by CrownRandall | Mar 1, 2025 | Agriculture
I hope this Newsletter finds you well. While we haven’t reached spring, you can tell it is approaching due to the more comfortable temperatures and precipitation (https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?fips_39037). Weather will again be a big topic in this week’s Newsletter, with subjects including caring for livestock at this time of year and how the winter months can impact plants in your landscape.
HPAI in Darke County and the surrounding region continues to be an important topic. The number of cases has continued to grow since late last year when the first outbreak was confirmed. Nearby counties, particularly Mercer, but now including Van Wert and Auglaize, have confirmed cases as well. Proper biosecurity measures are essential. Avoiding unnecessary contact with poultry, using footbaths and disposable boots, and proper sanitation of people and equipment are important practices. Other biosecurity measures, as well as the latest numbers of Bird Flu, can be tracked at the ODA website: https://agri.ohio.gov/divisions/animal-health/hpai/01-poultry.
I will be at Greenville Public Library on March 6th at 11:00 a.m. to discuss Seed Starting as part of their seed swap program. Here, we will the practice of starting your own seeds for your garden, best practices and equipment, transplanting, and more. I hope to see you there!
The next Darke County Ag Breakfast will be March 21st at 7:30 a.m. at Jack’s Cabin in Greenville.
This week’s Newsletter topics include:
Caring for Livestock in Late Winter and Early Spring
Cattle Market Update
Estate Taxes on the Farm
Foot and Mouth Disease in Cattle
Keeping Cattle Fit
Winter’s Impact on Plants
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 | Feb 23, 2025 | Agriculture
VERSAILLES – On Thursday, Feb 20th the Versailles FFA placed 1st out of 17 teams in the District 5 FFA Ag Sales Contest at Covington High School. The Versailles FFA Ag Sales team consisted of Colin Batten, Jayna Luthman, Rhylan Broerman, and Paige Gehret. Individually Colin Batten placed 1st overall, Jayna Luthman placed 2nd overall and Paige Gehret placed 4th overall in the contest out of 67 individuals.
The District 5 Ag Sales contest consists of an online test, an individual sales presentation and a team-oriented sales presentation.
Versailles FFA members sold commercial John Deere lawn mowers as part of their presentation which is the district and state topic of the year. Versailles FFA will advance to the state contest.
The Versailles FFA would like to thank Ryan Langenkamp of Farm Credit-Versailles for helping coach the team and Koenig Equipment consisting of Levi Stump, Dave Oakley and Brittany Walford for helping the team learn about the commercial John Deere lawn mowers and practicing sales with them.
Congratulations and good luck at state!
by CrownRandall | Feb 23, 2025 | Agriculture
VERSAILLES – On Thursday, February 20th, the Versailles FFA enjoyed a breakfast as part of National FFA Week at Eagles. The breakfast was generously sponsored by Bruns Animal Clinic and Versailles FFA Alumni.
A special thank you to the Eagles Lady Auxiliary for cooking an outstanding breakfast. Eagles members with cooking the delicious breakfast included: Jeanette Marshall, Rose Schalter, Kara Didier and Theresa Barga with cooking the delicious breakfast.
The members enjoyed breakfast and had a great time celebrating National FFA week, and the chapter greatly values the support from the community and local businesses and a special thanks to Brun Animal Clinic, Versailles FFA Alumni and Eagles!
by CrownRandall | Feb 21, 2025 | Agriculture
I hope this Newsletter finds you well. The cold temperatures, as well as snow and some ice, have been common throughout the week (https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?fips_39037). The weather will be referred to several times throughout the Newsletter; specifically the positive and negative impacts of frost. The freezing and thawing cycle of winter can be beneficial, in the case of frost seeding, or negative, in the case of heaving. The roads can be slick, so be sure to stay safe while traveling.
HPAI in Darke County and the surrounding region continues to be an important topic. The number of cases has continued to grow since late last year when the first outbreak was confirmed. Nearby counties, particularly Mercer, but now including Van Wert and Auglaize, have confirmed cases as well. Proper biosecurity measures are essential. Avoiding unnecessary contact with poultry, using footbaths and disposable boots, and proper sanitation of people and equipment are important practices. Other biosecurity measures, as well as the latest numbers of Bird Flu, can be tracked at the ODA website: https://agri.ohio.gov/divisions/animal-health/hpai/01-poultry
The next Darke County Garden Roundtable will be rescheduled to a future date in the near future.
I will be at Greenville Public Library on March 6th at 11:00 a.m. to discuss Seed Starting as part of their seed swap program. Here, we will the practice of starting your own seeds for your garden, best practices and equipment, transplanting, and more. I hope to see you there!
This week’s Newsletter topics include:
Considerations for Soybean Trait Programs
Corn Vomitoxin Resistance Screening Program
Frost Seeding Forages
Hobby Maple Syrup Production
Managing Frost Heave in Alfalfa
Teff Grass for Forage Production
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 | Feb 17, 2025 | Agriculture
CELINA – The event is geared to help any farm, 1 to 1000 acres, learn about opportunities to diversify their farm portfolio to generate revenue through fun regenerative farming methods. These are just a few questions that will be answered during this informational evening you will not want to miss!
Did you ever want to know how to establish a price for your eggs, meat, produce or other farm products? How about raising laying hens or meat birds by utilizing grass, pasture or garden areas? What is the key to a good pasture for your livestock and how much area do you need?
Every farm can use a garden but how could it help your bottom line?
These are just a few questions that will be answered during this informational evening you will not want to miss!
Small Farms, Big Returns Workshop is scheduled for February 24 from 5:30 to 9 pm at the Wright State Lake Campus, located at 7600 Lake Campus Drive in Celina.
Register today at https://tinyurl.com/SmallFarmsBigReturns
