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exotic pets, black markets and new laws

98 cases of

Heaven

What is USDA certification?

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what’s inside this month

Certification standards establish the requirements that organic production and handling operations must meet to become accredited by USDAaccredited certifying agents.

The information that an applicant must submit to the certifying agent includes the applicant’s organic system plan.

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Some even go as far as to say it’s the worst drought in Darke County since 1956.

According to figures from the Greenville Water Treatment plant, Greenville is 12.86 inches behind their April-July rainfall from last year; There were 18.94 inches of rainfall April to July 2011, and there have only been 6.08 inches April to July, 17, 2011, which is the most critical time for corn crops.

“This year, in my opinion, is bad, but we have to stay positive,” said Matt Aultman of Keller Grain and Feed.

“We now have varieties that are designed to handle dryer conditions, and we also have no-till to help retain moisture in the soils. This year will have reduced yields, and will inevitably have an economic impact on the community.

We as a community made it through the 1988 and 1956 droughts, and we will make it through this one.”

Craig “Biggin” Schlechty of Schlechty Family Farms outside of Greenville shared that the typical yield for their corn crop is approximately 150-180 bushels per acre, and on a really good year, they can yield almost 200 bushels of corn per acre, but with this year’s drought, he said they’ll be lucky if they yield 44 bushels per acre.

The corn, Schlechty shared, is only about half as tall as it should be; coming in around three or four feet high, rather than six to eight feet; this is greatly hurting the yield potential. He did share that the bean crop might be salvageable, if Darke County continues to receive rain.

“We’re going to have something, but I don’t know how much,” said Paul Morrison of New Madison, who runs a small family farm of about 350 acres. “I remember in ‘88 we had about 30 bushels of corn and 5 bushels

same. So when Peterman stuck his hand in to grab the bowl, and the viper was within striking range, his fire was permanently extinguished.

The viper’s fangs pierced Peterman’s hand, releasing its venom into his radial artery (in the webbing between the thumb and index finger), and it coursed through his bloodstream, directly to his heart — a rare occurrence, as people who are invenomated are usually done so into a muscle, where the venom slowly leaks into the body.

Anti-venom for the Central African rhino viper is extremely hard to locate. In this particular case, an antivenom in the United States couldn’t be found. In fact, at that time, you would have had to go all the way to Africa or India to find it.

Peterman’s wife rushed him to University Hospital in Cincinnati on that Sunday night. He died on Monday afternoon.

This is the way things go in the world of exotic animals. Or, more accurately, this is the way things go in the world of exotic pets.

Kord McGuire knows that.

That’s why he started Heaven’s Corner Zoo in West Alexandria, which he owns and operates with his wife, Pat, and sons, Wes and Justin. But he doesn’t know that because he started Heaven’s Corner. He knows

he could about them. After all, there was no way he was just going to get rid of his mountain lion. For all he knew, the cat would have been euthanized. His connections led to several people calling him for information on exotic animals, the ins and outs and dos and don’ts of trying to raise them as domesticated pets. As it turns out, there are very little tricks of the trade, very little ins and outs, very little dos, and a hell of a lot of don’ts.

It wasn’t long after this that McGuire took in a tiger.

“It was out of necessity,” he says. “The owner couldn’t handle him anymore, and I don’t know why I thought I could, but I did.”

One out of every seven tigers is a man-eater. They’ll hunt and kill human beings.

To one out of every seven tigers, we’re just another meal. The tiger McGuire took in? Yep, man-eater. “He wouldn’t eat, he wouldn’t breed, he just wanted to kill everything,” he says.

Heaven’s Corner wasn’t intended to be what it eventually became.

After McGuire took in his first tiger, more exotic animals followed. What started out as an ambitious venture of owning and raising a mountain lion turned into a personal endeavor to rescue wild animals and save them from execution.

When McGuire started

that because he, too, was a naive, ignorant, wannabe exotic pet owner at one time.

“I was born into this lifestyle,” McGuire says, rocking back and forth in an antique-looking rocking chair in his dining room.

“When I was four or five years old I had Nile crocs, alligators, hawks, coons, owls, everything. It just escalated from there.”

McGuire enlisted in the army in 1973. He was out three years later, at which point he made his first foray into exotic pet ownership. “I got a mountain lion for a pet after I got out of the army,” he says. “I picked it up at the airport, brought it home, set it on that table.” He points at the round dining table I’m sitting at. “I took the lid off the cage, he looked up at me, hissed at me, screamed at me, and I thought, ‘Aw buddy.’”

As the weeks went on, McGuire’s mountain lion — more popularly known as a cougar — became more aggressive. “He was getting rough. I started getting bit.

He buried his teeth in my chest a couple times,” he says, touching his right breast. “So he ended up out in a cage. That’s when I realized these were not meant to be pets.”

In the meantime, McGuire had been talking with other owners of wildcats. He wanted to learn as much as

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Heaven’s Corner in 1990, it was strictly an animal sanctuary. The zoo part of it didn’t happen until 1999, because many people were stopping by asking to see the animals.

While public demand grew, so did another kind of demand — financial. Housing exotic animals is not for anyone who can’t afford it.

Some animals McGuire has taken in have been because private owners haven’t been able to afford to care for them; others because larger zoos and sanctuaries have closed up.

It’s an expensive financial endeavor, taking in these animals, housing them, feeding them day after day. The zoo helps offset some of the cost.

McGuire tells me at one point during our conversation he just paid off $200 of a $1,000-plus bill for meat he had recently purchased.

Heaven’s Corner operates in the red, according to McGuire. The cost of caring for these animals comes from admission to the zoo, donations from businesses and private individuals, and from the pockets of the McGuire family.

“That’s really the only reason we opened it up to the public,” McGuire says. “People were stopping by, wanting to see the animals, but the cost of running this place on a daily basis is expensive. We don’t make any money here.

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Everything we make goes right back into things like food.

“We opened this up to the public to help finance and take in all these animals. It’s expensive, too expensive.

Before, it was just me taking in these animals, paying for everything out of my pocket.

The admissions and donations help some now, but we’re still not making enough money to support ourselves.

“I turn down animals constantly, all the time. A lot of them get euthanized. It pains me as an animal lover. It’s not the animal’s fault, but you can’t take them all in.

Sometimes you just can’t take them in because you don’t have the space or the finances.”

Countless individuals start out doing what McGuire did.

They buy an animal off the black market and expect to raise it like a domesticated dog or cat. What they don’t realize — what some of them can’t realize for whatever reason — is that while some of these animals can be calm and social at times, they’re still wild by nature.

“These aren’t pets at all.

These animals will kill you.

They’ll be your best friend one second; the next second they’ll kill you and go over and lay down and act like it’s nothing to them, because it’s not. That’s what they do,”

of beans per acre. I think it will be better than that, but I don’t know how much. There are going to be many areas of the county that just don’t yield anything, though.”

The Morrison farm planted approximately two weeks earlier than they typically do this year, helping the potential of their crop by giving it an early start, before the worst part of the drought set in.

“You drive past corn fields, and see them drying up,” said John Keller, who retired from Keller Feeds several years ago. “It’s way too early for that to be happening. The ear development is very poor; it’s very critical, since we need corn in this county to support our livestock.”

Keller shared that a good part of the corn yield in the northern parts of Darke County will go into silage for roughage to feed livestock.

Keller said his guess would be that the corn crop is about half lost at this point, though it could get worse if Darke County doesn’t see some more rain.

“The soybean crop has a chance to recover, if we start receiving good rain,” said Keller.

The rainfall for this year, compared to last year, is approximately nine inches short of where it should be, according to Meteorologist Andrew Michael.

“This year has been one of the driest years in recent history,” Michael said in an email to the Daily Advocate.

“This year is very like 1988 which many of the farmers in Darke County will remember was nothing short of a depressing disaster.”

He shared that the weather pattern over the next several months doesn’t look to change, and Darke County and the rest of Ohio will continue to have below normal rainfall.

see HEAVEN pg. 4

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5 Heat stress and Hydration of Livestock

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Indiana fields hit

“I heard that some farmers in Indiana have already cut their losses and mowed down their fields,” Michael shared.

“This will ultimately lead to higher costs at the grocery for everyone across America.

The Miami Valley is not alone, the entire country is at normal or below-normal for rainfall.”

Darke County Commissioner Mike Rhoades shared he would be lucky if his corn yielded 10 bushels to the acre. He said he’d heard that some farmers around the county were hoping for 5565 bushels per acre, but with the lack of rain, that number has dropped even lower, with many thinking they’ll be lucky to get 40 bushels to the acre.

“This drought is widerspread and worse than 1988’s drought,” said Rhoades. “I had about 500 acres of beans out in 1988, and contracted 15 bushes to the acre, and couldn’t meet

recap

medical epidemiologist, the virus doesn’t spread easily from human to human, but appears to be more easily spread from pigs to humans than other swine flu variants.

There have been 276 cases of the swine flu since July across the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Health.

Approximately 85 percent of Ohio hogs are carriers of this flu-like virus, said Daniels.

Most of the cases in humans have been in people six months old to 51 years old, according to the U.S. Department of Health. In Ohio, Butler County has had 17 cases, Champaign County has had 15 cases, and Gallia County has had 11 cases. In the several cases which have required hospitalization, the patients were

Kyle Burton is pictured during one portion of his winning Showman of Showmen performance.

(Jesse Witt photo)

HARD Heather Norton afritz@dailyadvocate.com

WAYNE COUNTY, Ind. In early April, the soil was warm, the sun was shining, and hopes were high. Four months later, crop producers in western Ohio and eastern Indiana had a heavy, hot layer of dust weighing down expectations for this growing season.

“There was such optimism with the early planting dates and good emergence that the drought has really been a disappointment for the producers,” said Dan Kirtley, Purdue Extension Service Director for Randolph County. “It seems to me that as of today we are seeing worse damage to the crops than in past drought years.”

Even if consistent rains come, the April through July totals have made it a drought year in the region and throughout most of the Midwest. In mid-July, all 92 counties in Indiana

my contract because of that drought.”

The drought, said Rhoades, will affect everyone, from farmers to consumers.

“I don’t think people in general know how much corn gets used in the food chain,” shared Rhoades. “Anything with a corn product in it is going to go up.

Farmers are lowering their number of cattle, so beef and its by-products are going to go up. Hogs are hurting, so pork products will go up, as well. It’s going to get everyone, I just don’t know how soon it will be.”

were “officially” declared in some degree of drought, according to the US Drought Monitor. Wayne and Randolph counties were in Level D2 - severe drought.

There are 5 levels from D0 (abnormally dry) to D4 (ex-

see DROUGHT pg. 4

ceptional).

According to Indiana State Climate office data, the 30year normal precipitation for June and July in Wayne County, Ind., is 9.08 inches.

For Randolph County, it’s 8.8 inches. This year, rain recorded for Farmland, Ind. in Randolph County from June 1 through July 17 was .99 inches. Wayne County was not much different. The ISC office reports that locations in Indiana range from three to thirteen inches below normal for precipitation for the year so far.

Randolph and Wayne County farmers’ crops aren’t outliers.

All across the Midwest rainfall totals are far below normal and the crops are burning up.

“It’s hurting everybody and the world needs a good crop,” said Jeff Jordan, who farms 2500 acres and produces pork with his family south of Richmond, Ind., and in western Preble County, Ohio. “I remember ‘88, and I think this year it’s more widespread, in more states.”

In Ohio, all counties have been declared in some level of drought. Darke and

Preble counties are in the western portion of the Ohio drought monitor map that indicates a more widespread, severe drought than other parts of Ohio.

Illinois and Iowa also had

Don’t call them organic...

Famers’ markets gaining popularity

treated a n d released.

According to Sam Custer, the Ohio State University extension educator for agricultural and natural resources in Darke County, there are important steps that those coming into contact with swine can do to reduce the impact of the current H3N2v virus outbreak.

People should be sure to wash their hands with soap and water before and after visiting animal barns, avoid eating or drinking around livestock, and avoid contact with animals and barn surfaces. Any time people come into contact with poultry or livestock, in any setting, these precautions should be used to minimize the risk of infection to humans, and to keep animals safe from

human illnesses, said Custer.

Active surveillance of swine is critical to guaranteeing the health of herds, particularly when highly infectious viruses such as H3N2 are known to be circulating. Producers should monitor their animals for disease symptoms and be careful as to who comes into contact with their swine, Custer stated.

Mo Saif, head of Ohio State’s Food Animal Health Research Program and a leading animal virologist,

Junior Fair

Showman of Showmen named at county fairs ed in the Showman of Showmen competition four other times, but had never won until this year.

“My dad started raising sheep when we moved out here 20 years ago, so it was kinda just natural for me to get into it,” said Burton.

All of the showmen had demonstrated skill in their respective fields, but a much more difficult element is put into play when you work with animals you never have before. Some of the showmen, including Burton, had shown other species, giving them an advantage over others. “This was my fourth time competing but my first time winning overall,” Burton said. “In previous years I’ve shown chickens, hogs and I’ve shown goats the last four years. I’ve got a little bit of experience working with a small variety of animals. Being in it a fourth time helps as well.”

Burton exemplified a well-rounded knowledge of all eight species but couldn’t think of any that stood out over the others. “I think I was strong in a lot of them, but when it comes to me doing well today a lot of it is because of the support from my family and friends,” said Burton.

For some of the competitors, this was the last year of their eligibility to compete, but several of them are just getting started in their showman involvement. As for Burton, this was his last year as a 4-H member and was happy to finish his experience on top as the Showman of Showmen.

Looking back over his time in 4-H, the only thing Burton had to say was “It’s been a great eleven years.”

Morgan McCullum represented the dairy showmen.

Morgan is a member of spic and span pots and pans 4-H club. She is the daughter of Mark and Stacey McCullum.

She attends Grahm High School and will be a senior.

Cody Shafer represented the beef showmen. Cody is a member of All-Star Livestock 4-H club. He is the son of Steve and Beth Shafer. Cody attends Ohio State University and will be a sophomore.

Aubrey Stevenson represented the swine showmen.

Aubrey is a member of the Preble County Livestock 4-H chapter. She is the daughter of Scott and Ami Stevenson.

Aubrey attends Eaton High School and will be a freshman.

In school she participates in volleyball, National Honors Society and basketball.

Stephen Garrett represented the goat showmen. Stephen is a member of Preble Lambs Unlimited 4-H Club. He is the son of Edward and Stephanie Garrett. Stephen is homeschooled and will be a freshman. Stephen also participates in speech and debate, and baseball.

Kyle Burton represented the sheep showmen. Kyle is a member of All-Star Livestock 4-H Club. He is the son of Bruce and Audrey Burton. Kyle attends Indiana Wesleyan

see BURTON pg. 5

has reminded the public that eating pork products is still safe.

H3N2v or any other virus cannot be contracted from eating meat. Those cooking

pork should still be sure to cook the pork to the proper temperature.

McDade chosen Ryan Carpe rcarpe@dailyadvocate.com

DARKE COUNTY – Each year at the Darke County Fair, nine winning showmen from each animal species compete in an all-day contest to determine the best “showman of showmen.”

The Junior Fair Showmen Contest on August 23 took its competitors out of their comfort zone and asked them to work with unfamiliar animals, making for an unpredictable and challenging event.

The contest covered nine different animal species, including beef and dairy cows, horses, sheep, goats, pigs, poultry, rabbits and even dogs.

The competitors ranged in ages from ten to 17 years old.

Each participant is selected for the grand showman contest after they’ve won a single species contest.

According to Darke County Junior Fair Coordinator Beth Martin, the Junior Fair Showmanship Contest is one of the fair’s most prestigious awards.

“It’s a big deal,” Martin said. “Whether they’re showing a poultry project or swine, they’ve got to know everything there is about each animal.”

And if a contestant wins the showmen contest they’re prohibited from entering again, making it a crowning achievement for each junior fair member.

In the five-hour contest, the showmen only took breaks during their own animal species

see MCDADE pg. 5 Olivia McDade won the 2012 Great Darke County Fair Junior Fair Showman Contest. (Ryan Carpe photo)

see INDIANA pg.4

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Burton chosen

By Jesse Witt jwitt@registerherald.com PREBLE COUNTY–Thursday night of fair, the annual Showman of Showmen competition was held. The field of eight demonstrated skill across the board, but in the end it was showman Kyle Burton who came out on top.

The eight contestants were selected from the eight species of market animals that are shown at the fair: dairy, beef, swine, goat, sheep, rabbit, chicken and horse. Each contestant was the best showmen for their species and competed for the title of Showman of Showmen by demonstrating their skill and knowledge of the other animals outside of their category.

Burton has been showing sheep since he was eight years old and has been a member a various 4-H clubs, currently part of the All-Star Livestock 4-H Club. Burton had compet-

what’s inside this month

Certification is the process by which the consumer is assured that a product marketed as “organic” is in compliance with production and handling requirements set forth in USDA regulations. All producers of organic food, live-

What is the National Organic Standards Board?

As part of its ongoing process for development of organic standards, the National Organic Program relies heavily on the work of its 15-member National Organic Standards Board (NOSB). The NOSB is appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture and is comprised of representatives from the following categories: f a r m e r / g r o w e r ; handler/processor; retailer; consumer/public interest; environmentalist; scientist; and certifying agent. Several standing committees exist on the NOSB, including a Livestock Committee, Materials Committee, Crops Committee, Policy Development Committee, Handling Committee, and Certification/Accreditation/C ompliance Committee.

NOSB committees typically meet on a quarterly basis to review petitions and consider proposed changes in organic regulations.

ARKE COUNTY - The rain that occurred recently has helped to perk up the crops, but this year’s drought has been said to be worse than the 1988 drought by many farmers around Darke County.

what’s inside this month

Over two decades ago, when the U.S. Congress passed its 1990 Farm Bill, a congressional mandate was included in the bill (Title 21) instructing the U.S. Department of Agriculture to create a national legal definition of “organic” that would provide reliable, uniform, and enforceable standards for any

What does it take to get certified?

countries. In lieu of USDA accreditation, a foreign entity also may be accredited when USDA “recognizes” that its government is able to assess and accredit certifying agents as meeting the requirements of the NOP called a recognition agreement.

D

County Spotlight Series

Why did we need regulation of organic foods?

This plan describes (among other things) practices and substances used in production, record keeping procedures, and practices to prevent commingling of organic and non-organic products.

The certification standards also address on-site inspections. Producers and handling (processing) operations that sell less than $5,000 a year in organic agricultural products are exempt from certification.

They may label their products organic if they abide by the standards, but they cannot display the USDA Organic seal.

Retail operations, such as grocery stores and restaurants, do not have to be certified.

Accreditation standards establish the requirements an applicant must meet in order to become a USDA-accredited certifying agent. The standards are designed to ensure that all organic certifying agents act consistently and impartially.

Successful applicants will employ experienced personnel, demonstrate their expertise in certifying organic producers and handlers, and prevent conflicts of interest and maintain strict confidentiality.

Imported agricultural products may be sold in the United States if they are certified by USDA-accredited certifying agents. Imported products must meet the NOP standards.

USDA has accredited certifying agents in several foreign

CONSUMERS alike

Slug Feeding injury

How are organic foods regulated?

Federal regulations are the laws authorized by major legislation enacted by the U.S. Congress. As part of the 1990 Farm Bill, the U.S. Congress included a title called Title XXI: The Organic Foods Production Act. In this section of the Farm Bill, Congress instructed the U.S. Department of Agriculture to establish the National Organic Program. Once the 1990 Farm Bill was approved and signed into law, the USDA became responsible for developing organic standards.

stock, and fiber crops as well as handlers or organic products must be certified (except growers who gross less than $5,000 and retailers).

Growers and handlers submit an Organic Farm Plan or an Organic Handling Plan to a USDA accredited certifying agent detailing their growing and handling methods. Onsite inspections are conducted by certifying agents to verify submitted plans. Methods and materials used in production must meet standards set in the new regulations. Clear documentation of methods and materials must be kept. There must be a paper trail tracing a product back to its production site, enabling verification of production methods and materials.

Certification is the process by which the consumer is assured that a product marketed as “organic” is in compliance with production and handling requirements set forth in USDA regulations.

On Aug. 22 the director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture gave Darke County Fair-goers an update on the H3N2v, known to many as “swine flu,” and told Fair-goers that there have been 87 cases of the H3N2v strain in Ohio.

That number has since jumped to 98, according to the Ohio Department of Health.

According to Daniels, most of the cases have been limited to the exhibitors at the different county fairs who spend the most amount of time with the swine. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) said that “the main risk factor for infection is the exposure to pigs, mostly in the setting of a state or county fair.”

According to a CDC

Heather Meade hmeade@dailyadvocate.com

Raja, an Asian spotted leopard, sits on his perch at Heaven’s Corner Zoo in West Alexandria. The zoo rescued Raja from an owner in Michigan who kept the animal in a dog kennel. (Submitted photo)

what’s inside this month

food bearing the term “organic.”

The development of organic standards was designed to provide consumers with a food labeling process that they could trust to reflect those standards in food production. These standards are regulated under federal legislation as stated in the next section.

Free Public Tour Offered

What is the history of organic foods?

Before the federal government got involved in the regulation of organic foods, dozens of states had passed organic laws of their own.

Today, 45 out of the 50 states have their own organic laws, and even before state laws were established, farmers set up voluntary organic certification systems. The first organization in the country to certify organic farms was CCOF, California Certified Organic Farmers, over 20 years ago.

Organic production had been practiced in the United States since the late 1940s.

From that time, the industry had grown from experimental garden plots to large farms with surplus products sold

under a special organic label.

Food manufacturers developed organic processed products and many retail marketing chains specialized in the sale of “organic” products.

This growth stimulated a need for verification that products are indeed produced according to certain standards. Private organizations and state agencies currently certify organic food, but their standards for growing and labeling organic food may differ. In addition, the language contained in seals, labels, and logos approved by organic certifiers may differ.

By the late 1980s, after an attempt to develop a consensus of production and certification standards, the organic industry petitioned Congress to draft the Organic Foods Production Act defining “organic.” This leads me to the next point of the need for regulation.

Just Kids:Tips on Staying Safe

What is organic food?

Heather Meade hmeade@dailyadvocate.com

FARMERS AND

I sit down at my computer and do as in- By Ryan Peverly structed. Type in k-i-n-g-s-n-a-k-e-dot-c-om, and wait for the webpage to load. When it does, I quickly find what I’m looking for: a tab at the top labeled ‘Classifieds’.

Click on it. It loads. What I see on the page is a categorical list of advertisements for exotic animals, just like I was told there would be. Click on some of the categories, browse through the ads.

Organic is primarily a labeling term that is used on a wide variety of foods that have been produced through methods and practices approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and its National Organics Program. Organic regulations focus on farming practices and food production steps that can be monitored and controlled, but for the most part, organic regulations simply do not try to address the more complicated issues involving the earth and sustainability.

Ohio so far

WILL

corner of

A common question that I get asked while selling feed to growers is: “What is organics?” Over the next couple of articles I will try my best to answer a few of the most asked questions.

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SWINE the fair FLU found in

southwest ohio’s

Pythons. Boa constrictors.

Crocodilians. Lizards. Spiders & other inverts. Venomous.

That last one is obviously the best. Or the most interesting, whichever way you want to look at it. You can buy an Indonesian black spitting cobra for only $85.

Sounds like a good deal, really. Too bad I hate snakes.

There’s more, plenty more: green mambas, Eastern and Western diamondback rattlesnakes, Mexican jumping vipers — those sound the coolest. But who would buy a venomous snake? I think to myself. I may have even said it out loud.

Then I get my answer: Tom. He’s the guy selling banded Egyptian cobras for $125 each. Guys like Tom buy venomous snakes.

It’s hard to say what Tom and people like him do with these snakes after they buy them. The cobras, maybe they’re used for entertainment, you know? Haven’t you seen those snakemasters in India putting on street shows with them, where the snake swirls up out of a wicker basket like a plume of smoke while some guy plays a flute? YouTube it.

But what use does anyone have for a black mamba, one of the most venomous snakes in the world? You gonna put that thing in an aquarium and raise it like a goldfish?

Michael Peterman, a firefighter in Dayton, did that.

He raised snakes and lizards as pets. Very experienced reptile handler, according to people who knew him. But there’s a reason he’s being referenced in the past tense.

On a Sunday night in 2003, Peterman was feeding a mouse to his Central African rhinoceros viper. According to eyewitness and second-hand accounts, Peterman took a photograph of the snake swallowing its meal, and then reached into its cage to grab its water bowl for a refill. The Central African rhino viper has a restricted striking range, and very few bites have been reported, but its venom is lethal all the

September Issue

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Festival features farm equipment of the past

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6

Health District offers West Nile info

Drought doesn’t stop local corn maze

9 Dairy debate grows in Ohio

12 Pork Festival coming soon!

2012

Agriculture Year in Review the early planting opportunities afforded to us this spring. No matter how well we done planting the crop it “takes rain to make grain.”

For the next year education will be a big topic and The Ohio State University has made a change in leadership for The Ohio State University Agriculture College. This year was the year that Dean Bobby Mossier, OSU’s longest tenured dean with 21 years, retired from the agriculture college and it allowed a new leader to take over. Ohio State has chosen alumnus Bruce McPheron as the new vice president for agricultural administration and dean of the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. McPheron was the Ag dean at Penn State, and he started his new position with Ohio State on November 1st. Ohio State President E. Gordon Gee said in a written statement, “Dr. McPheron is an Ohioan by birth, an Ohio State alumnus, and spent three years working as a county extension educator in the state. He

icant deficit in precipitation still exists in some areas. While agricultural need for precipitation has now passed, there is lingering potential impact on the 2013 growing season. Just as a comparison from January 1st to October 19th, 1988 rainfall amounted to 23.05” which most came in the spring until about the 4th of July, and during the same time period in 2012 rainfall amounted to 26.56” which most came in late August and September. If you look to the grain market charts you can tell when the beneficial rains came, the fall bid Soybean market topped out on September 14th at a November CME Group closing futures price of $17.39 and the fall bid Corn market topped out on August 21st with a December CME group closing futures price of $8.38. Not many of us got that price or even something close to it. Many sold for around $5.50 for corn when we that that 2012 was going to be one of the largest crops planted, and beans around $15.00 because of

2012 was a year for the record books, but you need to question yourself because the past few years have all been for the record books. This has also let many questioning what a normal year is anymore. Fortunate for all of us 2012 has drawn to a close and we’re optimistic for a better 2013.

Each year I compile what has happened that has affected the agricultural community in our area and outside influences that have affected all of us.

Let’s start with the year’s biggest topic: Drought! It was the word for many in the Corn Belt and the rest of the United States agricultural sector for that matter.

For many in the Ohio valley, 1988 was a devastating drought year.

After the extreme weather conditions in the 1988 growing season, late summer and fall rains neared normal to even above normal precipitation. Since its peak in midsummer, the 2012 drought has certainly diminished, but a signif-

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SOUTHEAST WAYNE COUNTY, Ind: We have run almost half of our corn acres and 10 percent of our bean acres on our farm southeast of Richmond, Ind. Haven’t gotten out of too many fields where we don’t have very high levels of fertility and organic matter due to our hog operation and dark soils. Corn average is above 160 so far but will drop considerably when we start onto some lighter soils on other farms - expecting these to average 120 - 130 giving us a 140 - 150 whole farm average.

Have been running pretty hard to get corn in before any mold or grain quality issues worsen as our crop mainly goes to feed our livestock - thus moistures have probably averaged 23 percent on what we have harvested. Beans we ran two weeks ago averaged 65 bushel and later planted ones look even better so we feel good about that given the dry summer. Again, yields will surely drop once we get off the black stuff. Seeded cover crop after bean harvest and it has had a good chance to germinate and grow given the wet weather. Probably the worst crop I can ever remember in my 25 years - but we’ll take it considering the conditions this summer.

By Heather Meade hmeade@dailyadvocate.com DARKE COUNTY Secretary of U.S. Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, visited the Coppess family farm outside of Ansonia on Oct. 25. While there he discussed with local food pro-

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said. “Our other cane crops survived the Spring freeze ok. Our grape crop was approximately 40 percent.”

The loss this year is especially hard on eastern Indiana and western Ohio orchards because it comes after several rough seasons. Hicks said they lost 80 percent of the crop on their 100 acres of apples last year to hail damage, and in 2010 lost 50 percent to a freeze.

“Two orchards south of us and one east of us have just closed down for the season,” she noted. “We just hope we can hold on for another year.”

Another significant fruit crop loss from freeze occurred in 2007 across the Midwest,

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5 Nitrate poisoning in livestock

Fall happenings

where their food comes from, how hard it is to produce it, how extraordinarily blessed we are to have it, and how cheap it really is,” stated Vilsack. “If we, collectively, did a better job of educating the other 99 percent about where their food comes from, how farmers

are good stewards of the land, how they care about their animals, I think we’d be seeing less [interference].”

Vilsack suggested that agriculture put together an alliance, presenting a united front and sending a single

see EDUCATING pg. 9

DARKE COUNTY – The United States Secretary of Agriculture, the Honorable Tom Vilsack, visited the Coppess family farm outside of Ansonia on Oct. 25 on unofficial business, but while there he spoke with local food producers about several topics, including the Farm Bill, which is currently stuck in the U.S. House of Representatives, he said.

Along with Vilsack was Robert Boggs, former director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture, who spoke up on behalf of Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), the first U.S. Senator from Ohio to be on the Ag Committee, Boggs reported, and a champion of the Senate-passed Farm Bill.

Brown was appointed to be the chairman of the Committee on Jobs, Rural and Economic Growth, and Energy, stated Boggs, giving him additional clout to work on things like the Farm Bill, carrying Ohio’s interests forward and making sure that farmers across America get their fair share. Brown is interested in making sure that rural America gets fair consideration when it comes to national policy, Boggs said.

“The values of rural

America…is the foundation upon which our country is based; we believe in hard work, we believe in playing by the rules, and we believe in looking out for our neighbors and friends,” Boggs stated, citing Brown’s Ohio values as coming from his parents. “That’s what made this country great, and that’s what we have to continue to build on.”

Vilsack discussed the death tax and estate tax, as well, stating that President Obama wants to raise the exemption level, so that family farmers and small businesses can “rest easy” and not worry about losing the family farm.

Boggs stated that agricultural research has been a large portion of the reason America’s agriculture is “next to on one in the entire world,” because of research and development, which was supported in previous Farm Bills, but U.S. Congressman Paul Ryan (R-Wisconsin) has cut much of that funding for supporting research for agriculture.

“And somehow, we’re going to be expected to feed the world, and not have the research going on tomorrow that we have today, and the fact is, we need more,” stated Boggs. The U.S. Senate,

By Ashley Fritz afritz@dailyadvocate.com PREBLE COUNTYCanning was at one time the only way a family would survive through the harsh winter months of the Midwest. Using canned items was a way a life that our ancestors could not live without. Now in our current day, thanks to grocery “supercenters,” we have the luxury of not worrying how we are going to get our food through the winter.

Canning came into view in 1809, after Nicolas Appert , a French confectioner and brewer, saw that if food was cooked inside of a jar and was sealed, and provided that seal did not break ,the food inside did not perish. He thus developed the canning method that is still used 203 years later.

A year later in 1810, Peter Durand, a British merchant, replaced the use of the traditional glass jars because of the challenges during transportation, and started the use of tin cans. It was found that tin cans were cheaper, easy to make, and less fragile, than that of the glass jars Appert was using.

As the “tin can food” began growing in popularity, it actually was a status symbol in Europe among the middle class and considered a superficial novelty item to have.

In 1812, Americans saw the first canning factory in New York City, run by Robert Ayars, where he used

and according to the NCDC, resulted in billions in damage or costs. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports Indiana has approximately 4,000 acres of apples and ranks 15th in production in the United States.

Ohio ranks 9th in the nation in apple production.

Hicks said they do not sell their apples wholesale, but generate revenue from retail sales of apples, some pears and plums, and value-added products and attractions at their farm. Purchasing apples to have in their store essentially eliminates most profit from that source, so the other income

see DEALT pg. 4

13

improved tin-plated cans, which help avoid the lead contamination that was being seen throughout Europe. The demand for canned food began to grow thanks to wars such as World War I, and put many American women to work in the factories.

Thanks to the age of manufacturing that gained popularity during the World Wars, home canning began to decline into what is now considered a lost art.

Canning however is starting to pick up more popularity once again, among young and old alike.

After the summer garden has been harvested, Carole and Greg Fritz of Lewisburg preserve their yield though the method of home canning.

Home canning is different from commercial canning because of the type of equipment used. In the United States, home canning is popularized by the use of canning jars, either large mouth or small mouth, a metal flat lid that is crimped around the its bottom edge and has a sealing compound, and finally a screw band.

Also, during the canning process, canners also use a boiling water canner and/or a presser cooker, canner rack, and a jar lifter.

Generally the Fritz family grows sweet corn, popcorn, Indian corn, cherry tomatoes, tomatoes, blackberries, peppers, cabbage, and pumpkins. Ninety percent of all the food that is grown in the Fritz garden, is

6

Wine making is a science without rules

canned.

“We have canned so many things over the years, like, pizza sauce, chicken, turkey, tomato sauce, ketchup, bread and butter pickles, salsa, strawberry jelly, pear butter, apple butter, sauerkraut, green beans, sweet corn, whole cherry tomatoes, pumpkin, various types of squashes, blackberry jam, cabbage, horseradish, and chili sauce,” said Fritz.

Canning is something that has to be taught, and it takes lots of practice to get it just right. The process in general requires a lot of time to complete, and can take several days, depending on how much and the type of food product that is being preserved.

“I learned from my stepmom and neighbor, and then I taught Greg how to can,” Carole said.

“Once we started growing a garden, we were having an abundance supply for a family of four at the time, and I started canning so the food would stay fresh and also so we could have fresh food during the winter,” said Fritz.

According to the USDA, many vegetables begin losing some of their vitamins when harvested. Nearly half the vitamins may be lost within a few days unless the fresh produce is cooled or preserved. The heating process during canning destroys anywhere from one-third to one-half of vitamin A and C, thiamin, and riboflavin. However, if veg-

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O ’ Christmas Tree A. Brown & Sons Nursery offers authentic, unique Christmas tree experience

By Ryan Peverly rpeverly@registerherald.com PHILLIPSBURG- Mike Brown animatedly talked about how his nursery recently lost an account with merchants in the Village of Arcanum. He said he’s been selling Christmas trees to merchants in the village to display outside their respective businesses for the last 15 years. But last holiday season, a few bad eggs — maybe some of you reading this — dismantled the trees branch by branch and took the lights, leaving a holiday mess for the village to pick up.

“Needless to say, they’re not buying trees this year,” said Brown as he drove an oversized pickup truck from his Phillipsburg-area A. Brown & Sons Nursery, which he operates with his brothers Harry, Kenny and John, to a site where he grows acres and acres of Christmas trees each year.

The Brown family has operated this nursery for 65 years. Mike has been working on it for 50 years, since age 6, when he first started selling trees.

“They say families can’t work together.

But we tolerate each other. We had good parents, parents that told us we’d hate each other for a few minutes but to get over it,” Brown said.

When Brown pulled the truck into the Christmas tree farm, he was quick to point out how beautiful the trees are. He isn’t lying. Rows and rows of trees stuck out like sore thumbs on this cool, mid-autumn day.

“You name it, we got it. Scotch Pine, White Pine, Austrian Pine, Canaan Fir, Fraser Fir, Douglas Fir, Concord Fir, two feet to twenty feet. We’re the largest Christmas tree lot in the state of Ohio. Nobody puts as many trees on one lot as we do,” said Brown, whose mouth races a mile a minute when you get him talking, and even when you don’t. But that’s Mike Brown, the crazy Christmas tree guy.

“I’m not crazy, but people know me for being that way at Christmas.

They know at Christmastime I’m on something. Mostly Scotch Pine sap,” Brown said, only halfjoking as he wiped a sticky

By Heather Meade hmeade@dailyadvocate.com HOLLANSBURG – Many years ago, families went out, they picked a live tree, and they cut it down. Now, families can go to any big box or hardware store and get a pre-cut tree, but they’re not getting that family experience, said Allen and Carmen Howell, owners of The Frosty Outpost Christmas Tree Farm in Darke County.

The Howells, originally from Darke County, decided to move back in the mid90s because Allen wanted a change from his high-stress job and the busy lifestyle of the Florida suburbs, he said.

“I just kind of dreamed of a more simple life; when the opportunity came, we moved back to Darke County and bought these five acres off my in-laws. It was originally just fields, like everything else around here,” he said.

“It was kind of just my dream to have an old-fashion operation. I didn’t have enough land to plant beans and corn. It was just a good idea.”

The Howells planted their first 500 blue spruce trees in 1998, but since that was a drought year, they only ended up with two trees from that crop, they said.

“Each year we kept planting, and some finally took hold. It takes on average about eight years to grow a tree to a six foot Howell height,” remarked.

The family was finally able to begin selling trees in 2007, he said.

Compared to most Christmas tree farms, the Howells have a small operation – just five acres compared to many

see BILL pg. 9

see DARKE pg. 16

etables are handled properly and canned promptly after harvest, they can be more nutritious than fresh produced sold in local stores.

“The main reason I can is so we can have fresh home grown food during the win-

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ter months and it’s also a whole lot cheaper than going and buying a lot of the items we eat in the winter time, because of the that fact a lot of your fresh vegetables are out of growing season,” said Fritz.

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Most foods that are grown and used for canning have a high percentage of water within them, and are highly perishable. The practice of canning, removes oxygen, destroys enzymes,

see BROWN pg. 13

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5 4-H Science Day

Area man beating gas prices

7 Decrease start-up time with winter maintenance

8 A labor or love begins family tradition

see OLD pg. 8

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Midwest’s, where the USDA forecast was down 79 percent.

“We’re buying from West Virginia for our apples this year,” Hicks said. “Down south they did not lose their apples.”

Wesler Orchards & Farm Market in New Paris, Ohio, also lost their entire fruit tree crop this season. Ron Wesler said they bought apples to sell to keep their business in operation. Weslers has 40 acres of apple trees, as well as blueberries, peaches, strawberries, plums, cherries, black raspberries, and blackberries.

“Most apple varieties are available just the volume is down and the price is quite high due to the demand,” Wesler

ducers the importance of educating the other “99 percent” on the importance and intricacies of agriculture. “…All of us need to do a better job of understanding that less than 1 percent of America’s population farms, which means 99 percent doesn’t really understand

December Issue of Western Ohio

An old method

WINCHESTER, Ind: We’re not going yet, but the neighbors running beans has been in the 20s (bushels per acre) to 35-40, most common. A couple guys have run some corn, and one field one of them couldn’t find an ear in it, and had to have the adjuster come out and he called it 1/2 bushel per acre.

But I’ve seen some corn from the area that’s up to a decent number, if they had a rain in there. The highest I’ve heard so far in our area has been 80 (bushels per acre for corn). So, the corn is kind of a lost cause around here. The earlier planted beans are yielding lower than the later-maturing - (the later) are getting up to 40. They’re happy with that. If they planted 2.5 or 2.7 maturity, they got hurt.

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Local orchards all of their apple crop this spring when much warmertemperatures than-normal accelerated the budding and blooming on the fruit trees, and then those blooms were killed by spring freezes. That’s a risk every spring, but the warmest March on record, according to the National Climatic Data Center, led to earlier blooming and therefore, greater damage.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture apple crop forecast in August showed that the entire Midwest apple crop was hard hit, while Washington state’s large crop was expected to increase this season. The eastern U.S. crop was down, but not as severely as the

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Vilsack and Boggs discuss Farm Bill

LEWISBURG, Ohio: We started earlier than normal. Corn yields are about 30-50 percent (of normal). The corn is drier than this time of year normally. It’s been so dry, that even an inch and a half of rain soaks right in, so fields are in pretty good shape. Fall wheat should have pretty good moisture to get in the ground; we’re looking to get that in soon. We hope to start beans at the end of this week. We’re hoping for 60 percent of normal yields. I’d guess 30-40 bu/acre, you hope for better than that, but being realistic. Double-crop beans looked good until it frosted the other night - that hurt them.

HAGERSTOWN, Ind. Combines began appearing in fields in mid-September, and as expected, yields are down and field conditions vary widely. Producers have begun to get a truer picture of what damage the drought brought. “Corn is particularly poor in our area, and beans are pretty much normal,” said Butch Shiebla of Harvest Land Co-op in Hagerstown, Ind. “Quality seems to be ok right now.”

As of the last week in September, Shiebla said the elevator had been getting in corn and beans for about 10 days before wet weather slowed things down.

Moisture levels in the corn they had been getting were actually a little higher than normal, he reported. “It actually doesn’t seem to be wanting to dry down, probably because of the premature death of the plants,” Shiebla said.

CAMBRIDGE CITY, Ind. - The apples are still piled high in their rustic wooden crates, enticing customers to bag some up to take home. But the buyers and the sellers are both aware this fall that instead of coming off trees a few yards away, those apples traveled hundreds of miles.

“On the whole everybody’s been very nice, understanding,” said Shannan Hicks, who coowns Dougherty Orchards with her family outside of Cambridge City, Ind. “It’s been a hard year.”

The Dougherty owners lost

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NORTH OF GREENVILLE, Ohio: We have started harvesting - we’ve run some beans and some corn. The corn I would say would be a little better than we had first expected, but it’s still not good. We ran some of the best already, and the average is in the low 90s bushels per acre. That’s roughly half a crop. The test weight has been good. Moisture’s been about 22 percent. The corn we ran - the kernels were not uniform - kind of deformed. That’s why I was surprised the test weight was as good as it was.

Beans, yield-wise, have been in the low- to mid30s, about 33-35. We’ve got anywhere from 3.1 to 3.9 planted, and what we’ve ran was all 3.1s. One problem we can note on the beans is that we have a lot of shatter loss, even before we get to the field. And then when we get out there and run the combine, the shatter loss has been real high.

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Heather Norton hjnorton@embarqmail.com

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brings a global view and worldwide experience back to Ohio to lead one of Ohio State’s most important educational programs.”

McPheron told many press outlets that he looks forward to his return to Ohio and The Ohio State University.

Also this year, the Farm Science Review, near London Ohio, celebrated its 50th year.

Organizers say that despite the many changes that have occurred in agriculture during that time, one thing has remained the same: Ohio’s premiere agricultural event is still dedicated to ensuring the best agricultural research, resources, information and access for farmers. For those not familiar with the event, it is sponsored by the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, and the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, and attracts upwards of 140,000 visitors from all over the United States and Canada.

Visitors come for three days to

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peruse 4,000 product lines from 600 commercial exhibitors, and capitalize on educational opportunities from Ohio State University and Purdue University specialists.

Continuing on with education in my own backyard, Darke County has been graced with a new Extension of Agriculture and Natural Resources agent, Sam Custer. Sam has a background in education and agriculture and we’re all thrilled for his placement in our county. Welcome Sam and we look forward to your service to the “Top of Ohio” region of Ohio State Extension.

2012 has also brought Ohio and our neighborhood some accolades and I want to applaud those for their accomplishments gained.

In the FFA news, Ohio was lucky to have four national proficiency award winners: Nick Rutschilling of the Versailles FFA, winner of the Swine Production Placement proficiency, Garrit Sproull of the Harrison FFA won the Swine Production Entrepreneurship proficiency, Elizabeth Hayes of the Marysville FFA won the Equine Science Entrepreneurship proficiency, and Jakob Wilson of the Fairbanks FFA won the Diversified Crop Production Placement proficiency.

Congratulations to all these outstanding individuals on their accomplishments. I also want to congratulate Greg McGlinch of Versailles. He has been named winner of the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation’s (OFBF) Excellence in Agriculture award program.

The award recognizes successful young people 35 or younger who are involved in farming but whose primary occupation is not farming or owning an agricultural business. The award is based on their involvement in agriculture and participation in Farm Bureau and other community organizations.

Greg will travel to Nashville in January to compete at the national competition. Good luck at the American Farm Bureau annual meeting.

When covering a year in review especially in an election

see 2012 pg. 13

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2A ACRES of Western Ohio | January Issue

What…. of Western Ohio Ag is a Regional Publisher - Frank Beeson fbeeson@ohcommedia Editor-in-Chief of Acres - Gary Brock gbrock@recordherald.com Acres of Western Ohio Editor - Christina Chalmers cchalmers@dailyadvocate.com Lead Designer - Ashley Fritz afritz@dailyadvocate.com The Register-Herald Editor - Eddie Mowen Jr. emowen@registerherald.com General Manager - Leslie Collins lcollins@registerherald.com Advertising Staff Darke County - Deb Less dless@dailyadvocate.com Preble County - Betsy Kemp bkemp@registerherald.com Classifieds Darke County - Mary Bevins mbevins @dailyadvocate.com Preble County - Billie Wood bwood@registerherald.com

Contact ACRES of Western Ohio 428 S. Broadway (P.O. Box 220) | Greenville, Ohio Phone: 937.548.3151 Fax 937.548.3913 ACRES of Western Ohio is a monthly publication of The Daily Advocate, partnered with The RegisterHerald, to serve Darke, Preble and Wayne counties.

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business?

By Ashley Fritz afritz@dailyadvocate.com

Outside of the agriculture world, most just see tractors, cowboys in jeans, and smelly pigs. However, those who know this part of the world will tell you differently.

You could say that classifying the farming community with tractors, cowboys and smelly pigs is a stereotype. Sure, all those things are associated with and are used in the farming community, but that is just the tip of the iceberg.

The word farmer by definition is a person who owns or manages a farm. When one owns a farm, from small scale to large, it take more than just feeding and planting to keep it up and running. There is a lot of time, energy and of course money, put into farms every year to have positive yields and high carcass value on animals.

Farmers are always working to making the biggest profit, just like big-name companies. However, the biggest difference between the farming business and the corporate world is the passion that is put into farming.

All businesses want to meet that bottom line of profit, and this is also true in the farming business.

However, in the farming community it is not just about the money, it is about doing something you love that has been passed down from generation to generation.

Farming can be a big business or small scale family business. When talking of big business in the farming world, crops can bring in major cash flow, especially in the Midwest. In 2010, Ohio was ranked 8th for corn, 6th in soybeans, and 11th for wheat nationally.

The United States as a whole in 2011 ranked 3rd, with China leading the world in agricultural output.

Yes, crops are the main

products from farms in general, however they are not the only thing that is produced.

Crops are products that are very important not only to the farmers, but to consumers as well. For farmers it is a pay check, for consumers it means foods such as flour, oil, textiles, sorghum, and substances for medical uses.

For a farmer, the number one goal is to feed America.

Crops can give us many things, however animals are just as beneficial as crops, with food being the main use.

The first things that come to mind when you think of animal byproducts are milk, bacon and steak.

In 2010 Ohio was ranked nationally 25th in cattle, 10th in milk cows, 9th in hogs, and 13th in sheep.

Animals not only provide us with food, they also can provided medical and surgical needs. Pigs currently are being used to provide humans with heart valves, aid in skin grafts, and someday soon researchers are planning for the use of pig lungs in humans.

Aside from those uses, animals, just as crops, can provide textiles, like hair being used in belts, the underside of pig skin to make pig suede fabric, and the wool of sheep used in the production of cloth, thread, yard, carpeting, felt, and upholstery.

With all the human needs for animals, their byproducts, food and other consumer needs, it is no wonder why farming has evolved into a business.

From the beginning of time from the Chan Dynasty down though the ancient Egyptians, there has been a need for these same items as we now use, except now we have evolved a bit more with the thanks of the technological advances of this world and of course, time.

However the same basic

NEW EW RURAL URAL SERVICE ERVICE AREAS REAS

practices are still being used today.

Farmers really are the jack of all trades if you think about it. Farmers can be seen as a stock market analyst, experimenter, electrical technician, farm equipment mechanic, animal breeder, meteorologist, and a contractor.

The stock market watching is not just for Wall Street these days. Stock market prices are being watched everyday by farmers all around, with the same motto: buy it low, sell it high. Items such as corn, soybeans, cotton and rice are just a few items that can be found under the Commodity Exchange.

The Commodity Exchange is traded worldwide based on agriculture products and raw materials.

Raw materials include items such as sugar, rice and more.

This market differs from others because it can also be contract based, meaning that a seller can sell future products, such as just-planted corn — on delivery the price would be guaranteed from the time the contract was drawn.

Farmer…the experimenter?

You might be scratching your head on this one, but it is a common thing. Think about it…take a ride into the country and you are likely to see several different types of signs promoting the seed company that farmer is using, whether it is a traditional seed or hybrid, the cultivator of that particular land is trying possibly the newest seed formula or trying an old method.

Why is this done?

When it comes to planting, the most important thing is knowing your land. The best yields come from knowing what type of soil you have. This is the one most important thing and a great tool to the farmer.

Soil type will determine what types of seed to use, the depth the seed needs to be in the soil, and the type/amount of fertilizer used. Soil also directly controls the health and quality of the type of crop that is being planted in a field. The better the soil, the better the chance the yield will be good.

There are so many different types of soils and differ-

ent techniques out there, knowing what works can be an experiment. A seed company can and will recommend what is best for a particular scenario, however it does not always work the way it is expected.

Therefore, farmers may “experiment” with different types of scenarios to find what is best for them.

As with cars, maintenance must be done on farm equipment. During the winter, or the off-season, farmers are tinkering with their toys. Manual labor items such as engine work, sprayer hoses, and general tune ups are currently being done to prepare for the upcoming planting season that is sneaking up very quickly.

Many will seek outside help from their dealership consultants to help aid them in getting a leg-up on next year’s yield, such as GPS trackers, yield output devices, computers, grid systems — the list can go on.

Nowadays, the demand for technology will continue in the agriculture community. Not only are planters, tractors, and harvesters becoming more computerbased, but the animal production side is catching up at a high speed. As we look to the future, you and I will continue to see more developments in high profitable animals such as hogs and cattle.

More and more people outside the agriculture community are gaining interest in what exactly goes on in our world. The success of any business depends on promotion, marketing, support, and awareness. The more of these items we see in the farming communities, the better off they will be.

Farming truly is a way of life, a passion. The more passion that is put into something, the more it gives the person a sense of enjoyment and self-gratification. The farming business is not just about money….yes that is important — but the bottom line of why farmers do what they do is that they love it, and would not trade their life for another one.

Ashley Fritz is the lead design of ACRES of Western Ohio. She is also a former 4H member and current 4-H advisor in Preble County.

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4A ACRES of Western Ohio | January Issue

relevant?

Is agriculture

…I believe it is.

By Matt Aultman I recently read an article about how the Secretary of Agriculture Vilsack outlined how agriculture is becoming less and less relevant. I went through a multitude of emotions when I first read it and I came to an epiphany that he is absolutely right.

As a farming community, we have become united and we have also become smaller as a percentage of the total U.S. population, and some say we are small but carry a large voice that commands an emotional response from many. Those of us in the farming community have been trying to teach people about agriculture and we need to take the next step of getting others more involved.

We all remember that feeling being similar to when we were in school; the homework, science fairs, and gym class and the urge to be at home doing something totally not school related. This is the feeling that needs to be overcome to help bridge the gap between the food and the farmer.

Our world is morphing to come full circle to what I’ve been told life was like during the 1930’s. At the time people bought locally off their neighbors and they knew where our food came from. Secure food sources and family values are something that many in society are currently striving for again. Now is the time that we need to come to a realization that each and every one of us possess these values and skills and we need to share it with the world.

You can ask yourself how we can become relevant in the near future while we strive as a community to help feed the world. This is a question that I fear my children will be asking when they get to my age.

With the many people that I deal with in a month’s time, either farmers or business people, I have came to the common consensus that we are all striving to stay relevant and the ability to be good stewards of the land.

My mother said it best, “we never own the land we farm, but simply are stewards while we are above ground and we must care for it so the next generation can live as well as we have.”

This can be accomplished by following the best scientific practices available and listening to your farm. A man from one of the farm insurance companies spoke to a group of farmers recently and coined that last little bit perfectly, “Listen to the farm, and let it speak to you what it needs done to it.”

What I am suggesting is that if we let everyone know what we do on a daily basis, we will be able to help tell the story of agriculture, and it will help shake the shroud of mystery. It also begins to bridge the generational gap from Old McDonald’s farm to the business that agriculture has become today.

Gone are the days of diversification on each farm and more specialization to a few commodities. This way we can focus our time, resources and energy to be stewards of our land. Along with bringing a better

understanding of that commodity, produce it in an efficient and environmentally conscience way. This also allows for the more economical use of available resources and the conservation of water.

We are now in the 21st century and if we look to the way farming practices were accomplished at the beginning of the 20th century; we have had great advancements to production, the efficiency of our time and the use of resources. Imagine what farming will be like when the calendar rolls to the 22nd century, and the amount of mouths that will need to be fed. Along with the growing populous, this will teach all of us to do more with less, and become more efficient and transparent to the consumer.

So, with the holiday season upon us, this is the perfect time of the year to share with your friends and neighbors. This past year was a trying year for a lot of people and it helps us to remember the value of what we have and value of those around us. I may be young and a little wide-eyed, but the agriculture community we live in has shown me in the few short years I’ve been on this Earth that we are blessed and lucky.

Happy New Year and wishing prosperity to you and your own in the coming year.

Matt Aultman is the Chairman of the Darke Co. Chamber Ag Committee and Chairman-elect of the Darke Co. Farm Bureau.

He can be reached at darkecountyfarmer@gmail.com for comments.

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ACRES of Western Ohio | January Issue 5A

Dandelions as a

cash crop The Cossack Dandelion will eventually be grown as an annual crop, and farmers would aim to plant as soon as the frost melts in the spring. PENRA is currently researching the best time to pull the plants for the most yield.

Ryan Carpe rcarpe@dailyadvocate.com DARKE COUNTY – As the foreign market for natural rubber becomes more volatile, scientists and farmers alike are researching alternative sources of the valuable compound.

Traditionally, rubber has been produced from the Hevea rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis), which grows primarily in Southeast Asia.

But the region has grown unstable due to the expansion of neighboring countries and industrialization of the region, so scientists are looking for economic rubber alternatives.

The Ohio State Agricultural University Research and Development Center are looking to the Cossack Dandelion (Taraxacum kok-saghyz) as the next major rubber producer, and have created a formalized consortium of interested businesses and agricultural scientists called the Program of Excellence in Natural Rubber Alternatives (PENRA).

The Cossack or Russian Dandelion has almost identical qualities compared to natural rubber harvested from the Hevea tree, and in many instances is easier to grow.

While rubber is present in our everyday lives, many don’t realize its impact on the world.

“People don’t realize how important rubber is,”PENRA Research Director Dr. Katrina Cornish said. “There are 40,000 different things made with natural rubber, and 400 medical products.”

Rubber alternative research couldn’t be happening at a more vital time, as

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the demand for the natural resources continues to increase while the global supply is unreliable.

“We’re far more at risk for not having rubber than not having enough fuel. If we don’t have any rubber here, we have no airplanes and cars will go back to going 30 miles per hour,” Dr. Cornish said.

According to PENRA, the United States imports 1.2 million metric tons per year, and if the U.S. Does not begin domestic production, the country will be forced to pay extremely high prices for tire rubber and/or face global shortages.

“We really do need to get going on this as quickly, because we are facing such a massive shortfall of natural rubber production.”

And national companies are have already recognized the dandelion as a primary rubber alternative.

In May of this year, the Bridgestone Corporation announced that through their research with PENRA, they had determined that Cossack dandelions could become a renewable, commercially viable source of tire-grade rubber. That’s why Dr. Cornish and other researchers at OSU are working to commercialize domestic sources of natural rubber while developing processes and markets for distribution.

The Ohio Department of Development (ODOT) has funded a pilot processing facility in Wooster where they’re able to process large

quantities of rubber from Cossack dandelions, and the PENRA is planning to create a larger full-scale plant in three years.

Dr. Kornish’s research extends from the germoplasm to the processing of the dandelion itself, which will at some point be used to make both latex and solid rubber using different processing plants. The Cossack dandelion also produces inulin (not to be confused with insulin) which is a sugar that could be used in non-food applications or processed into bio-ethanol.

The major benefit of using the Cossack dandelion as the new source of rubber is that it can be grown right here in the United States, including Ohio.

“It can be grown by anyone in Ohio; the whole state is in its growing region. It can also be grown in Canada,” Doctor Cornish said. “Basically if you took a horizontal line halfway up the (United States), north of that that line you could grow, and south of that line you can’t. So there’s a lot of growing regions.”

PENRA hopes to introduce the Cossack dandelion as a mainstream agricultural crop soon, but the task isn’t without its own challenges.

“The main issue with any new plant introduction is who’s going to pay for the first crop, because you can’t get a farm loan if you’ve never sold it before,” Dr. Cornish said. “So a large scale processing plant will be needed in the next few

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years, and before that someone’s got to plant the acres.”

PENRA has already setup several acres in different parts of the state this fall to see how the crop establishes itself in the different areas.

And so far, the response from local farmers is optimistic.

“We’ve talked with some (local farmers) and the reaction is generally very positive. I think everybody would love to have another profitable crop on their slate of things to grow, and I think this one is going to very profitable because demand is there,” Dr. Cornish said.

The Cossack Dandelion will eventually be grown as an annual crop, and farmers would aim to plant as soon as the frost melts in the spring. PENRA is currently researching the best time to pull the plants for the most yield.

The Cossack dandelions is grown in rotation, and grows in well-drained soil and heavy wet clay. It can also grow on marginal lands that aren’t’ being used for other crops.

PENRA’S goal is to create and maintain a full-scale processing plant in three years and have competitive regular farming in the region in five years.

So don’t be surprised if in a few years you notice the Cossack dandelion growing in a field near you.

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6A ACRES of Western Ohio | January Issue

Aultmans named to Our Ohio Cultivators hands at raising fish and plants through an aquaponics system, they said.

Their goal is to help bridge the gap from the food to the farmer and help with the small business mantra of shop local and buy local because these businesses are the ones that support our schools, community and local programs, they stated.

Our Ohio Cultivators is a group that works to expand local initiatives, building partnerships and supporting Ohio farms. Those participating in Our Ohio Cultivators give their input throughout the year via a closed Facebook group, hoping to generate a buzz around the topics that involve Ohio’s agricultural community.

The Aultmans became involved after talking to a previous member, and Morgan brought it to Matt’s attention while surfing the Internet, they said.

“After looking at the ad, it looked like that would be something that we would like to be a part of and contribute something back to our community,” Matt Aultman stated. “This program will give us an opportunity to highlight our local foods and showcase them to all of Ohio.”

The program offers a chance for the Aultmans to meet with other members and discuss agriculture, but also to see how different pieces of agriculture are affecting their community, they said.

“This program offers events across the state for us to attend, and

GREENVILLE – Matt and Morgan Aultman, born and raised in Darke County, were recently selected to participate in the Our Ohio Cultivator program for 2013.

Our Ohio Cultivators accepts a limited number of participants each year to share their opinions and open lines of communication among Ohio’s agricultural community in hopes of building a balanced group of representatives across the state, Matt Aultman said.

In order to become a member of Our Ohio Cultivators one must be a member of the Farm Bureau who leads by example, lends their voice, helps cultivate local foods or helps grow their local food community, Aultman said. Our Ohio Cultivators have a love for Ohio living, including local foods, wines and events, Aultman commented. They are “influential leaders, forward thinkers, and community-minded,” he concluded.

The Aultmans currently live on their family farm raising sheep, goats, chickens and rabbits and farm along with Matt’s parents and grandparents raising soybeans, wheat, corn and other produce, he said. The couple recently started beekeeping and have planted many orchard trees and raspberries, and this year they plan to erect a greenhouse and will attempt to try their

FORT LORAMIE The West Ohio Agronomy Day will be held on Jan. 14 at St. Michael’s Hall in Fort Loramie. The day will begin at 7:30 a.m. with a listening session and breakfast sponsored by the Ohio Soybean Association, followed at 8:30 a.m. by an update from the grain marketers of Cargill and Trupointe Cooperative. The programs dealing with Private Pesticide Applicator Recertification Credits for farmers and continuing education units for Certified Crop Advisors then begin at 9 a.m.

Once again, Purdue’s Dr. Fred Whitford (AKA “Fred from Purdue”) will be with the group, this time talking about “Keeping the Trailer Hitched to the Truck.” This

Morgan and Matt Aultman

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Agronomy Day to be held Jan. 14 year’s line-up will also see Dr. Robert Mullen from Potash Corporation presenting on phosphorus and nitrogen management as it relates to soil fertility and Dr. Terry Niblack from OSU discussing nematodes in corn and soybean cyst nematodes. Dr. Laura Lindsay, also from OSU, will talk about using all the tools of the trade in maximizing soybean production.

Additional topics to be addressed include cover crops, resistant weed man-

agement, fumigation, manure management and fly control. Pesticide Recertification Credits are available in CORE and Categories 1, 2, and 6.

The group will also be holding the same program/same categories that evening beginning at 5:30 p.m. for those not able to attend during the day.

Farmers who want to recertify their private pesticide applicator’s license should go online at pested.osu.edu to either register

with a credit card or to download the form to pay by check. Forms may also be picked up at any Ohio Extension office. If not registered online, the completed form can be submitted with the $35 fee on Jan. 14.

For those just wanting to attend for the information and fellowship, the cost is $10 if signed up by Jan. 7 to be paid at the door on Jan. 14. A single call to 937498-7239 or email to brown.1522@osu.edu saves $5!

For more detailed information, visit the Darke County OSU Extension web site at www.darke.osu.edu, the OSU Extension Darke County Facebook page or contact Sam Custer, at 937548-5215.

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these opportunities will allow us to bring that information back to our community,” Aultman stated. “It also means a lot to us especially because of our two children; they get to be a part of this experience with us and gain from the program as well.”

The Aultmans look forward to the experiences they will gain during this adventure, as well as the new friendships and connections they will build and sharing their experiences with the community, they said. They will have the opportunity to be featured on OurOhio.org or in Our Ohio magazine, as well as being able to register early for events, to which they may receive discounted or even free admission, they said.

The couple hopes to pass the knowledge they gain from this experience on to their fellow Darke countians, they said, and anticipate that there will be many opportunities.

They’re going to attempt to put forth all that they can and hope to get welcomed back as a second year cultivator, the Aultmans commented.

Those interested in learning more about Our Ohio Cultivators in 2014, because the deadline has already passed and participants have been selected for 2013, can email cultivators@ourohio.org or darkecountyfarmer@gmail.com.

Heather Meade is a staff writer at The Daily Advocate in Greenville.

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ACRES of Western Ohio | January Issue 7A

How much is it worth?

By Gary Brock gbrock@civitasmedia.com How much is your farm land worth? The answer to that question is usually pretty easy. A farmer can call his County Auditor’s Office and get the latest appraised value of his land, and he can also contact a local realtor to determine his land’s market value, or sale price.

A farmer can also calculate his land value based on the state of Ohio’s “CAUV” formula.

So an acre of farm land

can have several “values” depending on what this value is needed for.

In 2012, however, the easiest answer to the question, “How much is your farm land worth?” is this: “It’s worth a whole bushel of money more than it was a year ago!”

If fact, it is very possible that Ohio’s agriculture land is worth more today than at any time in history. And that is in real dollars or adjusted for inflation dollars.

To many people, that comes as a startling revela-

tion. But to those in the agriculture business, or those who deal with appraising the value of land, it is no surprise at all.

From many angles, it has never been a better time to be a farmer.

Now I will tell you that there are a lot of farmers who will scoff at that notion.

At least they will scoff at it publicly. But I suspect that deep inside, they probably know that despite things like the 2012 drought, the rash of regulations and laws and government paperwork, the recession and competition overseas, what farmers are earning for what they produce could be at an all-time high.

And that is part of what is driving these record agriculture land values.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Values 2012 “Land Summary” the value per acre of Ohio’s farm land rose 13.6 percent over 2013, with an average price per acre of about $5,000.

That’s back up by county after county where property reappraisals are being done this year. A survey by

ACRES of Southwest Ohio found that all the counties doing these reappraisals this year - required of each Ohio county every six years by the county Auditor - were showing significant increases in agricultural property values. That is even when the value of residential property in those same counties was going down.

Of course, for property tax purposes, the appraised value of land and the market price of the land are two different things. But both numbers are trending upward here in Ohio.

A third measure is also showing farm land value going up. The CAUV Current Agricultural Use Value - is also way up. In Highland County, for instance, this measure of farm land value jumped more than 40 percent in the last year.

CAUV is a real estate tax

assessment program which gives owners of farmland the chance to have their parcels taxed according to their value in agriculture, rather than full market value. It is the result of a referendum passed by Ohio voters in November, 1973.Most farmers take part in this program because it means a savings for them in real estate taxes.

But that is the “other side” of all this good news.

Ohio State Extension expert Barry Ward, predicted recently that while 2012 was great for Ohio farm land value, 2013 might just be even better. That’s great news … sort of.

Because as the value of the land rises, so does the tax obligation, regardless of which measure is used to calculate what the land owner owes.

As we start 2013 this month, predictions are very positive about land value,

and that is based on what most people expect to be record prices for crops per acre this year. That predicted increase should offset easily any increase in taxes for farmers when they go to pay their tax bills next year.

At least, if all goes according to plans…

Gary Brock is the Editor in Chief of ACRES.

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8A ACRES of Western Ohio | January Issue

Andrew Meikle

Andrew Meikle - Inventor of the mechanical threshing machine

(1719 – November 1811)

Andrew Meikle was a Scottish inventor credited for the invention of the threshing machine. Without him we may not have the combine harvesters of today.

He was born in East Lothian, Scotland to a millwright father.

Andrew and his father were engineers in the field of power generation and transmission when power was generated by wind, water and animals. His first successful invention came in 1772 when he invented the windmill ‘Spring Sail’, which replaced the simple canvas designs previously used with sails made from a series of shutters that could be operated by levers, allowing windmill sails to be quickly and safely controlled in the event of a storm.

With such materials as stone, wood, leather, and (in limited quantities) cast and wrought iron, Meikle designed and made the first successful threshing machine in 1786.

Meikle’s threshing machine

used fluted rollers to feed sheaves of corn to a rotating drum which beat the corn against a curved casing (the concave).

The ears of corn and the chaff then fell through a grating while the straw continued horizontally out of the drum casing. Then, Meikle used an invention of his father’s, a mechanical fan which could be used to separate the ears from the chaff.

By adding sieves it would continue to refine the separation of the corn from weed seeds.

The threshing machine in its early state appears primitive but was sophisticated at the time, involving the use of gearing to

feed the sheaves into the drum at the right rate.

Once all the tinkering and adjusting was complete, Meikle began making threshing machines for sale in 1789.

Meikle’s threshing machine was a mounted machine typically in a barn or a mill, it took almost 50 years to make the transfer over to a mobile unit like most of us know today that was belt driven and seen at many steam shows in the summer. Other inventors improved the effectiveness of the device during the next few years, and by 1800 it was in general use.

Before Meikle’s invention

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ears of corn had to be separated from the stalks on which they had grown by men wielding jointed wooden sticks (flails) a slow and laborious process. The rate of threshing, as this was called, limited the output of wheat, oats and barley as food for people and horses, and as the raw material for brewing and whisky distilling. The fixed threshing mill, powered by water-wheel, windmill, or animal power rapidly became a standard feature of all farms.

There are few, if any, mechanical devices of Scottish origin which have had such an transformative immediately

effect on a major industry and the supply of food, and had such a lasting impact on economy and society. He passed the 27th day of November in 1811 at Houston Mill and is buried in East Linton’s Prestonkirk Parish Church Kirkyard.

In 2011, 200 years later he was one of seven inaugural inductees to the Scottish Engineering Hall of Fame.

Andrew Meikle contributed to agriculture by developing a better way of removing the grain from the husk and stalk to make agriculture more productive, so thank you for your contribution to agriculture.

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ACRES of Western Ohio | January Issue 9A

T

reasured imes

offering quality handmade furniture John Hand (far right), Everett Moore (far left) and Hand’s sons Samuel (standing) and Joseph (sitting) comprise the team at Treasured Times Wood Works. The business, which also features the beginnings of a country store, offers heirloom quality, custom handcrafted hardwood furniture, as well as reproductions and restorations. (Ryan Peverly photo) ers, etc., according to John.

“There are numerous local cabinet and cabinet door woodshops,” John explained. “But no woodworking shops which concentrated on furniture and clock-making.”

Hope and Moore are hoping to fill a niche market long-absent in Preble County and surrounding areas.

Treasured Times is located on a 10-acre property between West Alexandria and Gratis. The property was built in 1819 by Franklin N. Fudge, and local lore says tunnels from the days of the Underground Railroad run underneath the property.

Hand’s house sits on one side of the property, where a country store is in its beginning stages, and the woodworking shop is on the other side in an old barn.

That old-time atmosphere is only part of the allure of Treasured Times.

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The rest of it comes from the craftsmanship and intimate detail put into its furniture — cupholders and magazine racks in porch swings, tables that extend to what seems like 20 feet, and refurbished antique chairs that look as if they were just made new.

Hand said the business idea originally came from what he saw as a need for quality furniture that could be made better than something two or three times as expensive.

“I think there’s a need in the area, I really do. We go out to stores and see things that come in from offshore manufacturers. It may look good, but it’s cheap and will fall apart in time. I thought, can we do better? And I think we can,” Hand said.

Treasured Times offers heirloom quality, custom handcrafted hardwood furniture, as well as reproductions and restorations. The store sells handcrafted furniture, clocks, wind chimes

2350980

Pardon the word play, but John Hand didn’t always make furniture by hand.

An aerospace engineer for 25 years, Hand left the corporate world three years ago for a simpler, familyoriented life. That meant giving up a good job and good money to be closer to his and his wife Lisa’s families, while raising their own children in a home that put God and family before anything else.

That was nearly 20 years ago. Now, Hand is ready for his next venture.

Enter Treasured Times Wood Works and Country Store, a family owned and operated business that makes furniture and clocks the old-fashioned way — from scratch. Or, by hand, if you’re into that whole word play thing.

Hand has enlisted the help of his friend, Everett Moore, who has 40 years of furniture-making and

woodworking experience, and his two sons, Samuel and Joseph. John was inspired by the woodworking and manufacturing community that is Holmes County — Amish Country, to those of you who have made the nearly 200-mile trek.

“I’ve really studied the businesses in Holmes County the last 5 years to understand why they did what they did. They used to be a farming community, but about 25 years ago they evolved into a wood manufacturing business because they couldn’t support their families on the land.

There’s over 400 of them in that area,” Hand said.

“So we went up there and got to meet a lot of folks who were kind enough to open their shops to us and show us what they did and answered any questions we had.”

Closer to home, they visited local woodworking operations, to get a better understanding of woodshop layout, equipment, suppli-

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10A ACRES of Western Ohio | January Issue

ilant in your feeder adjustments, monitoring your feed particle size and analyzing feed ingredients. your Analyzing your feed ingredients is critical when you feed more byproducts with their increased variability, and with a bad growing season this year even our corn and soybean meal needs to be analyzed,” Richert commented.

Farmers could resolve to collect and use records. They should be culling the lowestproducing females, monitoring drug use, conducting timely euthanasia and evaluating all costs across all phases of production, said Richert.

Swine farmers could reevaluate vaccination and medication plans by meeting with their herd veterinarian to ensure they are meeting the herd’s health needs, Richert commented.

According to Chris Hurt, extension agricultural economist, farmers could also resolve to never say, “It can’t happen to me.”

“The 2012 drought was a stark reminder that bad outcomes can come to our farms and businesses. Evaluate and use the tools to help reduce the terrible financial consequences that can come from

bad outcomes. Start with a reevaluation of crop insurance alternatives,” Hurt stated.

Another resolution farmers could make would be to designate 2013 as a learning year, he said.

“New technology is coming at us quickly. There will be a new farm bill to learn about. Tax laws will likely change. New farm products are emerging. Brand new opportunities will be presenting themselves. Be sure to commit time to increasing your knowledge and to the improvement of your decision-making skills,” Hurt remarked.

Hurt also said farmers should resolve to review their family’s succession plan and update their estate plan.

“Even if you have a great plan, remember the laws are changing. At the very least, learn about those changes and

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how they affect your plan. If you don’t have a plan, the new laws will give you a great reason to get started,” Hurt commented.

Other crop and livestock management tips are available at Purdue’s Agricultural Producers information page, ag.purdue.edu/pages/producers-index.aspx. The Ohio State University and Purdue University partner in extension to bring current agriculture research to the communities in our states.

For more detailed information, visit the Darke County OSU Extension website at www.darke.osu.edu, the OSU Extension Darke County Facebook page or contact Sam Custer, at 937548-5215.

2353483

DARKE COUNTY New Year’s resolutions aren’t just for those who are overweight, sedentary or struggling to break a bad habit.

Farmers can resolve to avoid poor management practices or implement better production techniques in 2013.

Steve Leer, communications consultant/senior writer for Purdue University’s AgComm news and public affairs and publishing units, collected farmer resolutions from Purdue University crop, livestock and agricultural economics specialists.

According to Bob Nielsen, extension corn specialist, farmers should resolve to improve hybrid decisionmaking.

“Look for hybrids that not only have high yield potential but also a demonstrated ability to consistently achieve that potential across a wide range of growing conditions, because you cannot predict what 2013 will bring in terms of weather,” stated Nielsen.

Nielsen also said farmers should resolve to spend more time in the fields with the crops, as “this will help you better identify the yield influencing factors most important to your farming operation.

Then work with your advisor(s) to develop strategies to begin managing those factors.”

The third resolution is to work toward improving the overall efficiency of your nitrogen management program.

“Take steps to reduce the risks of N loss, such as leaching, denitrification and volatilization,” Nielsen commented.

Shaun Casteel, extension soybean specialist, said farmers should resolve to read the variety tag.

“Seed size varies from year to year. The drought conditions - timing and duration have impacted seed size small and large - germination and vigor. Your planter settings and seeding rates need to be adjusted accordingly,” Casteel explained.

Farmers should resolve to take stand counts: “Plant populations of 100,000 to 120,000 plants per acre optimize return in investment.

Early season stand counts provide the opportunity to verify your seeding rates and

emergence potential. You will also be scouting the field for pressures of weeds and pests,” commented Casteel.

They should also resolve to harvest grain above 13 percent moisture.

“We are losing out on a portion of our yield when we harvest below 13 percent.

Note that this might mean having to set the combine multiple times based on the toughness of the stem and ease of pod threshing. You will gain yield in water weight and reduce the losses due to dry grain and header loss,” Casteel stated.

According to Keith Johnson, extension forage specialist, it’s important to sample soils for nutrient levels.

“Follow through with the addition of limestone and fertilizer recommended by the test. The application of a blended fertilizer like 12-1212 and calling this your fertilizer program is not a wise decision,” Johnson explained.

Farmers should also scout fields weekly to determine the well being of the growing forages. They should evaluate grazing pressure, presence of pests, including weeds, insects and disease, and possible nutrient deficiency symptoms, Johnson stated.

Farmers could resolve to evaluate the possibility of grazing corn residues in the early fall, which could reduce feed cost substantially for beef and sheep producers, said Johnson.

2350950

By Heather Meade hmeade@dailyadvocate.com

Ron Lemenager, extension beef specialist, suggested farmers resolve to take feed samples and have them analyzed for nutrient content by working with a nutritionist to formulate rations that will minimize cost and optimize performance. Another possible resolution is to adjust rations for cold stress, to minimize losses in weight and body condition.

“For each 10-degree drop in wind chill factor below 30 degrees, the maintenance energy requirements increase by 13 percent for cows in moderate body conditioned with a dry, winter hair coat and 30 percent for thin cows or cows with a wet or summer hair coat,” Lemenager said.

Farmers could also create a business plan of where they want to go and how they plan to get there, Lemenager said.

“It can help not only when you go to the bank for a loan, but also when the IRS does an audit,” he finished.

Hog farmers could resolve to closely monitor feeding programs, since feed is 70 percent of swine costs, said Brian Richert, extension swine specialist.

“This includes sticking to your feed budgets, being vig-

*Number of patients admitted for post-acute care nationwide in the last 12 months.

2344002

Resolution tips for farmers to start the new year right

ACRES of Western Ohio | January Issue 11A

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PLACE YOUR CLASSIFIED AD ONLINE-24/7 Acres of Western Ohio

DEADLINES/CORRECTIONS: Liner deadline: 3rd Friday each month Display Deadline: Aug. Edition: July 20 Sept. Edition: Aug 17 Oct. Edition: Sept 21 Nov. Edition: Oct 19 Dec. Edition: Nov 16

Serving Darke, Preble and Wayne (IN) counties

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520 Building Materials FLOORING: Bamboo flooring. 100sqft. New ~ In box! $75 (937)997-2061 HANGERS: Joist hangers 2X10 (45) single. $1 each.

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800 - Transportation

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POLICY: Please Check Your Ad The 1st Day. It Is The Advertiser’s Responsibility To Report Errors Immediately.

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GENERAL INFORMATION

12A ACRES of Western Ohio | January Issue

CARRIERS WANTED

of Western Ohio

• Sunday Edition • 1 day a week • No collecting Walk Routes available:

UP TO DATE

Agriculture NEWS FROM:

Darke

Union City, New Madison & Greenville

Miami

Wayne

Preble

local farmers, local businesses, state and local officials

Montgomer

Targeting over 29,000 readers in 3 counties

Contact Lori

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ldenniston@dailyadvocate.com 2353569

548-3151 ext. 262 428 S. Broadway Greenville, OH

Do you have farm equipment, livestock or other farm related items to sell? Do you need farmhand help? Advertise in the ACRES monthly publication to meet all your farming needs.

• Farm Equipment • Service Directory • Auctions • Summer Help • Farm Help • Land Lease/Rent

• Picture it Sold • 4-H Projects • Hay/Straw • Livestock • Fencing • Animal Bi-Products

Submit information by the third Friday of every month to: Mary Bevins - Darke County mbevins@dailyadvocate.com 937.548.3151 x 222 Billie Wood - Preble County bwood@registerherald.com 937-456-5553 x100

2352577

JobSourceOhio.com

ACRES of Western Ohio | January Issue 13A

By Ryan Carpe rcarpe@dailyadvocate.com DARKE COUNTY The U.S. House and Senate announced a short-term farm bill extension on Dec. 29 which would continue the active polices of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 and halt the imminent threat of accelerated dairy prices.

In a statement to CNN, Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow said the short-term farm bill extension “also prevents eventual damage to our entire agriculture economy.”

Despite the agreement, house leaders have not yet agreed to put the bill on the floor. In addition to the oneyear extension, the House GOP is also considering a one-month extension bill and another that would extend existing dairy policy that expires Jan. 1.

The threat of milk nearly doubling in price at around $7 caused legislators from both sides of the aisle to resolve the situation as quickly as possible.

Ohio remains a chief manufacturer in the dairy industry, and farmers expect any changes to the bill could have a large impact on the state’s agricultural polices.

According to statistics provided by the Ohio Department of Agriculture for 2010, Ohio produced 5,240,000 pounds of milk, ranking the state 11th in milk production. And nearly 12 percent of all Ohio agricultural commodities consist of dairy products.

In 2012, Darke County ranked 7th in the state for milk production with an esti-

AP Photo/Susan Walsh

Senate Agriculture Committee member Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt. walks past reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, Monday, Dec. 31,2012.

Farm bill pushed to one-year extension mated 8,000 dairy cows in the area.

While the extension came just in the nick of time, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack said in an earlier interview with CNN that he was not pleased with the process.

“It is unconscionable that we don’t have a farm bill.

This is just historic. You have every single major commodity group and farm group in the country united in the message to get this work done, yet Congress doesn’t get it done,” he said. “You can’t point to a time when

Congress has been this reluctant to pass farm legislation.”

The farm bill is the federal government’s primary agricultural policy and legislative tool, and Vilsack highlighted its importance for rural community members.

“When you consider what rural America does, it provides most of the food, a lot of the water, almost all of the energy and fuel, as well as many, many jobs connected to what happens in rural areas, there should be a greater appreciate for what takes place in rural America

and a greater concern on the part of all of us to make sure rural America is healthy and prosperous,” he said.

The 2008 farm bill has far-reaching consequences for every agricultural state, as it deals with conservation, rural development, agricultural research, nutrition programs and other aspects.

Vilsack warned as early as October that if there was not an extension of the existing bill or a new bill on Jan. 1 or shortly thereafter, permanent 1949 agricultural law would go back into place, which would drive up the prices of

dairy products along with other farming goods.

In the October statement, Vilsack said that letting the 2008 Farm Bill expire would leave the “USDA with far fewer tools to help strengthen American agriculture and grow a rural economy that supports 1 in 12 American jobs.”

Vilsack continued building on the importance of the bill by saying “Without action by the House of Representatives on a multiyear Food, Farm and Jobs bill, rural communities are today being asked to shoul-

der additional burdens and additional uncertainty in a tough time.”

But the short-term extension doesn’t come without a cost.

According to the Congressional Budget Office in a report issued on Dec. 28, a one-year extension of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 could cause more than $1 billion dollars in changes to direct spending.

House. The Farm Bill as of writing this article has failed to make it to the House floor for a vote. I’m sure they’ll extend the old version or not, we don’t know anymore what this Congress plans to do, but a little about the Farm Bill history over the course of the past 14 months. Last November the House and Senate agriculture committee leaders developed a bipartisan, bicameral pro-

posal for the super committee; however, the committee announced it would not be able to reach an agreement before its deadline. This action (or inaction) meant a formal process of reauthorizing the farm bill would take place in 2012.

Throughout the spring both the House and Senate Agricultural committees held hearing to get a Farm Bill written. Then finally on June 21, after considering

more than 70 amendments, the Senate approved the passage of the farm bill with a 64-to-35 vote. A few weeks later, the House Agriculture Committee easily approved its version of the farm bill. Good right, wrong the House leaders have held off on bringing it to the floor for a vote. Then with the September 30th expiration date looming the House of Representatives could not find enough votes

to pass a one-year extension of the 2008 Farm Bill, so they adjourned in August and the 2008 bill expired on September 30. Currently in the lame duck session, Congress has one last chance before the end of the year to take up the 2012 Farm Bill. If it fails to pass the bill, the process will begin again in 2013.

Drought, Politics, Education and Awards has been a large part of last

year, and this coming year I’m sure a lot of this will continue to affect us as well. I know one thing is for sure; the agriculture community will overcome what is thrown at them and persevere to produce a safe and abundant crop that will help feed the world. With 2012 in the books and 2013 on the horizon, I want to say good luck, be safe, and I can’t wait to see what happens this year.

Ryan Carpe is a staff writer at The Daily Advocate in Greenville.

2012 from pg. 1 year, we need to see the results and how politics has affected agriculture. From local referendums and state offices to U.S. congressional seats and the presidency, the November 6 election was another talked about news item of the year.

When all the votes were counted, America re-elected its president, Democrats maintained control of the Senate and Republicans held onto majority in the

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14A ACRES of Western Ohio | January Issue

the

Amish Cook Bacon and Egg Bake 6 to 8 bacon slices 1 medium onion, sliced om Soup 1 can Cream of Mushro

The Amish Cook

By Lovina Eicher Wednesday evening and supper is over. Everyone went their own way, some reading, some writing, and some still down with the flu.

Yes, the flu bug hit us. So far it has only been son Benjamin and my husband, Joe. Their symptoms were a high temperature, cough, aches, and chill. I called the doctor and he said their is not much they can do. So I am playing nurse and trying to keep their temperatures down and trying to keep them comfortable.

I hope it stays away from the rest of us. Joe is caught up at work so he is off work until after New Year’s Day. It was a good thing that he did not have to leave as he woke up with a temperature of 102. I hope he will be better to enjoy his birthday which is Saturday the 22nd. This will make him 44 years o l d

already.

Last night we had an easy supper of eggs, toast, and cheese. Verena fried the eggs and Loretta made the toast so I got out of helping with supper. We have eggs, eggs, eggs around here.

After the holidays I hope to make noodles with a lot of them. Elizabeth arrived home safe and sound from their trip to Kentucky. It is always nice to know when everyone is back home again. Christmas is coming up fast and I still have not signed any cards.

Seems I get later every year in getting them out.

Tomorrow night is the elementary Christmas program at the school. Joseph, Lovina, and Kevin are excited about it. Friday will be a 1 /2 day of school. Sounds like we have some snow and wind expected for tonight.

Their might be a possibility that there will be no school Friiday. I remember one year on our way home from the school Christmas program it snowed alot. It was hard to find our way home with the fresh snow covered roads in the dark. The next morning school was cancelled but the children were disappointed because so were their parties.

We were surprised with Christmas caroloers one night.

1/4 cup milk rated 5 hard-boiled eggs, g 2 cup shredded cheese

t and mix all fa n co ba d an n io on e te e at 350 and crumble. Sau k n ba ai r d D an e p. is ol er cr l ss ti ca un t n ar Fry baco . Pour into a 2 qu er pp pe of sh da a d sh muffins. li ad ng E or d ea br d ingredients and te as ood served over to G . es ut in m 0 3 to 5 2 for

Was some of the families from our church. They had a team of horses and a hay wagon to take them from one place to the next. A group of people stood outside on our porch and sang Christmas carols.

This is now Thursday morning and it is raining and very windy. It

is the first morning all week that Benjamin woke up without a fever. He said he feels lots better. It is hard to keep him down when he is sick. He had a 104 temperature one morning and was walking around. It

doesn’t take much of a fever to put me in bed. I just never could walk around with a high temperature. Today I want to bake bread and make something for Elizabeth to take something to the factory for the carry in on her

line. Didn’t realize I didn’t have too much yeast on hand so make I won’t get to bake as much as I thought. I will close this column wishing you a blessed Christmas.

Those of you who travel may you arrive back safely.

Also: get well wishes to all the people with illnesses, may you have a complete and speedy recovery. And last, but not least, let us remember the families in Connecticut during this sorrowful time. Such a tragedy. May God be with them.

God’s blessings to all.

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