Provided by Mark Badertscher
Hardin County Extension Office
The past couple of weeks, Water Quality Extension Associate Boden Fisher and I have been doing yield checks around the county in corn and soybean fields.
We have seen some variable fields, with everything from poor pollination and tip die back in corn and short, but bushy soybeans with several pods. Rains in late July and early August seemed to help with putting on pods but we are now dry again.
Virtual ag coffee Sept. 4
Join us for our Virtual Ag Coffee Hour on Friday, Sept. 4 to discuss crop production around the county and I plan to share some videos we made for the Farm Science Review that document these yield checks.
You can connect to this 8 a.m. meeting on Zoom by clicking on
• https://osu.zoom.us/j/99905170782?pwd=MjFGdWZ1bXlBUGtyZUQ0U2ROQk83Zz09
• or join by calling in by dialing (646) 876-9923 and using Meeting ID: 999 0517 0782 and Password: 431218.
Drought monitor
Approximately 65 percent of the state was abnormally dry or worse, according to the most recent Drought Monitor. During the week, farmers harvested corn silage, hauled manure, mowed wheat stubble to control weeds, and installed tile.
Soybeans blooming reached 100 percent while soybeans setting pods was at 93 percent, ahead of the five-year average by 8 percentage points. Corn dough was at 81 percent, 8 percentage points ahead of the five-year average.
Other hay second cutting was at 90 percent and other hay third cutting was at 57 percent. Find out more information by checking out the Aug. 24 Ohio Crop Weather report that is attached.
During the month of July, Extension rainfall reporters recorded an average of 2.54 inches of rain in Hardin County. Last year, the average rainfall for July was 3.96 inches. Low amounts of rainfall in June and July has had an adverse effect on crops in Hardin County as some areas were listed for moderate drought by the U.S. Drought Monitor.
This has caused crops in these areas to need more rain at a crucial time during the growing season. Read more about Hardin County rainfall in the attached July 2020 Extension Rainfall Summary.
As you can imagine, heat stress is an issue and I am sure you have experienced your share of heat if you have been outside working recently. I have attached an article titled “Farm Workers at Increased Risk this Summer” that discussed this very topic.
Hardin Junior Fair
Hopefully temperatures will cool down in a couple weeks for the Hardin County Fair. In case you haven’t heard, this year’s county fair is Jr. Fair only and attendance is limited to exhibitors and their families. Shows and the sale will be live streamed so that people will be able to watch from the safety of their homes.
As a result, the annual Hardin County Carcass Show of Champions will be virtual in 2020. Instead of attending an actual event, exhibitors and others will be able to view the carcass show online when it becomes available after Sept. 18.
Viewers will be able to watch the OSU Meat Judge giving reasons and results at both the Hardin County OSU Extension and Ohio State – Hardin County 4-H Facebook pages in addition to the hardin.osu.edu website.
The carcass show will evaluate the meat value of the grand champion and reserve champion steers, barrows, gilts, and lambs from this year’s Hardin County Fair.
Upcoming programs include a Virtual Pumpkin Field Day being held Thursday, Aug. 27, 6-7 p.m. Beginner, experienced and curious growers welcome as subjects include Insect Management Tips, Powdery Mildew Management Update, Mustard Cover Crop / Biofumigation Update, Hybrid Pumpkin/Squash Trial (Video & 3D model), and Herbicide Weed Screen and Reflex Label Update.
There is a Fall Fruit Research Updates and Live Q & A taking place on Wednesday, Sept. 9 from 10-11:30 a.m. This virtual program will feature Brambles (Blackberries and Raspberries) Grapes, Hardy Figs, and Hardy Kiwis so see the attached flyer if you are interested in participating.
