The 2026 Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio (RMHC) Celebrity Steer Show, which celebrates the values of agriculture, youth, and community, bringing together influential Central Ohio leaders, 4-H youth from across the state, and local media personalities in a spirited team competition, is coming up on August 5 at the Ohio State Fair.
The Ohio Ag Net’s Ty Higgins is a member of “Team Partners for Ohio Agriculture”, along with Ohio Farm Bureau Treasurer Adele Flynn, 4-H’er Kimber Cook, and her steer, Jimmy. Jimmy is a 1331-pound Chianina steer who enjoys marshmallows and vanilla creme sandwich cookies. Jimmy runs the show, and if he doesn’t feel like doing something, there’s no changing his mind.
For Flynn, who comes from a farm family in Lorain County, there is more on the line than a banner.
“I think I am definitely going to be critiqued for my showing abilities by my family way more than the judge,” Flynn said.… Continue reading
By Dusty Sonnenberg, CCA, Field Leader, a project of the Ohio Soybean Council and Soybean Checkoff
Water and herbicides can have a love/hate relationship. We use water as a carrier to deliver herbicides to the target weed, or to soil during application. After that, depending on the type of herbicide, we may need water in the form of rain to incorporate the herbicide into the soil to impact the seed emergence process. Beyond that, rain can be a negative factor when it comes to weed control. Rain can delay timely herbicide applications, or it may increase the biological breakdown of herbicides.
Dr. Alyssa Esman is an assistant professor and weed science extension specialist at The Ohio State University. She said the rain this spring has had an impact on weed control.
“Rain does a couple things when it comes to weed control. The first is that it prevents timeliness for some applications.… Continue reading
A.G. Boogher and Sons, located in Santa Fe, Ohio, is a family-run operation that has built its reputation around serving local farmers and staying rooted in the community. Owned and operated by Alan Boogher, the business includes a grain elevator, offering grain handling, storage, and marketing services, as well as seed and crop protection chemicals to help growers manage their operations from start to finish.
What really sets A.G. Boogher and Sons apart is the legacy behind it. Like many small, independent ag businesses, it reflects generations of knowledge, relationships, and a hands-on approach that’s becoming less common as the industry shifts. As agriculture continues to evolve, with tighter margins, changing markets, and more advanced technology, operations like this are balancing that progress with tradition, continuing to offer the kind of personalized service and trust that local farmers have relied on for years.
A new Ohio state record category for hybrid crappie (White Crappie X Black Crappie) has been approved by the Outdoor Writers of Ohio (OWO) with consultation from the Ohio Division of Wildlife. Biologists with the wildlife agency noted that hybrid crappies are not unusual in waters having populations of both species. Fisheries biologists Kipp Brown and Mike Porto from Wildlife District 5 confirmed the identification of a hybrid crappie submitted to OWO as a potential state record.
The new state record hybrid crappie, weighing 4.27 pounds, and measuring 18.3 inches long with a girth of 16 inches, was caught by Jesse Miller of Middletown. Miller caught his hybrid crappie April 1, 2026, while fishing near the Middletown Dam on the Great Miami River, using a spinning rod spooled with six-pound-test monofilament line and offering a minnow below a bobber. What’s more, the big crappie marks the first entry into Ohio’s new state record fish category for hybrids. … Continue reading
Ohio farmers are starting to hit the home stretch for corn and soybean planting due to a dry weather window this past week. USDA reports there were 5.7 days suitable for fieldwork for the week ending June 7.
Corn was 89% planted, up from 73% the previous week, but still behind the 92% five-year average. Corn emergence reached 75%, ahead of last week’s 57% but behind the 77% average.
Soybeans were 85% planted, up from 68% last week and trending right along with the 85% five-year average. Soybean emergence reached 69%, ahead of 52% last week and the 67% average.
Winter wheat was 98% headed, ahead of the 93% five-year average. Ohio wheat condition was rated 63% good to excellent, with 50% good and 13% excellent.
Oats were 88% emerged and 8% headed. Oat condition was rated 70% good to excellent.
Soil moisture is starting to trend toward being more adequate as drier weather has been prevalent in most of the state.… Continue reading
Finding enough skilled workers remains one of the biggest challenges facing equipment manufacturers, dealers, and businesses across agriculture and construction. But rather than simply talking about the problem, many companies are taking action to build the workforce of tomorrow. Julie Davis, senior vice president of people strategy with the Association of Equipment Manufacturing, tells the Ohio Ag Net’s Ty Higgins what her organization is telling members about maintaining a solid workforce for the long term.… Continue reading
Things are going pretty well. Corn and soybeans are all planted, and we’ve been side-dressing our early corn. The crop looks pretty good, and overall, everything is progressing the way we’d like to see it.
We do have more rain in the forecast, and I think it’s going to be needed. Right now, crops are growing pretty well, and some timely moisture would help keep that momentum going.
We had one field of corn where we had to do a little spot replanting, but other than that, everything looks pretty nice, to be honest.
In addition to the row crops, we’re continuing our tomato planting schedule. We stagger plantings throughout the season, so every week we’ve got a certain number of acres and varieties that need to go in the ground. We’re already about halfway through this week’s planting and are working to finish the rest before the next rain arrives.… Continue reading
Weed management and herbicide efficacy considerations are at the front of growers’ minds with the wet spring conditions and more recent flooding in some fields. Dr. Alyssa Essman, Assistant Professor and OSU Weed Science Extension Specialist, discusses some of the current concerns with the rain and various weed species.
From agronomic insights to water quality research, Field Leader, sponsored by the Ohio Soybean Council, delivers timely information to help Ohio growers make informed decisions on the farm. Visit ocj.com/ohio-field-leader to learn more.
Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed two additional cases of New World screwworm (NWS) in the United States – a calf in La Salle County, Texas, and a dog in Andrews County, Texas.
Epidemiological investigations are ongoing for both cases. A veterinarian in Andrews County submitted the samples from the infested dog. Details on this case will be shared as they are available, but early reports indicate the dog was recently in Mexico.
NWS is a serious pest that threatens livestock, pets, wildlife, and, in rare cases, people. The larvae burrow into the living tissue of animals, causing severe wounds, animal suffering, and significant economic losses.
“Over the past week, USDA has identified and expeditiously confronted four confirmed detections of New World screwworm. While we address these instances that require immediate attention, and continue to sample suspected cases, we are simultaneously working to eradicate the pest entirely,” said Dudley Hoskins, Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs. “We need the partnership of animal owners across the region – please stay vigilant, check your animals closely, and report anything that looks suspicious.… Continue reading
The dairy industry continues to evolve as consumers rediscover the value, nutrition, and versatility of milk and dairy products. On this Ohio Ag Net Podcast, powered by Ohio Corn and Wheat, learn about some recent wins for dairy farmers, from strong retail and food service sales to new conversations surrounding school milk and dairy’s role in healthy diets from the American Dairy Association Mideast.
Plus, as part of the Ohio Field Leader Roadshow, Dusty Sonnenberg visits with Bret Margraf of Margraf Family Farms in Seneca County to talk about the farm’s evolving approach to soil health.
Reducing nitrogen rates by 10% is a common recommendation when corn planting dates shift to late May and June. The logic is straightforward: warmer soils increase microbial activity, accelerating organic matter breakdown and nitrogen release. In theory, more soil-derived nitrogen should reduce the need for applied fertilizer.
There are few studies on corn N response requirements; in fact, I found only one. Fortunately, it is an Ohio study where researchers tested five hybrids and four nitrogen (N) rates across early (late April/early May) and late (early/mid‑June) planting dates. Their goal was to determine whether hybrid maturity or planting date meaningfully affected the economically optimal nitrogen rate (EONR).
Key Findings Farmers Should Know
Late planting doesn’t always mean lower N needs.
In 2006, even though late‑planted corn yielded less, its optimum N rate was nearly identical to early‑planted corn — 170 vs. 166 lb N/acre. As the authors put it, “there was… no difference in grain yield between planting dates in the absence of N fertilizer,” showing nitrogen — not planting date — was the limiting factor.… Continue reading
The city of Green looks much different today than it did when the Hartong family started farming there more than a century ago. What was once open fields is now home to shopping centers. Residents can stop at Target, grab coffee from one of several options on the way to work, or spend the evening at the city’s pickleball courts. The city just south of Akron continues to grow.
Those driving through Green would be surprised to find that just outside the bustling strip malls, down the road from some new houses and subdivisions, sits a working dairy farm still owned and operated by the Hartong family.
The farm, marked by a 1911 barn cornerstone, is one of the last remaining dairy farms in Summit County. Matt Hartong and his dad, Denny Hartong, milk about 130 cows and farm roughly 500 acres, though the amount of land they farm changes regularly as development continues around them.… Continue reading
The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) will be sponsoring three collection events for farmers to dispose of unwanted pesticides. This year, the collections are available in Athens, Crawford, and Miami counties on the following days and locations:
August 3, 2026 – Crawford County Fairgrounds 808 Whetstone Street, Bucyrus, Ohio 44820, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
August 24, 2026 – Miami County Fairgrounds (North Gate) 650 North County Road 25A, Troy, Ohio 45373, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
August 27, 2026 – Albany Independent Fairgrounds (Athens County) 5201 Washington Road, Albany, Ohio 45710, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
The pesticide collection and disposal services are free of charge, but only farm chemicals will be accepted. Paint, antifreeze, solvents, and household or non-farm pesticides will not be accepted.
These collections help farmers safely dispose of pesticides that can be harmful to people and the environment if improperly discarded. Putting pesticides in trash bins is not only illegal, but can be detrimental to humans, animals, and Ohio’s waterways.… Continue reading
By Dusty Sonnenberg, CCA, Field Leader, a project of the Ohio Soybean Council and Soybean Check-off
Evaluating crops after a weather event can be a challenge; however knowing what to look for can help remove some of the stress in the decision-making process. Amanda Schwartz is a Technical Agronomist for DEKALB Asgrow and says digging up plants to take a look at the roots and see what is going on below ground will tell more than just the guessing from the above-ground symptoms.
“You want to dig the plant up and look at the root system to make sure we are looking at healthy white tissue. Some of the best advice I can give is to give that crop some time to recover before you evaluate your stand,” Schwartz said. “Typically, wait 48 to 96 hours after a frost or even a heavy flooding event, assuming there have been some good growing degree units accumulated (GDU’s) after those events.… Continue reading
I was in the middle of making dinner the other night when I realized I was missing a key ingredient. I had the stove on, vegetables were sitting on the cutting board, and now my evening had come to a screeching halt.
Luckily for me, I have a good neighbor.
I hopped on our Honda Pioneer with the dog and made the quick trip across the creek and through the fields to my mom’s kitchen. A few minutes later, I was back home with my missing ingredient and, as an added bonus, some freshly baked brownies. Thanks, Mom!
Not everybody is fortunate enough to live that close to family, but it reminded me how valuable good neighbors really are. Looking back, I’ve been blessed with plenty of them through the years.
When I lived in Wooster, some of my neighbors were coworkers who quickly became friends. They loved to cook, grill, and experiment with new recipes, and occasionally, I was lucky enough to get invited over for dinner.… Continue reading
Ohio beef producers will have the opportunity to learn more about the growing concerns surrounding tick-borne diseases during a series of educational programs hosted this summer by the Ohio State University Extension Beef Team.
The programs, titled “Combatting Tick Borne Pathogens in the Cow Herd,” will focus on the impacts of ticks and the diseases they carry, with particular emphasis on Theileria orientalis, a disease that has become an increasing concern for beef producers in Ohio. University experts and veterinarians will be available to answer questions.
Three meetings are scheduled across the state:
June 16 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Muskingum Livestock, 944 Malinda St., Zanesville. RSVP through Muskingum County OSU Extension at 740-454-0144.
June 25 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at J&L Cattle Services, 334 T.R. 1922, Jeromesville. RSVP through Holmes County OSU Extension at 330-674-3015.
July 13 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Federal Valley Resource Center, 8225 State Route 329, Stewart.
Mark your calendars for the Annual Ohio State Wheat Field Day. Join us on June 17 at the Western Agricultural Research Station in South Charleston, Ohio, for a morning of timely wheat updates and hands‑on learning. Ohio State University researchers and Ohio Corn & Wheat will highlight current field trials including the Wheat to Beat, share practical management insights, and feature equipment demonstrations from Koenig. Special guest, Dr. Grant Gardner of the University of Kentucky, will present on wheat profitability and participate in the Farmer and Specialist Panel. Enjoy a complimentary lunch and the chance to connect with fellow wheat farmers.
The event is free, but registration is required. Reserve your spot by filling out the survey at go.osu.edu/wheat26. Have questions? Reach out to Laura Lindsey (lindsey.233@osu.edu) or Ambria Small (small.139@osu.edu).
When: Wednesday, June 17, 8:30 a.m. to lunch
Where: 7721 S. Charleston Pike, South Charleston, OH 45368
Ohio farming fatalities are not equally distributed over the year. As temperatures go up, so do the statistics. In this Ohio Ag Net featured audio, Joel Penhorwood talks with Dr. Dee Jepsen, professor of agricultural safety and health at Ohio State University, about the leading causes of farm machinery fatalities and the simple steps that can save lives. The conversation covers rollover protection and seatbelt use, roadway safety during the busy growing season, PTO hazards (plus the success story of PTO incidents over the years), and the often-overlooked dangers of tractor runovers involving children and bystanders.
With tractor and machinery incidents accounting for the majority of Ohio’s farm fatalities, Dr. Jepsen offers practical reminders to help ensure everyone makes it home safely at the end of the day.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed the detection of a New World screwworm (NWS) in a bovine in Zavala County, Texas. NWS is a serious pest that affects livestock, pets, wildlife, and less commonly, people and birds. NWS larvae (maggots) burrow into the flesh of living animals, causing serious damage to livestock and economic losses.
The affected animal is a 3-week-old calf and larvae were identified in its umbilical area. To date, there have been no further detections.
“All models showed New World Screwworm entering the country in 2025; however, thanks to the hard work across the entire Trump administration and our industry, state, and local partners, we were able to buy time for this moment. Protecting our livestock industry is a national security issue of the utmost importance, and USDA is wasting no time in taking action,” said Dudley Hoskins, Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs.… Continue reading
After being rained out for a few weeks, Ted Logan was finally able to get some corn planted in rye that was a bit taller than he was hoping. In this Cab Cam, learn why Logan “plants green” and how some of the fields he is planting now will end up in this season’s e-Fields data as Ohio Ag Net’s Ty Higgins joins him for a few rounds.… Continue reading
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