by CrownRandall | Nov 1, 2025 | Agriculture
I hope this Newsletter finds you well. The weather has remained cool, and we’ve received some rains throughout the county despite the drought conditions (https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?OH). Field activities have slowed down as we go through fall, but there is still equipment to watch out for on the roads.
I’ll be at Worch Library on November 13th at 6:00 p.m. to discuss Pasture Management. If you are interested in creating or restoring a pasture, be sure to stop in and see what you can learn. I hope to see you there!
The next Darke County Garden Roundtables will be November 20th at 12:00 p.m. and November 24th at 6:00 p.m., both at the OSU Extension Office. We’ll focus on designing your garden layout, and the plant of the month is garlic. The agenda is attached.
Dairy producers interested in learning more about fly control and disease prevention will want to check out the next Western Ohio Dairy Luncheon. This session will feature Dr. Lucianna DaCosta on November 13th. Free pizza will be served at 11:30 a.m. before the speaker begins at 12:00 p.m. See attached flyer for more details.
The next Darke County Ag Breakfast will be November 21st at 7:30 a.m. at Jack’s Cabin in Greenville.
This week’s Newsletter topics include:
·Cattle Market Update
Grazing Exit Strategy
New Ohio Ag Bills
Preconditioning Cattle
Understanding Your Milk Quality Report
Weather Update
I hope you enjoy this week’s Newsletter, and as always, never hesitate to reach out to me and let me know how I can best serve you and all of Darke County.
by Caden Buschur, Darke County Extension Educator
by CrownRandall | Oct 18, 2025 | Agriculture
VERSAILLES – On Saturday, September 27th, Versailles FFA members, family and community members were able to visit local FFA members and their SAE projects to learn more about them.
One of the stops was Paige Gehret’s pumpkin patch, where she explained how she got started with her SAE and what it consists of now. The next stop was Hank Smith’s Honey, where he did a honey extraction demonstration.
Next was Rhylan Broerman, who explained the process of canning salsa and pasta sauce. Next was Buschur Dairy with an explanation of the history of the herd and a tour of the milking parlor, free stall barn, special needs barn and calf barns.
Next was Eden and Liam Bargas goat milk ice cream and soap and explanation of their goat types and their day-by-day jobs, along with a milking demonstration. And the final stop was Patrick and Gabe McGlinch, where they explained the process of raising the chicken to butchering and the other business they do on their farm. Each stop included a free sample and the opportunity to purchase an item.
Each member who attended was entered into the opportunity to win a door prize winners include: Brain Bergman-E&R’s Gift Card, Jacki Stonebraker- Butcher Block Gift Card, Alayna Dirksen- Mum Arrangement, Lisa Bergman- Mum Arrangement, Dorothy Garity- Flower Arrangement, Sam Rahm- Gift Pack, and Dylan Meyer- Gift Pack. A special thank you to E & R’s, Versailles FFA, Jeff and Dena Wuebker and Butcher Block for donating door prizes.
Thank you to all the FFA members and Buschur Dairy Farms for serving as host. We had around 50 members attend this event, making it a success!
by CrownRandall | Oct 18, 2025 | Agriculture
I hope this Newsletter finds you well. Dry weather continues to be the story in Darke County as harvest keeps moving forward (https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?OH). Other field activities, such as wheat planting, tilling, and manure applications are also taking place. Remember to stay safe in the fields as the harvest season continues, and cooperate with the farm equipment on the roads.
If you are interested in raising backyard poultry, or want to learn more about the flock you already have, stop in at Worch Library on October 30th at 6:00 p.m. to discuss Backyard Poultry Production. We’ll discuss details of managing a small flock of birds for either meat or eggs. Topics will include nutrition, housing, breeds, and other important considerations. I hope to see you there!
Our next Darke County Garden Roundtables will be October 21st at 12:00 p.m., and October 22nd at 6:00 p.m. This session will be at the OSU Extension office, and the agenda is attached. We will be focusing on hobby maple syrup production, and our plant of the month is peas.
If you are interested in sampling your fields for Soybean Cyst Nematode (SCN), reach out to me. Thanks to the Ohio Soybean Council, producers have the opportunity to have two soil samples tested for free.
Dairy producers interested in learning more about fly control and disease prevention will want to check out the next Western Ohio Dairy Luncheon. This session will feature Dr. Lucianna DaCosta on November 13th. Free pizza will be served at 11:30 a.m. before the speaker begins at 12:00 p.m. See attached flyer for more details.
The next Darke County Ag Breakfast will be November 21st at 7:30 a.m. at Jack’s Cabin in Greenville.
This week’s Newsletter topics include:
Battle for the Belt
Fall Weed Control
Forage Testing for Winter Feed Planning
New World Screwworm in the U.S.
Poultry Litter Application
Weather Update
I hope you enjoy this week’s Newsletter, and as always, never hesitate to reach out to me and let me know how I can best serve you and all of Darke County.
by Caden Buschur, Darke County Extension Educator
by CrownRandall | Sep 28, 2025 | Agriculture
I hope this Newsletter finds you well. Most of Darke County has received some light, soaking rains, but it will take much more to end the moderate-severe drought that we are facing. (https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?OH). While the rain is too little, too late to have a real impact on this year’s crops, it is still important for replenishing the water table, providing moisture for forage crops, and lessening the risk of field fires. Many of the same weeds and diseases are seen throughout the county as harvest progresses. Stay safe in the fields, and be sure to share the roadways with farm equipment!
This week is National Ag Safety and Health Week; it gives a chance to raise awareness for the risks that come with the agricultural community and to encourage agriculturalists to prioritize their safety and health. The slogan for this year is “Safety First, Avoid the Worst”. Make sure to implement good safety and health practices, both for your own well-being and to set a good example for those who look up to you.
I’ll be at Worch Library on October 30th at 6:00 p.m. to discuss Backyard Poultry Production. If you’ve ever wondered about getting into small-scale poultry raising, or if you’re interested in learning more about the flock you already have, this program may be of interest to you. We’ll discuss the basics of nutrition, management, species consideration, and other topics for both meat and laying birds.
Our next Darke County Garden Roundtable will be on September 30th at 6:00 p.m. This session will be at the OSU Extension office, and the agenda is attached.
The next Darke County Ag Breakfast will be on October 17th at 7:30 a.m. at Jack’s Cabin in Greenville.
This week’s Newsletter topics include:
Battle for the Belt
Bovine Emergency Response Planning
Field Fire Prevention
Harmful Algal Blooms in Farm Ponds
Reviewing Health Care Power of Attorney and Living Will
Weather Update
I hope you enjoy this week’s Newsletter, and as always, never hesitate to reach out to me and let me know how I can best serve you and all of Darke County.
by Caden Buschur, Darke County Extension Educator
by CrownRandall | Sep 28, 2025 | Agriculture
VERSAILLES – On September 15th, the Versailles FFA Chapter held its monthly meeting at the Knights of Columbus softball diamond. The evening featured a friendly softball game against the St. Henry FFA Chapter, in which Versailles secured a win.
Prior to the meeting, members enjoyed a variety of recreational activities, including 9-square, spikeball, cornhole, and pumpkin painting. Members also enjoyed a hamburger and hot dog cookout before the meeting.
Thank you to Jeff Wuebker for cooking and to all the officers and assistant officers for bringing meal sides and recreational equipment.
