C.O.R.N. Newsletter: 2017-23

  Many Ohio corn fields have been subject to excessive rainfall this year. The fields where the Ohio Corn Performance Test (OCPT) were planted are no exception. Extraordinary rainfall accumulation has occurred at nearly all OCPT sites. Rainfall accumulations from May 15 to July 18-19 (and there’s been more since then) range from 14.0 to 19.1 inches at test sites in the southwest/west central/central region.

Reports of short, waist high corn tasseling, as well as uneven development and flowering within fields, are not uncommon in parts of the state where heavy rains contributed to extended periods of saturated soil conditions and ponding.  Now there are questions as to whether such uneven development will impact pollination and thereby affect yield.

There are two techniques commonly used to assess the success or failure of pollination. One involves simply waiting until the developing ovules (kernels) appear as watery blisters (The R2 or the "blister" stage of kernel development). This usually occurs about 1 1/2 weeks after fertilization of the ovules. However, there is a more rapid means to determine pollination success, the ear shake technique.

Each potential kernel on the ear has a silk attached to it. Once a pollen grain "lands" on an individual silk, it quickly germinates and produces a pollen tube that grows the length of the silk to fertilize the ovule in 12 to 28 hours. Within 1 to 3 days after a silk is pollinated and fertilization of the ovule is successful, the silk will detach from the developing kernel. Unfertilized ovules will still have attached silks.

Silks turn brown and dry up after the fertilization process occurs. By carefully unwrapping the husk leaves from an ear and then gently shaking the ear, the silks from the fertilized ovules will readily drop off. Keep in mind that silks can remain receptive to pollen up to 10 days after emergence. The proportion of fertilized ovules (future kernels) on an ear can be deduced by the proportion of silks dropping off the ear. Sampling several ears at random throughout a field will provide an indication of the progress of pollination.

Unusually long silks that are still "fresh" period are a symptom that pollination has not been successful. Unpollinated silks continue to elongate for about 10 days after they emerge from the ear husks before they finally deteriorate rapidly. During this period, silks become less receptive to pollen germination as they age and the rate of kernel set success decreases. If you observe unusually long silks in drought stressed field it may be an indication of pollination failure. 

Dr. Bob Nielsen, the corn extension specialist at Purdue University, has a good article, ("A Fast & Accurate Pregnancy Test for Corn"), addressing this topic, available online at https://www.agry.purdue.edu/ext/corn/news/timeless/EarShake.html. There’s also a great video available online at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7DiwD4N0T0

Do you have pesticides sitting in storage that you do not intend to use?

  The Ohio Department of Agriculture will be sponsoring three Clean Sweep Pesticide collections for farmers wishing to dispose of unwanted pesticides. The following locations will accept farm chemicals in August:

· Delaware County – Aug. 10 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Delaware County Fairgrounds (entrance off U.S. 23), 236 Pennsylvania Ave., Delaware, OH 43015.

· Putnam County – Aug. 15 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the OSU Extension Putnam County Office (gated parking lot on east side of the building), 1206 East 2nd Street, Ottawa, OH 45857.

· Athens County – Aug. 22 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Albany Independent Fairgrounds, 5201 Washington Road, Albany, OH 45710.

The pesticide collection and disposal service is free of charge. Disposals are limited to farmers only, and only farm chemicals will be accepted. Paint, antifreeze, solvents, and household or non-farm pesticides will not be accepted. Pesticides do not have to be in original containers or identifiable for disposal. The largest container that can be accepted is a 55 gallon drum as long as it has a good sealed bung.

There is no limit to the amount of pesticides that a farmer can bring, although ODA would like to know if someone is bringing anything larger than a pickup load.

Pesticide collections are sponsored by the department in conjunction with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. To pre-register, or for more information, contact the Ohio Department of Agriculture at 614-728-6987.

There are many important State level events coming up in Paulding County, Ohio.  Manure Science Review (MSR), Fertilizer Applicator Certification Training (FACT), Emergency Manure Response Event, and Certified Livestock Manager Training (CLM).  While each event is a separate training and registration, the events are important hands-on educational training that additionally meet some regulations for crop and livestock producers.    

“I am exciting to be hosting so many state level events that are further away from Columbus to benefit closer travel to NW Ohio. While these events are open to any person in the state, most require an RSVP and fee,” said Sarah Noggle.

The 2017 Ohio State University Manure Science Review is scheduled for Wednesday, August 2^nd at the Stoller Brothers & Sons farm west of Paulding, Ohio. The review will begin at 8:45 a.m. at the home farm located at 9257 Rd. 144, Paulding. Coffee and donuts will be offered in the morning before the field day kicks off with the afternoon activities ending by 3:30 p.m.  Registration and additional information can be found on the online form with can be found here: ocamm.osu.edu or https://ocamm.osu.edu/sites/ocamm/files/imce/Events/MSR_2017_FLYER.pdf

On the afternoon of August 2^nd, our office has paired with our local Emergency Management Agency to have a live manure spill response demonstration.  The event will be at 3:30 p.m. at the location of Manure Science Review.  The event is free and no registration is required.

Paulding County is hosting a Certified Livestock Manager (CLM) training on Thursday, August 3^rd at 503 Fairground Drive, Paulding, Ohio, in partnership with the Ohio Department of Agriculture.  Manure from large livestock and poultry farms can be an asset as an organic fertilizer when handled and recycled properly. It can also be the largest liability for a farm if handled incorrectly.

The one-day Certified Livestock Manager Training (CLM) session is for any farmer, producer, or custom applicator who needs Certified Livestock Manager continuing education units or those who just want to learn more about best manure management practices. As nutrient management (whether with manure, commercial fertilizer, biosolids, etc.) and water quality remain at the forefront of concern for both agriculture, environmentalists, and the public, education is a key component to making the right decisions in the field.  Registration can be found at https://paulding.osu.edu/events/certified-livestock-manager-training

A Certified Livestock Manager (CLM) certification is required for any of the following:

1.) For a Major Concentrated Animal Feeding Facility (MCAFF) as defined in Ohio Revised Code Section 903.01. Examples of MCAFFs include facilities with more than 10,000 cattle, more than 7,000 mature dairy cattle, more than 10,000 veal calves, more than 25,000 swine over 55 lbs. or 100,000 swine under 55 lbs., more than 550,000 turkeys, or more than 820,000 laying hens with other than a liquid manure handling system.

2.) For a person who is a livestock manure broker who buys, sells, or land applies annually more than 4,500 dry tons of manure or more than 25 million gallons of liquid manure.

3.) For a person who is a livestock manure applicator who land applies or transports annually more than 4,500 dry tons of manure or more than 25 million gallons of liquid manure.

To receive Certified Livestock Manager certification through the Ohio Department of Agriculture, a farmer or custom applicator must acquire 10 hours of continuing education units, complete the Certified Livestock Manager application and submit the $50 application fee payable to: Ohio Department of Agriculture. For more information, visit the web site at: www.agri.ohio.gov/divs/dlep/dlep.aspx and click on “Licensing Requirements” for additional information. 

Finally, OSU Extension will offer a Fertilizer Applicator Certification Training (FACT) on Thursday, August 3, 2017 from 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM at 503 Fairground Drive, Paulding, OH.  This is one of the last opportunities to receive the certification in NW Ohio by the September 30, 2017 deadline.  Fertilizer applicator certification is required if you apply fertilizer (other than manure) to more than 50 acres of agricultural production grown primarily for sale.  Fertilizer is any substance with an analysis of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, or other plant nutrient in a dry or liquid formulation. All application types (broadcast, side dress, sub-surface, knifing, etc.) are included in the certification requirement. Registration can be found at https://paulding.osu.edu/events/fertilizer-applicator-certification-training and RSVPs are due by July 31 . Walk-ins are available if space permits. 

For more detailed information, visit the Paulding County Extension website at www.paulding.osu.edu or the OSU Extension Paulding County Facebook page. 

For additional information on any crop or horticulture topic, contact Sarah Noggle, Paulding County Extension Educator, Ag and Natural Resources, at noggle.17@osu.edu.  Individuals can also walk in the OSU Extension Office at 503 Fairground Drive, Paulding or call 419-399-8225, ext. 8228.