Livestock and grain farmers can learn in winter months

During the winter months, grain farmers market grain, fix equipment, make plans for the upcoming crop season and adjust their operation plans. Inputs are often bought during this time to get the best price and to ensure product availability. Even though things are better this year than last, input costs are still unusually high affecting profitability and the availability of some herbicides and fungicides is questionable. For the livestock producer, they still have animals that need care, but they, too, will make many economical decisions for the upcoming year, such as feed purchases and marketing plans. Fortunately, at this time, University scientists will have completed the analysis of their crop and livestock research from last year, which farmers can use to make management and marketing decisions. It is the role of The Ohio State University Extension to connect the farmer with this latest research and assist them in making management and marketing decisions. Thus, in Extension lingo, this time of year is often referred to as the "Winter Meetings Time" — when Agriculture Extension Educators do most of their teaching in a classroom setting rather than outside at field days. The Hancock County Extension office will be offering many of these programs during the next several months for the beef producer and the grain farmer starting in February. The first program will be the Ohio Beef Cattle Feeding School on Feb. 6 at the Hancock County Agricultural Center, 7868 County Road 140, Findlay, OH 45840. The program will be from noon to 2:30 p.m. and includes lunch. Registration cost is $20 to cover meal and other expenses. Contact the Hancock County Extension Office to register at 419-422-3851 or lentz.38@osu.edu. Program details are given below: · Market and Feeding Considerations for Dairy Beef and Beef on Dairy: Dr. Jerad Jaborek, Michigan State University Beef Feedlot Specialist. · Compost and Fertilizer Potential for Pen Pack Beef Manure: Mr. Eric Richer, Ohio State University Extension Farm Management Field Specialist. · Beef Cattle Outlook: Mr. Garth Ruff, Ohio State University Extension Beef Cattle Specialist. The Ohio State University Extension Beef Team will be offering three programs for their annual Beef School Webinars. We offer the webinar at the Extension Office, Hancock County Agricultural Center, 7868 County Road 140, Findlay, OH 45840. This local viewing allows interaction with other local beef producers and a discussion relating to local issues. Program details for each webinar are given below: · Feb. 8, 6:30-8 p.m.: Managing Reproduction. Presynchronization and Improving Fertility of Beef Cows: Ms. Alex Crist, Ohio State University Beef Manager, Department of Animal Sciences and Synchronization and Natural Service: Mr. Dean Kreager, Ohio State University Extension ANR Educator. · March 8, 6:30-8 p.m.: Herd Health Management. Asian Longhorn Tick and Theileria: Dr. Risa Pesepane, The Ohio State University Preventative Veterinary Medicine and Managing Disease in 2023: Dr. Justin Kieffer, Clinical Veterinarian, The Ohio State University Department of Animal Sciences. · April 12, 6:30-8 p.m.: Beef Team Round Table — Ask Questions and Discuss Answers with The Ohio State University Extension Beef Team Members (The OSU Beef Team consists of state specialists and county educators specializing in beef production). The Ohio State University Extension — Hancock County office will be offering its Agronomic Crops Series for three nights in February and March at the Hancock County Agricultural Research Center, 7868 County Road 140, Findlay, OH 45840. Each meeting will cover one specific crop — corn, wheat and soybean. Local research results and a discussion on upcoming production issues will be presented at the meeting. There will also be a Question-and-Answer period to address any issue concerning that crop which was not part of the presentation. The programs will be led by Dr. Edwin Lentz, who has a doctorate in Crop Management and Physiology and has been providing agronomic expertise to Ohio farmers for over 30 years. Programs are free but please register by calling the Hancock County Extension office, 419-422-3851 or email lentz.38@osu.edu at least one day before the program. Program details are given below: · Feb. 21, 6:30-8 p.m. Hot Topics in Wheat Production. Local research will be presented on nitrogen and sulfur management. State research updates on disease management including fungicides for head scab. · Feb. 28, 6:30–8 p.m. Hot Topics in Corn Production. Local research will be presented on nitrogen extenders, nitrogen fixing products and other biologicals. State research updates on managing tar spot and mycotoxins from gibberellin ear rot. · March 23, 6:30–8 p.m. Hot topics in Soybean Production. Local research will be presented on fungicide for plant health and water hemp weed survey. State research updates on planting date for larger yields and other production issues. Besides these local programs, Ohio State University Extension has virtual programs on Weeds, Corn and Soybean Schools, Soil Health, Climate and Precision Agriculture during this winter season. Lentz is agriculture and natural resources educator for Ohio State University Extension — Hancock County.