Tractor Drive-In Day at Mississinawa Valley

Tractor Drive-In Day at Mississinawa Valley

The Mississinawa Valley-MVCTC FFA chapter hosted Tractor Drive-In Day on September 13. The farm equipment was parked in The Nest parking lot on State Route 47 so everyone who drove by would see them. This reminds everyone that harvest season is starting and they need to slow down and share the roads with farm equipment.

The members who participated were Shane Germann, Ethan Loy, Gretchen Rodeheffer, Ethan Grow, Kyle Wehrkamp, Leland Kauffman, Tristan Muhlenkamp, Tenlee Woodbury, Quentin Hanes, Daniel Hartzell, Ty Houser, Hunter Cox, McKinley Stachler, Colten Hiestand, and Jaxin Beanblosson.

This was a great way to remind everyone to stay safe on the roads this harvest season.

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Lincoln Winner selected as Capstone Highlight Student of the Month

Lincoln Winner selected as Capstone Highlight Student of the Month

Lincoln Winner is a senior at Versailles High School and participates in the Agriculture Education Capstone Program and has been selected as the Capstone Highlight Student of the Month.

The Versailles Agriculture Education Capstone Program is in its thirteen years of existence.  Lincoln is the son of Brian and Lisa Winner of North Star, Ohio. Capstone is a program that gives Versailles High School Junior and Senior Students who are enrolled in agriculture education an opportunity to gain real-world employment experiences and opportunities while in high school.

Lincoln has worked over 9,000 hours at Brian Winner Farms LLC since his enrollment in agriculture education class. Lincoln’s primary roles at Brian Winner Farms LLC include: feeding, sorting, vaccinating, treating, tagging, loading, and castrating cattle. In addition, Lincoln plants and combines corn, drive the grain cart, hauls corn, rakes, cuts and bales hay. Lincoln performs service work on equipment and performs fall tillage work.

Brian and Lisa Winner of Brian Winner Farms LLC Farms, is quoted as saying, “Lincoln is an ambitious employee who looks forward to the challenges each day.”

He shows up in a timely manner ready to work, he sees things to do, he has initiative.”  Lincoln plans to join the family farm after graduation.

Brian Winner Farms LLC is owned and operated by Brian and Lisa Winner and was started in 1999. Brian Winner Farms LLC is a diversified crop and livestock operation that raises corn, alfalfa and wheat and finishes out market beef steers and heifers cattle and has a herd of beef cows.

This year 53 students are enrolled in the Versailles Agriculture Education Capstone programs and are leaving school after their daily required courses are complete and working at area businesses. The goal of the spotlight is to highlight each month one of the students that participate in the capstone program and highlight the skills/knowledge they are gaining, and the roles/assets they are to their business. The students enrolled in capstone also use their employment as their Supervised Agricultural Experience Program.  As part of their grade in capstone, students are required to keep detailed records of their hours worked, earnings and skills performed.

In addition to the record books, capstone students are being evaluated at the end of each nine weeks by an evaluation completed by their employer.

Congratulations to Lincoln and Thank you to Brian Winner Farms LLC for this opportunity.

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Online course for Certified Crop Advisers to earn CEU credits

Online course for Certified Crop Advisers to earn CEU credits

Certified Crop Adviser Credits CEU Credits Available: “The Ohio State University Extension Agronomic Crops team has developed an online, self-paced course for Certified Crop Advisers to earn CEU credits. This course is also great for K-12 educators to earn CEU credits and anyone wanting to expand their knowledge of agronomics. The course is designed as a series of six videos, each with a five-question quiz.” For those looking to gain CEU credits as a Certified Crop Adviser, OSU Extension is providing a great opportunity. The Agronomic Crops Team has developed a course to allow people to earn the necessary credits. More details and directions for the course can be found in the article. https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2024-422024-39/certified-crop-adviser-ceu-credits-available

Drought Related Fencing Issues: “The drought in this part of the country continues with very little chance of rain in the forecast. With the shortage of available pasture and hay supplies, livestock may start thinking the grass is greener on the other side of the fence. How secure are your fences? No one likes to get that wake-up call or knock on the door letting you know you have livestock out. There are a couple of fencing issues that are related to drought to keep in mind.” Yet another issue caused by drought is the potential difficulty of fencing animals. OSU Extension Educator Dean Kreager shares his advice on keeping your livestock contained when fencing issues arise. https://u.osu.edu/beef/2024/10/30/drought-related-fencing-issues/

Feeder Cattle Futures Prices: “Feeder cattle futures prices rallied in September and October to offset much of the decline that occurred in August. The January 2025 contract dropped roughly $25 per CWT from mid-July to mid-August. Since early September, the price of the January 2025 feeder cattle contract has risen approximately $15 per CWT.” Josh Maples of Mississippi State University’s Department of Agricultural Economics shares the latest details on the futures prices of feeder cattle. https://u.osu.edu/beef/2024/11/06/feeder-cattle-futures-prices/

Group Housing Vs. Individual Housing for Calves: “ A study was recently published in the Journal of Dairy Science summarizing the last 40 years of research on individual calf housing compared to either pair or group-housed calves. Over those 40 years, 81 peer-reviewed research studies have been conducted on these housing systems with 47 published journal articles. The study found that group-housed calves had significantly higher starter grain intake, higher average daily gain and heavier weaning weights.” Calf producers have the option to either house their calves in individual or group pens, each of which has its own advantages. In this article, an OSU Extension Specialist shares data from research on this topic. Specific factors being considered include weight gain, social traits, illness, group size, and barn design. https://www.farmanddairy.com/columns/how-does-group-housing-for-calves-stack-up-against-individual-housing/846397.html

Managing Low Precipitation Levels for Forages: “As the fall continues to provide us with extremely dry conditions, fall growth of forages will be limited this year. Cow-calf producers should be developing a drought plan as we move through the fall and winter. Below are a few tips to consider when navigating these dry fall conditions.” With the overall very dry conditions we’ve faced this growing season, and the current lack of moisture, it is important to make the most out of the resources we have. In this article, Dr. Jeff Lehmkuhler of the University of Kentucky shares advice for managing forages in low-precipitation conditions. https://u.osu.edu/beef/2024/11/06/coping-with-low-precipitation/

Soybean Performance Trials: “Yield results for the 2024 Ohio Soybean Performance Trials are available for all locations… We will update the report with seed protein, oil, and size as we finish analyzing samples.” Ohio Soybean Performance Trials help producers understand which varieties may be best for them. The latest report shares data on multiple varieties throughout several trial locations. https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2024-39/2024-ohio-soybean-performance-trials-yield-results-all-trial

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Addis earns American FFA Degree

Addis earns American FFA Degree

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The 97th National FFA Convention and Expo is where Blake Addis received his American Degree through FFA on October 26 at the Lucas Oil Stadium.

This is the highest degree the National FFA bestows on their members. The American FFA degree shows an FFA member’s dedication to his chapter and state FFA Program.

There were 4,800 American degrees handed out this year, which represents less than half of one percent of all FFA Members.

Blake is a member of the Franklin Monroe High School Chapter. He is currently attending Indiana University and majoring in human life science. He is continuing his agriculture experience by raising and hatching poultry. Blake has been exhibiting poultry in Ohio and Michigan poultry shows.

He would like to thank Mr. Kevin Bergman for all his guidance and in the FFA Program.

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Versailles FFA attends National Convention and Expo

Versailles FFA attends National Convention and Expo

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The 97th National Convention and Expo was held from October 23 through October 26 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Over 70,000 FFA members and supporters attended this event making it the world’s largest youth event. Highlights of the National FFA Convention included Versailles FFA was announced as a 3-Star National FFA Chapter and 5 past graduates received their American FFA Degree.  3 Star is the highest ranking that a chapter can earn at the National FFA level.

On Saturday, Oct 26 at the National FFA Convention, 5 members of the Versailles FFA received their American FFA Degree. They included Hayley Smith, Laura Wuebker, Reagan Winner, Luke Winner, and Noah Shimp. This is the highest degree that the National FFA bestows upon its members. Less than 1 % of 1 million FFA members receive this highest degree.

While at the National FFA Convention besides attending the National FFA Convention sessions, members enjoyed tours at Matthew’s Feed & Grain, Abbott’s Candy Factory and Lincoln Tech. They also enjoyed Willies & Red, The Journey, Sauces on the Side, Bubba’s, Buckeye Bash at Kelsay Farms in Indiana, Cinch Rodeo at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, and a concert of Megan Moroney and Jake Smith at Gainbridge Fieldhouse Arena in Indianapolis, Indiana.

A special thank you to the members and parents who attended the convention. They included Colin Batten, Maggie McGlinch, Jeremiah Wagner, Allee Grimme, Haley Mescher, Ava May, Karlie Litten, Andrew Lyons, Dale Petitjean, Josh Henry, Caden Adkins, Lucy Schmitmeyer, Lucus Timmerman, Jake Bergman, Drew Gisendorff, Gabe McGlinch, Paige Gehret, Rhyland Broerman, Greta Broering, Jayna Luthman, Madylin Wagner, and Nathan Timmerman.

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Online course for Certified Crop Advisers to earn CEU credits

Farmers face challenges following severe drought, hurricane aftermath

Black Soybean: “Following the aftermath of severe drought and Hurricane Helene, soybean farmers in Ohio have faced considerable challenges with stem, pod, and seed decay, leading to the occurrence of blackened soybeans in certain regions.”

The weather conditions faced by soybean producers this year have caused multiple crop challenges, including a condition known as black soybean. In this article from OSU Extension Professionals Horacio Lopez-Nicora, Laura Lindsey, and Alexander Lindsey, discusses this condition, along with other conditions seen in soybeans this year. https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2024-38/black-soybean-ohio-addressing-stem-pod-and-seed-decay

Drought Related Fencing Issues: “The drought in this part of the country continues with very little chance of rain in the forecast. With the shortage of available pasture and hay supplies, livestock may start thinking the grass is greener on the other side of the fence. How secure are your fences? No one likes to get that wake-up call or knock on the door letting you know you have livestock out. There are a couple of fencing issues that are related to drought to keep in mind.” In this article, OSU Extension Educator Dean Kreager discusses the challenges brought about by the drought for livestock producers, particularly regarding fencing. https://u.osu.edu/beef/2024/10/30/drought-related-fencing-issues/

Growing Warm Season Native Grasses: “With Ohio experiencing record drought, livestock producers may find themselves in a tight spot when trying to provide forage for their cattle. In the long run, native warm season grasses can offer drought resistant forage during the summer slump when many cool season grasses slow in production.” The drought conditions experienced in Ohio have impacted nearly everybody. Those who grow forages for livestock have definitely faced challenges with producing enough feed for their animals. Gilbert Randolph, Nick Schell, and Jason Jones of Pheasants and Quail Forever discuss the details of growing these warm-season grasses for forage production. https://u.osu.edu/beef/2024/10/30/warm-season-native-grasses-a-drought-resistant-forage/

Producing Wagyu Beef: “What are the opportunities associated with producing Waygu beef? Is this an avenue to consider for beef producers? Should beef producers avoid this business?” Some beef producers choose to produce and market Wagyu Beef—often considered a higher class of beef, and a delicacy by many. If one chooses to raise Wagyu Bee, the marketing of their product must also be top-notch, to ensure that the extra effort of producing that beef is worthwhile. That is the purpose of this article from Dr. Andrew Griffith of the University of Tennessee. https://u.osu.edu/beef/2024/10/30/what-are-the-opportunities-associated-with-producing-waygu-beef/

Revised Ohio Agronomy Guide: “The Ohio Agronomy Guide was first published in 1966 and serves as the official compilation of adaptive research results and recommendations from applied research and educational programs. The 16th edition includes several updates…” The Ohio Agronomy Guide has long served as a valuable reference for Ohio Agriculturalists. The newest edition of the Guide includes several updates to ensure that the latest information is available. Learn more by reading the article from OSU Extension Specialists Laura Lindsey and Osler Ortez. https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2024-38/revised-ohio-agronomy-guide-available

Weather Update: “Dry conditions have plagued Ohioans throughout the growing season this year, with another below-average week of precipitation this past week. Since the remnants of Hurricane Helene moved through in late September, ample precipitation has been hard to come by. Several cities are experiencing one of their driest Octobers on record, including Cincinnati and Mansfield (2nd driest), Dayton (3rd driest), and Athens and Columbus (4th driest). Many of these locations have picked up less than three-tenths of an inch. Warmer than average temperatures this week have also notched the drought stress back up, with numerous reports of field fires in west central and northwest Ohio.” OSU Extension Ag Weather and Climate Specialist Aaron Wilson shares the latest weather information for the state of Ohio. He shares recent weather patterns as well as the forecast for the upcoming weather in Ohio. https://agcrops.osu.edu/newsletter/corn-newsletter/2024-38/potential-break-spooky-dry-weather

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