The agenda for the Jan. 14 West Ohio Agronomy Day has reportedly been “set in stone” as of last week. Barring unforeseen circumstances such as speaker illness or very severe weather, speakers and their topics have been finalized for Monday’s daytime and evening programs. As in previous years, the program is slated for St. Michael Hall in Ft. Loramie, Ohio, located about 10 miles west of I-75 and 25 miles east of the Ohio-Indiana border.

Sponsored by Ohio State University Extension and multiple commercial supporters, the event is designed to provide superb crop production information to farmers and agricultural company personnel who serve the farm community. Extension specialists from Ohio State and Purdue, plus additional speakers, will share their expertise with participants from throughout western Ohio and eastern Indiana. Farmers can earn private pesticide recertification credits if needed. Certified Crop Advisers will be able to receive CCA credits in the nutrient, soil and water, crop and pest management categories.  

Those who plan to attend can start off bright and early at the 7:30 a.m., with a “listening session” with the Ohio Soybean Assoc., and enjoy their sponsored breakfast items. If signed in by 8:30 a.m., take advantage of the always popular grain marketing segment offered by Jerry Meyer of Cargill and John Leighty of Trupointe Cooperative.

Farmers and others registered by 9 a.m. can take advantage of the latest in phosphorus management per Dr. Robert Mullen of the Potash Corp. OSU’s top nematode expert, Dr. Terry Niblack, follows with her insight on nematodes in corn; which will reveal that most corn nematodes are actually beneficial, contrary to some commercial advertisements. The morning agenda wraps up with Dr. Laura Lindsey, Ohio State’s soybean and small grain specialist talking on, “Soybean Production:  Using all the Tools of the Trade.”

Alternative morning sessions include a presentation titled, “Oil Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) Program” by Mark Wilson from Land Stewards, LLC. Other 30-minute offerings on cover crop management of nitrogen, fumigation and improving forage production are also available, given by OSU Extension Field Agronomist Harold Watters and Extension Educators Debbie Brown and John Smith.  

A wedding-style buffet meal and commercial exhibitor visitation prepares everyone for the afternoon agenda.

Purdue’s Fred Whitford returns to western Ohio to hammer home safety points with his talk on, “Keeping the Trailer Hitched to the Truck.” Niblack emphasizes soybean cyst nematode management next, just before Mullen returns to nail down details on nitrogen management. Concurrent presentations available before 3 p.m. include resistant weed management with Watters, and Extension Educators Sam Custer and Amanda Douridas discussing weather data systems and manure management.  

After a 3 p.m. break for farmers to complete pesticide applicator training paperwork, Auglaize County HazMat Chief Bill Lehmkuhl reviews, “Liability in HazMat Incidents.” Additional afternoon topics include spill plans and tile drainage (Mark Wilson) and water quality issues by Shelby SWCD’s Jason Bruns.  

A somewhat abbreviated evening program starts with registration, grain marketing and a light supper beginning at 5:30 p.m., followed by most of the daytime agenda topics.

Farmers and other Farm World readers, only wanting to glean information from speakers, can attend for $10 if pre-registered by Friday. Those wanting to gain pesticide recertification credits should bring along a $35 check written to OSU Extension. The modest charge for CCA credits can be paid at the door. To pre-register or for additional details please contact Debbie Brown at 937-498-7239 or brown.1522@osu.edu 

For anyone traveling a significant distance, overnight lodging is available a block away at the Dairy King Motel. Learn more at http//dairykingmotel.com or call 937-295-673.

Readers with questions or comments for Roger Bender may write to him in care of this publication.