Hops Pre-Harvest Field Night Set for July 27

PIKETON, Ohio – If you raise hops, pre-harvest can be a make-or-break time. Learn everything you need to know about the next steps that need to happen at the Ohio State University South Centers Hops Pre-Harvest Field Night on July 27.

The field day will take place from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at OSU South Centers Research Building Auditorium, 1864 Shyville Road in Piketon.

Brad Bergefurd, a horticulturist with OSU South Centers, will be hosting the field day, which is being sponsored by Ohio State University Extension and the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center. OSU Extension and OARDC are the outreach and research arms, respectively, of Ohio State’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences.

Due to Ohio’s growing craftbrewing industry and increased interest in buying local, Bergefurd has developed a research and education program for hops that focuses on production and marketing. The goal is to develop sustainable hop production practices for growing conditions in Ohio, he said.

“A lot of people are growing hops for Ohio’s brewing industry, and hop farmers need to know what to look for as they get close to harvest. We will also review everything the farmer needs to know about preparing for the harvest,” said Bergefurd.

Topics at the field day will include:

• Viewing of the Hops Harvester Machine.
• Galvanized Trellis System.
• Hop Mechanical Harvesting Demonstration.
• Drying Demonstration.
• Insect and Disease Scouting and Management.
• Nutrient Management and Fertigation Demonstration.
• Petiole Sap Analysis Demonstration.
• Drip Irrigation Management.

“These are the topics folks need to be aware of as we reach the pre-harvest time for hops. We don’t want pests to ruin the hops so close to harvest,” Bergefurd said.

“The nutrient program will also need to be adjusted, and it’s important to keep crops well irrigated up through harvest,” he said. "Farmers need to know proper harvesting and processing techniques.”

“There is a lot to know and be aware of.”

The field day is $25 per person and $40 for a family of up to three. Preregistration is required. To register, contact Charissa Gardner at gardner.1148@osu.edu or 740-289-2071, ext. 132. The deadline to register is July 25. Dinner is included with the registration fee.

For more information, go to southcenters.osu.edu/horticulture/events.