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Agronomic Crops Network

Ohio State University Extension

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C.O.R.N. Newsletter

  1. Growing Alfalfa

    Timing of Last Alfalfa Cutting is Particularly Important in Dry Years

    Author(s): Emma Matcham , Author(s): Dave Barker , Author(s): Jason Hartschuh, CCA

    Timing of your last cutting is one of the most important factors for maintaining alfalfa persistence over winter. The Ohio Agronomy Guide recommends that cutting finishes by Sept 7 for northern Ohio and Sept 15 for southern Ohio—these recommendations are based on the amount of time it typically takes for alfalfa to regrow to ~8 inches before a ‘killing’ frost occurs, stopping growth for the year.

    What’s the value of fall regrowth?

    Issue: 2025-30
  2. bale of hay in field

    NE Ohio Hay Day Hosted by OSU Extension and Norden MFG

    Author(s): Lee Beers, CCA , Author(s): Les Ober, CCA

    Join OSU Extension and Norden MFG on August 2, 2025, for the NE Ohio Hay Day. Held at Norden MFG, 4210 Kinsman Rd NW, North Bloomfield Ohio 44450. The program will start at 10:00 AM and will conclude at 1:00 PM. This program is free thanks to generous support from Norden MFG, the Trumbull County Holstein Club, and the Hertzer Family Trust.  

    Issue: 2025-22

  3. OSU Extension Offering Hay Testing Program

    Author(s): Garth Ruff

    “Make hay while the sun shines”. How many times have you heard that said throughout the years? We’ve had some sunshine this spring/summer, but making first cutting “dry” hay has really been challenging for most farmers this year. Getting two or more days in a row without rain has been rare in the spring of 2025.

    Issue: 2025-21
  4. sorghum sudangrass

    July Plantings for Warm-Season Annual Grass Forages

    Author(s): Emma Matcham , Author(s): Marina Miquilini , Author(s): Gigi Neal , Author(s): Christine Gelley , Author(s): Lauren Geiss

    This spring’s wet weather delayed planting of some of our May forages. Combined with a cool June that kept soil temperatures below optimal for many warm-season annual grasses, there have been some questions about late-planting options for forage crops.

    Issue: 2025-21

  5. Drought to Frost: Feeding Safe Forages

    Author(s): Jason Hartschuh, CCA , Author(s): Kyle Verhoff

    This year is presenting many challenges when it comes to forage toxicity and ensuring that we have safe feed for our livestock. Drought conditions have led to an active discussion on forage toxicity and the potential for frost in the future presents an additional concern. These environmental conditions increase the risk of prussic acid poisoning, nitrate poisoning, and increased bloat in multiple methods of feeding forages.

    Issue: 2024-35

  6. Wheat’s Early, are Oats a Doublecrop ‘Forage’ Option?

    Author(s): Stan Smith

    With Ohio’s wheat crop coming off early this year, those who may need additional forage have an excellent opportunity for acres to be available where annual forages can be planted and grazed or harvested yet this year. For those wanting acres available for multiple grazings or cuttings later this summer, a summer annual such as sorghum-sudangrass may be the logical choice.

    Issue: 2024-21

  7. Forage Challenges as the Weather Turns Cooler to Keep Livestock Safe

    Author(s): Kyle Verhoff , Author(s): Jason Hartschuh, CCA

    As the year begins to wrap up and temperatures drop, there are countless things to consider including how the coming frosts impact the toxicity of our forages. This past week many portions of the state began to flirt with possible overnight frosts which raises concerns of prussic acid poisoning, nitrate poisoning, and increased bloat as a result of feeding certain fall forages.

    What is prussic acid toxicity?

    Issue: 2023-36
  8. Dr. Mark Sulc

    Remembering Dr. Mark Sulc.

    Author(s): Doug Karcher , Author(s): Laura Lindsey , Author(s): Kyle Verhoff

    Dr. Mark Sulc, a long-time member and contributor to the Agronomic Crops Network, passed away on September 16, 2023, following a two-year battle with glioblastoma. Dr. Sulc retired from the Department of Horticulture and Crop Science last autumn, marking over thirty years as the Ohio State Forage Extension Specialist. His outreach activities expanded and disseminated knowledge on forage production and management systems for Ohio. Mark developed quality, in-depth training opportunities for Extension agents, industry professionals, and producers.

    Issue: 2023-33

  9. Options for Short Season Summer Fall Forages

    Author(s): Bill Weiss , Author(s): Mark Sulc , Author(s): Jason Hartschuh, CCA

    Short-season forages planted in late summer can be sources of highly digestible fiber in ruminant livestock rations. There are several excellent forage options that can be considered for no-till or conventional tillage plantings in the late summer or early fall planting window. These forages can be a planned component of the overall forage production plan. They can be utilized on land that would otherwise sit idle until next spring, such as following wheat or an early corn silage harvest.

    Issue: 2023-23

  10. Dr. Mark Sulc Retires

    Author(s): Laura Lindsey , Author(s): Dave Barker

    Dr. Mark Sulc, Professor and Extension State Specialist for Forage Production, retired from Ohio State University at the end of October 2022 after 30 years of service.

    Issue: 2022-40

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