While I write this week’s column it is snowing, and my holiday spirit is getting stronger as we get closer to Christmas. Have you all been naughty or nice? Have you completed your shopping whether online or in person shopping at a store?
I realize you have heard it a hundred times at least: the holidays will be different this year. With that said, I thought I would try to add some cheer to your last-minute holiday preparations. So, here it goes …
What do you call an old snowman? Do you have the answer? I’ll let you think about it for a while. My next dumb holiday joke is: What kind of candy do Christmas trees like? Do not burst a brain cell trying to come up with the answer.
On behalf of the Nye family, we wish you all the warmth and goodwill of the season and hope you have much happiness throughout the new year!
Oh yea, the answer to my snowman joke is – “Water.” And the answer to the candy joke is – “An Ornament.” Get it?
Happy Holidays.
Now on to some real business. Precision University is going virtual this year!
Due to the pandemic, the Digital Ag team will host a series of hour-long webinars each Tuesday in January at 10 a.m. to replace the annual in-person event. The 2021 Precision U sessions will focus on “Tackling Spring Operations with Reduced Working Days.”
Changing weather patterns have led to fewer days available in the spring to complete planting, spraying, and fertilizing. University and industry experts will share research results and technology available to help you work smarter and more efficiently. Please plan to join us for these sessions!
2021 Precision U: Tackling Spring Operations with Reduced Working Days
Jan. 5: Gambling with Planting Decisions — Dr. Aaron Wilson (Ohio State University Extension) and Dr. Bob Nielsen (Purdue University)
Jan. 12: Improving Fertilizer Efficiency with the Planter Pass — Matt Bennett (Precision Planting Technology) and Dr. John Fulton (Ohio State University)
Jan. 19: Pre-season Crop Protection Decisions — Dr. Mark Loux and Dr. Scott Shearer (Ohio State University)
Jan. 26: Sprayer Technology to Improve Field Performance — Dr. Joe Luck (University of Nebraska-Lincoln)
There is no cost to register for Precision University, but registration is required. CCA CEUs will be offered at each session. For more information or to register, visit http://go.osu.edu/PrecisionU. If you have any questions about the Precision U sessions, please feel free to contact Amanda Douridas ([email protected]).
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After 25 years, the Tri-State Fertilizer Recommendations for Corn, Soybeans, Wheat, and Alfalfa has been comprehensively updated and is now available. The full version can be downloaded as a free pdf, or a printed copy can be purchased: https://extensionpubs.osu.edu/search.php?search_query=974§ion=product
A summarized version of findings can be found here: go.osu.edu/fert-recs
The recommendations are based on more than a decade of field trials evaluating N, P, K, S and micronutrients, including over 300 on-farm trials across 41 Ohio counties (Clinton County is represented in this research).
This work confirms that the original Tri-State recommendations provided sound guidelines for nutrient management. However, some changes in the recommendations have been made to keep pace with contemporary practices in Ohio’s field crops.
This new guide provides an objective framework for farmers to manage nutrients as judiciously and profitably as possible.
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Do you need a resource to answer those tough farm tax questions? If so, you can access the Farmer’s Tax Guide (IRS Publication 225) online at: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p225.pdf The 2020 Farmer’s Tax Guide explains how federal tax laws apply to farming.
This guide can be used as a guide for farmers to figure taxes and complete their farm tax return.
The explanations and examples in this publication reflect the Internal Revenue Service’s interpretation of tax laws enacted by Congress, Treasury regulations, and court decisions. However, the information given does not cover every situation and is not intended to replace the law or change its meaning.
Some of the new topics for the 2020 tax year which are included in this publication are: Tax treatment of Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) payments, Payroll Protection Program (PPP) Loans and Forgiven Debt, Increased section 179 expense deduction dollar limits, COVID-19 related employment tax credits and other tax relief, Redesigned Form W-4 for 2020, New Form 1099-NEC, and much more.
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 over 30 years, currently serving Clinton County and the Miami Valley EERA.
