Three-part agronomy series planned

By David Dugan
OSU Extension Educator, Agriculture and Natural Resources
Adams/Brown/Highland Counties 
Ohio Valley Extension Education Research Area

There will be a three part Agronomy Series held in Hillsboro in the coming weeks. The program dates are the last Thursday in January (30th), February (27th) and March (27th). Please call the Highland Co. Extension Office to register 393-1918.

The featured speakers in order are: Dr. Terry Niblack discussing nematodes in soybeans and corn, Dr. Mark Loux with weed control and new weed problems, and Dr. Andy Michel with crop insect damage.

Pesticide Testing Dates Set

I have had several calls from people wanting to obtain a pesticide applicator license. I have set dates for the coming months. You must be pre-registered for the testing dates through one of two methods. You can log onto this website: http://pested.osu.edu or call the Ohio Department of Agriculture at (800) 282-1955 extension 3 then 1 to go directly to pesticide regulations.

The dates will be the second Monday during the months of February, March, April and May at this point. The space is limited to 20 people per testing date, so register early. Last year the first 4 dates filled up so I added a couple additional months until everyone had an opportunity to test.

The testing will be held at the Old Y Restaurant on February 10, March 10, April 14 and May 12 starting at noon. Try to arrive before noon so you can have your lunch finished prior to the testing. These test dates are from both private applicator and commercial applicator licenses.

Gardening Seminars Scheduled

The OSU Extension Master Gardeners in Brown County will continue to offer gardening tips and seminars at Southern State Community College’s South Campus in Fincastle. The programs are offered on the 3rd Thursday of the month. They are open to the public and there in no charge, so yes they are FREE! The program will start each night at 6:00 p.m. in the library. Plan to attend these programs if they are of interest to you. They are not a series, so you can attend any or all. The popularity of these programs has continued to grow and so has attendance. If you want a good seat, come early. The schedule for the coming months is:

January 16 - Moving into a new landscape
February 20 - Native plants in your landscape
March 20 - Composting
April 17 - Trees and Shrubs
May 15 - Fairy Gardens
2014 Ohio Beef Cattle School Planned.

The Ohio State University Extension Beef Team is announcing the upcoming 2014 Ohio Beef Cattle School. This monthly series will begin on Tuesday, January 28 and continue on February 18 and March 11, 2014 and will start each evening at 7:00 p.m. The programs will address some of the most important issues currently facing Ohio's beef industry. Rapidly changing forces are constantly shaping the beef industry's landscape and successful producers need to stay abreast of changes to remain competitive.

The January 28, 2014 program will focus on "Improving Breeding Herd Efficiencies." The focus of this program will be improving overall herd productivity through improved herd health and nutrition programs. Dr. Francis Fluharty, Research Scientist, OSU Department of Animal Sciences, will discuss proper nutrition programs to develop and maintain the breeding herd for efficient production. Recommended vaccination programs for disease prevention in the breeding herd and preconditioning programs for feeder calves will be covered.

The Feb. 18, 2014 program will feature the topic "Producing More High Quality Calves in a Shorter Amount of Time." Dr. Mike Day, Professor, OSU Department of Animal Sciences and Supervisor of the OSU Beef Center, will address the use of heat synchronization programs, herd sire management, and pregnancy diagnosis as a means to increase conception rates while reducing the length of the breeding season. John Grimes, OSU Extension Beef Coordinator, will review the strategic use of genetics in planned breeding programs to improve fertility and increase calf crop performance.

The final installment of the school will be held on Mar. 11, 2014 and will be devoted to "Storing Forages Economically and Improving Grazing Efficiencies." Dr. Bill Weiss, Professor, OSU Department of Animal Sciences will discuss effective storage techniques that will preserve the most total feed value with conventional dry hay, balage, and silage. Rory Lewandowski, Extension Educator, Agriculture and Natural Resources, OSU Extension-Wayne County will outline grazing management practices that can help to increase pasture productivity.

Dr. Steve Boyles, Professor, OSU Department of Animal Sciences, and additional Extension Educators will be teaching different topics relating to Beef Quality Assurance throughout all three sessions of the School. Individuals that participate in all three sessions of the 2014 Ohio Beef Cattle School will have received sufficient training to qualify for Ohio's Beef Quality Assurance Program. Participants wishing to become certified for the program will pay a $20 fee to complete the process.

This year the Beef School will be offered at several locations. I will be offering the program at the Frisch’s in West Union. The school will also be offered in Piketon at the OSU South Centers and in Washington Court House at the OSU Extension Office for Fayette County.

Dates to Remember

January 17 - Agriculture is Everyone’s Business sponsored by Highland Co. Chamber of Commerce. Tickets are required for this event at the Patriot Center on the Central Campus of Southern State Community College in Hillsboro. The program features national Ag Broadcaster Max Armstrong and Ohio Department of Agriculture Director David Daniels.

January 17 – Tobacco Expo and Kentucky Cattlemen Convention, Heritage Hall, Lexington, KY.

January 22 – Southwest Agronomy Day at Fayette Co. Extension Office in WCH. For more info go to http://Fayette.osu.edu Register by Jan. 17, cost is $20.

January 22 – Pesticide Re-certification at SSCC Fincastle starts at 5:30 p.m. Pre-registration is required by calling 378-6716 and asking for Cindy.

January 27 – Pesticide Re-certification at SSCC Fincastle starts at noon. Pre-registration is required.

January 28 – First night of Beef School. Other dates are Feb. 18 and March 11 with all starting at 7 pm. The Beef School will be held at the Frisch’s in West Union.

January 30 – Day one of the Agronomy Series at the Ponderosa in Hillsboro. Program begins at 10:00 a.m. Please call the Highland Co. Office to register. Remaining dates are Feb. 27 and March 27 at the same time and location.

Feb. 3 – First night of Sheep and Goat School at Greenfield HS Ag Classroom starting at 7 pm, with other nights being every Monday night in February.