Workshop Focuses on Benefits of Understanding Soil Test Results, Crop Needs

Writer(s): 

FORT LORAMIE, Ohio – Growers who have a clear understanding of what nutrients are already in their soil and what nutrients are missing are more likely to produce higher yields while saving money, according to agronomists with Ohio State University’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental.

Reading soil test results and understanding the meaning of those results is just one of several topics that will be discussed during the West Ohio Agronomy Day Jan. 13, 2014, offered by Ohio State University Extension and Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center researchers, educators and agronomists, said Debbie Brown, an OSU Extension Educator.

OSU Extension and OARDC are the outreach and research arms, respectively, of the college.

Open to growers statewide, the program is designed to help growers produce higher yields while maintaining a strong financial bottom line, Brown said.

“Nutrient use is the focus of the program this year, with an emphasis on knowing the right amount of nutrients to apply,” she said. “Our goal is to help growers maximize their yields while also watching the bottom line by being judicious about how much nutrients they need to apply and how to apply it.

“Yes, we want growers to get good yields, but we don’t want them to waste money by applying too much fertilizer in areas where it’s not needed. By knowing what their soil tests say, they can determine what is needed where to improve their yield potentials.”

Some of the topics participants will learn about in the courses include:

  • Correct rate of pesticides mixed in the tank 
  • Soybean yield-limiting factors in west central Ohio
  • Insect management in field crops
  • New recommendations for nutrient application
  • Cover crops
  • Resistant weed management
  • Fumigation
  • Manure management and fly control
  • Introduction to precision agriculture

The program will also feature a grain market update and will offer programs for farmers looking for Private Pesticide Applicator Recertification Credits, as well as programs that offer Continuing Education Units for Certified Crop Advisers, Brown said.

Participants can attend a morning or evening session of the workshop. The morning session runs from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and the evening session runs from 5:30 to 9:45 p.m. A light breakfast and lunch will be served during the daytime session and a light dinner will be served during the evening session. The workshop will be held at St. Michael’s Hall, 33 Elm St., in Fort Loramie.

Registration is $10 by Jan. 3, 2014, and $15 after that date. For those needing Private Pesticide Recertification Credits, the cost is $35; pre-registration materials can be found at http://www.pested.osu.edu. More information about the program is available by contacting Brown at 937-498-7239 or brown.1522@osu.edu

Writer(s): 
Tracy Turner
614-688-1067
For more information, contact: 

Deborah Brown
937-498-7239
brown.1522@osu.edu