I hope this Newsletter finds you well. After some fairly comfortable weather last week, the conditions since then have reminded us that winter is still here, with colder temperatures and strong winds, as well as some precipitation (https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?fips_39037). It won’t be too long before we are able to get back out into the fields and gardens.
HPAI in Darke County and the surrounding region continues to be an important topic, with a current number of 21 affected premises in Darke County and roughly 14.6 million birds affected throughout the state. 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 will be at Worch Library on March 13th at 11:00 a.m. to discuss Backyard Biosecurity. Here, we will discuss what backyard livestock producers can do to help prevent the spread of disease. I hope to see you there!
The next Darke County Garden Roundtables will be March 12th at 12:00 p.m. and March 20th at 6:00 p.m. The agenda for the Roundtables is attached.
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:
Calf Health, Nutrition, and Economics
Clover in the Pasture
Growing Jerusalem Artichokes
Spring Planting Outlook
The Impact of a Dry Summer and Hard Winter on Pasture
Top Dressing Wheat with Liquid Manure
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