Most farmers value soil health in theory, but few studies have worked to place an actual agronomic value on soil health. A study published earlier this spring found that a 10% improvement in certain soil health measurements increased relative yields by an average of 5% across N fertilizer rates. In other words, good soil health means getting more bang for every buck spent on fertilizer.
Study leader, former Ohio State PhD student Jordon Wade, based these findings on analysis of corn nitrogen (N) rate trials throughout the Midwest. His findings were consistent across a variety of soils and climatic conditions across the Corn Belt.
As farmers are making decisions for 2021, there are some important economic drivers to consider.
“There are also some factors we really need to pay attention to,” said Ben Brown, now a senior research associate at the University of Missouri and their state specialist in ag business and policy for Extension. “It is uncertain the direction the COVID pandemic takes, what future relief/stimulus packages may look like, and the impact of the resurgence of African swine fever in China.”
Brown was part of the program of a recent Ohio State University Extension Winter Policy and Outlook Meeting where he shared information focused on “Where we’ve been, where we are currently, and where we are going with the markets.”
Join the Strong @ Heart email wellness challenge
Submitted by OSU Extension Office, Darke County
DARKE, MERCER, PREBLE COUNTY Heart disease is the number one cause of death for people in the United States. This fact does not come without hope. There are many things we can do each day to improve heart health. Educators with Ohio State University Extension are ready to help. Join us for this challenge to learn how to limit stress, increase activity, and eat for a healthy heart.
This email challenge connects you with six weeks of tips, research, and resources to help lead a heart-healthy life. At the end of January, all participants will receive a welcome email. Then they will receive emails twice a week from Feb. 1 to March 15, 2021. Participants will have access to a tracking log and other resources available on our Live Healthy Live Well Blog and Facebook page. Register at https://go.osu.edu/LHLWWest.
Agriculture program topic
STEUBENVILLE This year the Ohio State University Extension’s East Ohio Women in Agriculture Conference has been deconstructed into 10 free webinars and three in-person field days now through May 27.
Topics cover a wide variety of financial, production and home-related topics to help woman in agriculture, who are encouraged to participate in any or all of the series.
The schedule for the webinars, which run every other Thursday from noon to 1 p.m. are”
– Thursday: “Cooking with Cast Iron” with Christine Kendle, OSU Extension. Are you not sure what pan to use? How to season it? How you should care for your cast iron cookware? This class is for you, a spokesperson noted.