Two big meetings to attend

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This week Americans celebrated Veterans Day. The federal holiday honors the brave men and women of the armed forces who risk their lives to protect our freedom. They include members of the US Army, Navy, Marine Corps, National Guard, Air Force, and the Coast Guard.

Veterans Day recognizes all those who served honorably in the military, during war or peace. It’s primary purpose however, is to thank the living veterans for their bravery and contribution to our national security.

I hope it did not get lost with this week’s election stuff. So, I personally want to thank each and every one of you and the families of those that sacrificed so that I can enjoy my freedom and security here in the great USA! Thank you.

Locally, while driving around the county, we still have several acres of crops out but hopefully, weather permitting we can finish here in another week. The weather has been absolutely wonderful so we better not complain about this cooler weather we are receiving now.

Farmers have been able to really take advantage especially if they are finished with harvest. Fall tillage, some drainage work, and fertility applications have taken place this fall. I have also heard several producers have been able to do some fall herbicide applications to help handle weed issues and be ahead of the weeds come next spring.

Speaking of weeds, this year has been one I think for the memory books. We definitely saw more weedy situations due to the lack of timely control this year because of the weather this spring. Along with that, it was quite evident we have more and more resistant weed populations showing themselves throughout the county.

In addition, the presence of water hemp and palmer amaranth have made themselves known and will be a problem to contend with in the future.

We basically have four major weed issues we will need to really start doing a better job of managing in our fields. The worst of course is palmer amaranth, with water hemp right behind it. These two weeds alone if not controlled properly will literally take over a farm in a matter of a couple of years.

Don’t believe me? I can get you in contact with a few growers locally or down south in Arkansas and other southern states that now have major control issues.

The other two weeds are of course the same two we have been dealing with locally for quite some time. They are marestail and giant ragweed. I believe these two weeds had an opportunity with this year to show us how resistant they have become to many of our herbicide programs.

Timing, proper herbicides and proper rates are all three important steps that must all be in place at the same time to be effective in controlling these weeds.

Many of you are hoping for some new products to be available for this next year. I really do not think the labels will be ready for this coming spring. With issues experienced in the south with the misuse of certain herbicides and the wanting of more proof these new products won’t become an issue, I truly believe we will not see these products available in the spring of 2017.

Because we have these four weeds present at “ground zero” Clinton County, I have asked Mark Loux, Ohio State University weed specialist and Erdal Ozkan, Ohio State University spray technology specialist to discuss our problem weeds such as palmer amaranth, giant ragweed, water hemp, and marestail; management strategies to fight these weeds; best application practices and proper nozzle selection. We may even learn if any of the new proposed products will actually be available in 2017.

They will be in Clinton County for a weed management program Thursday, Dec. 8 from 1 to 3:30 p.m. at the Clinton County Fairgrounds Expo Building. This program with the help of Crop Production Services, Midland Branch, is free and open to anyone wanting to get the latest strategies for weed control. We ask that you please RSVP by calling the Clinton County Extension office at (937) 382-0901.

Since I am on the topic of upcoming meetings, don’t forget the meeting on the new Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) which will impact all livestock producers. It is this coming Tuesday, Nov. 15 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Clinton County Extension Community Room at 111 S. Nelson Ave. in Wilmington.

The program is geared to all livestock production. The Keynote speaker for the evening will be John Heins, a livestock producer and a member of the National Pork Board serving as the Producer & State Relationship Manager for the NE Region.

In addition to his talk we will have a panel of local veterinarians and feed producers to discuss not only the feed directive but to address the need to establish a vet client relationship and to answer any question you may have. I encourage all livestock producers to attend as well as any 4-H and FFA family that works with livestock.

Again, if you could please RSVP that you are coming by calling the Clinton County Extension office at (937) 382-0901.

Tony Nye is the state coordinator for the Ohio State University Extension Small Farm Program and has been an OSU Extension Educator for agriculture and natural resources for 28 years, currently serving Clinton County and the Miami Valley EERA.

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Tony Nye

OSU Extension

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