C.O.R.N. Newsletter: 2022-02
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Fertility Calculator for Ohio Recommendation
A Microsoft Excel spreadsheet has been developed to support nutrient management education programs provided by Ohio State University Extension and for users who want to generate their own recommendation or compare recommendations provided to them to the Tri-State Fertilizer Recommendations for Corn, Soybeans, Wheat, and Alfalfa, 2020. The spreadsheet is designed to be compatible with Excel version, Excel 1997-2003 or later.
The tool generates recommendations for the following crops:
- Corn
- Corn-Silage
- Soybeans
- Wheat (Grain Only)
- Wheat (Grain & Straw)
- Alfalfa
- Grass Hay
- Grass/Legume Hay
Overview of spreadsheet features:
- There are 21 data lines.
- Data can be copied from another spreadsheet or within the spreadsheet
- User controls whether recommendations are build/maintenance or maintenance only for phosphorus (P) & potassium (K) recommendations.
- User can select when a field the critical level used for corn/soybean rotations or wheat, alfalfa, or grass legume hay for P recommendations.
- Can select a shorter or longer buildup period than standard 4 year for P & K.
- P & K recommendations are displayed with buildup and maintenance requirements separately.
- Total fertility need can be determined for a 1-, 2- or 3-year application on P & K Recommendation page.
- Lime recommendations are developed using target final soil pH and tillage depth.
- User can compare cost of two lime sources on lime recommendation page.
- User can determine total cost of P & K fertilizer needed to meet the nutrient recommendation.
- User can determine total cost of Lime needed in the recommendation developed.
The spreadsheet is available at: https://go.osu.edu/ohiofertilitytool
A printed User Guide is available at: https://go.osu.edu/ohiofertilitytoolguide
A video demonstration at: https://go.osu.edu/ohiofertilitytoolvideo
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2022 Ohio Weed University
2022 Ohio Weed University
Are you concerned about the effectiveness of your herbicide program? Want to sharpen your weed id skills? Not sure which nozzles provide the best control options? Is herbicide resistance REALLY that big of a problem? These topics and many more will be discussed at the 2022 Ohio Weed University.
Are you concerned about palmer amaranth? Did you know that palmer amaranth, waterhemp and other invasive weeds can now be found in most Ohio Counties? One female palmer amaranth plant can produce 1 million seeds. I have it … now how do I control it? How did I get it, how is it spread? These issues will be discussed at the 2022 Ohio Weed University.
This high-impact program is designed for producers wanting to be on the “Cutting Edge” of crop production for their operations. Topics Include: Local Weed Populations and Late Season Weed Issues; Hot Topics in Weed Control; Weed Biology and Control Strategies; Cover Crop Management in Forages; and Evaluating Your Herbicide Program. Hands-on activities include Weed identification utilizing live plants at various growth stages; Nozzle selection and calibration utilizing a spray table; and Tank mixing order for different products. Featured Ohio State University speakers include Dr. Mark Loux, Alyssa Essman and various Extension Educators.
Dates and locations are listed below:
February 2, 2022 – 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. February 3, 2022 – 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Coshocton County: Roscoe Village Adams County: Cherry Fork Community Center
Fayette County: Fayette Co. Extension Office Paulding County: Paulding Co. Extension Office
Morrow County: Morrow Co. Extension Office Shelby County: Amos Memorial Public Library
Registration information can be found at https://u.osu.edu/knoxcountyag/2022/01/03/ohio-weed-university/
Interested in additional weed management programs? Join Take Action for Inside Weed Management, a webinar series hosted by Take Action, providing helpful tools to help you manage herbicide resistance on your farm. This year, join weed scientists from land-grant universities across the country as they share information about harvest weed seed control, the value of residuals and metabolic herbicide resistance.
Registration Links:
Why Care About Metabolic Herbicide Resistance? – Thursday, 1/13/22, 10-11 a.m. CST
Value of Residuals in Herbicide-Resistant Weed Problems – Thursday, 1/20/22, 10-11 a.m. CST
Harvest Weed Seed Control Practices – Thursday, 1/27/22, 10-11 a.m. CST
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New Enlist Labels – When Enlist is Outlawed, Only Outlaws……
Sometimes you’d like the s**t to stop hitting the fan just long enough to get cleaned up, but you can’t get a break. Like when you’re in the middle of an endless pandemic, a worldwide shipping fiasco, herbicide scarcities and price increases, and parts shortages. And just when you had it worked out to use Enlist herbicides on Enlist soybeans for 2022 so you wouldn’t have to deal with dicamba, their use is no longer legal in your county. We’re trying to find something reassuring to say here, but there’s not much. The USEPA issued a new seven-year registration for Enlist One and Enlist Duo, valid through January 2029. Changes include a revised application cutoff for soybeans, “through R1” that replaces “up to R2” on previous labels, and the addition of a slew of spray nozzles to the approved nozzle list. The most significant change for Ohio is that due to changes in Endangered Species information, Enlist One and Enlist Duo cannot be used in 12 Ohio counties: Athens, Butler, Fairfield, Guernsey, Hamilton, Hocking, Morgan, Muskingum, Noble, Perry, Vinton, and Washington. We contacted Corteva to see if this was likely to change anytime soon, and got no assurances of this, although the PR information they have distributed indicates it is possible.
This really couldn’t happen at a worse time for growers in these counties. We lack solid information on herbicide availability and price, and it’s a fluid situation, but it appears that glyphosate and glufosinate can be in short supply, and prices high. Glyphosate resistance in key weed species makes us dependent on POST soybean herbicide systems based on use of glufosinate (Liberty etc), dicamba (XtendiMax/Engenia), or 2,4-D (Enlist One/Duo). The Enlist system allows use of glyphosate, glufosinate, and 2,4-D, and combinations of these. While Enlist soybeans are tolerant of other 2,4-D products, Enlist One and Duo are the approved 2,4-D products for all POST applications to Enlist soybeans, and any preplant or preemergence applications that occur less than 7 days before planting or anytime after planting. As far as we know, this prohibition of use does not apply to legal uses of other 2,4-D products. Some things to consider here:
- Some growers/applicators were planning on omitting glyphosate from burndown and/or POST applications. In the Enlist system, this increases the overall importance of the 2,4-D in these applications. Where the Enlist products cannot be used, revaluation of the mixture is warranted. It may be necessary to use glyphosate, or an alternative 2,4-D product in the burndown (with a 7-day wait to plant), or other herbicides, such as Sharpen or Gramoxone.
- The most obvious replacement for Enlist products in POST applications is glufosinate since glyphosate won’t control most populations of ragweed, waterhemp, or marestail. Growers going this route should check on availability and price immediately, since supply seems to be finite. For those in the 12 counties who are unwilling or unable to use glufosinate, the Enlist soybean essentially becomes a RoundupReady soybean with respect to herbicide use.
- Most users of glufosinate supplement the grass control by including either glyphosate, or a POST grass herbicide such as clethodim. Glufosinate is weak on barnyardgrass and yellow foxtail, volunteer corn, and large grasses in general.
- While spray volume and nozzle type are not that critical for effectiveness of 2,4-D and glyphosate, glufosinate requires these to be optimized to maximize activity. Most growers tell us that for glufosinate, 20 gpa works better than lower spray volumes. The nozzles that work well to minimize off-target movement of Enlist products may not be optimum for glufosinate.
- Where 2,4-D cannot be used in the POST, the effectiveness of the residual herbicides used becomes more important. Glufosinate applied alone or with just a grass herbicide can be less effective on certain broadleaf species, and large weeds in general, compared with mixtures of 2,4-D with glufosinate or glyphosate. We recommend using residual herbicides at planting, and possibly increasing herbicide rates and the overall complexity of the mixture.
Information we have received from Corteva includes several documents with explanation of label changes and restrictions, and supplemental labels for Enlist One and Enlist Duo. Aside from this, we don’t know any more than anyone else.
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Congratulations to Harold Watters on his Retirement!
After 20+ years at Ohio State, Harold Watters retired earlier this month. Most recently, Harold was an Ohio State University Extension Field Specialist for Agronomic Systems, but his history at OSU dates back to 1975 when he was a student employee at the Farm Science Review. In his own words, Harold’s goal has been “…to do the work that needed to be done for row crop farmers- whether it was in response to drought in 2012, or floods and late planting in 2015…or the concerns of nutrient management and water quality.”
I cannot even begin to list Harold’s involvement, achievements, and impact he has had on Ohio’s agricultural community (and also international work in the Ukraine). Harold was co-leader of the OSU Extension’s AgCrops Team from 2004 through 2019. He helped move the team forward into the digital age with a website, easier transfer of the CORN newsletter, and provided lots of support for agronomic crops meetings. Harold served on the Ohio Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) board. He provided CCA training and actively encouraged and supported many extension educators to become CCAs. Harold was also actively involved in the AgCrops Team demonstration plots at Farm Science Review and agronomic programming at the Conservation Tillage and Technology Conference. Thank you, Harold, for everything that you’ve done for all of us over the years. You are a great agronomist, field specialist, and friend.
Harold plans on spending this winter skiing as much as possible, but I’m sure he’ll be around in the field this spring. Congratulations!
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Soybean Growers are Invited to Participate in a New Study to Improve Honey Bee and Soybean Productivity
The corn-soybean cropping system dominates the landscape in much of the Midwest where one-third of US honey bee colonies reside. We are looking for soybean growers to help with a new study that will test whether a slightly different management strategy for soybeans can help support pollinators, improve honey production for beekeepers, and improve soil health while maximizing crop productivity.
This study was largely inspired by a pilot project led by Nate Douridas at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center, where a perennial wildflower mix was planted in low-yielding areas in a large field (see video “Turning Red Acres Green” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpPhLj-0Db0). During soybean bloom last year, we observed lots of bees foraging on the wildflowers and on soybeans near the wildflower zones. We would like to further investigate how this management strategy, along with planting soybean varieties that are attractive to bees, could improve productivity in both honey bees and soybeans.
We are seeking large fields (100 acres or more) with some existing low-yielding areas identified by yield monitor data that can be replaced with wildflowers (we will provide wildflower seed). Wildflowers may also be planted in border areas of the field. The experiment will continue for four years with the following schedule:
- Year 1: plant wildflowers and a soybean variety of the grower’s choice.
- Year 2: plant corn. No change to the wildflower areas.
- Year 3: plant a nectar-rich soybean variety. No change to the wildflower areas.
- Year 4: remove wildflowers, plant a nectar-rich soybean variety in the entire field.
We will be working with the Ohio Soybean Performance Trials to identify a list of nectar-rich soybean varieties (data will be available by the end of 2022). We will also monitor the growth of four honey bee colonies installed at one edge of the field with an automated hive scale throughout the study period. We will evaluate the diversity of insect pollinators in the wildflower zones and adjacent soybeans during bloom. Yield monitor maps and pod evaluations (from a small set of hand-harvested plants) will be compared to evaluate any yield benefits. Soil samples will be collected to determine how the perennial wildflowers affect soil properties.
You can also participate without the wildflower experiment by just planting nectar-rich soybean varieties and allowing us to collect insect and plant samples in the field and monitor honey bee colonies housed near the soybean field.
If you are interested in participating in this research, please contact Chia Lin (614-247-4780 or email Lin.724@osu.edu).
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A Little Celebration for National Popcorn Day
January 19, 2022, is National Popcorn Day. While I doubt Hallmark makes a card for that, popcorn has played a significant role in the history of Ohio agriculture. Until recently, Ohio was third in popcorn production nationally behind Nebraska and Indiana, but in the last few years, Ohio’s popcorn production has dropped significantly and that has meant significant production changes on many Ohio farms.
What has changed?
The most impactful change came several years ago when one of the popcorn industry giants sold its popcorn processing facility in central Ohio and severed its relationship with growers in the Buckeye state. Most of these production acres moved to Nebraska. Some local growers continued to raise popcorn, but after just a few years, production contracts became very scarce. Historically, most popcorn production in Ohio has been under contract, so with an abundance of potential acres and few companies writing contracts, prices for popcorn stagnated. The premiums that producers had come to expect from this value-added specialty crop had all but diminished.
Like most specialty crops, popcorn production looks less appealing (at least relatively) when commodity prices are high. In 2021, historically high corn yields that were realized in many parts of the state combined with strong commodity prices has removed the luster of popcorn production even further. This has forced some long-time popcorn producers to re-evaluate their production plans because the profitability of the crop is no longer better than field corn or soybeans as it has been historically.
For many farms that have produced popcorn in the past, the crop has intrinsic value that is hard to walk away from. Perhaps it stems from the idea that popcorn is something different than the norm or a nice alternative crop that requires no additional equipment to manage. As a former popcorn grower myself, I miss the aspect of producing a high quality product that requires very little processing to become a desirable snack food.
While it’s unlikely that popcorn acres in Ohio will increase dramatically in the short term, never say “never again”. Nebraska, which is now the largest producer of popcorn, grows most of its crop on irrigated fields in areas that have ever increasing concerns about the availability of water. Ohio remains a player in the popcorn production game, and we stand poised to increase production if the opportunity presents itself. Ohio has the soils and the climate to raise excellent popcorn and we can usually produce the crop without adding water.
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Watch Precision U 2022 Webinar Recordings On Demand
The Precision U 2022 webinar recordings are now available to watch on the Ohio State University Precision Ag YouTube channel. The webinars cover timely topics heading into the 2022 season. The first webinar in the series covers “Adapting to Supply Chain Shortages” featuring Sarah Waltner (Raven Industries), Jenna Elleman (Ag Pro), and Doug Wical (Sunrise Coop) discussing the impacts of supply chain shortages on agriculture and how to adapt to keep your operation moving this season. The second webinar features Dr. Shaun Casteel (Purdue University) and Louceline Fleuridor and Dr. Steve Culman (The Ohio State University) discussing research looking at the response to sulfur in Indiana and Ohio. Both recordings can be viewed at www.go.osu.edu/PrecisionU.
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Join Us for the 2nd Annual Virtual Corn College and Soybean School
Due to popular demand, the AgCrops Team will host the 2nd annual virtual Corn College and Soybean School on February 15, 2022 from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM featuring your OSU Extension state specialists, including the new corn agronomist, Dr. Osler Ortez, and new soybean pathologist, Dr. Horacio Lopez-Nicora. CCA CEUs will be available during the live presentations.
To register, please go to: http://go.osu.edu/cornsoy There is a $10 registration fee for this event, which goes directly to support OSU AgCrops Team activities. Presentations will be recorded and uploaded to the AgCrops Team YouTube channel after the event (https://www.youtube.com/c/OSUAgronomicCrops).
MORNING SESSION 9:00-noon
9:00-9:40 Laura Lindsey Soybean Management for 2022
9:50-10:30 Osler Ortez Corn Management for 2022
10:40-11:20 Horacio Lopez-Nicora Soybean Disease Management
11:20-noon Pierce Paul Corn Disease Management
AFTERNOON SESSION 1:00-4:00
1:00-1:40 Kelley Tilmon Soybean Insect Management
1:50-2:30 Andy Michel Corn Insect Management
2:40-3:20 Mark Loux Weed Management for Corn and Soybean
3:20-4:00 Steve Culman Meeting Nutrient Needs for Corn and Soybean
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Soil Health Webinar Series Kicks Off with Farmer Panel
“Start small, get your feet wet, and make your mistakes at a small scale.” Shelby County farmer Aaron Heilers shared this advice on integrating soil conservation practices during the year’s first OSUE Soil Health webinar on January 6. The webinar featured a panel of Ohio farmers, including Heilers, Jason Sneed, (Clinton County), and Jack Sommers (Champaign County). The three discussed their soil health resolutions for 2022 in a session moderated by Extension educators Tony Nye and Taylor Dill. View it online at https://youtu.be/e565V6eIyqs.
The guest panelists discussed new ideas and equipment they’ll employ in 2022 to help them plant more cover crops and experiment with cover crop termination strategies. The trio also discussed the challenges of adjusting cover crop and rotation plans to time and labor restrictions and to changing weather conditions. Despite the challenges, all agreed that resolving to improve soil health has paid off with noticeable differences in soil structure, organic matter, less crusting, better field access, and improved water management.
The 2022 soil health series will continue with “What does the Research Tell Us about Cover Crops & Soil Health?” on February 3, 8-9 a.m. OSUE Field Specialist Elizabeth Hawkins and State Soil Specialist Steve Culman will share recent Ohio research trial results. Come with your questions and suggestions for future research trials! Register at go.osu.edu/soilhealth2022.
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Allen County Ag Outlook and Agronomy Day
Join OSU Extension at the Allen County Fairgrounds, in Lima, Ohio, on Tuesday, February 8, 2022, starting at 9:00 a.m. for the Allen County Ag Outlook and Agronomy Day. The morning session will focus on commodity market outlook and ag policy. In the afternoon you will find answers to your agronomy questions, obtain pesticide applicator and fertilizer recertification credits, and CCA education hours as you prepare for the next growing season. The program will wrap up at 3:30 p.m.
Please RSVP by January 31, 2022 by contacting OSU Extension Allen County at 419-879-9108 or email Clint Schroeder at schroeder.307@osu.edu. The event will be held in the Youth Activities Building on the Allen County Fairgrounds, 2750 Harding Highway, Lima, OH 45804.
Doors open at 8:30 a.m; event starts at 9 a.m. Pre-registration by 1/31/2022 is required and the $15 admission can be paid at the door. Registration fee covers coffee and rolls, lunch, information packet, and education credits.
For more detailed information, visit the Allen County OSU Extension website at https://allen.osu.edu/, or the Allen County Extension Facebook page.
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“Planning for the Future of Your Farm” Workshops offered by OSU Extension
To kick off 2022, OSU Extension will be offering “Planning for the Future of Your Farm” workshops to help farm families actively plan for the future of their farm business. The workshops are designed to help farm families learn strategies and tools to successfully create a succession and estate plan which can be used as the guide to transfer the farm’s ownership, management, and assets to the next generation. Learn how to have the crucial conversations about the future of your farm.
Topics discussed during this series include: Developing Goals for Estate and Succession; Planning for the Transition of Control; Planning for the Unexpected; Communication and Conflict Management during Farm Transfer; Legal Tools & Strategies; Developing Your Team; Getting Your Affairs in Order; and Selecting an Attorney. This workshop will be taught by members of the OSU Farm Office Team.
Families can choose to attend the workshop virtually or in-person at regional workshops which will be held across the state. These sessions being offered include:
Virtual “Planning for the Future of Your Farm” Workshop
A virtual version of this workshop will be held on January 31 and February 7, 21 & 28, 2022 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. via Zoom. Because of its virtual nature, you can invite your parents, children, and/or grandchildren (regardless of where they live in Ohio or across the United States) to join you as you develop a plan for the future of your family farm.
Pre-registration is required so that a packet of program materials can be mailed in advance to participating families. Electronic copies of the course materials will also be available to all participants. The registration fee is $75 per farm family. The registration deadline is January 25, 2022. More information and on-line registration can be obtained at go.osu.edu/farmsuccession
In-Person “Planning for the Future of Your Farm” Workshop
In addition to the webinar series, 3 regional in-person workshops will be held in February and March of 2022. Each of these programs will be held from 9:00 to 4:00 p.m. The base registration cost for each of these meetings is $85 for 2 attendees, lunch and 1 notebook. Additional participants can attend for a $20 fee and extra sets of the course material can be purchased for $15.
The locations for each for the meetings are:
February 10, 2022 in Greene County
Location: Greene County Extension Office
100 Fairground Road, Xenia, Ohio
On-line registration can be made at go.osu.edu/greenefarmfuture
More details can be obtained at corboy.3@osu.edu or 937-372-9971
February 25, 2022 in Wayne County
Location: Fisher Auditorium
1680 Madison Avenue, Wooster, Ohio
More details can be obtained at zynda.7@osu.edu or 330-264-8722
March 4, 2022 in Wood County
Location: Wood County Fairgrounds- Junior Fair Building
13800 W Poe Road, Bowling Green, Ohio
More details can be obtained at eckel.21@osu.edu or 419-354-9050
Specific details about each of the workshops can be found at: go.osu.edu/farmsuccession
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Soil Health and Regenerative Ag with Ray Archuleta
Soil health has always been an important part of the sustainability of a farm. Each year we learn more about the conditions in which soils thrive and what BMPs can be implemented to ensure we are improving the soil, rather than degrading it.
Ray Archuleta has spent his career researching and teaching soil health. He is a Certified Professional Soil Scientist who has over 30 years of experience as a soil conservationist, water quality specialist and conservation agronomist with the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS). Since retiring, he founded Understanding Ag, LLC and the Soil Health Academy, LLC. Through these organizations, he teaches biomimicry strategies and agroecology principles to improve soil function. He also operates a 150-acre farm with his family in Missouri.
On February 24, Archuleta will discuss soil health and regenerative ag practices at the West Liberty Salem High School near West Liberty, Ohio. This is possible through the generous support of the Logan County Land Trust by the Lewis and Dorothy Tamplin Trust.
Archuleta’s presentation will focus on soil regeneration and health. He will help farmers understand key principles of regenerative agriculture and how to successfully implement soil improving practices.
The February 24th event will kick off at 5:30 pm with dinner. The presentation will begin at 6:30 pm. Pre-registration is required as space is limited. Register at http://go.osu.edu/archuleta. Cost to attend is $20 and includes dinner. Thank you to the West Liberty Salem FFA for their volunteer hours to make this event possible. CCA credits offered: 1 SW, 0.5 Sustainability.
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
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.