Featured News

By Brianna Smith

Winter manure application can be tricky, and the rules vary depending on location and operation size across Ohio. Glen Arnold, CCA, professor and manure nutrient management field specialist with Ohio State University Extension, shares practical insight on winter manure application, storage options, and regulatory considerations. Arnold works closely with livestock producers, crop advisers, and applicators across the state on manure management, nutrient utilization, and water quality protection.

Q: As we look ahead to winter manure application, what does the current regulatory landscape look like in Ohio?
Arnold: It varies depending on location and operation size. For example, in the Grand Lake St. Marys watershed, there is a prohibition on manure application from Dec. 15 through March 1. That restriction has been in place for several years.

Permitted livestock operations across Ohio also face stricter rules. These include larger dairies, swine operations, beef feedlots, and poultry farms that meet size thresholds requiring a permit.… Continue reading

By Allison Kinney, Ohio Ag Net

Ohio has been buzzing with energy lately; no pun intended. The energy sector has changed and is growing across the entire state, from wind and solar projects to oil and gas pipelines, transmission lines, and distribution system upgrades. New forms of energy are also entering into the mix, including carbon sequestration projects, injection well infrastructure, and hydrogen production and storage.

With so many energy projects emerging, understanding how to navigate these opportunities while also protecting your property is increasingly important. Dale Arnold, the director of energy, utility, and local government policy at the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation, shares his knowledge on how to make energy work for you.

“In the Northeast and Northwest parts of Ohio, we are seeing a lot of refits of current transmission infrastructure, many being installed in the 60s and 70s are going through major refits, with new towers, new lines, and expanding the size of right-of-way,” Arnold said.… Continue reading

By Don ‘Doc’ Sanders

Many readers may not be familiar with Cedar Bog. It is located just a few miles south of Urbana, Ohio, in Champaign County. It is a state park maintained by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources since 1967.

Cedar Bog was formed 12,000-18,000 years ago and is now about 450 acres, with plans by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to add more. Originally roughly 7,000 acres, it was shaped by the Wisconsin glacier, which buried the Great Teays River. Later, the Illinois glacier brought in new soils and water sources to western Ohio.

The original Great Teays River was a mighty river and flowed from the middle of West Virginia northwest, crossing what is now Champaign County, Ohio, then eventually dumping into the Mississippi River in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. The Great Teays River was a huge river, very much equivalent to the Ohio River or perhaps even larger.… Continue reading

The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) issued a statewide quarantine in Ohio for the invasive Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) effective February 17, 2026. Previously, 18 Ohio counties were under quarantine.

Under the quarantine, products such as trees and nursery stock may not be moved out of Ohio without a compliance agreement, permit, or inspection certificate. Producers who ship these products to non-regulated areas must have their stock inspected and each load must be accompanied by a certificate which confirms their product is free of SLF.

Businesses that need assistance with certifying shipments of products at risk of spreading SLF, should reach out to ODA’s Plant Pest Control Section for assistance.

ODA is no longer encouraging community members to report sightings of the spotted lanternfly in the state of Ohio. Recommendations on treatment methods for SLF on your property can be found in ODA’s Spotted Lanternfly Management Guide.

“The spotted lanternfly is an invasive pest that is known to cause harm to Ohio’s agricultural industry,” ODA Director Brian Baldridge said.… Continue reading

By Jon Scheve

The February USDA report is one of the least consequential reports of the year, and this year was no different. The only notable change was that corn export potential increased. Beans had no real change.

Corn

Since the January USDA report, March corn has traded between $4.25 and $4.30 in 22 of the last 24 trading sessions. With U.S. corn prices competitive globally, it is possible that export demand may increase in future reports. However, feed usage estimates look really high compared to the animals on feed. Because of this, I expect carryout to stay around 2 billion bushels for the rest of the marketing year, unless something unexpected happens.

The Brazilian second crop is being planted right now. Should dry weather come early to their crop in late April or May, that could cause an increase in prices. Without a weather event, I expect there is probably a lid to prices, but most farmers will be unwilling to sell below $4.25 before July 4, which could mean downside potential will be limited for the time being.… Continue reading

By Geraldo José Guimarães Isoldi, Terra Investimentos

With February underway, one of the busiest periods in the Brazilian countryside begins. While some producers are moving quickly through soybean harvest, others are already planting the safrinha corn crop, our second corn season, which today accounts for the majority of Brazil’s total corn production.

Those of you in the Northern Hemisphere may be hearing reports about drought in Rio Grande do Sul while, at the same time, excessive rainfall is said to be disrupting soybean harvest in other parts of the country. Both are true. However, there’s an interesting phenomenon: the farther this news travels, the more confusion, or exaggeration, tends to creep in. Here in Brazil we call it telefone sem fio; you probably know it as the telephone game.

Southern Brazil is made up of three states: Paraná, Santa Catarina, and Rio Grande do Sul. Due to its geographic position, this region tends to experience more variable and often less predictable weather patterns than the rest of the country.… Continue reading

By Dusty Sonnenberg, CCA, Field Leader, a project of the Ohio Soybean Council and Soybean Checkoff

The Soybean Checkoff was formed as a part of the 1990 Farm Bill, and the Ohio Soybean Council was founded in 1991 to manage soybean promotion and research projects. For 35 years, those checkoff dollars have been farmer-directed to fund research projects helping growers improve production practices and increase yields. Today, that research is overseen by Taylor Dill. Dill began her role as the OSC Director of Research in January.

“I’m really excited to be here and get started working with Ohio farmers,” Dill said.

Ongoing research funded by the checkoff is exploring planting practices, the use of new technologies, weed control, and disease management.

“My Ph.D. research project was a checkoff-funded program,” Dill said. “It is called Battle for the Belt, Corn versus Soybeans. Which crop should be planted first? We have three locations across Ohio.… Continue reading

By Ty Higgins

For many involved in agriculture, the motivation to get the job done, whether that be chores, the books, or a job in town to supplement a farm addiction, is engrained. What might be glossed over through that day-to-day work is the personal effort that it takes to truly live, lead, and show up every day.

The AGRIMINDS Summit, coming up on March 24th and 25^th in Marysville, is the first and only agriculture event focused solely on the person and not the operation.

“Just look at who’s running all these businesses and carrying the weight and the responsibility, the decision making and making sure that their teams are performing well,” said Kacee Bohle, CEO and Founder of AGRIMINDS. “I really wanted to create a space where we could look at the person who’s doing all those things and give them that support to have the energy to keep going.”… Continue reading

By Ty Higgins and Brianna Smith

As Ohio farmers turn the calendar toward a new growing season, many are also reflecting on a year that tested even the best-laid plans.

Lindsey Schwinn, insurance officer with Farm Credit Mid-America, had many discussions with farmers over the past year about risk.

“2025 brought a lot of weather unpredictability for a lot of the state, especially in this north central Ohio region,” Schwinn said. “Plans maybe weren’t able to be carried out like they were imagined due to the weather. When Mother Nature’s in control, we just roll with her.”

That unpredictability underscored the importance of having a strong relationship with a crop insurance provider. According to Schwinn, those conversations often went beyond weather losses and centered on overall financial stability.

“A lot of people really looked at their risk management tool as more of a financial stability tool,” she said. “Input costs continue to rise.… Continue reading

By Doug Tenney, Leist Mercantile

Last month, I attended a Joint Presidents Reception at the Pickaway County Fairgrounds’ Heritage Hall, an event recognizing two extraordinary Ohio farmer-leaders serving at the national level. Scott Metzger of Pickaway County currently serves as president of the American Soybean Association, while Jed Bower of neighboring Fayette County is president of the National Corn Growers Association. The fact that these two national leaders farm in adjoining Ohio counties is remarkable and speaks volumes about the depth of leadership within Ohio agriculture.

For decades, Ohio farmer-leaders have been at the forefront of advocacy on issues that directly affect farm sustainability, both in our state and across the country.

“Ohio farmers should be proud of having two national presidents from Ohio serving at the same time,” said Tadd Nicholson, executive director of the Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association.

It was a fitting reminder of Ohio’s continued influence in national agricultural policy conversations.… Continue reading

The Ohio AgriBusiness Association recently awarded $55,000 in scholarships to 36 students across Ohio through the OABA Educational Trust, the George Greenleaf Agri-Industry Endowment and the OABA Endowed Scholarship Fund. The OABA Educational Trust scholarship program annually awards scholarship dollars to students enrolled in an agriculture-related field attending The Ohio State University and Ohio State’s Agricultural Technical Institute, Clark State College and Wilmington College.

“Investing in students pursuing careers in agribusiness is an investment in the future strength of our industry,” said Melinda Witten, President and CEO of the Ohio AgriBusiness Association. “These scholarship recipients represent the talent, work ethic and leadership potential that will move Ohio our industry forward. We are honored to support their educational journey and look forward to the contributions they will make in the years ahead.”

OABA Educational Trust

The OABA Educational Trust scholarship fund is supported by donations from OABA member companies, and through three primary fundraising activities: two Golf for Scholarships outings and a Target: Scholarships sporting clays event.… Continue reading

The Ohio State University Extension, in collaboration with Purdue University and Michigan State University, is proud to announce the launch of Tri-State High Tunnel School, a new 6-part educational series designed to help high tunnel growers enhance and grow their operations.

The series begins on February 25 at 12:30 p.m. and will feature sessions every Wednesday until April 1. Hosted on Zoom, the webinars are free and open for registration at go.osu.edu/hightunnel26.

Key Series Highlights:

• Beginner: Two sessions discussing the ins and outs of high tunnel production, extending the growing season, and how to grow blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries.
• Intermediate: Two sessions focusing on growing highly economic vegetable crops, irrigation techniques, and food safety.
• Advanced: Two sessions covering pest management, new technology, and funding options from USDA NRCS.

This series was created to address the growing challenges specialty crop producers face regarding high tunnel production systems. The goal is to provide actionable insights that attendees can implement immediately in their operations- no matter their level of experience.… Continue reading

By Leisa Boley Hellwarth

Once upon a time, in what feels like another lifetime, I lived in Austin, Texas and worked for the Texas Legislature. It was a magical time and place. Austin was full of thinkers and dreamers and incredible live music. The climate was temperate, and winters were mild. Weather, however, is relative. A dusting of snow or a bit of ice would bring the entire city to its knees. It once took me seven hours to drive four miles home from work because it was snowing. Two inches fell. I was elated I made it home without incident.

I am writing this column days after the late January storm that impacted Ohio. Mercer County was under a Level Three Snow Emergency during the worst of it. Ohio Attorney General Opinion 86-023 and 97-015 authorize the county sheriff to declare emergencies and close roads for Public Safety under ORC 311.07 311.08.… Continue reading

By Ansley Daubenmier, Ohio State ATI student

During Ohio State ATI’s Night for Young Professionals, “Sowing Seeds for Success,” more than 100 students met, shook hands, and started discussions that may change their lives.

The Ohio Soybean Council and Ohio soybean farmers sponsored the Feb. 12 event, hosted by the Agricultural Communicators, Educators, and Leaders of Tomorrow (ACELT). The event’s goal was to prepare students for professions in agriculture by connecting them with professionals and providing career advice.

The night showed how crucial it is for students to network and get advice from those who have been there before they start working. The event organizers and sponsors wanted to help students understand what employers expect from them and boost their confidence in their career ambitions.

“Agriculture is an exciting and changing field that needs motivated young professionals to help lead the way,” said Jerry Bambauer, chairman of the Ohio Soybean Council from Auglaize County, in a message that was part of the event program.… Continue reading

The Ohio Soybean Association (OSA) convened farmer leaders from across the state at the Ohio Statehouse for its annual Legislative Day, bringing grower voices directly to lawmakers to advocate for policies critical to Ohio’s soybean industry.

Throughout the day, OSA leaders met with legislators to discuss pending legislation and priority policy issues for soybean producers.

OSA President Bennett Musselman emphasized the significance of the event, stating, “This is one of the most important things we can do as members of an advocacy organization like OSA. We need lawmakers to understand how policy impacts our farm operations and there is no better voice than our own.”

The day included conversations about pending legislation including OSA-supported House Bill 575, which proposes several improvements to the Current Agricultural Use Valuation (CAUV) program. The bill aims to reduce administrative burdens for farmers by eliminating annual renewal forms, requiring counties to offer online applications, providing notification to recipients when valuations change, and simplifying the process for farms operating across multiple counties.… Continue reading

By Brianna Smith

I recently attended an event that was making custom merchandise on site. You could purchase a ticket for a shirt, then wait in line to choose the color and design you wanted. It was a great concept, but the line took forever. Luckily, I have a very kind husband who offered to wait in line for me while I prepared for a presentation I was about to give. I never saw the finished product while at the event, and honestly had kind of forgotten about it with the whirlwind of the day.

While unpacking my suitcase back home, I finally looked at my new T-shirt. I loved the color and was happy with the design, but something caught my eye: a QR code that said, “Scan to see who grew your shirt.” Neat. I checked the label and saw the shirt was 100% cotton. 

I scanned the code, which led to a page full of profiles on farm families in the South.… Continue reading

The Ohio Farm Bureau’s Young Agricultural Professionals State Committee has named its 2026 leadership and the individuals who will be serving on the state committee for 2026-2028.

Leading Ohio Farm Bureau’s Young Agricultural Professionals State Committee in 2026 are chaircouple Bill and Katherine Brown of Stark County, vice chair Hannah Thompson of Meigs County and secretary Blake Campbell of Washington County. The newest members of the state committee are Amanda Barndt of Wood County, Olivia Lang of Wayne County, Kenton Richter of Ross County and Haylee VanScoy of Hardin County.

The leadership and new committee members were announced during the 2026 Winter Leadership Experience in January.

The committee is composed of eight members or couples who suggest, develop and conduct activities that provide opportunities for young farmers and ag professionals to be more involved in Ohio Farm Bureau programs. Committee members are selected based on Farm Bureau involvement, leadership potential and community service.… Continue reading

By Ty Higgins and Dusty Sonnenberg, CCA, Field Leader, a project of the Ohio Soybean Council and Soybean Checkoff

Through the work of wise investments of soybean checkoff dollars, the demand for U.S. soy continues to grow. Carla Schultz is a soybean farmer from Michigan and is a former director of the United Soybean Board (USB). She recently visited with Ty Higgins of the Ohio Ag Net and discussed the growing demand both in the United States and across the globe.

Higgins: Finding demand for U.S. soy is more important now than it has been in some time. What are some of the successes you can share as you talk about demand for soybeans, both here in the U.S. and across the globe?

Schultz: When we look at global demand, there has been a lot in the headlines about China not taking as many soybeans as in the past. I think it is important to point out that we are trying to grow the markets beyond China.… Continue reading