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The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced appointees who will serve on the Ohio USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) state committee.

Members of the FSA state committee are appointed by Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and are responsible for the oversight of farm programs and county committee operations, resolving program delivery appeals from the agriculture community, maintaining cooperative relations with industry stakeholders, keeping producers informed about FSA programs and operating in a manner consistent with USDA equal opportunity and civil rights policies.

Each FSA state committee is comprised of three to five members including a designated chairperson. The individuals appointed to serve on this committee for Ohio are:

• Committee Chair Theodore Finnarn — Greenville

• Fred Deel — Vinton

• Tracy Hundley — Geneva

• Thomas Jackson, Jr. — Toledo

• Mark Mechling — Duncan Falls

“The FSA state committee members play an integral role in the continuity of operations, equitable and inclusive program administration and ensure the overall integrity of services to the nation’s agricultural producers,” said Marcus Graham, FSA Deputy Administrator for Field Operations. “These… Continue reading

By Matt Hutcheson, CCA, Product Manager, Seed Consultants, Inc. 

Many corn growers in the Eastern Corn Belt produce non-GMO corn attempting to capture an additional premium. Depending on the contracting elevator, standard GMO contamination allowances are typically from 0% – 1%. Producing non-GMO corn within the acceptable tolerances of GMO contamination is possible; however, there are several challenges and potential pitfalls that make production of 100% pure non-GMO corn a tremendous undertaking and can keep growers from capturing a premium for their corn. Planting non-GMO seed does not necessarily mean the harvested shelled corn will be non-GMO free. Tests used by elevators to determine if GMOs are present may not be 100% accurate, but they are a determining factor as to whether a load will be accepted.

If a grower plants non-GMO corn, what could cause GMO contamination?

• Contaminated planting equipment and seed tenders

• Contaminated seed

• Mistakes made in record keeping where hybrids were not correctly identified at planting and/or harvest, leading to contamination

• Adventitious pollen from GMO corn fields can cause cross-pollination of non-GMO corn

• Contaminated combines at harvest

• Contaminated grain carts, wagons, trucks, augers, grain legs, and grain bins

What steps can be taken in an attempt to produce grain that meets GMO tolerances?… Continue reading

Nathan Birkemeier

We have not started with harvest yet. Everything is really close. I’m thinking this weekend or early next week we’ll be able to get in the field. Everything is looking really good. We’ve had a couple days of frost. It definitely is going to help some of the leaves drop that are still kind of hanging on there by a thread, but for the most part the leaves all are down.

The frost definitely held off long enough to where everything matured to the point where the frost isn’t going to hurt us. We do have some double-crop beans and we always hope for a couple more growing days for those. I would guess they are somewhere in the 20-bushel range. I’m happy with the way they look. They’re really green and they had plenty of moisture, so hopefully we just filled as many pods as we could before the frost.… Continue reading

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

Knowing the Soybean Cyst Nematode (SCN) numbers in a field matters. Knowing which sources of resistance that the nematode is resistant to also matters.  

“SCN is rated by the number of eggs found in 100 cc of soil,” said Horacio Lopez-Nicora, Assistant Professor at The Ohio State University in Soybean Pathology and Nematology. “A soil sample sent into the lab will help us decide what management should be implemented. If a sample is pulled in the fall and the SCN numbers are high, we can help identify if that population can reproduce on PI 88788 and at what level they can reproduce. That gives you the winter to figure out what other source of resistance should be used.”

Once a farmer knows their numbers, they can create a plan of action to address their best management options to reduce the SCN population in their field.… Continue reading

By Jason Hartschuh, CCA, Pierce Paul, Ohio State University Extension

Ear rots are beginning to show up in pockets across the state, leading to concerns about mycotoxin contamination of grain. So far, we have received images and samples with Gibberella, Diplodia, Fusarium, and Trichoderma ear rots, four of the most common ear rots in the state. Of these, Gibberella (GER) and Fusarium ear rots are of greatest concerns, since grain harvested from affected fields will be contaminated with mycotoxins, particularly vomitoxin in the case of GER. Vomitoxin is a concern for the livestock and ethanol industries. Feed made from heavily contaminated grain may lead to vomiting and low weight gain in animals; pigs are particularly sensitive. Vomitoxin is not destroyed during ethanol production, nor is it removed in the ethanol fraction, but rather becomes concentrated in the grain fraction. This leads to three-fold higher levels of the toxin in DDGS, a nutrient-rich co-product of ethanol production that is commonly sold as an ingredient for animal feed.… Continue reading

The Ohio State University will serve as the lead partner for the first-ever science park devoted to space research. Voyager Space announced today it has selected a proposal from the university, the State of Ohio, JobsOhio, and One Columbus (“Team Ohio”) to host the terrestrial analog of the George Washington Carver Science Park (GWCSP) at Ohio State. The analog laboratory will be a replica of the Starlab space station science park and allows researchers to test missions and conduct parallel experiments on the ground.

The GWCSP, established by Voyager and its operating company Nanoracks, is a core element of Starlab, the companies’ future commercial space station. In December 2021, Voyager and Nanoracks won a $160 million Space Act Agreement from NASA to design Starlab as part of their Commercial Destination Free Flyers (CDFF) project. The GWCSP is the world’s first-ever science park in space, operating today on the International Space Station.  … Continue reading

The Ohio Farm Bureau Agriculture for Good Government Political Action Committee (AGGPAC) Friend of Agriculture designations were announced in the 2022 Election Guide, included in the October Buckeye Farm News. Take a look at the guide before voting early or going to the polls Nov. 8. Here is more about our process for determining the Friend of Agriculture designation and why some offices receive no designation.

How does AGGPAC designate Friends of Agriculture?

The Friend of Agriculture designation recognizes Ohio General Assembly and U.S. congressional candidates for their views on issues of importance to agriculture, and for their alignment with Farm Bureau policy.

In open seat screenings where the incumbent is not seeking re-election, both candidates, one candidate, or neither candidate in a race can receive this designation after being screened by a committee of Farm Bureau members from counties within that district. A different process is used to evaluate Ohio Supreme Court candidates.… Continue reading

By Matt Reese

From small-scale start-ups to large operations, there is not a shortage of people in Ohio interested in producing more livestock. There is, however, a well-documented shortage of meat processing capacity in Ohio.

A possible solution to this perpetual meat production bottleneck is mobile meat slaughter, which can offer a number of advantages, including a nimbler way to meet the strong and growing demand for local processing. 

But, technically and legally, is mobile meat slaughter even possible in Ohio?

To find an answer to this question Paul Dorrance, a producer consultant, author, speaker, and regenerative agriculture advocate from Ross County, teamed up with Angela Blatt with the Ohio Food Policy Network (OFPN), sustainable food system consultant Rachel Tayse, and the Appalachian Center for Economic Networks (ACEnet). For several years, Dorrance raised pasture-based livestock on a small farm and marketed directly to customers. In this venture he saw the limits to the potential for small farm livestock production on the processing side and the possibilities with a mobile meat slaughtering system.… Continue reading

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

The No. 1 robber of yield in soybeans is soybean cyst nematode (SCN).

“In the fall after harvest is a really good time of the year to collect soil samples to check levels of soybean cyst nematode,” said Horacio Lopez-Nicora, with Ohio State University Extension. “With funding from the Ohio Soybean Council, we are still processing two samples free for each farm to test for SCN. It is important to remember that you can only manage a problem if you know that you have the problem, and since SCN does not often show above ground symptoms, the best way to find if you have a problem that needs managed is to send in a sample. Fall is a common time to pull soil samples for soil fertility testing, so when soil fertility samples are taken, a sub-sample can be taken from those samples to submit to our lab to check for SCN.”… Continue reading

Jason Hartschuh has been hired as field specialist, dairy management and precision livestock for Ohio State University Extension in The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES).

Hartschuh, who previously served as an OSU Extension educator for agriculture and natural resources, will begin his new position Nov. 1, said Jacqueline Kirby Wilkins, associate dean and director, OSU Extension.

“In this important position, Jason will provide leadership for developing and implementing a comprehensive Extension and applied research agenda in dairy management and precision livestock farming,” Wilkins said.

Hartschuh will focus on providing unbiased research and education in precision livestock farming, dairy market conditions and policy, dairy facility design for animal welfare, livestock facility ventilation, and dairy calf and heifer care. He will also work to bridge connections between livestock nutritionists and agronomists to help produce high-quality, low-cost feeds.

“We are very pleased to have Jason on board as a field specialist to work collaboratively within Extension and in cross-disciplinary efforts with CFAES and other college professionals,” said Sam Custer, interim assistant director, Agriculture and Natural Resources, OSU Extension.… Continue reading

Beef industry college students are encouraged to apply for one of over 20 scholarships available through the Ohio Cattlemen’s Foundation (OCF). These scholarships are administered with the goal of developing future leaders who will pursue careers for the betterment of Ohio’s beef industry.    

High school seniors and current college students enrolled in a two or four-year college or university studying a beef or agricultural related field are welcome to apply. Scholarship recipients will be awarded at the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association’s (OCA) Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet in January.    

Scholarships offered are as follows:   

Tagged for Greatness Scholarships 

Four $1,000 scholarships are offered through the Tagged for Greatness program where proceeds are generated from the sale of Ohio beef specialty license plates sold at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) office. 

Cattlemen’s Country Club Scholarships 

Four $1,000 scholarships will be awarded from funds raised at the Cattlemen’s Country Club putt-putt golf course at the 2022 Ohio State Fair.… Continue reading

The winning Senior Three-Year-Old Cow, Ms. Triple-T Grateful-ET, took home Intermediate and Grand Champion titles at the 2022 International Junior Holstein Show at World Dairy Expo. Owner Colton Thomas of North Lewisburg, Ohio received the $500 Udder Comfort Grand Champion Cash Award and the Lillian & Keith King and Jim King Grand Champion of the Junior Show Award.  

Kiko Solo Jawdroping 1891-ET, owned by Elizabeth Kiko of Salem, Ohio, won the Winter Yearling Heifer Class and was later awarded the title of Junior Champion of the 2022 International Junior Holstein Show. With this honor, Jawdroping takes home the $250 Junior Champion of the Junior Show Cash Award, presented by Misty Meadow Dairy, the Hogan Family, of Tillamook, Oregon. Weigland Denver Athena-ET rose to the top of the Spring Heifer Calf Class before being named Reserve Junior Champion. Athena is owned by Ella, Adam and Claire Bindl of Plymouth, Wisconsin. 

Complete class results can be found at www.worlddairyexpo.com. The… Continue reading

By Brianna Gwirtz, OCJ field reporter

When Soda Kiser was young, he came across a YouTube video of a farm. He watched the video and was captivated by the lifestyle. From that moment on, he knew he wanted to be a farmer. He told his parents his plans. There was only one slight hurdle he would have to overcome to meet that goal: his location. 

The Kiser family resides in Parma, located just outside of Cleveland. The city is not a rural, agricultural area. 

“My husband, Dale, and I used to explain that farming is not an easy life,” Sabrina Kiser, his mother, said. “But, Soda remained steadfast in his goals.”

While looking for ways to foster her son’s interest, Sabrina learned about a local 4-H program that worked in conjunction with a historical site in the city called Stearns Homestead. 

Stearns Homestead has a longstanding history within Parma. The farm was owned by Lyman Stearns in the mid to late 1800s.… Continue reading

By Luke Crumley, Ohio Corn & Wheat

A couple of months ago, members of the Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association Board had a great idea. They said our members need to see political access as a benefit for their membership and they need to be informed about where candidates and elected officials are on the issues that matter the most to corn and wheat producers. 

We took that direction from our grower leaders and we compiled a list of questions to send out to every member of Congress in the state as well as their opponents for the upcoming election. Instead of doing an endorsement, we decided to let them respond to us in their own words in our 2022 Voter Guide. It’s a lengthy document, but it is our Ohio politicians responding in their own words to questions on issues including infrastructure, biofuels, risk management and farm bill. Our politicians get to tell us exactly what they think about those issues and there are some pretty startling responses in there, which I think is illuminating for our grower members.… Continue reading

Tiffin University has announced the opening of its Drone Academy in response to the growing and expanding drone industry. Since opening, the Academy has become a place of learning, research and achievement for the advancement of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), commonly referred to as drones. Featuring academic classes, training seminars, community outreach programs, certification opportunities and recreational activities like Community Fly Days, the Drone Academy provides theoretical and applied learning for the technological and operational aspects of the industry.

On Friday, Dec. 2 TU will be holding the very first Ohio Drone Agricultural Summit from 1 to 3 p.m., at the Marion Center on campus in Tiffin. Attendees will include experts on agricultural drone technology, farmers, county commissioners, Seneca SWCD, and Federal Aviation Administration representatives. The topics for the day include:

• Pre-planting assessments
• Post-planting crop assessments
• Precision spraying

• Environmental and Eco Friendly
• Yield Analysis Reports
• Taking agriculture to new heights in the future.… Continue reading

By Jon Scheve, Superior Feed Ingredients, LLC

The USDA Stocks Report surprised the market with less corn in storage than previously estimated. This could lead to a carryout that is the tightest since 2012, and values may need to exceed $8 again to ration demand. However, there are several unknown variables that could affect the market moving forward.

Demand

Demand seems to be weakening and it is still unclear by how much. The area of demand that is getting the most attention and concern is in the exports category. Currently, exports are expected to be 10% lower than last year and 20% lower than two years ago, when futures exceeded $8. Plus, the market seems to think exports could fall another 10%, which would be a little bit more than the amount found missing in the September stocks report.

Ukraine

The Russia-Ukraine situation still needs to be monitored closely. With Russia annexing 15% of Ukraine, western countries are applying more sanctions.… Continue reading

Apple Farm Service is excited to be the first dealership for Pipe Ag. Pipe Ag, a local company based out of Springfield, Ohio, is a quickly growing Ag technology business designed to help the farmer improve their harvest efficiencies. 

In a nutshell, Pipe Ag saves the farmer a minute or two each hour, which ads up over the entire harvest season. It allows everyone in the field to know how full each grain cart is, how long until the combine needs unloaded, when the semi-trucks will get back to the field, and where compaction needs addressed.

Roark Thompson, owner of Pipe Ag, explains how his software is easy to install and even easier to use. Combines and semi-trailers just need one sensor installed in the grain tank. Grain carts with scales take even less work. Every sensor is then automatically synced to a designated IPad that sits in the combine, tractor, or semi-cab. … Continue reading

By Matt Reese

Harvester or feller buncher? 

According to Caterpillar, Inc., a forestry harvester is a machine used for felling, delimbing and bucking (cutting felled and delimbed trees into logs). A harvester uses a felling head to cut the tree at its base to the desired length. The head also has at least two curved delimbing knives that remove branches from the trunk, two feed rollers to grasp the cut tree and a measuring wheel that calculates the stem length during the head feeding process. Harvesters can function effectively on level ground and steeper slopes.

A feller buncher is essentially a less sophisticated harvester. This machine cuts down trees and groups them, but it doesn’t possess delimbing or bucking capabilities. 

Jared Lute spends his days inside one of the more unique and impressive pieces of agricultural equipment in the state of Ohio — a forestry harvester.