May/June 2011 Agricultural Newsletter  http://athens.osu.edu/topics/agriculture-and-natural-resources/agnews

DRY SOIL CONDITIONS AND SOIL TEST RELIABILITY

By: Robert Mullen, OSU Extension Soil Fertility Specialist

From: The C.O.R.N. Newsletter, December 7-21, 2010 issue

          Some producers may be a little concerned with their lower soil test potassium levels measured this past fall.  So what happened to cause these levels to be lower than expected?

          As most of you noticed, late summer and early fall was quite dry across much of the state.  While this was good for harvest and caused fields to be open longer than normal, it was not ideal for collecting soil samples.  In some areas, it may have even been difficult to collect soil samples to the appropriate depth, and where soil samples were collected the information found in soil test reports did not match expectations based upon historical soil test information.

          When we talk about soil testing, we often express concerns regarding conditions at the time of sampling.  Samples collect when soils are too wet or too dry can alter soil test values.  This is especially true for soil test potassium and pH.  In some soils, dry soil conditions can result in lower soil test potassium levels due to potassium fixation between clay particles, and in other soils it can also result in higher soil test levels due to potassium release as clays dry.  Thus some of you may have found lower soil test potassium due to fixation. 

          Drought conditions may have also resulted in more of the potassium being retained in the crop residue.  The dry conditions did not allow for the potassium to be washed out of the decaying plant residue so it would show up in the soil test level.  This is especially true if you are soil sampling after corn as stover holds a considerably higher amount of potassium than soybean stalks.

          Take home message – if your soil test potassium was a little lower than normal (and you experienced dry conditions this fall), do not panic, this is not unexpected.  If your soil test levels typically hover around the established critical level (between 100 and 125 ppm for most Ohio soils) and this fall you fell a little below, dramatically altering your fertilizer plans is not likely warranted.  

          For more information on soil test potassium and variability check out the following links:

Jim Camberato, Purdue University http://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/outreach/2010/101101CamberatoSoil.html

Manjula Nathan, University of Missouri http://ppp.missouri.edu/newsletters/ipcm/archives/fullissue/v20n21.pdf

Carrie Laboski, University of Wisconsin http://www.soils.wisc.edu/extension/wcmc/2005/pap/Laboski2.pdf

THE LAST MONTH

By Susan Schoenian University of Maryland Sheep and Goat Specialist

From: University of Maryland Extension Wild & Wooly Newsletter, Winter 2010

Volume 9, Issue 4

          The last month in which a ewe or doe is pregnant is very important.  Seventy percent of fetal growth occurs during this last trimester. At the same time, the female's udder tissue is developing and her rumen capacity is decreasing. Extra nutrition is usually required to support a successful pregnancy.
            Energy (TDN) is the nutrient most likely to be deficient during the last month of pregnancy.  Some grain is usually fed to pregnant females because grain is the most concentrated source of energy.  Often, it is not possible for high-producing females to consume enough forage (fresh or dry) to meet their late gestation nutritional requirements. 

            The exact amount of nutrients (or feed) that a pregnant ewe or doe needs depends upon her age, size (weight), breed (sometimes), and expected level of production (number of fetuses). Overfeeding and underfeeding can both have negative consequences on the outcome of a pregnancy and the female’s subsequent lactation.

            Insufficient nutrition may lead to pregnancy toxemia (also called ketosis), the birth of small and weak babies, higher neonatal mortality, reduced quantity and quality of colostrum, poor milk yield, and reduced fiber production (in the offspring via fewer secondary follicles).

            Fat females are also more prone to pregnancy toxemia, as broken-down fat produces toxic ketone bodies.  Fat females are more likely to prolapse their vaginas and have difficulty delivering their offspring.  While some males may sire oversized fetuses, the more common cause of oversized fetuses (and subsequent dystocia) is overfeeding during the final month of pregnancy.
Calcium
            The female's requirements for calcium virtually double during late gestation.  An insufficient intake of calcium may result in milk fever (hypocalcaemia).  Milk fever can also result from the female's inability to mobilize calcium reserves from her bones.  This is usually caused by excessive calcium in the diet. 

Grains are usually poor sources of calcium, while legume hays tend to be rich in calcium.  Ground limestone can be added to the ration to increase the calcium content.  Milk fever and pregnancy toxemia present similar symptoms.  Diagnosis is usually made on the basis of the animal’s response to treatment (calcium vs. propylene glycol).
Selenium
            Inadequate intake of selenium (and/or vitamin E) may result in poor reproductive performance, retained placentas, and white muscle disease in lambs and kids.  A mineral mix that contains the legal limit of selenium should be fed to ewes and does, especially during the last month of pregnancy.

            Dietary supplementation of selenium is always preferred to injections. Injections are often given (to lambs and kids) if dietary sources of selenium fail to prevent white muscle disease. Under normal circumstances, it is not usually necessary to inject newborns with selenium and/or vitamin E.  Injectable selenium must be obtained from a licensed veterinarian.

Vaccinations
            Ewes and does should be vaccinated for clostridium perfringins type C and D (overeating disease) and tetanus approximately one month before lambing and kidding.  This way, newborns will acquire passive immunity when they drink the colostrum, the dam’s first milk.  In fact, vaccinating the pregnant female is the only way to protect young lambs and kids from type C and tetanus. 

Internal Parasites
            The periparturient rise in worm eggs is a natural phenomenon whereby small ruminant females suffer a temporary loss of immunity to internal parasites (worms) at the time of parturition (birthing).  In spring-lambing flocks, this periparturient rise often coincides with the “awakening” of previously arrested worm larvae, further worsening the problem.  In addition, the worm eggs deposited by the dam are the primary source of infection for young lambs and kids.

            There are several strategies for dealing with the peri-parturient egg rise. Previously, it was recommended that all ewes and does be dewormed prior to lambing and kidding.   All of the anthelmintics are deemed safe for pregnant females, with the exception of Valbazen, which should not be given during the first 30 days of pregnancy or ram removal.

            Nowadays, FAMACHA©, body condition scores, and other criteria can be used to make selective deworming decisions at the time of parturition. Another strategy is to increase the protein level of the ration.  Extra protein in late gestation has been shown to reduce the periparturient rise of eggs in ewes.

            It always is a good idea to feed a coccidiostat (e.g. Bovatec® or Rumensin®) to ewes and does during their last month of pregnancy.  This will reduce the number of coccidia oocysts in the lambing and kidding environment, which will help young lambs and kids to develop immunity to coccidia without developing clinical disease. An added benefit is that coccidiostats may aid in preventing abortions caused by toxoplasmosis (cat coccidia). 
Abortions
            If there is a history (or high risk) of abortions, antibiotics can be fed to ewes during the last month of pregnancy.  Chlortetracycline has been FDA-approved for use in sheep to prevent abortions caused by Chlymidia sp. and  Campylobacter sp.  Its use in goats requires veterinary approval.

            Certain mineral deficiencies can cause abortions and affect newborn viability. Goats that are housed with sheep and/or fed sheep feeds and/or mineral mixes may be copper deficient and require copper supplementation .  As with copper toxicity in sheep, copper deficiency in goats (and sheep) is complicated.  There are various environmental factors and interactions with other minerals involved.
Shearing
            It is generally recommended that fiber-producing animals be shorn approximately one month prior to parturition.  Shearing offers numerous advantages to both the female and her offspring.  At the same time, freshly-shorn animals need proper shelter and have higher nutrient requirements than fully-fleeced animals.  

            Crutching, a short modification of shearing in which wool around the vulva and udder is removed, is recommended when fully-fleeced animals are not sheared.
Facilities
            For the last month of pregnancy, ewes and does should be kept at the location where they will lamb and kid. Unfamiliar groups of females should not be mixed.  Females should not be unduly stressed in any way. Lambing and kidding facilities should be prepared at least one week before the first lambs and kids are due to be born.

            It goes without saying that ewes and does need a clean, dry, draft-free place to give birth and bond with their babies.  If lambing and kidding will occur on pasture, it should be on a clean, well-rested pasture with access to shelter.  Pastured animals have higher nutritional requirements than housed animals, especially during cold and/or wet weather.

            Supplies needed for lambing and kidding should be accumulated ahead of time.  One of the most important supplies to have on hand  is a source of colostrum and a supply of  lamb and/or kid milk replacer.

            Proper nutrition and management during the last month of gestation will go a long way towards ensuring a successful lambing and kidding season.  Poor nutrition and management may result in a disastrous lambing and kidding season.

NEW AND SMALL FARM COLLEGE

          The Southern Ohio New and Small Farm College is an 8-week program that introduces new and seasoned farmers to a wide variety of agricultural production topics to help them diversify and explore new enterprises and new markets.

          The program will teach participants how to set goals, plan, budget, and where to find resources available for them in starting a small farming operation. The courses will layout how to manage financial and farm records. Extension educators will illustrate many different enterprises that can be profitable on land as small as one acre. To round out the experience, a bus tour will be held around area farms to see first hand how small farm life works, and also make contacts with practicing farmers in the area.

          Washington County Extension Office, located at 202 Davis Avenue, in Marietta, will host a New and Small Farm College program on Thursdays, beginning January 20, 2011 through March 10, 2011. Classes run from 6:30 p.m. until 9 p.m. each week. For more information, contact Eric Barrett at the Washington County Extension office at 740-376-7431.

          Previous Southern Ohio New and Small Farm Colleges have helped 420 individuals representing 338 farms from 43 Ohio counties improve the economic development of their small family-owned farms.

          Registration is $150 per person and $50 for each additional family member. Registration is limited to the first 50 participants per location. Registration is requested by January 7, 2011.  Registration fee includes resource materials, a soil test, refreshments and the bus tour.

SMALL RUMINANT SCHOOL 2011

            OSU Extension, Athens County and the Ohio Sheep Improvement Association (OSIA) are once again sponsoring a small ruminant school that will be held at the Athens County Extension office.  As in past years, this is a 5-week school that will be held on Tuesday evenings beginning on Tuesday, January 25.  Each evening will begin at 6:30 pm and conclude by 9:00 pm.  The theme of this year’s school is health.  A good line-up of presenters/speakers has been prepared.  I am taking advantage of technology (web ex) to bring in some out of state speakers for a couple of the topics.  School participants will be able to hear the speaker, see their power point program slides and can ask questions of the speakers. 

            The cost of the 5-session school is $30/person or $35 for a farm couple.  This includes refreshments/snacks and handouts.  Pre-registration is requested to the Athens County Extension office, along with a check made payable to “Athens County Extension” by January 21.  This will help with planning and preparation of notebooks and handouts.  Registrations will be accepted at the door as well.  The schedule of topics and speakers is as follows:

Small Ruminant School, theme: Health (5- Tuesday evenings, 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm)

• January 25: The Normal Animal/Disease overview and prevention/ Some basic diseases, Dr. Eric Gordon, OSU, Marysville Clinic
• February 1: Udder Health, Dr. Leo Timms, Iowa State University (web-ex)
• February 8: Lambing and Kidding Management/early health issues/Reproductive Health, Dr. William Shulaw, OSU Extension
• February 15: Foot Rot, Dr. Michael Neary, Purdue University (web-ex)

                           Local small ruminant health issues/OSIA

• February 22: Managing Internal Parasites on a Pasture based System, Curt Cline, Athens County Sheep Farmer/Rory Lewandowski, OSU Extension

cost is: $30/person or $35 for a farm couple

          For more information, contact the Athens County Extension office at (740) 593-8555 or contact directly by email at: lewandowski.11@osu.edu

MARKET GROWERS MEETINGS

            Athens County Extension is sponsoring a two-part meeting series for market vegetable and fruit growers.  The meetings will be held on Thursday evening January 27 and Thursday evening February 3.  Both meetings will be held at the Athens County Extension office located at 280 West Union Street on the Athens Fairgrounds, above the Athens Health Department.  The meetings will begin at 6:00 pm each evening.  There is no charge for the meetings, but pre-registration is requested to help in preparing handout numbers.  Please call your registration into the Athens County Extension office at (740) 593-8555 and leave your name and phone number.  Here is a brief synopsis of the topics that will be covered in each of the meetings:

January 27: Market Vendor Tips and an Introduction to GAP

The presenter for this meeting is Hal Kneen, OSU Extension Educator in Meigs and Scioto Counties.  Hal is well known for his horticultural expertise and his commitment to help market growers succeed in their business.

Market Vendor Tips- During this session, Hal will take you on a brief visit to an array of New York farmers markets. Via a power point presentation and your interaction as a participant, we will discuss how New York farmer’s market vendors differentiate themselves through telling their farm’s story, branding, educating their clients, shopping convenience, and working with their local community.  Learn from other vendors how to improve your sales and create that binding relationship with your customers.

Good Agricultural Practices (GAP’S) training.  In this session Hal will introduce GAP training and current market grower production issues.  Questions Hal will answer include: What’s in it for me? Why do I as a grower need to be concerned about produce safety for the produce I am growing for sale?  What is going on with the Food & Drug Administration, Ohio Produce Growers Association standards and your future as a market grower? Get a brief update as to what is occurring locally, in our state and in the nation with regard to food safety production.  

February 3: Drip Irrigation: What, Why and How

The presenter for this meeting is Dan Kamburoff, owner of the Columbus Irrigation Co. LLC.  Columbus Irrigation is an Ohio irrigation systems company with more than 40 years of experience in the irrigation field. The company specializes in sprinkler and drip irrigation and is an expert in agricultural, greenhouse, nursery and turf irrigation equipment, supplies and systems. 

I saw an abbreviated version of Dan’s presentation at a horticulture field night at the OSU South Centers at Piketon in August and was impressed with his knowledge and his display.  Dan will use a power point presentation along with an equipment display to do an in-depth presentation of drip irrigation.  If you are a market grower, this will be a practical, useful presentation and an opportunity to learn more about using drip irrigation and how to set up a drip irrigation system for your market enterprise.

For more information about the market grower meetings, contact the Athens County Extension office at (740) 593-8555.

OHIO FORAGE AND GRASSLANDS ANNUAL MEETING

          The Ohio Forages and Grasslands Council (OFGC) Annual Meeting will be held on February 11, 2011 from 8:30 to 4:00 p.m.  The meeting will be held at Ohio Department of Agriculture at Reynoldsburg, Ohio.  The theme of the meeting is “The Plant and How It Grows”. 

          Dr. Glenn Shewmaker, Forage Specialist, Extension Assistant Professor from University of Idaho will do sessions on making hay, understanding how to maximize grazing based on the time of day and cool season plants. Dr. Marvin Hall, Penn State Professor of Forage Management will have sessions on plant growth and how animals utilize the plants. Besides the keynote speakers, an Ohio producer panel representing sheep, dairy and beef enterprises will share their observations and experiences with plant production and harvesting practices. 

          The cost of the meeting is $30 for OFGC members and $40 for non-members.  Pre-registration is requested by January 23.  Please make checks payable to:

Ohio Forage and Grassland Council.   Send registration to:

Ohio Forage and Grassland Council

849 Ault Rd.

Chillicothe, OH 45601

 For more information, call Sara Duvall, executive secretary, OFGC at 740-775-0860 and/or check out the OFGC web site at: http://ohioforage.org/index.shtml .

2011 BEEF SCHOOL

            The OSU Extension beef team has once again put together a 4-session beef school for 2011, similar to what has been done the past couple of years.  In an effort to reach more cattlemen throughout the state and extend limited resources, speakers will be live at several locations, and broadcast using technology to other county locations.  The past couple of years Athens County has been fortunate to host the presenters live but this year our meetings will use the web ex distance learning technology to bring the presenters to our location.  Participants will be able to see the presenter’s power point slides and hear their voice and will have the opportunity to ask questions from the presenter, but we will not have the presenter physically present.

            Topics that will be covered during the 4-session school, along with the presenter include:

• Mineral Nutrition for the Cowherd: Dr. Francis Fluharty
• Third Trimester Nutrition and Fetal Programming: Dr. Francis Fluharty
• Optimizing Individual Animal Management and Performance: Dr. Francis Fluharty
• Realities of Cattle Marketing: Dan Frobose, Animal Welfare Audits: Dr. Henry Zerby

          These are all topics that will impact the bottom line of any cattle operation.  Some of the recent research being done with third trimester nutrition and what is being termed fetal programming is very interesting and has management implications for the cow herd.

          The dates and location are set.  All sessions will be held at the Athens County Extension office.  All sessions will be held on Thursday evenings beginning on Thursday February 10 and continuing February 17, 24 and concluding on Thursday, March 3.  The broadcast of each presenter will begin at 7:00 pm, so plan to arrive by 6:45 pm to grab some food and get settled before the presentation starts.

          The cost is $15 per individual or $20 for a farm couple.  We will serve a light meal (sandwich, chips, and cookies) at each session and will provide copies of the presenter’s power point presentation.  Pre-registration, along with a check made payable to “Athens County Extension” is requested by February 3 to the Athens County Extension office to help with planning and handout preparation, however registrations will be accepted at the door. 

For more information, contact the Athens County Extension office at (740) 593-8555 or contact directly by email at: lewandowski.11@osu.edu           

OEFFA 2011 CONFERENCE

            The annual Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association (OEFFA) conference is scheduled for February 19-20 in Granville at the Granville Middle and High School.  The theme of this year’s conference is “Inspiring Farms, Sustaining Communities”.  As in past years there are a great variety and number of workshops to choose from for the morning and afternoon break-out sessions.  I counted over 75 topics listed in the conference brochure.

            The keynote speakers on Saturday February 19 are Klass and Mary Howell Martens addressing the topic of “Living Upstream: Decision Making on an Organic Farm”.  The keynote speaker on Sunday, February 20 is Dr. Joan Dye Gussow addressing the topic of “Where have we been? Where are we going?”. 

         Registration cost if registered by the end of January is $95 for OEFFA members and $135 for non-members.  For more information about the OEFFA conference including a complete conference schedule, listing of workshops, keynote speaker background information, directions to the conference and more, go to the web site at: http://www.oeffa.org/conference2011.php.

2010 OHIO CORN, SOYBEAN AND FORAGE PERFORMANCE TRIALS

            Results of the 2010 Ohio corn, soybean and forage performance trials are published and available.  I have copies of the trial reports published as a supplement to Ohio’s Country Journal magazine available at the Athens Extension office.  Trial results can also be accessed on-line at: http://www.ag.ohio-state.edu/~perf/.

FARMER’S TAX GUIDES AVAILABLE

By David Marrison, OSU Extension Educator, Ohio Ag Manager Team

         Do you need a resource to answer those tough farm tax questions? If so, farmers can receive a free copy of IRS Publication 22, the 2010 Farmers Tax Guide, at their local county OSU Extension office. The 2010 Farmer’s Tax Guide is an 89 page publication which explains how the federal tax laws apply to farming. This guide can be used as a guide for farmers to figure taxes and complete their farm tax return.

          Some of the new topics for the 2010 tax year which are included in this publication are: standard mileage rate, increase in deduction for start-up costs, limitation on excess farm losses, increased section 179 expense deduction dollar limits, extension of special depreciation allowance, property eliminated from definition of listed property, decrease in personal casualty and theft loss limit, disaster losses, self-employed health insurance deduction, and wage limits for social security tax. More information can be found at the IRS website at:
http://www.irs.gov/publications/p225/index.html

         The Rural Tax Education Site has an example Schedule F on their web site to help producers as they complete their Schedule F. The sample return can be found on web site at: http://ruraltax.org/

UPDATED PUBLICATIONS

            Home gardeners who are interested in blueberries should check out the updated OSU Extension fact sheet entitled “Growing Blueberries in the Home Garden”.  This fact sheet has been revised and updated by OSU Extension Educators Gary Gao and Erik Draper.  It has been expanded from the original version and includes sections on soil preparation, variety recommendations, planting, pruning, fertilizing, harvesting and pest management.  It is available on-line at:

http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/1000/pdf/1422.pdf

            Row-crop farmers who want to know more about specific herbicides and recommendations for weed control may be interested in the latest, most up-to-date version of Extension bulletin 789, The Ohio Weed Control Guide.  The 2011 edition is available by going to: http://agcrops.osu.edu/specialists/weeds and then clicking on the Weed Control Guide heading in the right-hand column, or a hard copy of the bulletin can be ordered through the Athens County Extension office.  The cost is around $14.50 including tax.

PESTICIDE RECERTIFICATION TRAINING

            Private pesticide applicators with a license to purchase and apply restricted use pesticides are required to attend 3 hours of recertification training every 3 years to maintain their license.  Private pesticide applicators will have two opportunities in Meigs County to get their recertification training at the Meigs County Extension office.  The first date is Thursday, January 13 from noon until 3:10 pm and again at 6 pm until 9:10 pm. The second opportunity will be held on Monday, February 7 at 10:00 am until 1:30 p.m.  The first opportunity in Athens County is Saturday, February 26 from 1:00 pm until 4:00 pm.  The second opportunity in Athens County will be held on Tuesday, March 1 from 6:00 pm until 9:00 pm.   Other recertification opportunities in surrounding counties are posted at: http://pested.osu.edu/privaterecert.htm.   

          Cost of the recertification training is $20 for the license holder.  For more information contact the Meigs County Extension office at 992-6696.

          All licensed private applicators should have received a letter from the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) notifying them that ODA has simplified the categories for private applicators effective this past fall.  The change will mean fewer exams for new applicators and many current license holders will have fewer categories for recertification.

          The simplification undertaken by ODA has reduced the number of licensing categories from 13 to only seven. This consolidation reflects the changing needs of Ohio farming operations. Several smaller-use categories have been combined for applicators. For example, growers who raise produce will now only need one category for fruit and vegetable crops. The new categories for a private license are:

Category 1: Grain and Cereal Crops

Category 2: Forage Crops & Livestock

Category 3: Fruit & Vegetable Crops

Category 4: Nursery & Forestry Crops

Category 5: Greenhouse Crops

Category 6: Fumigation

Category 7: Specialty Uses

          Some applicators will have fewer categories on their license, but will still be able to purchase and use the same pesticide products. The specialty categories of seed treatment, non-cropland, aquatics, tobacco and wood preservation were consolidated into the first six categories. This means an applicator would be able to purchase materials for these applications with at least one category on their license. For example, an applicator with Category 1 (Grain and Cereal Crops) on their license will still be able to purchase products for grain crops but also be able to buy products to treat seed and manage stored grain, non-crop areas and ponds on their farm. Tobacco and wood preservation also were consolidated.

         Category 7 represents specialty uses. This category is only for applicators that do not have the first six categories on their license. An example would be someone who only does wood preservation on lumber and does not need any other crop categories.  Their license would reflect this by only having Category 7.  If an applicator has any other category on their license, they do not need Category 7.

          The Core category, which covers safety and stewardship for pesticide use, remains unchanged and is required for all applicators. More detailed information about the new categories is also available at the Pesticide Safety Education Program website: http://pesticide.osu.edu/private.html or the ODA website at: http://ohioagriculture.gov

THE MASTER GARDENER PROGRAM

            Do you enjoy gardening and learning more about gardening?  Do you enjoy teaching others about gardening?  Do you have some time to volunteer?  If you answered yes to these questions then you might be interested in the OSU Extension Master Gardener Volunteer program.

            Participants in the Master Gardener Volunteer program receive about 50 hours of training on a broad range of horticultural topics and then must volunteer 50 hours of horticultural service back to the community to become an official Master Gardener.  Meigs County has an active Master Gardener club program that maintains a variety of projects that allow Master Gardener class participants to complete their volunteer hours.

OSU EXTENSION MEIGS COUNTY ON FACEBOOK

            The Meigs County Extension office is now on Facebook.  Check out the site at:   http://www.facebook.com under OSU Extension, Meigs county.  Signup and become a fan.  We will post notices of upcoming Extension events as well as photos and even video clips of Extension sponsored meetings, workshops, field days and other events.