Twenty Ohio Farm Bureau leaders are serving on the 2022 Ohio Farm Bureau Federation Policy Development Committee. The committee collects and organizes public policy recommendations from county Farm Bureaus and presents the final policy suggestions to be voted on by Ohio Farm Bureau’s delegates during the state annual meeting in December. In its initial session, the committee heard from government leaders, subject matter experts and Farm Bureau staff on topics such as farmland preservation; the farm bill; SEC climate reporting at the farm level; funding alternatives for the gas tax; biosecurity measures to protect livestock from chronic wasting disease, highly pathogenic avian influenza and swine fever; and the U.S. EPA approval process for ag technology such as Enlist, atrazine, and others. The policy committee consists of 10 members from Ohio Farm Bureau’s board of trustees and 10 representatives of county Farm Bureaus. The committee is chaired by Ohio Farm Bureau First Vice President Cy Prettyman of New Bloomington and includes OFBF President Bill Patterson of Chesterland and Treasurer Lane Osswald of Eldorado.… Continue reading
On this week’s podcast Matt and Dusty sit down with Emmett Conway and Jim Doll with the Ohio Forestry Association talking about the upcoming Paul Bunyan Show. Joel sits down with Zach Dennis with Bane-Welker Equipment to discuss parts availability. The GrowNextGen folks sit down with Dale to talk about their current and upcoming projects. Dale catches up with staff at Farm Credit Mid-America to talk about their new office opening in Alliance. All this and more thanks to AgriGold!
Ohio Ag Net’s Dale Minyo is joined by Jon Wing of Marysville STEM School and Michelle Rawlins from Tri-Rivers Career Center as they discuss water quality, thanks to GrowNextGen. GrowNextGen is a project the Ohio Soybean Council and soybean checkoff.… Continue reading
Farmers across the State welcomed timely rains and seasonable temperatures as crop development progress accelerated during the previous week, according to Cheryl Turner, State Statistician, USDA NASS, Ohio Field Office.
Topsoil moisture conditions were rated 2% very short, 13% short, 77% adequate, and 8% surplus. Statewide, the average temperature for the week ending Sept. 11 was 69.7 degrees, 2.1 degrees above normal. Weather stations recorded an average of 1.07 inches of precipitation, 0.55 inches above average. There were 4.7 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending Sept. 11.
Corn dough progress was 96% complete, corn dented progress was 64% complete, and 16% of the crop was mature. Corn harvested for silage was 53% complete. Corn condition was rated 62% good to excellent. Soybeans pod setting progress reached 98% and 14% of soybeans were dropping leaves. Sixty-one percent of soybean plants were reported as being in good to excellent condition. Second cuttings of other dry hay were 92% complete.… Continue reading
Corn, soybean, and cotton production is all down from 2021, according to the Crop Production report issued by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Corn production is down 8% from last year, forecast at 13.9 billion bushels; soybean growers are expected to decrease their production 1% from 2021, forecast at 4.38 billion bushels.
Because of the completeness of the data, corn and soybean acreage were reviewed for this report, a month earlier than usual. As a result, area planted to corn is estimated at 88.6 million acres, down 1% from the previous estimate; area planted to soybeans is estimated at 87.5 million acres, down 1% from the previous estimate.
The average U.S. corn yield is forecast at 172.5 bushels per acre, down 2.9 bushels from last month’s forecast and down 4.5 bushels from last year. NASS forecasts record high yields in California, Virginia, and Wisconsin. Acres planted to corn, at 88.6 million, are down 5% from 2021.… Continue reading
It is starting to look a little bit more like fall. The crops are starting to change a lot more and you can tell harvest is right around the corner now. Right around here a lot of the stuff that went in early, especially earlier varieties, are starting to really change. We’re starting to see corn change and beans are changing too, but they seem like they’re a little bit slower, which is kind of surprising. I think corn won’t be far behind the beans. We’re still probably a couple weeks out yet, though, before we do anything here.
We were hurting for rain, but now it seems like the rain won’t shut off. We’ve been getting rain periodically. Last night we got a little over half inch. I think if you go more towards Sydney, they even got a little bit more than we did so the rain has been good.… Continue reading
In Ohio farm country it is no secret many people likely enjoy a higher percentage of meat, eggs, and dairy in their diets than other segments of our agriculture society. The foods raised by Ohio agriculture feed the people of Ohio agriculture. Often overlooked though, on rural Ohio farms, are fish.
“The average person in the U.S. only eats around 17 pounds of seafood per year, even though recommendations for a healthy heart are more than triple that number,” said Matt Smith, program director, aquaculture Extension, Madison County Extension Office. “There is probably a local seafood farmer near you — shop local.”
Even if it has scales and gills instead of hooves, aquaculture is a growing part of domestic agriculture.
“There are some segments of U.S. aquaculture that are exploding in growth. In particular, our coastal states are seeing significant growth in shellfish production. There are well over 1,500 shellfish farmers now along the East Coast.… Continue reading
By Victor Shelton, Retired NRCS Agronomist/Grazing Specialist
Some people try to make pasture management a lot more difficult than needed. I think sometimes it is more about how it is perceived in the eyes of the beholder. Some might think that a pasture that is grazed evenly to the ground, all the time, means that no forage was lost – no. Some might think that mowing it frequently and making it look like a prime horse pasture behind a fancy fence is ideal – maybe. It is really about the management of the forage to achieve the goals of production, forage quality and numerous added benefits that benefit erosion, soil biology, and usually also wildlife.
Anytime you can keep something simple it is usually best. I’ve been to several events this summer and had similar questions asked to me that can be summed up as, “What are the basic rules of good pasture management?”… Continue reading
Millions of Americans are disconnected to agriculture with more than three generations removed from the farm. They are turning to urban gardening, farm to door delivery services, local farms/farmers markets and even foraging in an attempt to regain that connection. They yearn for control, involvement and hygge where their food comes from.
Foraging. It has become the new bougie term for those who are focused on environmental and sustainable eating. I was talking with a friend just the other day about her son who lives in an inner metro area and had taken up foraging. She was so excited she was almost jumping up and down that he had foraged in the neighborhood and parks to find incredible edible treasures. First off, my hubby hates mushrooms so the way to my man’s heart is to avoid mushrooms. Bottomline, I had no idea what she was talking about. … Continue reading
Waterhemp and Palmer amaranth plants that have escaped POST applications or emerged after are now starting to develop mature seed. These plants can produce upwards of one million seeds per plant in certain situations. When it comes to the management of these weeds, the best offense is a good defense. Anything we can do from now through harvest to prevent seed from being deposited into the soil seed bank will pay dividends down the road. At this point in the season there are limited options for control beyond scouting and hand pulling. Just a few plants left in the field can lead to a total infestation within a few years. Viability of waterhemp and Palmer amaranth seed is greatly reduced after 3-5 years.
Some diligence over a couple of growing seasons can drastically reduce populations. Aside from tremendous seed production, fast growth rates, and lengthy emergence windows, what makes us most nervous about these weeds is their propensity to develop herbicide resistance.… Continue reading
Wood County Economic Development Commission and Wood Soil and Water Conservation District are partnering with local and county organizations and businesses to host the 2022 Wood County AG-Venture Self-Driving Farm Tour Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, 10 AM – 3 PM. Travel at your own pace and visit the southeast section of Wood County’s 617 square miles to experience the history and meet local farm families and ag businesses who make it happen. The event is free and open to the public.
Wood County agriculture is a leading economic driver yet many Wood Countians are unaware of the products grown in their backyard. From eggs to Oreos, Wood County growers are key manufacturers to the foods we eat and the fuel we use to get around. The Ag-Venture stops include: Benschoter Hay & Straw, 7298 Cloverdale Rd. Cygnet; Buckeye Seafood Company, LLC, 6094 Oil Center Rd. Bloomdale; Harrison Farm and Truck and Body, 11100 Wayne Rd.… Continue reading
The Ohio Field Leader Roadshow takes Dusty Sonnenberg to northern Ohio where he visits with farmer Les Seiler to discuss a two-stage ditch project on his Fulton County farm. The difference in erosion control has made a dramatic difference in multiple areas on Seiler’s operation, which he discusses further in this video.… Continue reading
The sun was just beginning its descent as car after car pulled into a gravel driveway. Local FFA members pointed drivers toward an alfalfa field, a makeshift parking lot for a big event. A tractor with a wagon made its way down rows of cars, picking up the guests. After everyone loaded, the driver took his passengers to the top of a hill overlooking a farm.
Guests were instantly greeted by the sights and sounds of a working dairy farm. For many of the youth, and probably even some adults, it was the first time they’ve ever seen a cow up close.
While it’s certainly easy to take for granted the little things, it’s equally as easy to take for granted the big things, like knowing where our food comes from. That’s why events like the Twilight Dairy Tour are so important.
The Twilight Dairy Tour is an annual event hosted by the Wayne-Ashland Dairy Service Unit, in conjunction with the Ohio State University Extension.… Continue reading
Some of the best conversations and discussions have occurred around the family kitchen table. Grab a cup of your favorite beverage, lunch, or snack and join us from our kitchen table or yours to engage in conversations in-person or “virtually” on September 20, 21, and 22, 2022 for “Kitchen Table Conversations” hosted by the Ohio Women in Agriculture of Ohio State University Extension.
These sessions are offered during the Farm Science Review daily from 11:30 AM-12:30 PM. In-person sessions will be located on the north side of the Firebaugh Building at 384 Friday Avenue at our kitchen table. ZOOM session registration is required to participate. Register at https://go.osu.edu/2022fsrkitchentableconversation
Programs will focus on key topics related to health, marketing, finance, legal, and production for women in agriculture. Each topic will feature a leading expert and moderators to generate dialogue and empower discussion among participants. A list of daily topics and leaders is provided below.… Continue reading
The Fort Wayne Farm Show is back in full force for its 34th year.
The Tradexpos team works diligently every year to meet the evolving needs of America’s livestock producers, row crop farmers, and other agricultural professionals! The Fort Wayne Farm Show has been distinctively curated to provide real time value and opportunity to the industry. Whether it’s the first time attending the Fort Wayne Farm Show or your thirtieth, attendees are certain to love the fantastic variety of exhibitors and educational seminars that the Fort Wayne Farm Show provides as Indiana’s largest indoor agricultural expo.
Attendees can expect to enjoy the innovations and wares of over 1,000 booths as well as ample opportunities to attend seminars to learn more about current topics in agriculture from our partners and trusted experts, Purdue Cooperative Extension, and Northeastern Indiana Soil and Water Conservation Districts.
The Fort Wayne farm show is back and better than ever before! … Continue reading
Ohio State University Extension and the Ohio AgriBusiness Association will again partner to hold the Farm Science Review Agronomy College on Sept. 13. The event is designed to educate agronomists, Certified Crop Advisers, custom applicators, and farmers on current agronomy issues.
The full-day event features time with OSU Extension staff in the field at the small agronomy plots and larger demonstration field on the east side of the grounds. Breakout session topics will address the challenges of the 2022 growing season and the opportunities moving into 2023 and beyond.
Registration opens at 8:30 a.m. and the program will conclude by 4 pm. Participants will rotate between sessions throughout the day. Sessions are listed below and will be presented at various times throughout the day. Each session will be 60 minutes in length.ODA Pesticide Credits have been requested and CCA credits will be offered.… Continue reading
Speaking to a plethora of growers across Ohio, 2022 has been a rollercoaster. Some areas had perfect conditions and were able to get the crop in the ground, only to have it get hammered with five inches of rain 24 to 48 hours after planting. Other areas struggled to get a crop planted and many growers had to take actions they were not proud of, like mudding the crop in because it was June and they needed to get something planted. We can plan and have best practices all we want, but we need Mother Nature to cooperate.
Todd Jeffries, Seed Genetics Direct
While we may not have the record yields across Ohio as we did last year, we still need to do everything we can to protect plants and yield. Hopefully by now, you’ve scouted your fields, applied fungicide and insecticide if you needed it, and have been diligent in keeping the weed-pressure at bay. … Continue reading
Ohio agriculture is facing a time of great risk and great opportunity.
“This year has certainly presented a lot of different challenges. We started off with a lot of wet weather then hit a dry spell, but yields will be decent. There are rising interest rates, inputs are increasing if you can even find them. Equipment is hard to find and if you can find it can you get it bought? Risk management has taken on a whole new light,” said Evan Hahn, vice president of agricultural lending for Farm Credit Mid-America (FCMA). “We need to be thinking longer term with that. Risk management goes beyond crop insurance and making sure inputs get bought right. I think there were many opportunities for producers to lock in profitability this year too.”
A risk management topic of significant current interest is, well, interest.
“With the ag customers we have, everyone is affected by interest rates.… Continue reading
A Logan Soil and Water Cover Crop Field Day will be held Tuesday, Sept. 13 from 5 to 7 p.m. State Route 68 Bellefontaine, Ohio 43311 Across from 5977 US 68N. A meal will be provided.
Come see cover crop plot with over twelve species demonstrated as well as a soil pit. Ask questions and learn how cover crops can work.
Speakers include:
• Dave Brant – Walnut Creek Seeds
• A representative – Origin Malt Barley
• Mark Wilson – American Farmland Trust
• Leisha Billenstein – NRCS / Waterway Programs Available
For the first time ever, Farm Science Review will feature the Marketplace Pavilion, a point-of-sale area dedicated to local producers of agricultural goods, at the 2022 show, Sept. 20-22.
“We see this as an opportunity to support local farm economies,” said Nick Zachrich, Farm Science Review manager. “It’s our hope that the Marketplace Pavilion will allow producers to not only market their products to show visitors, but also the many local and regional grocery retailers in the area.”
Direct marketing of produce and other agricultural products continues to be an important sales outlet for producers across the state. Both individuals and retailers will be able to source quality local products from the Marketplace Pavilion exhibitors.
“We know that most of these producers don’t have the same marketing budget as a global equipment manufacturer, so the Marketplace Pavilion will give them a dedicated space at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center to market their unique goods to our show visitors,” Zachrich said.… Continue reading
