Wheat, corn and soybeans programs for farmers

Six to eight weeks from now, grain crop activities will have begun in the area. Wheat farmers will be applying nitrogen to greening fields and applying herbicides to future corn and soybean fields to terminate cover crops and control early weeds. Farmers will be finalizing their management plan for this year's growing season. Input costs are trending down but are still high compared to normal years. The Ohio State University Extension has educational and research information to assist farmers on their decisions on which inputs will provide the most economical return for their crop. The Hancock County Extension office will be offering their Agronomic Crops Series in three meetings to share this information with local farmers. Each meeting will cover one specific crop — wheat, corn and soybeans. Local research results and a discussion on upcoming production issues will be presented at these meetings. There will also be a question-and-answer period to address any issue concerning that crop which was not part of the presentation. Programs will be held in the evening at the Hancock County Agricultural Service Center, 7868 County Road 140, Findlay. Each program 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. Program details are given below: ·Hot Topics in Wheat Production. Tuesday, Feb. 21, 6:30–8 p.m. Local research will be presented on nitrogen rates, timing of nitrogen application, and potential benefits of nitrogen nitrification inhibitors, growth regulators and sulfur. State research updates will discuss disease management including fungicides for head scab. ·Hot Topics in Corn Production. Tuesday, Feb. 28, 6:30–8 p.m. Local research will be presented on nitrogen rates, timing of nitrogen application, starters and benefits from nitrification inhibitors, growth regulators, sulfur, nitrogen-fixing products and other nitrogen biologicals. State research updates will include management of tar spot and gibberellin ear rot. ·Hot topics in Soybean Production. Thursday, March 23, 6:30–8 p.m. Local research will be presented on fungicides for plant health and waterhemp management. State research updates will discuss weed and disease management, planting date and seeding rates. Programs are free but please register by calling the Hancock County Extension Office, 419-422-3851 or emailing lentz.38@osu.edu at least one day before the program. Lentz is agriculture and natural resources educator for Ohio State University Extension — Hancock County.