Featured News

While the sky literally has been falling in the form of rain for the past month, many farmers aren’t panicking about getting their corn into the ground.

“You have to keep it all in perspective,” said Delaware, Ohio, farmer and Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association (OCWGA) Chairman John Davis.  “In 1995, for instance, we didn’t even plant soybeans until the third weekend in June.”

Davis is also a seed dealer for Pioneer. He said farmers are not yet calling him to say that they want to switch from planting soybeans to planting corn because the planting dates for corn extend into May.

“The optimum planting dates for corn in Ohio is April 20 until May10. If the corn is planted in that time period with good weather, most of the yields will be okay,” said Davis. “This is not the time to panic. If we get dry and hot weather, we can have the corn in the ground in eight days.… Continue reading

Agriculture Under Secretary Kevin Concannon announced that USDA’s child nutrition programs are implementing new rules designed to encourage use of local farm products in school meals. The final rule, published in the Federal Register, will let schools and other providers give preference to unprocessed locally grown and locally raised agricultural products as they purchase food for the National School Lunch, School Breakfast, Special Milk, Child and Adult Care, Fresh Fruit and Vegetable, and Summer Food Service programs. The rule is part of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 signed into law by President Obama and one of the key provisions to bolster farm to school programs across the country.

“This rule is an important milestone that will help ensure that our children have access to fresh produce and other agricultural products,” said Agriculture Under Secretary Kevin Concannon. “It will also give a much-needed boost to local farmers and agricultural producers.”… Continue reading

Harvest Land Co-op, Inc. Board of Directors recently named Scott Logue to serve as the company’s President and Chief Executive Officer.

Logue has served Harvest Land since 2007 as a Region Manger, Crop Nutrient Manager and Transportation Manager.  He has spent his 14-year career at Harvest Land in a range of positions including agronomy specialist, operations, fuel contracting and management positions. Prior to his current responsibilities, he was Harvest Land’s Liquid Fuel Contractor and Crop Nutrient Manager, responsible for procurement and distributions of products while managing employees and assisting in developing customer contacts. Previously, Logue served seven years as the Hagerstown, IN location Ag Center Manager.  Logue also has experience as an Agronomy Sales Specialist, custom applicator, and with accounts payable.

Gene Tapalman, Harvest Land’s Board Chairman, said that the Harvest Land Board selected Logue based on this track record of being a visionary leader and service-focused manager.

“Our search for a new leader to continue Harvest Land’s success in the industry has been focused and thorough,” said Tapalman.… Continue reading

Weekly Crop Progress Report – April 25… Continue reading

“To be honest, I quit checking the rain gauge. It really doesn’t matter because there is another rain coming behind it the next day it seems. It looks like it is going to rain all week. It is just wet.

“I’m not concerned yet. In ‘98 our best crops were planted between the 10^th and the 17^th of May and that was the best year we ever had. Every year is different. By looking at the trees around here, you’d think it was the first of April instead of almost the first of May.

I had one neighbor who drilled several fields of soybeans 10 days ago. Otherwise, nobody has done anything.

“Fortunately, we have a lot of tiled ground. I think that when it quits raining and if it is warm and windy (those days are coming) we could be in the fields in five or six days easy enough.… Continue reading

Ohio farmers could suffer more than $740 million a year in agricultural losses, and possibly as much as $1.7 billion, if the new deadly disease called white-nose syndrome wipes out the state’s bats, according to a recent study in the journal Science.

Especially hard hit, the study said, would be the rich farming counties in the state’s west and northwest, such as Darke, Wood, Mercer and Putnam, where typical losses could range from $18 million to $23 million per county per year.

“Simply put, bats eat a lot of insects — insects that bother us around our homes, and insects that can damage crops and forests,” said Ohio State University Extension wildlife specialist Marne Titchenell, who was not part of the study but gives bat conservation workshops around the state and studied southern Ohio bat populations in graduate school. “It’s logical to assume we’ll lose a significant amount of the pest-control services that bats provide us as the disease spreads through Ohio and potentially the Midwest.”… Continue reading

By Steve Prochaska, Ohio State University Extension

The weather conditions this year have not favored very early planting of corn and soybeans. However, both corn and soybeans can yet be planted with full yield potential.  When soil conditions become favorable, both crops can be planted without great risk to cold weather injury. There are, however, certain attributes associated with each (corn and soybeans) that should be considered if only one crop can be planted at a time. What follows below is risk/benefit analysis to corn and /or soybean planting given the possible time and field constraints that are very possible in 2011.

Risks to early planted orn

1.   Uneven or reduced plant emergence due to extended periods of wet, cold weather can significantly reduce corn yields.

2.   If need to replant, there is a loss of growing season and corn yield potential.

3.   Cost of replanting in the event of failure.… Continue reading

Pioneer Agronomist Jerron Schmoll answers that question and more with Dale Minyo.… Continue reading

On Earth Day today, many Ohioans will be cleaning nearby highways and streams or recycling to help preserve the environment. However, for Ohio’s farmers, it’s just another day of doing what they always do to be environmentally responsible.

The occasion presents opportunities for farmers to share with other about agriculture. Here is a link from Ohio Farm Bureau with resources for sharing about Ohio agriculture: http://ofbf.org/education-and-reference/agricultural-facts/?url=CARE-4THPSH/.

Also, here are some highlights from industry efforts to recognize the effort of farmers on Earth Day. The dairy industry serves as an example of agriculture’s commitment to the environment.

“Ohio’s dairy farmers have always been committed to preserving the earth’s natural resources while taking excellent care of their animals and providing safe, affordable dairy foods,” said Scott E. Higgins, American Dairy Association Mideast president and CEO. “Our farmers live and work on their farms, so they understand the importance of protecting the land, water and air for their families and for the entire community.”… Continue reading

Five Newly Elected to NIAA’s Board of Directors

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO.— Members of the National Institute for Animal Agriculture elected five members to their first three-year term on its Board of Directors and re-elected three to their second term. Newly elected to NIAA’s Board were Linda Campbell, American Dairy Goat Association; Colin Forster, Y-TEX Corporation; Dr. Karen Jordan, Dairy Farmers of America; Erika Rachal, Alltech, Inc.; and John Saunders, IMI Global. Re-elected to NIAA’s 21-member Board were Dr. Tony Forshey, Ohio Department of Agriculture; Stan Mannschreck, National Livestock Producers Association; and Dr. David Meeker, National Renderer Association.

“The expertise, passion and experience of these individuals fit well with other members currently serving on NIAA’s Board,” stated Dr. Robert Fourdraine, Chairman of NIAA’s Board. “We have a well-rounded Board that can take a 360-degree look at challenges and opportunities within animal agriculture and help us advance proactive solutions for the industry.”

NIAA’s Board guides the organization’s members that include national and state livestock organizations, poultry and equine organizations, producers, veterinarians, government regulatory personnel, academia, researchers, extension specialists and allied industry businesses.… Continue reading

Five Newly Elected to NIAA’s Board of Directors

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO.— Members of the National Institute for Animal Agriculture elected five members to their first three-year term on its Board of Directors and re-elected three to their second term. Newly elected to NIAA’s Board were Linda Campbell, American Dairy Goat Association; Colin Forster, Y-TEX Corporation; Dr. Karen Jordan, Dairy Farmers of America; Erika Rachal, Alltech, Inc.; and John Saunders, IMI Global. Re-elected to NIAA’s 21-member Board were Dr. Tony Forshey, Ohio Department of Agriculture; Stan Mannschreck, National Livestock Producers Association; and Dr. David Meeker, National Renderer Association.

“The expertise, passion and experience of these individuals fit well with other members currently serving on NIAA’s Board,” stated Dr. Robert Fourdraine, Chairman of NIAA’s Board. “We have a well-rounded Board that can take a 360-degree look at challenges and opportunities within animal agriculture and help us advance proactive solutions for the industry.”

NIAA’s Board guides the organization’s members that include national and state livestock organizations, poultry and equine organizations, producers, veterinarians, government regulatory personnel, academia, researchers, extension specialists and allied industry businesses.… Continue reading

No-till practices save soil and offer many other benefits, but soybean producers know there’s at least one big disadvantage: Not tilling gives weeds, particularly problematic marestail, a chance to thrive.

“The biggest challenge we have in no-till soybeans across Ohio and surrounding states is control of glyphosate-resistant marestail in the spring,” said Ohio State University Extension weed specialist Mark Loux.

Marestail emerges in fields from late March through June, and again in late summer through fall. Spring-emerging marestail competes with soybeans throughout the growing season, eventually bolting to a height of 3 to 6 feet, enough to interfere with harvest. It’s more of a problem in the southern two-thirds of the state, though it’s moving north, Loux said.

Loux said a one-two punch is necessary for marestail control in no-till fields: An effective burndown herbicide treatment to ensure planting is done in weed-free fields, and a residual treatment controlling the growth of any new weeds until early to mid-June, when the leaves of the soybean plants are large enough to form a canopy that provides plenty of control.… Continue reading

Senator Sherrod Brown recently held his first listening session about the new Farm Bill and Dale Minyo found out what the Senator learned from that session.… Continue reading

The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) has suspended the grain license of the Archbold Elevator Inc. located at 3265 County Road 24 in Archbold, Ohio.  Operations at a branch in Wauseon, Ohio and at additional storage bin in Elmira, Ohio have also been halted.

Farmers who are owed money for grain deposits with Archbold Elevator should call ODA’s Grain Warehouse Section at 800-282-1955 or at 614-728-6410.

Following an examination the week of April 5, ODA examiners determined that Archbold Elevator held liabilities significantly higher than their available assets and were short at least 50,000 bushels of corn.  The grain handlers’ license, #5272, was suspended on April 11.

Ohio’s Grain Indemnity Fund was created to reimburse farmers when a licensed elevator becomes insolvent.

Ohio farmers lost approximately $8 million due to grain elevator bankruptcies prior to the establishment of the fund in 1983. Since the fund was established it has reimbursed farmers more than $8.5 million and is funded through a half-cent per bushel assessment on grain marketed at licensed elevators.… Continue reading

USDA today issued a report that identifies and discusses the wide array of renewable power opportunities available to producers in rural America. The report, titled Renewable Power Opportunities for Rural Communities, is intended to serve as a summary and guide to assist rural utilities that may be considering investing in a renewable electricity generation project and for policymakers who may be considering how to encourage such investments.

The report is designed to assist local and state government leaders, rural farmers and business operators, rural-based utilities and their leadership, and rural residents whose interests are focused on renewable power, distributed generation, and rural economic development. The report discusses a rural utility’s opportunities for investing in renewable electricity generation capacity.

Utility staff can use the report to learn about transmission access for renewable electrical power, system regulation, transmission expansion paths for renewable energy including modernization and a smart grid, future electricity demand, electric utility business models, and developing/financing strategies of renewable energy.… Continue reading

By Ty Higgins, Ohio Ag Net

Sometimes that line between farm broadcaster and farm boy is hard to see. This thought comes to me as I watch something else that is hard to see, the new undercover video from Mercy for Animals from a livestock operation in Texas. It is not for the faint of heart, but the only way you can defend the agricultural industry that you know and love is to see what those outside of the ag community will be talking about as this video is spreading quickly. I was literally sick after watching this 3 minute clip. Heck, the first 15 seconds were more than enough. What made it even worse for me is remembering my time as a child on our dairy farm feeding the calves their bottles everyday and learning how to care for them in the best ways possible.

After watching the video I felt the need to immediately see how those in agriculture were reacting.… Continue reading

According to U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk, the trade deal with Panama is ready for the next step. In a letter sent Monday to the Chairmen of the Senate Finance and House Ways and Means Committees, Kirk states that his office has completed preparatory work on the agreement and is ready to begin technical discussions with Members of Congress on the draft implementing bill and draft Statement of Administration Action.

American Soybean Association President Alan Kemper says the U.S. has a large share of the Panamanian agricultural market that must be protected. ASA says the free trade agreement will prevent other countries from taking some of the current U.S. share of the market and will benefit soybean farmers by immediately removing tariffs on U.S. soybeans, soybean meal and crude vegetable oils. In 2010 the U.S. exported 65-million dollars worth of soybean products to Panama.

Tariffs will also be removed immediately for high quality beef, certain chicken products, frozen whole turkeys and turkey breast and pork variety meats.… Continue reading

By Matt Reese

Tractors guided by satellite can place a seed within an inch of accuracy. That seed can be treated to resist disease problems and genetically engineered to thwart insects, tolerate herbicides or provide nutritional value to consumers. Agriculture is in the midst of countless technological advances to improve efficiency and production, yet many farms still rely on grain handling systems that served their forefathers.

Mark Drewes, who farms in four counties in northwest Ohio, wanted to start from scratch to add a new storage facility with the most modern technology.

“I wanted to streamline my operation to make things as easy as possible. I started from the ground up,” Drewes said. “My goal was to have about a quarter million bushels of storage with a dryer. It had to be high volume, fast and efficient. I wanted it to be as technologically advanced as possible with a completely automated setup.”… Continue reading

By Ron Hammond and Andy Michel, Ohio State University Extension entomologists

Normally during this time we offer an up-date article as to our thoughts for soybean aphid in Ohio for the coming summer.  We reported our initial thoughts last fall in the C.O.R.N. Newsletter, 2010-38 that we do expect to see some aphids this coming summer. If you remember, we saw extremely few aphids during 2010 except for the last few weeks of summer which is normal during an “off” year.  While not seeding a lot of eggs on buckthorn, some were indeed found which suggests an “aphid” year coming up.  Thus, we feel that Ohio will continue its two year cycle of very few if any aphids being found followed by low to moderate to even high populations somewhere in the state.  But as we stated last fall and throughout the winter meetings, it is impossible to predict which regions of Ohio, if any, will experience outbreak conditions. … Continue reading

The Humane Society of Delaware County (HSDC) is reaching out for anyone wishing to adopt (for free) a barn cat or entire colony. We have an urgent need to safely relocate many feral, semi-feral, and “friendly, but prefers to be outside” cats. Please contact us immediately at horserescuehsdc@gmail.com if you have room in your heart and barn for any experienced mousers. These cats are being horribly mistreated or neglected by residents and we have to act fast to save these cats whose only crime was being born.

HSDC’s “Barn Cat Rescue” is a newly created program designed to manage the rapidly increasing number of neglected feral and abandoned cats in Delaware County.

Each free barn cat will be: vet-checked, feline leukemia tested negative, vaccinated, and spayed or neutered.

HSDC does not receive any governmental funding, so we are counting on the caring folks within our community to step forward and help us trap, sterilize, vaccinate, and re-home these cats.… Continue reading