Farm Facts for Fairfield County

for August 10, 2001; also seen on Fridays in the Lancaster Eagle Gazette

With much more local interest in recent years for on-farm produce markets, one question that has been raised regards zoning issues. Simply, are farm markets subject to zoning requirements? OSU Ag Law specialist Peggy Kirk-Hall says it depends upon two factors: whether the market meets the "50% test," and the location of the market.

The law states that a township or county may not prohit the uses of any land for a farm market where "fifty percent or more of the gross income received from the market is derived from produce raised on farms owned or operated by the market operator in a normal crop year." Where a township or county attempts to regulate a farm market through zoning, the "50% test" requires the farm market operator to produce records of the market's annual sales. If at least 50% of the sales consisted of goods directly from the operator's farms, based upon normal crop year production, the township or county may not prevent the use of the land for a farm market, nor may it require the operator to obtain a zoning certificate for the buildings. However, the township or county may regulate factors such as the size of the market, parking areas, set back lines and ingress and egress, if necesssary for public health and safety.

However, Ohio law (See O.R.C. 303.21 and 519.21) does not grant zoning exemptions for farm markets located within a municipality. A municipality may regulate or prohibit the use of land for any agricultural purposes, including farm markets.

Local Cattlemen Create 'Offer sheet'

In an effort to enhance local calf marketing opportunities, the Fairfield County Cattlemen will once again be sponsoring their Feeder Calf Offer Sheet. The Offer Sheet is provided to area cattlemen as a service on which to list beef feeder calves that would be available for purchase this fall and winter. The sheet will then be published on the web and sent to prospective feeder calf buyers.

Cattlemen wishing to have their calves listed may call OSU Extension or e-mail smith263@ag.osu.edu and provide the number of calves available, approximate weight, sex, and vaccination and weaning protocol. The Offer Sheet will be published later this month.

2001 Ohio Wheat Performance Test Results Available Soon

The Ohio Wheat Performance Test should be available at the following website later this week: http//www.ag.ohio-state.edu/~perf. They will also be published in the September issue of Ohio's Country Journal.

OSU Purchases Beef Herd Management Software

Recently, each of the Ohio State University beef research units committed to purchase and utilize Cow Sense Herd Management Software within their respective operations. The objective is to create a database of complete cow herd production records that will allow Ohio to create 'benchmark' production goals for individual Ohio beef cattle herds.

This software is a complete suite of products designed to manage the entire herd record keeping process from conception to carcass. Options include individual animal health records, pedigree information and tracking, EID compatibility, electronic scales interface, complete sire summary importation, tracking and complete archiving of individual calf weights and carcass data, and much more.

Cattlemen who would like to learn more about OSU's purchase of this computerized beef herd management software and it's implementation may contact South District OSU Extension Specialist Dave Mangione (740.286.2177 or mangione.1@osu.edu) or any of the beef herd managers at the OSU research branches.

2001-2002 Ohio Bull Test Seeking nominations

The Ohio Cattlemen's Association in cooperation with The Ohio State University Extension and the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center is making preparations for the 33^rd Annual Ohio Performance Bull Test and Sale. Nominations are due September 15 and bulls will be delivered on October 31, 2001 to the Eastern Ohio Resource Development Center in Belle Valley. OCA is pleased to have the American Simmental Association conducting the Eastern National Simmental Bull Test in conjunction with the Ohio Bull Test.

The Ohio Bull Test offers an excellent marketing opportunity for both small and large beef producers. The test also provides efficient and effective management and facilities for bull development. This past year a top quality set of bulls performed well on test and commanded a strong price in the sale ring. From 1998 to 2001 the average sale price at the Ohio Bull Test has increased 64 percent. Again this year the Ohio Bull Test committee is seeking high caliber consignments. Buyers at the Ohio Bull Test are looking for quality genetics of all breeds to put to work in their herds.

The committee has made a few changes to the OBT program to facilitate continued advancement. The highlights include; consignors will be able to consign Get-of-Sire groups (three bulls from the same sire), a Centralized Ultrasound Processing (CUP) technician will be used for scanning and reporting ultrasound measurements. Increased awareness in the area of animal health and biosecurity has prompted the committee to implement new policies for health requirements and procedures that will benefit both the consignors and buyers.

Contact Justin Lahmers at the Ohio Cattlemen's Association office, (614) 873-6736 or jlahmers@ohiobeef.org for a nomination form or additional information. Rules and information related to the testing program are also available at http://www.ag.ohio-state.edu/~bulltest. The sale for the 2001-2002 Ohio Bull Test will be April 20, 2002.

For a listing of upcoming programs, meetings and events, visit the AG CALENDAR

Previous Issues of Farm Facts

updated on August 9, 2001 by Stan Smith

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Keith L. Smith, Director, Ohio State University Extension.
TDD # 1 (800) 589-8292 (Ohio only) or (614) 292-1868