|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| No-till event offers best management strategies |
|
|
|
A couple of weeks ago, I commented on the abundance of fall tillage observed throughout western Ohio this year. Except for those fields destined for installation of drainage tile or to receive manure or other fertilized needing incorporation, it is likely that most of those remaining fields will be no-tilled in 2011.
The Dec. 7 Ohio No-Till Conference provides an excellent opportunity to acquire ideas on how to best manage cropping strategies for high residue situations. Located at the Der Dutchman Restaurant on State Route. 42 at the south edge of Plain City, the program provides ideas on cutting no-till costs, improving soil quality and growing profit margins.
Plan to be on hand well before the 9 a.m. welcome by David Brandt, president of the Ohio No-Till Council. Plenty of coffee, juice and breakfast pastries will be available to energize farmer discussions with commercial exhibitors on hand.
“Managing Vomitoxin in No-Till” is the 9:05 kickoff topic presented by Dr. Pierce Paul, Ohio State University Extension plant disease specialist. Many farmers have read about or heard of the next speaker, Ray Archuleta, nationally-recognized speaker from the Natural Resource Conservation Service. “Improving Soil Function Through Crop Diversity” is a title that allows Archuleta to draw from his years of experience with no-tilled soils.
A team of speakers from across Ohio tackle the next area, “Cover Crops: OSU Research and On-Farm Results.” Included are Extension’s Alan Sundermeier from Wood County; OSU Soil Scientist Rafiq Islam from Piketon, David Brandt from Fairfield County, Brother Nick Renner from Mercer County and Jackson County’s Aaron Lemaster. This crew will delve into a ‘salad mixture’ of plants designed to loosen and fertilize the soil, while suppressing weeds and protecting fields from wind and water induced erosion.
Following a family-styled feast for lunch and annual no-till awards presentations, Putnam County’s Ag Educator Glen Arnold digs into, “Utilizing Manure in Minimum-Till Situations.” Ohio State Ag Engineer Randall Reeder then provides his perspective on, “Tillage after Corn, Beneficial or a Waste?” At 3 p.m., Bill Lehmkuhl from Precision Agri-Services advises everyone to “Invest in Your Planter, Not Tillage.”
Register before Dec. 2 and save $5. Send a check (payable to Ohio No-Till Council) to Mark Wilson, Land Stewards, 1122 Somerlot Hoffman Road East, Marion, Ohio, 43302.
On the livestock side, the Nov. 30 Animal Welfare Symposium at Ohio State University in Columbus brings together some well-known folks on an always timely issue. The 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. program takes place in the Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center. Register by Nov. 22. Call Dr. Candace Croney at 614-292-0974. |
| 11/17/2010 |
|
|
|
|
