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Ohio State University Extension

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C.O.R.N. Newsletter: 2021-36

  1. Weather Update: Fall Weather Finally Arrives

    Author(s): Aaron Wilson

    SummaryFigure 1

    After a very brief cool down the third week of September, summer-like weather has gripped the Buckeye State until this past Saturday. Most stations across Ohio have recorded their warmest October to date (1895-2021). Rainfall has been plentiful for some as well (Figure 1), especially across northwest Ohio, where locations have received 3-5 inches (200-300% of normal). Counties across central Ohio have been a bit drier. The strong cold front that swept through Friday night and dropped temperatures back closer to seasonal norms sparked several tornadoes across the state as well. The most significant (EF2- 115 mph winds) occurred near South Salem in Ross County. The chilly weather also brought the first reports of frost to some locations.

    Forecast

    Strong high pressure and fair weather will remain in control through Wednesday. Highs will reach the upper-60s to mid-70s Tuesday and Wednesday, with overnight lows in the 40s. A fast moving cold front will increase the threat of showers for Wednesday night through Thursday night. Behind this front, breezy, cooler, and drier conditions will move back into the state. Highs this weekend will only reach the 50s and 60s, with frost possible and lows in the mid-30s to mid-40s. Fig. 2Cannot rule out a few low-lying valleys reaching the freezing mark. Another round of showers could enter the region early next week as well. The Weather Prediction Center is currently predicting up to 0.50” of rain over the next 7 days (Figure 2).

    The Climate Prediction Center’s 6–10-day outlook for the period of October 24-28, 2021 and the 16-Day Rainfall Outlook from NOAA/NWS/Ohio River Forecast Center indicate temperatures and precipitation are leaning above average (Figure 3). Climate averages for this period include a high temperature range of 61-64°F, a low temperature range of 41-44°F, and average rainfall of 0.60-0.80 inches.

     

    Fig. 3

     

  2. Prevent Combine Fires During Fall Harvest

    Author(s): Dee Jepsen, Wayne Dellinger, CCA

    Autumn weather conditions have led to an increase in combine fires. Two recommendations to prevent injuries and property damage include: preventative maintenance and pre-planning for fire emergencies. 

    Ohio ranks fourth in the nation for combine fires. Other states leading the list include Minnesota (1st), Iowa (2nd), Illinois (3rd), Kansas (5th), Nebraska (6th) and South Dakota (7th). 

    The majority of harvester fires start in the engine compartment. Contributing factors for heat sources include faulty wiring, over-heated bearings, leaking fuel or hydraulic oil. The dry crop residue makes a ready source for rapid combustion to occur when the machine is operated in the field. Birds and wildlife are known to make nests in the engine compartment or exhaust manifolds – which can add fuel sources for unsuspecting combine operators.

    TIPS TO PREVENT COMBINE FIRES INCLUDE:

    • Have a daily maintenance plan during the harvest period. Keeping machinery well maintained plays a large role in preventing fires from these sources. Cleaning up spills, blowing off chaff, leaves, and other plant materials on a regular basis, proper lubrication of bearings/chains, and checking electrical connections should be part of the daily routine. Farmers may choose to do their daily maintenance in the morning while waiting for the dew to burn off the crops. However, performing maintenance at night will highlight any hot-spots or smoldering areas as the machine is cooling down. Removing chaff at the end of the day will reduce the amount of debris available to spark a fire.
    • Eliminate static electricity. A chain may also be mounted on the bottom of the machine to drag on the ground while in the field. This decreases the buildup of static electricity.

    IF A FIRE BREAKS OUT, IT’S IMPORTANT TO HAVE AN EMERGENCY PLAN IN PLACE:

    • Call 911 or your local first responders at the first sign of a fire. Don’t wait to know if you can contain a fire yourself, rapid response is important to saving valuable equipment. Combine fires are often in remote locations where a specific address may not be available and access is limited. Emergency response times will be longer in these situations.
    • Have (2) ABC fire extinguishers mounted on the combine. A 10-pound ABC dry chemical fire extinguisher in the cab or near the ladder of the cab is quick access to protect the operator. A second extinguisher (20-pound ABC) is recommended to be mounted on the outside of combines where it is accessible from the ground. It’s possible that one unit will extinguish a small fire; having the second unit will help with any additional flare-ups. Don’t forget to check that the extinguishers are fully charged at the beginning of the season. Not having extinguishers ready when needed leads to a helpless feeling of watching one of your most expensive pieces of equipment go up in flames.
    • Have a water truck positioned by the field. Hot mufflers and catalytic converters from other vehicles driving in the field can pose a risk to the dry field fodder. Smoldering materials may go by 15 to 30 minutes before being noticed. A small gust of wind could rapidly turn that smoldering into a fire. In extreme dry conditions, a water truck may help protect against field fires. Never use water on fires that are electrical or fuel-sourced.  
    • Have an emergency plan in place and discuss it with the other workers or family members. Knowing what to do in the event of a fire emergency is important. Knowing the address to the field and how to contact fire departments directly instead of through the 911 system are important safety conversations for the entire harvest crew.

    Don’t get caught thinking it can never happen on your farm.  Take preventative action and be prepared.

    Dee Jepsen, Extension State Safety Leader, can be reached at 614-292-6008 or jepsen.4@osu.edu. Wayne Dellinger, ANR Educator Union County, can be reached at 937-644-8117 or dellinger.6@osu.edu.

     

  3. Jack Frost Will Bite Soon - Precautions for Feeding Frosted Forages

    Author(s): Mark Sulc

    One of these days soon we will have a frost. There is potential for some forage toxicities and other problems that can develop after a frost. Prussic acid poisoning and high nitrates are the main concern with a few specific annual forages and several weed species, but there is also an increased risk of bloat when grazing legumes after a frost.

    Nitrate accumulation in frosted forages. Freezing damage slows down metabolism in all plants, and this might result in nitrate accumulation in plants that are still growing, especially grasses like oats and other small grains, millet, and sudangrass.  This build-up usually is not hazardous to grazing animals, but greenchop or hay cut right after a freeze can be more dangerous. When in doubt, send in a sample to a forage testing lab and request a nitrate before grazing or feeding the forage after a frost.

    Prussic Acid Toxicity

    Several forage and weed species contain compounds called cyanogenic glucosides that are converted quickly to prussic acid (i.e. hydrogen cyanide) in freeze-damaged plant tissues, or under drought conditions. Some labs provide prussic acid testing of forages. Sampling and shipping guidelines should be carefully followed because prussic acid is a gas and can dissipate during shipping leading to a false sense of security when no prussic acid is found in the sample.

    Plant age affects toxicity. Young, rapidly growing plants of species that contain cyanogenic glucosides will have the highest levels of prussic acid. Pure stands of indiangrass can have lethal levels of cyanide if they are grazed when the plants are less than 8 inches tall.

    Species with prussic acid poisoning potential. Forage species that can contain prussic acid are listed below in decreasing order of risk of toxicity:

    • Grain sorghum = high to very high toxic potential
    • Indiangrass = high toxic potential
    • Sorghum-sudangrass hybrids and forage sorghums = intermediate to high potential
    • Sudangrass hybrids = intermediate potential
    • Sudangrass varieties = low to intermediate in cyanide poisoning potential
    • Piper sudangrass = low prussic acid poisoning potential
    • Pearl millet and foxtail millet = rarely cause toxicity

    Species not usually planted for agronomic use can also develop toxic levels of prussic acid, including the following:

    • Johnsongrass
    • Shattercane
    • Chokecherry
    • Black cherry
    • Elderberry

    It is always a good idea to check areas where wild cherry trees grow after a storm and pick up and discard any fallen limbs to prevent animals from grazing on the leaves and twigs.

    Frost affects toxicity. Cyanogenic glucosides are converted quickly to prussic acid (i.e. hydrogen cyanide) in freeze-damaged plant tissues. Prussic acid poisoning potential is most common after the first autumn frost. New growth from frosted plants is palatable but can be dangerously high in prussic acid.

    Drought stress can affect prussic acid poisoning risk. Drought-stunted plants can contain or produce prussic acid and can possess toxic levels at maturity. Prussic acid poisoning can be associated with new regrowth following a drought-ending rain. Rain after drought plus young stages of plant maturity can combine to cause toxic levels of prussic acid in forage.

    Fertility can affect poisoning risk. Plants growing under high nitrogen levels or in soils deficient in phosphorus or potassium will be more likely to have high prussic acid poisoning potential.

    Fresh forage has more risk. After frost damage, cyanide levels will likely be higher in fresh forage as compared with silage or hay. This is because cyanide is a gas and dissipates as the forage is wilted and dried for making silage or dry hay.

    Prussic Acid Toxicity Symptoms

    Animals can die within minutes if they consume forage with high concentrations of prussic acid. Prussic acid interferes with oxygen transfer in the blood stream of the animal, causing it to die of asphyxiation. Before death, symptoms include excess salivation, difficult breathing, staggering, convulsions, and collapse.

    Ruminants are more susceptible to prussic acid poisoning than horses or swine because cud chewing and rumen bacteria help release the cyanide from plant tissue.

    Grazing Precautions Against Nitrate & Prussic Acid Poisoning

    The following guidelines will help you avoid danger to your livestock this fall when feeding species with nitrates or prussic acid poisoning potential:

    • Do not graze on nights when frost is likely. High levels of toxic prussic acid are produced within hours after a frost, even if it was a light frost.
    • Do not graze after a killing frost until plants are dry, which usually takes 5 to 7 days.
    • After a non-killing frost, do not allow animals to graze for two weeks because the plants usually contain high concentrations of prussic acid.  
    • New growth may appear at the base of the plant after a non-killing frost. If this occurs, wait for a killing freeze, then wait another 10 to 14 days before grazing the new growth.
    • Do not allow hungry or stressed animals to graze young growth of species with prussic acid potential. To reduce the risk, feed ground cereal grains to animals before turning them out to graze.
    • Use heavy stocking rates (4-6 head of cattle/acre) and rotational grazing to reduce the risk of animals selectively grazing leaves that can contain high levels of prussic acid.
    • Never graze immature growth or short regrowth following a harvest or grazing (at any time of the year). Graze or greenchop sudangrass only after it is 15 to 18 inches tall. Sorghum-sudangrass should be 24 to 30 inches tall before grazing.
    • Do not graze wilted plants or plants with young tillers.
    • Under drought conditions, allow animals to graze only the upper one-third to one-half of the plant or the leaves of coarse-stemmed forages if the nitrate levels in these plant parts is safe. Monitor animals closely and remove them quickly when the upper portion of plants is grazed off.
    • Generally, forage nitrate levels drop significantly 3 to 5 days after sufficient rainfall, but it is always safer to send in a sample for testing before grazing or feeding forage soon after drought stress periods.
    • Making hay does not reduce nitrate levels in the forage, but the hay can be tested and diluted sufficiently with other feeds to make it safe for animals.
    • Ensiling forage converts nitrates to volatile nitrous oxides, or “silo gases”. These gases are highly toxic to humans. Safety practices include removing tarps from a portion of the silo a day or two before removing the silage from the bunker.

    Greenchop

    Green-chopping will not reduce the level of nitrates and is not likely to greatly reduce the level of prussic acid present. However, green-chopping frost-damaged plants will lower the risk compared with grazing directly, because animals are less likely to selectively graze damaged tissue. Stems in the forage dilute the high prussic acid content that can occur in leaves. However, the forage can still be toxic, so feed greenchop with great caution after a frost. If feeding greenchopped forage of species containing cyanogenic glucosides, feed it within a few hours of greenchopping, and do not leave greenchopped forage in wagons or feedbunks overnight.

    Hay and Silage

    Prussic acid content in the plant decreases dramatically during the hay drying process and the forage should be safe once baled as dry hay. The forage can be mowed any time after a frost if you are making hay. It is rare for dry hay to contain toxic levels of prussic acid. However, if the hay was not properly cured and dried before baling, it should be tested for prussic acid content before feeding to livestock.

    Forage with prussic acid potential that is stored as silage is generally safe to feed. To be extra cautious, wait 5 to 7 days after a frost before chopping for silage. If the plants appear to be drying down quickly after a killing frost, it is safe to ensile sooner.

    Delay feeding silage for 8 weeks after ensiling. If the forage likely contained high levels of cyanide at the time of chopping, hazardous levels of cyanide might remain and the silage should be analyzed before feeding.

    Species That Can Cause Bloat After Frost

    Forage legumes such as alfalfa and clovers have an increased risk of bloat when grazed one or two days after a hard frost. The bloat risk is highest when grazing pure legume stands and least when grazing stands having mostly grass.

    The safest management is to wait a few days after a killing frost before grazing pure legume stands – wait until the forage begins to dry from the frost damage. It is also a good idea to make sure animals have some dry hay before being introduced to lush fall pastures that contain significant amounts of legumes. You can also swath your legume-rich pasture ahead of grazing and let animals graze dry hay in the swath.  Bloat protectants like poloxalene can be fed as blocks or mixed with grain. While this an expensive supplement, it does work well when animals eat a uniform amount each day.

    Frost and Equine Toxicity Problems
    (source: Bruce Anderson, University of Nebraska)

    Minnesota specialists report that fall pasture, especially frost damaged pasture, can have high concentrations of nonstructural carbohydrates, like sugars.  This can lead to various health problems for horses, such as founder and colic.  They recommend pulling horses off of pasture for about one week following the first killing frost.

    High concentrations of nonstructural carbohydrates are most likely in leafy regrowth of cool-season grasses such as brome, timothy, and bluegrass but native warm-season grasses also may occasionally have similar risks.

    Another unexpected risk can come from dead maple leaves that fall or are blown into horse pastures.  Red blood cells can be damaged in horses that eat 1.5 to 3 pounds of dried maple leaves per one thousand pounds of bodyweight.  This problem apparently does not occur with fresh green leaves or with any other animal type.  Fortunately, the toxicity does not appear to remain in the leaves the following spring.

  4. Prevent Plant Winter Wheat…What To Do With Your Seed

    Author(s): Laura Lindsey, Alexander Lindsey, Pierce Paul, Andy Michel, Curtis Young, CCA

    The combination of slow soybean harvest and rainfall in Northwest Ohio has made wheat planting challenging for some. What should you do with your wheat seed if you weren’t able to plant?

    1. Check with your seed dealer. Your seed dealer may have options available to return seed. Check with your seed dealer to see what your options are.
    2. Store seed in a climate and humidity-controlled environment. If you are unable to return seed or have bin-run seed, store the seed in a climate and humidity-controlled environment if possible. High temperature and high relative humidity increase the rate of seed deterioration, and the combination of the two is the most detrimental. In general, if the temperature in °F and the percent relative humidity added together are less than 100, then the environment should be OK to store the seed and maintain viability. Relative humidity can affect internal seed moisture content and keeping this lower is key to slow the rate of deterioration in wheat. Wheat stored at 77°F and 45% relative humidity for one year had a decrease in viability and vigor by 15-20% compared to storage at 40°F and 45% relative humidity.
    3. Protect seed from insect infestation. Wheat seed stored for a year or more is at risk of being infested by insect pests, especially Indian meal moth (IMM) and possibly grain weevils. This is one of the reasons for running a germination test before using wheat seed stored for more than a year. Protecting this seed from insect infestation can be difficult because of what it is typically stored in and relatively small quantities being store. However, there are products that can help protect the grain.  Storcide II (chlorpyrifos-methyl + deltamethrin) is registered for use on small grains such as wheat. It is effective against a broad spectrum of stored grain pests, including grain weevils. Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) (Biobit, Dipel) is registered for use on all grains including wheat but is only effective against IMM caterpillars. If the wheat seed is being stored in a grain wagon, the wagon could be covered with a tarp and a no-pest strip (DDVP, Dichlorvos) hung from a rib under the tarp. This insecticide is very effective against flying insects especially IMM adult moths. The wheels, frame and tongue of the wagon could be sprayed with a synthetic pyrethroid (e.g., Tempo) to protect the wheat seed from crawling insects.
    4. What about seed treated with fungicide? Fungi are among the major causes of seed deterioration in stored seed if conditions are favorable for their growth and spread. However, once seeds are adequately treated and stored under cool, dry condition, fungal growth will be greatly reduced. We routinely store fungicide-treated seeds (albeit small amounts) from year to year under cool, dry conditions without seeing a significant reduction in viability.
    5. What about seed treated with insecticide? Some wheat seed can also be treated with insecticidal seed treatments and are mostly the same type used for corn and soybean. These treatments will control Hessian fly, aphids, and other early season pests. The data is limited on how long these seed treatments last while in storage. Keep in mind, though, that the efficacy of the insecticides is short-lived in corn and soybean, lasting about 4 weeks. However, wheat planted past the Hessian Fly-Free date will likely not need a seed treatment anyway, since this date works well to prevent infestation of the main early-season insect pests of wheat.
    6. Test germination prior to planting in 2022. Seed quality is key to establishing a good crop, with a major component being physiological quality (seed germination and vigor). Over time, the physiological quality of a seed lot can change, especially because of its storage environment. Variability in temperature and humidity can cause reductions in germination as well as vigor (ability to emerge under less-than-ideal conditions). At minimum, any seed saved should have a standard warm germination test prior to planting in fall 2022. Based on the germination test, seeding rate may need to be adjusted. A seed vigor test can provide further insight into how a seed lot may perform in the field under stressful conditions compared to other seed lots. This information could help producers plan for what lots should be planted early vs later, as well as positioning fields that are typically more stressful for seedlings. A higher vigor score is usually more tolerant of adverse conditions than a lot with a lower vigor score. Common seedling vigor tests for small grains would be an accelerated aging test or a tetrazolium (TZ) test.

    Reference:

    Strelec, I., Popovic, R., Ivanisic, I., Jurkovic, V., Jurcovic, Z., Ugarcic-Hardi, Z., and Sabo, M. 2010. Influence of temperature and relative humidity on grain moisture, germination and vigor of three wheat cultivars during one year storage. Poljoprivreda 16:20-24.

  5. Harvesting Corn Fields with Moldy Leaves and Stubble

    Author(s): Pierce Paul, Dee Jepsen

    Dark Dust Clouds during Harvest: There have been reports of huge dust clouds blowing up behind combines during harvest. It is certainly not uncommon to see dust during harvest as fragments of dead, dry plant parts and soil particles are usually suspended into the air as the combine drives though the field. However, the concern this year is that the dust seems excessive and particularly darker in color than usual. One possible explanation for this could be the fact that leaves in several corn fields died prematurely as a result of mid- to late-season diseases such as tar spot, gray leaf spot, and particularly, northern corn leaf blight. These leaves were then exposed to wet, humid conditions which caused them to produce lots and lots of fungal spores. For instance, under wet conditions, northern corn leaf blight lesions produce large amounts of dark-colored spore that are easily suspended in the air once the plants are disturbed by the combine. In addition, saprophytic fungi such as Alternaria, which also produce dark-colored spores, may also grow on dead plant tissue exposed to wet, humid late-season conditions, adding to the amount of dark particles in the dust cloud during harvest.       

    Respiratory Alert – Harvesting fields with dry, moldy leaves may expose farmers to dust. Dust in grain harvested from fields that were severely affected by foliar disease contain a mixture of tiny pieces of diseased leaves and fungal spores, all of which may cause irritation and allergic reactions. Breathing dust can have adverse effects on the human respiratory system. For field with ear rots, dust (pieces of moldy cobs and husks) may also be contaminated with mycotoxins.

    Wearing a disposable, 2-strap N95 mask (respirator) helps protect the worker from breathing in dusty, moldy and toxic substances. This type of personal protection equipment will filter out at least 95% of the dust and mold in the air. The 1-strap mask does not have this level of protection, and is basically worthless in agricultural environments.

    How to wear the N95 correctly

    Make sure you wear the N95 whenever working in dusty and moldy environments, especially at the grain storage and handling bins.

    • The mask should have a tight fit over your nose and mouth, and requires contact with smooth skin. Facial hair, eyeglasses and certain dental appliances can prevent the mask from making a seal around your face.
    • The N95 respirator is available in many sizes and various configurations, making sure the proper fit can be made.
    • Always use both straps to hold the mask in place and prevent air from leaking in around the edges.

    How to test your respirator for proper fit

    Ideally the N95 should be fit-tested for each worker. Once a fit-test is performed, the worker will know which type provides the best fit. Then before each use, perform a seal test to be sure the mask fits snugly

    • Negative pressure check: Place both hands completely over the mask and inhale sharply. The mask should pull into your face. If you feel any air leaking around your face or eyes, adjust the nosepiece and straps for a tighter fit.
    • Positive pressure check: Place both hands completely over the mask and breathe out sharply. Be sure to cover the exhalation valve if your mask is equipped with one. No air should leak out of the mask if it fits properly. If air leaks, adjust the nosepiece and straps for a tighter fit.

    When to throw out the N95 mask

    Consider the N95 respirator similar to the air filter in your vehicle.

    • When the mask gets clogged beyond a comfortable condition, replace it with a new mask. Likewise, if the inside of the mask becomes dirty, dispose of it.
    • Replace masks if they become wet, torn or have stretched out straps
    • N95s are made to be disposable, they cannot be cleaned or disinfected.

    There are no recommendations for how many minutes or hours a mask will last in agricultural environments. A face mask filter is rated to absorb a total mass of 200mg, however on the farm, the time to reach this level is not known. Each respirator will be affected by personal hygiene, breathing resistance and density of the air contaminants. Each job will vary - as will the heat, humidity and other environmental conditions while performing the job.

    A 2-strap N95 respirator is the best form of protection from moldy and dusty grain dust. Protect yourself and all workers exposed to grain dust during the Ohio c harvest.

    For more information on respirators for farm use, consult the OSU Extension Factsheet: Dust and Mold, AEX 892.2.11   https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/aex-892211

  6. Alternative Options for On-Farm Grain Storage

    Author(s): Amanda Douridas, CCA

    The excitement of a large crop may be hampered slightly by thoughts of where all that grain will go. If you are running the numbers and realizing your storage will be full before the end of harvest, you might start looking around the farm for new places to store grain. Here are some options and considerations before filling up the farm shop with grain.

    The most important factor in alternative storage is keeping grain dry and cool. That means it must be dry and cool going into the storage facility. Aeration is not an option in most alternative storage locations. 

    Grain pushing against walls of buildings not designed for grain storage will create damage, according to NDSU agricultural engineer and grain storage expert Ken Hellevang. Walls must be properly anchored. Pole barns will likely need a grain wall built. The best course of action to prevent damage is to hire a structural engineer to ensure proper support is in place. If you have previously used a barn for storage, he recommends looking over the building for signs of misalignment. These could signal damage and indicate areas where the structure may fail if loaded again with grain.

    Poly bags are a sound option and used frequently for the storage of agricultural products. Grain baggingThese bags are thicker than a standard silage bag with a minimum thickness of 9 mils with 9.3 mils being even better.  Again, because drying and aeration are not options once in the bags, grain should be cool and dry going in. To store in bags, Hellevang (2018) recommends the following:

    • Select an elevated, well-drained site for the storage bags. Run the bags north and south so solar heating is similar on both sides. Sunshine on just one side heats that side, which can lead to moisture accumulation in the grain and spoilage on the cool side.
    • Monitor the bags for damage [at least weekly]. Wildlife can puncture the bags, allowing moisture in, which can lead to spoilage and the grain smell being released, which attracts more wildlife.
    • Monitor the grain temperature at several places in the bags.
    • Never enter a grain bag because it is a suffocation hazard. If unloading the bag with a pneumatic grain conveyor, the suction can “shrink wrap” a person.

    Grain piles pose a lot of potential for loss, especially in our wet climate. The ability to use a cover will reduce loss, which can be up to 2ft deep into the pile with a couple of 1” rain events. This loss can easily result in $30,000-$40,000 worth of grain with today’s current prices. I reached out to a farmer who has used these bags for several years. The convenience of loading and unloading grain bags in the field and the low cost (6-7 cents/bu) has made this an appealing option for their farm. Grain bags are an alternative storage method that may be more economical than constructing permanent bins. Equipment required includes a bagger and unloader. Renting this equipment may be an option. 

    When using an alternative storage, you should notify your insurance company to be sure this storage is on your policy against losses due to environmental and wildlife damage. You should also plan to move grain out of these storage situations before weather warms in the spring to prevent condensation and moisture buildup. Continually check moisture and pest infestations. 

    Corn should be below 15% and soybeans should be under 13% moisture before going into alternative storages (Gucker, 2018). Under current conditions, after going through the grain dryer or coming straight out of the field, grain will be 60℉ or greater.  Below is a chart that shows how many days grain can be stored at different temperature and moisture levels.

    Table Description automatically generated

    Source: https://cropwatch.unl.edu/2018/alternative-grain-storage

    Alternative storage options are a great way to improve harvest efficiency and capture potentially higher prices after harvest. Thoroughly investigate each storage option before using to ensure it fits into your operation, offers an economical advantage above selling it directly out of the field and will preserve the grain quality for the intended storage time. 

    Works Cited:

    Gucker, D. (2018, October 15). Tips for temporary corn storage in grain (silo) bags. University of Illinois Extension. Retrieved October 18, 2021, from https://extension.illinois.edu/blogs/acres-knowledge/2018-10-15-tips-tem....

    Hellevang, K. (2018, September 5). Consider pros, cons of alternative grain storage methods. CropWatch. Retrieved October 18, 2021, from https://cropwatch.unl.edu/2018/alternative-grain-storage.

  7. ODA Extends H2Ohio Deadline for Cover Crops

    Author(s): Sarah Noggle, Glen Arnold, CCA

    Due to a late harvest and adverse weather conditions, the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) is extending the 2021 H2Ohio Program deadline for planting overwintering cover crops, including those following small grains, and manure incorporation. With the recent expansion, all 24 counties in the Western Lake Erie Basin are now included in the H2Ohio Program.

    H2Ohio producers enrolled in any of the 24-county areas will have until November 1, 2021, to plant their overwintering cover crops and complete all manure incorporation requirements.

    ODA recommends adjusting seeding rates to reduce the risk of planting failure. According to the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Appendix A, seeding rates should be increased by 20% due to the later planting date. The Appendix A document is located at https://efotg.sc.egov.usda.gov/references/public/OH/Appendix_A_cover_crop_11_19_19_2.pdf. Additionally, a helpful link to the Midwest Cover Crop Council decision tool on selecting fall cover crops on a county by county basis is located at  www.midwestcovercrops.org. The link is under the “Selector Tool” tab.

    For manure incorporation, all H2Ohio practices must be met. Additionally, requirements established in the nutrient management standard (NRCS 590) must be followed. Producers are required to reduce application rates of manure to reflect soil moisture conditions, per NRCS 590. Manure application on wet soils increases the potential for runoff. For more information on the NRCS 590 Technical Guide, please complete a 590 document search by state at https://efotg.sc.egov.usda.gov/#/state/OH for the technical guide.

    For more information about the H2Ohio Program or the extended deadline to plant cover crops, please contact your local Soil and Water Conservation District or check out the link https://h2.ohio.gov/agriculture/ for your county SWCD office link.

Crop Observation and Recommendation Network

C.O.R.N. Newsletter is a summary of crop observations, related information, and appropriate recommendations for Ohio crop producers and industry. C.O.R.N. Newsletter is produced by the Ohio State University Extension Agronomy Team, state specialists at The Ohio State University and the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC). C.O.R.N. Newsletter questions are directed to Extension and OARDC state specialists and associates at Ohio State.

Contributors

Aaron Wilson (Field Specialist, Ag Weather & Climate State Climatologist of Ohio)
Alan Leininger (Educator, Agriculture and Natural Resources)
Allen Gahler (Educator, Agriculture and Natural Resources)
Amanda Douridas, CCA (Educator, Agriculture and Natural Resources)
Andrew Holden (Resigned Educator, Agriculture and Natural Resources)
Beth Scheckelhoff (Educator, Agriculture and Natural Resources)
Bruce Clevenger, CCA (Field Specialist, Farm Management)
Carrie Brown (Educator, Agriculture and Natural Resources)
Chris Zoller (Educator, Agriculture and Natural Resources)
Clifton Martin, CCA (Educator, Agriculture and Natural Resources)
Clint Schroeder (Program Manager)
Curtis Young, CCA (Educator, Agriculture and Natural Resources)
Dean Kreager (Educator, Agriculture and Natural Resources)
Eric Richer, CCA (Field Specialist, Farm Management)
Gigi Neal (Educator, Agriculture and Natural Resources)
Glen Arnold, CCA (Field Specialist, Manure Nutrient Management )
Greg LaBarge, CPAg/CCA (Field Specialist, Agronomic Systems)
Horacio Lopez-Nicora (State Specialist, Soybean Pathology)
Jason Hartschuh, CCA (Field Specialist, Dairy & Precision Livestock)
John Barker (Educator, Agriculture and Natural Resources)
Ken Ford (Educator, Agriculture and Natural Resources)
Laura Lindsey (State Specialist, Soybean and Small Grains)
Lee Beers, CCA (Educator, Agriculture and Natural Resources)
Mark Badertscher (Educator, Agriculture and Natural Resources)
Mike Estadt (Educator, Agriculture and Natural Resources)
Nick Eckel (Educator, Agriculture and Natural Resources)
Pierce Paul (State Specialist, Corn and Wheat Diseases)
Rachel Cochran, CCA/CPAg (Water Quality Extension Associate, Defiance, Van Wert, Paulding Counties)
Richard Purdin (Educator, Agriculture and Natural Resources)
Sarah Noggle (Educator, Agriculture and Natural Resources)
Taylor Dill (Graduate Student)
Ted Wiseman (Educator, Agriculture and Natural Resources)
Tony Nye (Educator, Agriculture and Natural Resources)
Wayne Dellinger, CCA (Educator, Agriculture and Natural Resources)

Disclaimer

The information presented here, along with any trade names used, is supplied with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement is made by Ohio State University Extension is implied. Although every attempt is made to produce information that is complete, timely, and accurate, the pesticide user bears responsibility of consulting the pesticide label and adhering to those directions.

CFAES provides research and related educational programs to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis. For more information, visit cfaesdiversity.osu.edu. For an accessible format of this publication, visit cfaes.osu.edu/accessibility.