By Dusty Sonnenberg, CCA, Ohio Field Leader: a project of the Ohio Soybean Council and soybean checkoff
Identifying factors that influence flow and nutrient loss was the topic of a presentation by Brittany Hanrahan, research biologist with the ARS Soil Drainage Research Unit in Ohio at the Conservation Tillage Conference.
“We know that storms can contribute disproportionately to cumulative annual phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) losses during the year,” Hanrahan said. “The big picture is that excess P and N fuel algal blooms and have negative impacts. Excess P and N fertilize the algal blooms which eventually die and decompose stripping oxygen from the water causing hypoxic zones. There are over 400 different hypoxic zones found in the world today.”
Data collected in the edge of field studies show that peaks in water discharge coincide with peaks in precipitation events. Surface runoff levels of P and N differ from tile discharge levels.
While there’s no evidence so far that pets, livestock, or their owners can infect each other with COVID-19, there’s also very little research about a potential crossover.
The novel coronavirus started with an animal, then mutated to transfer to people, but research hasn’t yet shown if the virus has jumped back to animals, said Scott Kenney, a researcher at The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES).
“Viruses are constantly sampling and evolving, trying to find other hosts,” said Kenney, who studies coronaviruses, including those that cross over from one species to another.
Quickly spreading among people across the world, COVID-19 is believed to have originated in bats, but the bat virus changed, altering surface proteins to be able to efficiently transfer from person to person. These surface proteins are different in the mutated bat virus, so COVID-19 is now less likely to affect the original bats.… Continue reading
By Dusty Sonnenberg, CCA, Ohio Field Leader: a project of the Ohio Soybean Council and soybean checkoff
Scouting a developing crop is an important part of an integrated pest management (IPM) strategy. Sometimes an area not considered is the impact of beneficial insects. Curtis Young discussed important factors to consider when controlling pests at the 2020 Conservation Tillage Conference.
“Not all arthropod organisms (insects) are pests. There are beneficial insects, spiders, predatory mites, bacteria, viruses, fungi, and nematodes,” Young said. “Each of these has a role in managing and suppressing pest populations in the field.”
Dr. Curtis Young, OSU Extension
Beneficial insects play many key roles in crop production. Pollination is an important function; pest control is another.
“There are insects, spiders, mites and others that eat the harmful insects. These are often referred to as biological control agents. They include predators, parasitoids and parasites,” Young said. “They are useful at suppressing pest species populations like aphids, mites, and scale insects.”
The Ohio Soybean Council Foundation (OSCF) is pleased to announce the 13 scholarship recipients for the 2020-2021 academic year.
This is the thirteenth year for the OSCF Scholarship Program, which was created to encourage undergraduate students to pursue degrees in one of the many academic fields that support the future of the soybean industry, including agriculture, business, communication, economics, education, science and technology, as well as to support ongoing graduate-level research. Since 2008, the OSCF scholarship program has awarded over $390,000 in scholarship funds to students studying agriculture or a related field at Ohio colleges or universities.
“I want to congratulate our 2020-2021 scholarship recipients,” said Bill Bateson, OSC board chairman, soybean farmer from Hancock County and scholarship selection committee member. “It seems like each year our decision is made more difficult because of the incredible talent and dedication to agriculture these students have.”
Undergraduate winners
A $3,000 undergraduate scholarship was awarded to:
Kevin Fruth of Fostoria, Ohio, a junior at the University of Toledo studying chemical engineering.
The coronavirus aid package negotiated by Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and agreed to by Senate leaders and the White House will help ensure farmers and ranchers are able to continue feeding America in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, according to many of the nation’s agricultural organizations.
“Thanks to Leader McConnell and all the senators who diligently fought for farmers and ranchers to ensure they have our backs in the unprecedented COVID-19 crisis. The aid to farmers in this package, including funding for the CCC and the Office of the Secretary, will allow USDA to begin crafting an appropriate relief program for agriculture,” said Zippy Duvall, American Farm Bureau president. “America’s farmers and ranchers face enormous volatility as markets and supply chains rapidly react to changes, but I’ll say again that farmers and ranchers will not let Americans down. All members of Congress must understand that farmers have almost no control over the prices of the goods we produce, so fulfilling our commitment to America requires a team effort.… Continue reading
Late on a recent Thursday night I returned home from a weeklong dairy consultation trip in Minnesota to find my wife, Kris, coughing and feeling poorly. Even though she put on her brave face, I could tell that Kris was suffering from more than a common cold.
Two weeks before, Kris and I attended a conference in Gainesville, Fla. It didn’t dawn on me until later that perhaps her illness traced back to our flight and stay there.
Since Friday is always a tough time to get in to see our doctor, I suggested that we go to the emergency room to get her checked out. Kris was too ill to argue.
Kris ended up staying in the hospital eight days, diagnosed initially with viral pneumonia, and eventually, coronavirus. She took ill before the virus was classified as COVID-19. She had never before been that ill.
The good news is that she survived and has been home from the hospital three weeks.… Continue reading
By Matt Reese and Dusty Sonnenberg, CCA, Ohio Field Leader: a project of the Ohio Soybean Council and soybean checkoff.
Heilmann Farms has been operating for nearly a century in Lucas County, just off the shores of Lake Erie. In that time, plenty has changed on the farm. In the last couple of decades, on-farm changes have included a significant reduction in phosphorus applications on the farm.
Phosphorus, of course, has been the source of extensive scrutiny in terms of water quality around the state, particularly in Lake Erie. In the case of Heilmann Farms, reducing phosphorus levels in their fields makes agronomic, economic and environmental sense.
“We have been deficit applying fertilizer for 20 years drawing down high fertility levels in fields. We intensely soil sample, and have developed yield management zones. We soil sample the heavier clay soils every three years, and soil sample the sand farms every other year,” said Jake Heilmann.… Continue reading
The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has updated its Export Library for China to reflect expanded access for U.S. beef and pork. These changes were among the provisions negotiated in the U.S.-China “Phase 1” trade agreement.
“This is an exciting day for the U.S. beef and pork industries, which have waited a long time to have more meaningful and reliable access to China, and USMEF thanks USTR and USDA for their tireless efforts to negotiate and implement the Phase One trade agreement,” said Dan Halstrom, U.S. Meat Export Federation president and CEO. “With much broader access for U.S. beef, the U.S. industry is well-positioned to expand its presence in the largest and fastest growing beef market in the world. And while unprecedented volumes of U.S. pork have been shipped to China in recent months, the U.S. pork industry has also faced significant barriers that have kept exports below their full potential.… Continue reading
The Trump Administration recently chose to not appeal a decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit that struck down certain small refinery exemptions (SRE) under the Renewable Fuels Standard.
“We are pleased to see the administration has not filed to appeal for an en banc hearing by the Tenth Circuit. While this is a win for our members, our fight is not over. Refiners have filed a request to appeal the January decision, and the Trump administration can still file to appeal in the Supreme Court,” said Patty Mann, president of the Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association. “Because of these realities, our team at Ohio Corn & Wheat will remain vigilant on this issue and keep our members engaged with their elected officials.”
The original challenge was brought against EPA in May 2018 by the Renewable Fuels Association, National Corn Growers Association, American Coalition for Ethanol, and National Farmers Union in response to the massive demand destruction caused by the Agency’s illegal and indiscriminate use of SREs.… Continue reading
A push for local products has connected local farmers and businesses with the Athens and Ohio University communities in southeastern Ohio.
In the hills of Athens county, local farms range from beef cattle to honey bees and herb farms. These farms are connected with the rest of the community through groups such as Farm to Ohio Working Group and Athens Own.
“We have a work group here on campus, Farm to Ohio that is also working and help us bring more local products to different locations on campus,” said Drew Banks, general manager of the Ohio University Campus Cafes.
The Farm to Ohio Working Group (also known as FOWG) consists of Ohio University’s culinary services, office of sustainability, and center for community engagement. It began with a grant initiative with two Southeast Ohio organizations Rural Action and Community Food Initiatives. FOWG meets monthly and aims to find impactful ways for local food to be obtained by more consumers in the Athens area.… Continue reading
Here, she talks about COVID-19’s possible origins, how it compares to similar diseases and why we should take the coronavirus seriously.
Q: How seriously should we take this virus, and how worried should we be?
A: It is serious. This is a national and global emergency.
Based on epidemiologic predictions for a new disease in a fully susceptible population, some epidemiologists suggest as many as 66% of people in the United States could become infected, whereas others indicate 30% to 40% as the best case scenario.… Continue reading
Did your usual conference get canceled? Looking to fill the void of the big basketball tournament? Ohio State University Extension is here to help with a new virtual education program for the agricultural community.
“Agriculture and Natural Resources Madness: A Tournament of Education” will include 64 educational events broken into daily brackets. Each day, a virtual educational session will be held at 9 a.m., noon, and 3 p.m. The educational tournament is free of charge and will likely continue until mid-May.
“This effort is a direct response to providing a variety of useful and timely sessions for farmers and families across the state during Gov. DeWine’s stay-at-home order,” said Jacqueline Wilkins, interim director of OSU Extension. “While our ‘tournament’ is being loosely tied to March Madness, it’s not a competition, and people can join in at any time for as many or as few sessions as they desire.”
The tournament opens on Wednesday, March 25, with the eFields 2019 Results webinar.… Continue reading
As more emphasis is being placed on nutrient management, the agricultural industry is responding with new innovations or new spins on old ones. Here is a small sampling of some industry innovation on the subject.
“We realize that nutrient management and application of fertilizer is a critical piece of the planting process. No planter is the same with that so we have decided to partner with SureFire Ag who is really a specialist in the industry to provide the best fertilizer solution as a factory installed item for any customer,” said Brad Niensteadt with Kinze. “We want to dive in and make sure the fertilizer solution we provide to them is exactly what they want to get the most bang for their fertilizer buck. We just started that partnership and we are just starting the early order season for the 2021 planting season in April. You can start configuring your SureFire ag fertilizer solutions in April.”… Continue reading
On National Agriculture Day, as Ohioans are under a Stay At Home executive order, the state’s farmers remain dedicated to working tirelessly to ensure an abundant supply of nutritious food for families near and far. Organizations representing the state’s farmers, including the Ohio Poultry Association, American Dairy Association Mideast, Ohio Pork Council, Ohio Beef Council, Ohio Farm Bureau Federation, Ohio Agribusiness Association, Ohio Sheep Improvement Association, Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association, and Ohio Soybean Association have joined together to continue their united, ongoing and unrelenting commitment to help feed the nation today and every day.
“It is our obligation to assure that the public continues to have a steady supply of wholesome and nutritious food—and that responsibility does not stop, even in a public health crisis,” said Frank Burkett III, president of the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation. “We know that families have seen shortages in some foods and products at grocery stores, but Ohioans can be confident that our farm community will do what is needed to help keep a steady supply of food available.”… Continue reading
President Donald J. Trump has proclaimed March 24, 2020 as National Ag Day. This year marks the fourth year that the administration has publicly recognized National Ag Day as a salute to the contributions of America’s farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses.
“More importantly, it reminds everyone that the affordable, abundant and nutritious food that they depend on every day comes to them thanks to the hard work and resilience of 2 million American farmers and ranchers,” said Greg Horstmeier, chairman of the board for the Agriculture Council of America, the national organization charged with promoting National Ag Day.
The proclamation highlights the timeless American values of hard work, perseverance, and stewardship of the land. It also stresses that farmers provide the foundation of a national economic supply chain that is critical to our national security and prosperity. The entire proclamation can be viewed at https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/proclamation-national-agriculture-day-2020/.
National Ag Day is organized by the Agriculture Council of America (ACA).… Continue reading
The Ohio Department of Agriculture is now accepting grant applications for the 2020 USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. Funds from this grant are given to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops, such as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, horticulture and nursery crops. The application deadline for these specialty crop grants is Thursday, April 30, 5 p.m. EST.
Grants will range from a minimum of $25,000 to a maximum of $150,000, and should focus on improving marketing, trainings, food safety, pest control and plant health for specialty crops. Projects must identify at least one expected measurable outcome that specifically demonstrates the project’s impact on enhancing the competitiveness of eligible specialty crops.
Applications are open to producer groups, trade associations, nonprofits, colleges and universities. All applicants must be able to provide a minimum match of 25% of the requested grant amount.
Projects that have a focus on the benefit a commercial product, or provide a profit to a single organization, institution or individual will not be considered. … Continue reading
OSU Extension is offering a great opportunity to get an update on last year’s research without leaving the comfort of your home or farm office. With the directives to limit group meeting size, a webinar has been put together to review the 2019 results from all the eFields work. This will take place on Wednesday, March 25 from 9-10:00 a.m.
My plan for this week was to write something not related to the coronavirus pandemic, since many of us already seem to be sick of so much information (and, unfortunately, misinformation disguised as clickbait headlines) about the disease and the measures that have been taken around the world to control its spread. But things have escalated fast here in Brazil over the last few days and it is impossible to keep going as if everything was normal. Right now, nothing is normal.
Although many Brazilian farmers have been selling soybeans at record prices, thanks to our weakening currency (a direct result of the risk aversion caused by the pandemic), some of them are not exactly in a bed of roses. In central and northeastern states, there are farmers who have debts in US dollars, due to the type of credit they use, and those debts have skyrocketed in just a few weeks.… Continue reading
The National Milk Producers Federation’s coronavirus webpage is expanding further, adding a farmer handbook to address dairy production needs and launching a podcast series featuring experts discussing crucial issues faced by dairy farmers and the broader industry as they work to feed the U.S. and the world.
“Dairy farmers are working hard to provide consumers a safe and abundant supply of milk, and they critically need resources to help them manage in a fast-changing environment. To assist them, we’re working our hardest to keep up with those needs,” said Jim Mulhern, president and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation. “This COVID-19 resource, www.nmpf.org/coronavirus, is a valuable tool both for farmers to manage their operations and for the broader industry and consumer community to understand what’s happening in dairy and respond appropriately.”
The handbook, drafted by members of the National Dairy FARM (Farmers Assuring Responsible Management) program, addresses topics from preventing coronavirus transmission in the workplace to proper workforce management in a pandemic.… Continue reading
Amidst the COVID-19 quarantine, Kolt has created a way to broadcast our Monday updates from home! Matt, Bart, and Kolt host this week’s podcast from the safety of their own homes. The topics of discussion this week are Ohio’s essential farmers during Governor Dewine’s stay at home order, and climate change and its impact on future planting. Interviews include a panel discussion from Matt with Fred Yoder, Dave Brandt, and Bill Richards. Dave Russell has two interviews this week with Andrew Walmsley, and Senator Bob Gibbs.… Continue reading
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