Harvest finally ratcheted up to full speed late last week in western Ohio as soils dried from one of the wettest Septembers in memory. What appeared to be less than a week’s window of opportunity, forced farmers to prioritize fields to combine, chop, sow wheat, plant cover crops, spread manure or till. Yes, we did see some mud on the roadways, but from my perspective, a minimal amount.

A recent frost, warmer summer like temperatures and breezy conditions helped with the drying process, but not as rapidly as most would like. Dairy and beef producers are forced to traffic fields first, to chop silage before too much moisture exited stalks, ears and leaves. Consequently, field choppers, tractors, loaded silage wagons and trailers often track across fields no one would even think to enter to till. Of course, resulting compaction may then require some type of tillage as an attempt to reduce the negative impact on following crops. 

Much of the soybean acreage also endured compaction from grain laden combines as they gathered in the crop. As the week wore on, less physical evidence of wet soils was observed. A greenish carpet of radishes, cereal rye and other cover crop species was evident in a few fields, where the seed was broad cast prior to soybean leaf drop.

Many of the harvested soybean and some of the corn silage acres were quickly drilled to wheat for next year’s harvest. Poultry litter that had been stockpiled was spread, as were other animal manures on fields planted to wheat and seeded to cover crops. 

Little corn was shelled, as farmers, plenty busy with other field activities, hoped the sun and wind would take moisture points from standing fields. However, some fields showing signs of lodging were harvested.

In last week’s Ohio Farm News, an overall summary of the new Ohio Livestock Care Standards was reviewed. Over the next several weeks, expect to see additional details relative to those guidelines in this column.

General care standards for all livestock species are the responsibility of the person who owns or has responsibility for animals in their operation. Following is an overview of those standards.

•Animals must receive a sufficient quantity and quality of feed and water on a regular basis.

•Livestock handling equipment and devices must be designed and maintained in order to minimize bruising and injury and must be used humanely.

•When restraint is required, it must be minimal in degree and duration, and must minimize the potential for injury.

•Livestock cannot maliciously or recklessly be thrown, dropped or dragged.

Now any successful livestock farmer, reading the standards as described previously, would agree that those are just common sense. However, most of us can recall online videos and news stories where apparently a very small number of livestock managers were not following good animal husbandry guidelines. Animal rights groups and sympathizers highlighted those few who did not follow proper animal care practices, essentially charging all of agriculture with accepting, if not encouraging such behavior.

Point number 1. Profitable livestock producers justifiably scratch their heads wondering who in their right mind would not regularly provide animals adequate quantities of high quality feed and water. Any farmer who has prospered raising animals would be angered by individuals who knowingly hurt animals described in points 2, 3 and 4.

As the officials from the Ohio Department of Agriculture noted, establishment of the Livestock Care Standards, was required by a voted upon constitutional mandate. ODA staff recognizes that the vast majority of dairy, beef, swine and poultry managers see appropriate animal care as essential to their profitability. Let’s continue to practice good animal husbandry, while communicating such to the general public.

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.