Farmer interests help guide Ohio State University extension planning meetings beneficial to local agriculture. Two meetings we are hosting next week in Shelby County address those interests.

The 7 p.m. March 24 West Ohio Wheat Production Workshop in Sidney is designed to review production practices vital to profitable wheat production.
As wheat breaks dormancy, farmers assess fields to determine whether to manage wheat acreage through to harvest.

Weak stands entice crop producers to consider planting corn or soybeans, especially when those prices are strong.

Depending on the profit potential for wheat versus corn or soybeans, some farmers may retain wheat stands for rotational value, if possible generated income is relatively close.

Last year’s head scab debacle soured many on wheat; however, strong futures prices in late summer and dry weather lured many of those same farmers into seeding more acreage than usual.

There are reports of wheat buyers requiring a specified management protocol if the crop is to be deliverable.

In turn, farmers have asked us about the merits of a program that requires application of fungicides, regardless of disease presence.

We know that abnormally wet weather during wheat pollination in 2010 led to lousy wheat quality, which resulted in high dockage and significant income loss. We also know farmers planted many fields with wheat varieties boasting high scab resistance.

If the stand looks good coming out of dormancy, our production potential looks good. As of this writing, weather forecasts are fairly promising, with minimal freezing and thawing days on the horizon. Thus, minimal heaving is anticipated.
At the March 24 workshop at the Shelby County Agricultural Center, located at 820 Fair Road, Sidney will discuss:

•Management of head scab and the impact of last year’s disease levels on this year’s wheat crop

•Disease management regarding wheat genetics and fungicides

•Integrated Pest Management

•N rates, production practices, rotation value of wheat

•Weed control

•Insecticides – an issue?

We’ll allow time for questions and discussion. Contact the OSU extension in Shelby County to reserve your seat, at 937-498-7239 or e-mail bender.5@cfaes.osu.edu or for more details, you can also call the extension offices of Champaign County 937-484-1526 or Darke County at 937-548-5215.

Local weather observers needed

CoCoRaHS, the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network, is a grassroots volunteer network of backyard weather observers of all ages and backgrounds working together to measure and map precipitation (rain, hail and snow) in their local communities.

Quality weather data is valuable for many reasons. Proper evaluation of crop management inputs relies on such information.

We are seeking farmer volunteers interested in learning more about weather data collection, next Tuesday at the Shelby County Agricultural Center.
Our plan is to have at least one CoCoRaHS station in each of our 14 townships. Selected local farmers will receive an official CoCoRaHS rain gauge in exchange for a reporting commitment. Gauges may be purchased by farmers outside of Shelby County.

At the Jan. 10 West Ohio Agronomy Day, OSU extension’s Harold Watters shared his experiences with CoCoRaHS.

He has noted the value of more complete weather records for crop producers, including those of the CoCoRaHS system.

Watters will go into more detail at the March 22 meeting. Please let us know if you plan to participate.

Bins need attention

Check your grain bins. Do yourself a favor by monitoring grain conditions as we encounter warmer, humid conditions.

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Roger Bender may write to him in care of this publication.