2007 is a year that Butler County, Ohio farmers will want to forget as soon as possible. Isn’t it interesting these are the years we remember because of the economic heartache. 2002, 1988, 1983, 1970 and 1965 were all years of reduced yields in this county.

It really doesn’t matter much if beans are in the teens and corn is over $4 if you don’t have anything to sell. It does matter to livestock producers when they are needing to buy feed supply. When we are feeding corn stalks and baled weeds we may have problems we have not ever thought to check.

A dairy farmer here in Butler County has problems with mycotoxins in his feed. We have all heard of mycotoxins in drought damaged grain, but few would think to test hay or silage for mycotoxin.
Mycotoxins can be a problem for beef, sheep, lamb, horse and other livestock producers as well. In a November Beef Team Newsletter, an Iowa State news release warned moldy cornstalks should be tested for toxins before using them for feed. Beth Doran, ISU Extension beef specialist said if you don’t see mold, you probably don’t have a problem, but …

Cattle are more tolerant than other animals like horses. If you question a feed, it’s better to have it tested.

2007 was also the year that Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) was found in cattle in Ohio. EHD virus does not cause clinical symptoms in sheep but it was found in a small flock this year.
Mycotoxins and EHD will be the topics of discussion at this year’s Dairy Service Unit Annual Meeting. Dr. Maurice Eastridge, OSU Dairy Extension specialist, will present information on mycotoxins. Dr. Robert Carey, Ohio Department of Agriculture state veterinarian, will update us on livestock health concerns, including a presentation on EHD.

The Dairy Service Board would like to invite livestock producers to this luncheon meeting which will be on Wednesday, Jan. 16, beginning at 12:30 p.m., at St. Aloysius Church on Chapel Road in Morgan Township in Shandon, Ohio.

The activities begin with a beef dinner prepared by the ladies of the church, at a cost of only $5. Central Ohio Breeders Assoc. and Select Sires, will pick up the rest of the expense of the meal, just as they have for the past 30 years.

Make your reservation by calling 513-887-3722 or 513-424-5351, Ext. 3722 by Jan. 10.

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 Steve Bartels may write to him in care of this publication.