I hope this Newsletter finds you well. Hopefully nobody has faced too much impact from harsh weather this past week. We have been receiving some significant rains, with more expected in the coming days. Even with the precipitation, part of Darke County is considered to be abnormally dry (https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?fips_39037). The wet soils are limiting field and garden work, but we’ll likely see more before long. More information on the weather will be shared in the attached Newsletter.
Today is International Carrot Day! This may not be a widely celebrated day, but it’s a good opportunity to promote a classic garden staple. Whether or not you’ve grown them in the past, consider including this root crop in your garden this year. There are countless varieties available, and they are a fun crop to grow.
While there haven’t been any officially confirmed cases recently, it is important to remain aware of HPAI in Darke County and the surrounding region. Continue using proper biosecurity measures when working with backyard flocks. More information on biosecurity, 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’ll be discussing Pheasants at Worch Library on April 10th at 6:00 p.m. We’ll be discussing pheasants in nature, raising pheasants, and what we can do to support pheasants. I’ll be joined by a special guest, and I hope to see you there.
The next Darke County Garden Roundtables will be April 9th at 12:00 p.m., and April 23rd at 6:00 p.m. The agenda is attached.
The next Darke County Ag Breakfast will be April 25th at 7:30 a.m. at Jack’s Cabin in Greenville.
This week’s Newsletter topics include:
· Checking Your Soybean Seeding Rate
· Encouraging Good Behaviors in Heifers
· How Grain Source Impacts Dairy Rations
· Spring Nitrogen Fertilization for Winter Annual Grain Forages
· Using Dairy Manure with Newly Planted Corn and Soybeans
· 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