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 IN THIS ISSUE...  January  2003

Regulating Update for Livestock Producers
Now that the New Year is upon us, here's a brief glimpse into the crystal ball of forthcoming regulations that livestock, dairy, and poultry producers will or may have to contend with this year.

General storm water construction permits. Previously, this permit was required if you disturbed five or more acres when constructing a livestock, dairy, or poultry production facility. Effective March 1, 2003, you will need such a permit if you disturb one or more acres. Permit applications are filed with and granted by the Ohio EPA.

Manure applications. Typically, run-off from manure applied to farm fields was considered a source of non-point source pollution. However, if as a result of a manure application there is a discharge via field tiles or other drainage structures into a ditch, etc., in most situations this will be classified by regulatory enforcement agencies as a discharge beginning this year. Therefore, livestock and dairy producers, regardless of the size of their operation but especially those who utilize liquid manure systems, should follow a management plan that includes measures that prevent this from occurring unless they want to be subjected to the regulatory scrutiny of an National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit.

To effectively manage manure applications, livestock producers are encouraged to visit with their local SWCD and/or USDA-NRCS office for information, recommendations, and technical guidance. Also, producers should review their current manure nutrient management plan and ensure that best management practices related to this area are included in it. If not, consultation with you local SWCD and/or USDA-NRCS for technical guidance and information is definitely warranted. If you don't have a manure nutrient management plan, make it your number one priority to work with your local SWCD, USDA-NRCS, and/or private consultant to develop one.

New US EPA rules – about two weeks ago, the US EPA released its new rules and regulations regarding Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs), Animal Feeding Operations (AFOs) and permit compliance. As of press time, we were still sorting through these new regulations.

In anticipation of these new rules, the Ohio Livestock Coalition (OLC) has set up a meeting in cooperation with the Ohio Department of Agriculture's (ODA) Livestock Environmental Permitting Program (LEPP) to explain, review, and discuss these new rules, which should go into effect about the middle of this month. This meeting will feature Steve Jann, director of the US EPA's region V office that is headquartered in Chicago. Mr Jann will discuss the new rules and answer any questions that you may have.

Livestock, dairy, and poultry producers are invited and encouraged to attend this meeting at 7:00 p.m., on January 21, 2003 at Fisher Auditorium, OARDC, Wooster.

-Source - Ohio Livestock Coalition

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2002 Ohio Corn Performance Test Results Available
Results of the 2002 Ohio Corn Performance Test are available on-line at http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/corn2002/. Since assessment of hybrid performance is enhanced by using a number of test sites, farmers along Ohio's border with neighboring states may also want to consider checking results of the Purdue, Kentucky, Michigan State, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia Corn Test results. An on-line version of the 2002 Indiana corn test results is available at http://www.agry.purdue,edu/ext/variety.htm. 
Growers interested in results of corn hybrid silage trails should consult the Michigan State University and Pennsylvania corn hybrid tests that include silage yields. The North Central Crop Evaluation Committee web site http://www.ksu.edu/kscpt/nccec/ provides links to corn hybrid test results from state universities across the Corn Belt.

2002 Ohio Soybean Performance Data Available
The 2002 Ohio Soybean Performance Trails are now available on-line at http://www.ag.ohio-state.edu/~perf/. Overall relative maturity had little effect on yield. There was little vegetative growth in Cental Ohio and plants were very small regardless of maturity, but later-maturing varieties were larger than early varieties. The size difference accounts for the increased yield of later maturing varieties. Due to wet weather, the southern Ohio tests were planted in early June. Here again, there was a small yield increase associated with later maturity and the associated larger plant size.

Typically, there is little difference in grain yield due to a relative maturity when the crop is planted in early May using narrow rows. Previous data indicate that varieties in the 3.0 to 3.5 relative maturity range yield about one bushel more than the early group II and early group IV varieties.

Later maturing varieties were slightly taller than earlier varieties. Relative maturity had little effect on seed size or the oil and protein content of grain. Since yield and other characteristics are not associated with relative maturity, a wide range of maturities should be used to lengthen the growing season so higher quality grain can be harvested with less harvest season stress for the producer.

Table 1: Effect of Soybean Relative Maturity on Grain Yield in Northern, Central, and Southern Ohio, 2002.

                    Relative Maturity       Relative Maturity     Relative Maturity
Test Region*       2.7 - 3.1                       3.2 - 3.7                     3.8 - 4.3
North                  55.1 (58)**                    53.5 (54)                    53.6 (24)
Central                37.9 (26)                     41.8 (58)                    45.4 (49)
South                   56.8 (4)                      57.3 (30)                    58.7 (49)

*All yields are the mean of two test sites
**Number in ( ) indicates number of varieties in the group.

Table 2: Effect of Soybean Relative Maturity on Plant Height and Grain Characteristics, in the Southern Test Region, 2002.

                      Relative Maturity    Relative Maturity  Relative Maturity
Characteristic       2.7 - 3.1 (4)*            3.2 - 3.7 (29)             3.8 - 4.3 (49)
Plant Ht. (In.)             30.2                        33.2                          35.2
Seeds/Pound            2582                       2818                          2791
% Protein                  41.5                        42.1                          41.7
% Oil                         21.5                        20.9                          21.2

*Number in ( ) indicates number of varieties in the group.

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Pesticide Applicator Recertification Opportunities
If you need to obtain recertification credits before March 31, 2003 to renew your private applicator's license, several opportunities exist locally:

Full three hour recertification sessions:

--- Wednesday, January 29, 7-10 p.m., Carrollton High School, Carrollton (all categories)

--- Wednesday, February 26, 7-10 p.m., Jefferson JVS, Wintersville (all categories)

--- Thursday, March 20, 1-4 p.m., Scio Fire Hall, Scio (all categories)

Additional recertification opportunities:

--- Agronomy Day, February 12, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church Hall, Carrollton (one hour credit in categories 1 or 2)

If you need to add a new category to your pesticide license or re-take the test for any reason, there will be a pesticide testing session on Wednesday, March 19, 2003 from 3:00 to 
4:30 p.m. Contact your local Extension office to purchase the study materials for the test.

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Wildlife Management Conference for Private Landowners
The Eastern Ohio Wildlife Management Conference for the Private Landowner is scheduled for Saturday, January 18, 2003 from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. at Buckeye Career Center in New Philadelphia. A registration brochure for this conference is attached with this newsletter.

Ohio Christmas Tree Association Winter Meeting
The Winter Meeting of The Ohio Christmas Tree Association will be held in conjunction with The Ohio Fruit, Vegetable, and Speciality Crop Growers Congress January 15 - 17, 2003 at the Sea Gate Convention Centre in Toledo. Christmas tree growers will have expanded opportunities for professional development at the congress, and will also be able to visit one of the largest trade shows for speciality crop producers in the US at the Congress. Contact the Carroll County Extension Office for a complete schedule of Christmas tree programs at the Congress, and a registration form.

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Professional Pork Producers Symposium Scheduled
A day long symposium for professional pork producers is scheduled for Thursday, February 6, 2003 from 8:30 a.m. - 2:15 p.m. in conjunction 
with the Ohio Pork Congress in Dayton, February 6 & 7. The symposium agenda and registration form ($40 registration due by February 1) is available from your local Extension office, as are registration forms for free admittance to the Ohio Pork Congress.

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Where do you think the most financially productive farmland is located in the US? Perhaps in California, Texas, or Florida with their year-round production of high value crops? (legal crops!). Or perhaps in Iowa with their six feet of top soil? Nope, the most productive farmland in the US grossed $123,000 per acre per year and is located in New York City! The second most financially productive farmland is in the City of San Francisco, CA!

How can that be, you ask? Metropolitan farming as it is called is big business. Urban, upscale consumers will pay big money for what they want, where they want it. Agritourism is also big business. Consumers will also pay money to visit farms and other agricultural operations, to purchase what they want (fruits, vegetables, trees, plants, etc.), and also to sightsee. It's called "selling the sizzle".

With growing populations in our area, a well as millions of consumers within a two or three hour drive of our area, there is simply no reason why agritourism can't be expanded in our counties. The Carroll County Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) is interested in facilitating the expansion of agritourism in our area. The CVB would like to sponsor bus tours to our area, where visitors might stop at your farm to see how cows are milked, or what llamas look like, or to cut a fresh Christmas tree.

If this sounds intriguing to you, plan on attending the informational meeting on agritourism scheduled for January 21, 2003, 7:30 p.m. at Carrollton High School.
 

Sincerely,
 

Mike Hogan Extension Agent Agriculture & Natural Resources  Community Development

Ken Simeral Extension Agent Agriculture & Natural Resources Community Development

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Trade names are supplied with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by Ohio State University is implied.

All educational programs conducted by Ohio State University Extension are available to clientele on a non-discriminatory basis without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, gender, age, disability or Vietnam-era veteran status.

OSU Extension will provide accommodations to handicapped persons needing assistance to participate in Extension programs. If you require some type of assistance/accommodations to attend programs, utilize written materials or visit the Carroll, Harrison, or Jefferson County Extension Offices, please contact that office or TTD#1-800-589-8292.

Visit Ohio State University Extension’s WWW site “Ohioline” at: hhtp:/www.ag.ohio-state.edu/~ohioline/
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Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Keith L. Smith, Director, Ohio State University Extension.
TDD # 1 (800) 589-8292 (Ohio only) or (614) 292-1868