time on Aug. 18, 2022. Despite the prominence of agriculture in the area, Circleville’s graduating class of 2023 will be the first group of students to be members of the Circleville-PRCTC FFA chapter.
Out of the five public high schools in Pickaway County, Circleville High School was the only one without an agriculture education and FFA program. When the opportunity arose to bring an agriculture education program and FFA chapter to Circleville High School, agricultural educator and FFA adviser Megan Moorman took it.
“All students are consumers and need to understand where their food comes from,” Moorman said. “Agriculture is the No. 1 industry and employer in Pickaway County, the state of Ohio and in the United States, so chances are, students are going to get a job related to agriculture or have some connection to it, whether they realize it or not.”… Continue reading
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