Ohio farmers get answers to top concerns at Farm Science Review

LONDON, Ohio — Ohio farmers facing a challenging 2024 growing season will have the opportunity to get their pressing questions answered at this year’s Farm Science Review, presented by The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES).  Whether it’s dealing with weather extremes, understanding the impact of artificial intelligence on agriculture, or creating strategies for lean times ahead, the event looks to address the top concerns of the farming and agricultural community.

Faculty and staff from CFAES will tackle these issues and more during the 62nd annual farm show, which takes place Sept. 17-19 at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center in London, Ohio.

“The 2024 growing season has been particularly stressful for Ohio growers and producers due to deflating grain commodity prices, weather extremes, and geopolitical issues,” said Bruce Clevenger, CFAES associate professor and Ohio State University Extension field specialist in farm management. “Despite these challenges, farmers are working hard to maintain and grow their profits.”

OSU Extension is the statewide outreach arm of CFAES.

The FSR “Ask the Expert” workshops will feature discussions aimed at helping farmers mitigate these challenges and other issues at the forefront of their minds as they head into the autumn harvest season, Clevenger said.

“Our experts will share science-based recommendations and solutions to the issues growers are facing regarding weather impacts, narrowing profit margins, market shifts, and many others,” he said. “We encourage farmers, growers, and people in the ag industry to attend these quick-hitting sessions that refresh at the top and bottom of every hour from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.

“Attendees can speak one-on-one with experts in farm management to ask questions specific to their needs.”

New this year, programming will be offered for students, with sessions on livestock and carcass evaluation, soil health and worms, diagnosing field crop issues, as well as information on animal care, veterinary, and Extension careers.

“We’re focusing on students this year to inspire the next generation of agricultural professionals with student spotlights sessions from 10 to 11 a.m. daily,” said Josh Winters, the OSU Extension educator in Jackson County. “It’s crucial to provide them with hands-on learning opportunities and insights into potential career paths.”

Some other Ask the Expert topics will include:

• Grain market outlook: insights from a cloudy crystal ball
• Saving taxes at retirement
• How are Ohio farms doing financially?
• Quicken vs. QuickBooks for farm accounting
• Farm labor: Am I hiring an employee or an independent contractor?
• Pastures for profit
• Outlook on inputs and farmland: a view from the farm gate
• Fertilizer prices in 2024: comparisons across Ohio
• I want sheep or goats: Will I be the one fainting?
• Farming full time without adding acres
• Today’s Women in Ag: farm managers and operator/owners
• Can I avoid corn ear mold with hybrids?

Ask the Expert sessions are held each day of the show across from the Firebaugh Building at 426 Friday Ave.

Hours for FSR are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 17-18 and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 19. Tickets are $10 online, at county offices of OSU Extension, and at participating agribusinesses, and $15 at the gate. Children ages 5 and under are admitted free.

For more information, visit fsr.osu.edu.