By early September, we have presented or co-sponsored 11 events this summer. Here are a few photos highlighting August programs.
Looking ahead, we have Ray Archuleta speaking two days: Nov. 10 in Columbiana and Carroll Counties, and Nov. 11 at the Brandt Farm in Fairfield County. Other key presenters will also be on those programs.
Our annual Ohio No-till Conference will be Dec. 2 at Plain City. Speakers include Barry Fisher, Soil Health specialist, and Melanie Wilt on communicating with clarity.
Registration and updated programs for the November events are on our website: OhioNotillCouncil.com/events.
Upcoming No-Till events
Nov. 10, Grazing and Soil Health. Columbiana and Carroll Counties
Nov. 11, Soil Health and Healthy Food. Fairfield County
Dec. 2, Ohio No-Till Conf., Plain City
Jan. 13-15, 2027, National No-till Conf., Indianapolis
March 9-10, 2027, Conservation Tillage & Technology Conf., Ada
Dr. Hanna Poffanburger presented University of Kentucky research showing 40 years of no-till increased corn yields by 8 bu/ac using 25 lb.
For you old codgers like me, remember the Sixteen-Ton song written by Merle Travis in the mid-1940s? It did not really hit the music market until Tennessee Ernie Ford recorded his version of it in 1955. The FBI in the ‘40s quietly told radio stations not to play the song, effectively banning it as being subversive because it described the subjugation of coal miners, which, in fact, was happening. Coal miners worked in dangerous mine conditions, breathing coal dust all day. This is where the medical condition termed black lung disease originated.
Miners were in isolated locations, and their only sources of food, basic living supplies, and fuel were available from the company commissary. The commissary prices were often very high, forcing coal miners to live in little more than subservient conditions, too poor to escape, and without basic medical care. My wife, Jaye, was born in a Kentucky coal-mining camp.… Continue reading
Heavy rainfall across much of Ohio boosted soil moisture levels last week, but also slowed the pace of harvest activity in both corn and soybeans. Despite the delays, crop conditions remain strong statewide, with nearly 70% of corn and 65% of soybeans rated good to excellent. USDA reports there were 2.8 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending Sept. 20.
Corn reaching the dent stage is at 88%, ahead of last week’s 81% average, and behind the 85% average. Mature corn for the state is sitting at 32%, above last week’s 22% but below the 43% average. Corn harvested is sitting at 2%, just below the 4% average. Ohio corn condition was rated 69% good to excellent, with 57% good and 12% excellent.
Soybeans dropping leaves has reached 40%, ahead of last week’s 24% but behind the 55% five-year average. Soybeans that have been harvested are at 1% below the 5% average.… Continue reading
Things are going well here, other than we could use a little less rain right now. We’ve been fighting mud while harvesting tomatoes, and at the moment we’re not harvesting because of the rain. Up until now it had been fairly dry, and tomato harvest has been going decently. Yield-wise, tomatoes are really not much different from last year, which is somewhat surprising considering we’ve had more rain this season.
Across the way, corn and soybeans are all turning, and I’m seeing some late tar spot moving into a lot of corn fields. Most of the fields I’ve looked at have some presence of it. I think it’s late enough in the game that many fields won’t see much impact, but there are some earlier fields where it will probably hurt yields a little bit.
As for our operation, we won’t start harvesting corn or soybeans until tomatoes are finished.… Continue reading
The highly anticipated Hasting Farm Fest is set to return to the Clark County Fairgrounds Pavilion on Saturday, September 26, 2026, from 1:00 PM to 9:00 PM. This annual country music and community festival celebrates the rich agricultural history of Southwest Ohio while supporting a vital local cause: the Second Harvest Food Bank of Clark, Champaign, and Logan Counties.
Founded by Clark County native Kate Hasting of the Nashville-based country duo HASTING, the festival is a heartfelt tribute to her roots and her family’s deep connection to the local farming community. What began as a vision in 2017 to bring high-quality entertainment to her hometown has blossomed into a premier event that embodies the spirit of family, friends, and farming.
This year’s festival promises an unforgettable day of live country music, featuring a stellar lineup of national and local talent, inlcuding:
Matt Clarkson Band – 4:30 PM Hasting – 5:30 PM Dalton Dover – 6:30 PM Priscilla Block – 8:00 PM
Hasting Farm Fest offers a community experience designed for all ages.… Continue reading
In the mid-August column, we reviewed the status of the data center proposed for Ashville. The Village of Ashville had passed an agreement, as emergency legislation, to cooperate in the construction of two data centers and an accompanying natural-gas power-generating facility.
Village resident Laura McNamara-Smith and others circulated a referendum petition to repeal the data center resolution. A referendum is a direct vote by the electorate (rather than their representatives) on a proposal, law or public issue. In May, the group turned in enough valid signatures to place the referendum on the Nov. 3 ballot. The petitions were submitted to the Ashville fiscal officer to transfer to the board of elections.
In a June letter, the Village fiscal officer informed the board of elections that she was not submitting the petition because it was insufficient and invalid. She explained the resolution is not subject to referendum because it passed as an emergency measure and was an administrative action.… Continue reading
By Laura Lindsey, Manbir Rakkar, Alyssa Essman, Emma Matcham, Ohio State University
Winter wheat offers several advantages for Ohio crop production systems, including greater crop rotation diversity, valuable soil cover during the fall and winter months, and an additional opportunity for farm income. Now that we’ve entered mid-September, wheat planting is just around the corner. Here are our key management strategies for this fall:
1. Plant within the 14-day period starting after the county fly-safe date. It can be tempting to plant wheat before your county’s Hessian fly-safe date (Figure 1; however, the best time to plant wheat is the 14-day period starting the day after the fly-safe date. In our field research trials, we’ve measured a 5 to 10% yield loss when wheat was planted prior to the fly-safe date (Figure 2).
Figure 1. Hessian fly-safe date by Ohio county.
Farmers sometimes plant prior to the fly-safe date because of concerns about wet weather delaying planting too far beyond the fly-safe date.… Continue reading
The agricultural outlook varies widely by commodity and geography. While some livestock and dairy producers are benefiting from stronger market conditions, many row-crop farmers continue to face tighter margins driven by lower commodity prices and elevated production costs. On this Ohio Ag Net Podcast, powered by Ohio Corn and Wheat, Trey Miller from Farm Credit Mid-America discusses current farm economy trends and how they are working alongside their customers to navigate difficult periods and position operations for long-term success.
Then, if you haven’t signed up for an Ohio Corn and Wheat Growers Association members yet, now would be the perfect time. Learn about a sign-up incentive that may have you saying O-H and find out about all of the benefits of joining Ohio Corn and Wheat.
By Mitch Greve, Technical Agronomist – Northwest Ohio, Channel
Why is fall an important time to think about soil fertility?
Fall provides an excellent opportunity to evaluate nutrient removal following harvest and prepare fields for the next crop. With corn, soybean, and wheat harvests complete, producers can assess soil fertility, collect soil samples, apply lime as needed, and apply phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) before spring fieldwork begins. Completing these tasks in the fall can improve efficiency and help ensure nutrients are available when crops begin growing the following season.
Should I soil test every fall?
While annual soil testing is not necessary for every field, sampling every two to four years is recommended. Fields with consistently high yields or variable productivity may benefit from more frequent testing. Soil test results provide valuable information about soil pH, phosphorus, potassium, and other nutrients, allowing fertilizer applications to be based on actual crop needs rather than estimates.… Continue reading
By Dean Kreager, Extension Educator – Agriculture and Natural Resources, Licking County
Many parts of Ohio are under development pressure, and communities are trying to act to prevent the loss of agricultural land. I bring this up because a planning group reached out while searching for local statistics and numbers related to “prime farmland.” This got me thinking about what makes farmland “prime.” Is it defined by specific soil types, historical yields, lay of the land, or proximity to markets? I won’t argue these are all important and are used to determine value, but what type of land is currently providing the largest net income per acre? The marginal land once considered a byproduct of farmland ownership is likely producing your highest net income per acre, thanks to current cattle market conditions. Instead of producing a little extra income, the cattle enterprise may be a big contributor to the bottom line.… Continue reading
At the Gwynne Conservation Area, landowners don’t just hear how to improve wildlife habitat, manage woodlands or protect ponds—they see those practices at work.
Across 67 acres of woodlands, prairies, wetlands, ponds and streams, the Gwynne serves as an outdoor classroom where visitors can explore practical strategies for caring for their land.
For many farmers, farming is more than a job. It is a way of life, built around the responsibility and pride that comes with producing food, fiber, and fuel for the world. That is why few things are harder than facing the possibility of having to give it up.
For Logan Heath, a farmer from Quincy, Ohio, that possibility became very real. Farming had always been a central part of his life, but for a time, he wasn’t sure he would ever be able to return to it.
“Around my senior year of high school. I was on my way home from shelling corn, and I got in an accident and rolled my truck. I became paralyzed. It will be four years this Oct. 20 since the accident,” Heath said.
Heath has been farming since he was able to walk, doing so alongside his grandfather and uncles.… Continue reading
Ohio Farm Bureau continues to oppose a proposed highway connector that would link U.S. 23 with Interstate 71 in Marion and Morrow counties, arguing the project warrants a more comprehensive examination of its costs, benefits and long-term impact on farmland and rural communities.
The proposed connector’s preferred route, which would directly affect roughly 800 acres of agricultural land within the highway footprint, has generated considerable discussion in north-central Ohio, with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) moving forward with a feasibility study and selecting a preferred alternative for the project.
“Our members’ primary concerns can be boiled down to are we really looking at all of the costs and all of the benefits,” said Leah Curtis, associate general counsel with Ohio Farm Bureau. “And are we giving a full view of, particularly, the costs that will be incurred by the people where this will be built and what benefits will they accrue from all of those costs?”… Continue reading
By Dusty Sonnenberg, Field Leader, a project of the Ohio Soybean Council and Soybean Checkoff
On this episode of the podcast, Dusty is joined by Dwayne Wilson, Grain Merchandising Specialist at White Commercial Corporation. Dusty and Dwayne discuss the current grain markets and some of the changes that have impacted grain marketing over time. Dwayne explains the role that basis plays in marketing decisions. They also discuss using on-farm storage as a marketing tool and some of the current Geo-political events that are factoring into the current demand. To conclude, they look at the opportunities the new soybean crush capacity coming to Ohio will bring and the impact it may have on local basis for soybeans. It is always important to remember that “There is a risk of loss in futures and options trading. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results.”
By Aubree Siffring, National Corn Growers Association
For generations, farmers have grown corn to feed people and livestock. For decades, it has also fueled vehicles. Today, research and manufacturing innovation is creating even more opportunities for corn in surprising places, like bioplastics and other biobased products
And corn growers need new markets. Even with record exports so far this marketing year, there’s extra supply – and likely more to come with continued advancements in genetics and technology.
Corn-based inputs have a huge opportunity in biomanufacturing, replacing traditional chemicals and materials produced from fossilized sources. This shift is already underway as many manufacturers work toward more renewable, non-fossilized alternatives.
How big is this opportunity?
The global plastics market, just one sector of products where corn could solve the fossil-based inputs problem, is an economic giant. Plastics – used in everything from household items to packaging, and beyond – represent a world of potential for corn and corn-based ethanol as feedstocks to make the shift to a biobased economy.… Continue reading
As a new school year gets underway, Ohio FFA members are returning to agricultural education classrooms across the state. For 11 individuals, this year brings an opportunity to serve beyond their home chapters as members of the 2026-2027 Ohio FFA State Officer Team.
Each officer will travel thousands of miles to visit local chapters, facilitate leadership programs, connect with industry leaders, and share the story of Ohio FFA as its highest-ranked student leadership. Through their service, state officers also support agricultural education teachers and build meaningful connections with organizations and individuals across the industry.
Let’s meet this year’s team!
Why did you join FFA?
Joining FFA was second nature for me. With two agriscience educators as parents, I got firsthand experience with agriculture and FFA long before zipping up my own corduroy jacket. Before becoming an FFA member, I had the opportunity to witness former state officers and members of my own chapter lead with integrity and purpose.… Continue reading
Republican Senator Mitch McConnell, back from a three-month health absence, cast the winning Ag Committee vote to send the Senate farm bill that Democrats blocked in August to the full chamber. McConnell, true to his word to help pass a farm bill, cast the 12th GOP vote needed to advance the Senate farm bill. Committee approval was a victory for Chair John Boozman despite a last-minute fight over a GOP amendment to reform livestock production standards to deal with California’s Prop 12.
“It’s been almost a decade since Congress last passed a farm bill,” said American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall. “In the past 10 years, more than 200,000 family farms have gone out of business, as farmers grappled with a pandemic, global unrest, rising expenses and falling prices paid for the food they grow. A new, modernized farm bill will help give farmers the tools they need to survive continued and unforeseen challenges ahead.… Continue reading
Growing processing tomatoes requires precision, patience, and plenty of planning. At Niese Ag near Pandora, the crop has also become a big driver for the diversified family business.
Operated by Chuck and Tammy Niese, along with their son and daughter-in-law, Derek and Ashley Niese, the farm raises corn, soybeans, wheat, and processing tomatoes. Along the way, the family has added seed sales, freezer beef and a pick-your-own blackberry and raspberry patch.
“I wanted to raise tomatoes because when we first started farming, I wanted to make the most that we could with what we had,” Chuck said. “Tomatoes are high value, high effort.”
“We like the challenge. We like working hard and trying to make things better,” Derek said.
The Niese family’s history with processing tomatoes stretches back generations. Both Chuck and Tammy’s parents and grandparents grew tomatoes, and the couple continued that tradition after purchasing farmland from both sides of the family following their marriage in 1989.… Continue reading
It can be easy to focus on the challenges facing agriculture right now, from tight margins and weather concerns to high input costs and uncertainty in commodity markets. But despite those pressures, growth is still happening across Ohio agriculture.
“A lot of that comes from some livestock, both contract and cattle, facilities and things of that nature,” said Rudi Pitzer Perry, regional vice president of agricultural lending with Farm Credit Mid-America. “They’ve seen a massive amount of growth over the last couple of years. There’s been some good profit in those areas too. So, it’s not overly surprising, but it’s good to see.”
Growth is not limited to livestock, however. Land continues to change hands as established farms expand and younger producers enter agriculture.
“We’re still seeing that land changing hands, that expansion, both from next-generation operations maybe getting larger and taking advantage of some opportunities that they’ve been able to have,” Pitzer Perry said.… Continue reading
National Farm Safety and Health Week is Sept. 21-25, 2026. This annual event reminds us that the choices we make today shape the success of tomorrow. The theme “Safety Today, Success Tomorrow” highlights the critical connection between safe work practices and the productivity and sustainability of our farms, ranches, and agricultural communities.
Agriculture remains one of the nation’s most demanding occupations, making safety awareness and injury prevention essential for everyone involved, from farmers and farm families to agricultural workers and youth. Taking time to identify hazards, maintain equipment, use proper personal protective equipment, and prioritize physical and mental well-being can prevent injuries and save lives. The Fatal Five for Ohio farmers are highlighted here.
1. Tractor and machinery incidents
Tractor rollovers, runovers, PTO entanglements, and injuries involving moving machinery remain the leading causes of severe injuries and fatalities. These injuries rise during harvest season, when there is increased exposure to hazards.… Continue reading
Ohio Ag Net | Ohio's Country Journal Ohio Ag Net | Ohio's Country Journal 
