Now that we are a few weeks into 2026, let’s look back to review the past growing season. The 2025 season was marked by a unique combination of challenges. Narrow planting windows in the spring caused some late planting into June, and then high overnight temperatures in July occurred during critical crop growth stages. These less-than-ideal planting and growing conditions were followed up by a late-season drought in August, which impacted much of the state. Ohio farmers persevered by adapting their practices throughout the growing season. These challenges can be seen as themes throughout the trial observations in the 2025 eFields Report. In many cases, farm partners had to adjust their plans or switch trials entirely to work around the growing season challenges. However, the goal remained: to implement trials and learn something valuable from the data. Due to that commitment, we believe we learned a great deal.
The newest version of the eFields report is full of data that can help inform big decisions this season. The 2025 eFields Research Report highlights 102 on-farm, field scale trials conducted in 29 Ohio counties. Research topics include nutrient management, disease management in both corn and soybeans, biologicals, utilizing drones for seeding and applications, and cover crop management. Interest in organic farming systems has been steadily increasing, which is reflected though the growth of organic focused trials from 8 in 2024 to 12 studies in 2025. Some new additions to the report this year include trials on sunflowers, flint corn, and a new statewide scouting project for Tar Spot. The Tar Spot Surveillance study, which will continue in 2026, was seeking to better understand what conditions Tar Spot thrives in and how it impacts yield. With the wide variety of trials, there is something for everyone to learn from in the 2025 report.
The 2025 eFields Report is available in both print and as an e-version. To receive a printed copy, contact your local OSU Extension office or email digitalag@osu.edu. The e-version can be viewed and downloaded at go.osu.edu/eFields, with the online version being readable on smartphone or tablet devices. You can also explore the data from past seasons at kx.osu.edu/efields.
On-farm trials would not be possible without collaborating farms and industry partners who are invested in making Ohio’s agricultural community as successful as possible. The eFields team wants to thank our partners for their continued support and dedication to the eFields program. We are looking forward to continuing to learn together as we head into the 10th year of eFields in 2026! Follow our social media using @OhioStatePA on Facebook, X, Instagram, and YouTube to keep up with the eFields program throughout the year. For more information on how to get involved in eFields in 2026, contact us at digitalag@osu.edu.