By VICKI JOHNSON
Ohio Correspondent

DUNKIRK, Ohio — Cover crops, manure management and drainage systems will be key subjects at the Ohio No-Till Field Day 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 14, at the Chris Rodabaugh Farm in Hardin County, near Dunkirk.

The program also includes planter/drill adjustment, RTK auto-steering and a look below the surface in a pair of soil pits.
Morning speakers include Dan Towery, Ag Conservation Solutions; Norman Fausey, USDA Agricultural Research Service; Mark Scarpitti, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) state agronomist; and Jim Hoorman, Jon Rausch and Alan Sundermeier, all of Ohio State University extension.

Afternoon presenters include no-till farmers David Brandt and Bob Featheringill; NRCS soil scientists Rick Griffin and George Derringer; Tim Norris of Ag Info Tech; Bill Lehmkuhl of Precision Ag Services; and Mark Fritz, Soil and Water Conservation District manure management program.

Afternoon sessions provide hands-on opportunities in small groups for 25-minute discussions. Topics include drainage control structures with Fausey, planter and drill adjustment with Featheringill and Lehmkuhl, cover crop evaluation with Brandt and manure application with Rausch and Fritz).

Other sessions are strip-till, auto-steering and RTK networks with Norris, and soil pits with Griffin and Derringer. Machinery demonstrations follow the afternoon sessions.

The Rodabaugh farm is at 1361 SR 125 near Dunkirk. Participants who arrive early may have doughnuts and coffee; lunch and cold drinks are also provided. A free program on herbs and crafts is available for spouses.

Registration is $20 if mailed by Aug. 4. Send a check payable to Ohio No-Till Council to Mark Wilson, Land Stewards, 1122 Somerlot Hoffman Rd. East, Marion, OH 43302. Registration on-site is $25.