With recent opportunities to sell “Beans in the Teens”, many grain farmers might be interested in fine tuning their crop management skills. The West Ohio Agronomy Field Day slated for Tuesday, Aug. focuses on profitable soybean production. The 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. agenda showcases Purdue University’s Extension soybean specialist as well as six Ohio State University Extension personnel sharing their insight. The Darke County Farm at 5105 County Home Road in Greenville, Ohio is the location of the event.

The four morning breakout sessions take a hard hitting, to the point approach, lasting only 15 minutes each. Attendees should expect to learn about “Max Input Research and Principles of On-Farm Research” from Bruce Clevenger, ag educator and Certified Crop Advisor from Defiance County. Harold Watters holds the titles of Certified Professional Agronomist and CCA in addition to serving as Ag Agent for Champaign County. His presentation: “Agronomic Management of Soybeans.”

Morning presentations are wrapped up when Darke County’s Justin Petrosino tackles “Weed Management in Soybeans,” while Dr. Ed Lentz, CCA from Seneca County deals out the secrets of “Soybean Fertility.”

Following several commercial presentations and a sponsored lunch, attendees will enjoy three 45-minute presentations from three well-known state specialists. Leading off is Dr. Anne Dorrance, OSU Extension soybean pathologist, with “Soybean Challenges for 2011: The Expected and the Unexpected.” Dr. Andy Michel, OSU Extension entomologist, points to “Insect Threats to Soybean Production.”

Purdue’s Dr. Shaun Casteel ties everything together discussing, “Improving Soybean Yields Profitably.”

Recertification credits available include 1.5 hours for private applicators and 1 hour for commercial applicators, as well as 2.5 hours of CCA CEU’s.
Check out the complete registration information at http://darke.osu.edu or call 937-548-5215.

The Ohio Department of Agriculture has announced times for 2011 Farm Pesticide Disposal Collection program, which allows farmers to dispose of unwanted pesticides properly at no charge to them. This annual program shifts around the state from year-to-year; this year’s efforts will be most convenient to agricultural producers in the southwest, west central and southeast areas of Ohio, specifically located in Brown, Shelby and Perry counties respectively.
The pesticide collection and disposal service is free of charge, but only farm chemicals will be accepted. Paint, antifreeze, solvents, and household or non-farm pesticides will not be accepted. All farm chemicals must be pre-registered.
The first collection is on Aug. 2 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Eastern Brown School Grounds (Brown County), U.S. 62 south of the Appalachian Highway, Sardinia, Ohio.

West Central Ohio farmers are encouraged to participate on Aug. 9 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Shelby County Fairgrounds, 655 S. Highland Avenue (exit 90 off of I-75), Sidney, Ohio 45365.

Finally, the last opportunity will be on Aug. 23 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Perry Feed and Coal, 4204 Main Street, Perry, Ohio 44081.

To pre-register, or for more information, contact the Ohio Department of Agriculture at 614-728-6987.

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