The planting season for 2022 I think can finally be put in the record books. Sure, there may be some replanting, double crop beans after barley and wheat, but it is finished.
As I have driven around the county, weeds and their control have become another issue many producers need to address. As we discuss during our yearly pesticide applicator certification programs, weed control is most successful when we can apply herbicides before many weeds get over 4 inches tall.
This is certainly not the case this year.
We have a lot of big weeds out there. According to Mark Loux, Ohio State University weeds specialist, the best advice we have for big weeds in full-season soybeans is to increase rates and the complexity of POST herbicide applications, while still adhering to cutoffs for the application of certain herbicides as much as possible.
Dicamba products, XtendiMax, Engenia, and Tavium, cannot legally be applied to Xtend and XtendiFlex soybeans after June 30.
This cutoff date pertains to use in double-crop soybeans also. If you are planning on planting Xtend or XtendiFlex soybeans in double-crop fields and using dicamba as a burndown, it already needed to be applied before Friday of this week.
There isn’t a cutoff date for most other POST soybean herbicides – it’s based on either crop stage (eg R1) or days before harvest.
For more information regarding weed control, I might suggest getting a copy of the 2022 Weed Control Guide, available here at the Clinton County Extension office. Cost is just$16.
In a year like this where our options have now become somewhat limited due to the calendar, the Weed Control Guide can provide many other herbicide options, provide effectiveness ratings of herbicides on individual weeds, and provide other weed management strategies. This resource provides information not only on corn and soybeans but also small grains and forages.
Fair just around the corner
Now, on to something more exciting and entertaining. It is hard to believe that county fair is almost here. I say this since many area producers are just finishing up planting, basically a month behind normal schedules.
Several years ago, and I mean several, I did a little tribute to fair coming ( it mentioned past Extension Agents Bob Cripe and Darlene Myers) and thought I would dust it off, re-work it a little and share it again in final preparations for the Clinton County Fair.
Here it goes:
Twas the week before fair and all through the county, every advisor parent and child were stirring. Seven days left and we are still counting, wont it be great when we can all stop worrying.
When and where is judging for fair: oh, won’t someone please tell me out there!
Ask 4H Tracie or assistant Ann, they know the answers and always are fair. Don’t ask AG Tony since it’s not fair yet, better hope it is cooler, or he could be a bear!
Another day passes, and everyone gets tense, waiting to end all the suspense.
Johnny’s pig too little, Susan’s dress is not done, remember you parents we are still having so much fun!
Peter’s steer is yet wild, what will we do? Ask the steer jockey what they would do.
Mary’s dog so well trained but doesn’t like vets! Better hope your dog quickly forgets.
Betsy is cooking the family meal, another trial run, “I feel kinda ill.”
Another day down and the fair draws near, advisors get questions that cause much fear.
Can my dress be without pleats, or do I have to take it complete?
How do I get my livestock to make weight? Advisors respond, “should have fed better sooner cause now is too late .”
One more day passes, and everyone waits with great anticipation.
Once fair is here everyone will have that fair sensation.
Have the scales all been checked, and will they weigh right? Have no fears, says AG Tony, the scales will weigh right, or I am full of baloney.
Three days to count down then there were two, everyone stay calm we’ll make it through.
Parents stay patient, advisors keep advising, this is the time for our youth to be shining.
The last night is here and all the kids will hold dear, the dreams, the fun and the memories be made as fair is finally here.
Each hopes for the top as we should all through life. Your hard work will pay off and you are winners all, be sure to keep cool like mom and like dad and most importantly, just have a ball!”
Good luck to everyone at the fair.
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.
