Farm Facts for Fairfield County
Farm Facts for Fairfield County
for September 13, 2002 ; also seen on Fridays in the Lancaster Eagle Gazette
This year's widespread drought has resulted in smaller than normal ears, and a much greater percentage of "nubbin" ears in many fields. In addition, plants are shorter than normal with reduced ear heights. According to Peter Thomison, OSU Extension Specialist in corn production, these conditions may require some combine and harvesting adjustments. Thomison has compiled the following management suggestions from agricultural engineers and equipment specialists on harvesting drought-damaged crops.
Farm Bureau Candidates Forum
On Tuesday, September 24, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., several candidates running for the offices of United States Congress - 7th District, Ohio House of Representatives, Fairfield County Commissioner, and Fairfield County Auditor will be on hand at the Fairfield County Agricultural Center to participate in a forum. Sponsored by the Fairfield County Farm Bureau, the forum is open to anyone interested in hearing the candidates' thoughts and opinions on several questions relating to current issues, agriculture, and development in Fairfield County and beyond.
In order to complete the forum in a timely manner and to give all candidates an equal opportunity to speak, the forum will not be a debate. Instead, a moderator will ask all candidates scripted questions prepared by Farm Bureau, pertaining to issues and/or procedures relevant to the position being campaigned for. Furthermore, candidates will not take questions from the public during the forum, but will be encouraged to stay and answer questions one-on-one with the public after the forum is completed.
The candidates running for the 7th District of United States Congress will be given the opportunity to speak about Homeland Security, balanced world trade, and the new Farm Bill. Ohio House of Representative candidates will be asked to respond to questions on property rights, water quality, urban sprawl/farmland preservation, and school funding problems and related tax implications.
Candidates seeking the office of Fairfield County Commissioner will be asked to address concerns with population increases and related issues, urban sprawl/farmland preservation, and the importance of agricultural production as an industry in Fairfield County. Finally, the Fairfield County Auditor candidates will be asked to explain their responsibilities as auditor, to clarify the parcel appraisal process, and to envision their role with the Farmland Preservation program.
With the wide range of topics to be discussed and the anticipated participation of local, state, and national candidates for office, this forum stands to be an excellent opportunity for anyone in the agriculture community or general public to gather information about the candidates. So, in order to make a more informed decision when choosing future political leaders in November, make plans now to attend this forum on Tuesday, September 24, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Fairfield County Agriculture Center, 831 College Ave., Lancaster.
Tri-County Meeting Planned To Explain New Farm Program
The Fairfield, Licking, and Perry County Farm Service Agency (FSA) Offices will be holding an informational meeting to explain provisions of the new Farm Program on Monday, September 16, 2002. The meeting will be held from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Dawes Arboretum located Southeast of Newark on State Route 13, about 2.6 miles North of I-70.
Among the topics to be discussed will be a brief outline of the new Farm Bill, New Base and Yield Options, and Benefit Calculations. The speakers will include County FSA Directors Jim Pollock, Roger Schneider, and Mike Strode. Everyone is welcome to attend. Sign-up for the New Farm Program will begin on October 1, 2002.
For more information about this meeting, contact the Fairfield County Farm Service Agency at (740) 653-4012.
ODA Offers Free Nitrate Testing of Silage
ODA has just recently decided to once again offer Ohio farmers nitrate testing of corn chopped for silage. Producers concerned about elevated levels of nitrate content in drought-stressed corn intended to be chopped for forage or silage for livestock may send samples to the Ohio Department of Agriculture in Reynoldsburg to be tested free of charge according to the announcement by Ohio Agriculture Director Fred L. Dailey.
Meaningful results depend on a good representative sample. Due to varying moisture levels in fields, the nitrate concentration in a corn stalk may vary by field location. Representative samples should be collected from six different areas in the field. Start three inches above the ground, and take 18 inches of the stalk. Coarsely chop up the stalks, mix them together, and send approximately one gallon of the material to the Ohio Department of Agriculture, Consumer Analytical Laboratory, 8995 E. Main St., Reynoldsburg, OH 43068. Farmers should include their name, complete address, and phone number with area code.
Sample results can be expected in three to five business days after receipt of the product. Lab results cannot be released over the phone, so for a quicker response than mail, include a fax number where results can be sent.
For additional information about the testing program, Ohio farmers can also call the department's Consumer Analytical Laboratory at 800.282.1955.
For a listing of upcoming programs, meetings and events, visit the AG CALENDAR
Farms Facts is a weekly newspaper column, written by the agriculture staff at the Ohio State University Extension office in Fairfield County.
All educational programs conducted by Ohio State University Extension are available to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, gender, age, disability or Vietnam-era veteran status.
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