September is here, and that means it’s time for the Ohio State University Farm Science Review.
This monumental event — sponsored by The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) — takes place Sept. 21-23 at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center, 135 State Route 38 NE, in London, Ohio.
There is always so much to do, see and learn while attending the Farm Science Review. And it doesn’t matter whether you a large producer, a small producer or just an agricultural enthusiast — there is a lot for everyone.
I will be highlighting different activities and events over the next few weeks that will be items you will want to check out while at the Review. This week I want to highlight the “Ask The Expert” sessions that will offer timely insight for your agricultural operation.
Whether it’s learning how to navigate new tax laws, understanding the complexities of the U.S. trade policy and its impact on agriculture, or dealing with drought or excess rain, Ohio farmers likely have a lot of questions as they emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic amidst the challenging 2021 growing season.
Faculty and staff from (CFAES), will answer those questions and address some of the top farm management and veterinary medicine challenges facing Ohio farmers in 2021.
As we know it has been another trying year for producers. The FSR “Ask the Expert” workshops will feature discussions aimed at helping farmers mitigate these challenges and other issues forefront on farmers’ minds as we go into the harvest season.
Experts will share science-based recommendations and solutions to the issues growers are facing regarding weather impacts, pandemic relief, tax issues and many other issues.
Folks attending the FSR are encouraged to attend these quick-hitting, 20-minute sessions, where they’re able to speak one-on-one with experts in farm management and veterinary medicine to ask questions specific to their needs.
New this year is Farm Office Live, 10-11:30 a.m. Sept. 23. The session will feature several farm management specialists who will discuss the latest information on pandemic relief, agricultural, tax, financial and other farm management law and policy issues.
Dave Marrison, an associate professor and an Ohio State University Extension Educator, notes that all the Ask the Experts sessions will be recorded and available to view on demand for those who aren’t able to attend FSR or want to re-watch the sessions later. If you miss the sessions, you will be able to visit farmoffice.osu.edu .
Some other Ask the Expert topics will include:
• Farming in the rain, drought and in between
• Ag trade and policy: who’s buying and who’s selling
• How to lose money when transporting and handling beef cattle
• Should I care about working capital with $5.50 corn and $14.00 soybeans?
• Carbon credits – What are they worth?
• Dairy Farm Consolidation in the US: Trends and Opportunities
• Are Our Farms Financially Secure?
• Protecting Livestock from Toxins and Poisonous Plants
• Ohio Corn and Soybean Production and Profitability in 2020
“Ask the Experts” sessions are held each day of the show across from the Firebaugh Building at 426 Friday Ave.
Check out Gwynne
Another area to check out will be the Gwynne Conservation Area. The nearly 70-acre demonstration site — home of a forest, a stream, a wetland, ponds, pastures, wildlife food plots, and trails leading past or through them — will offer 50-plus talks, tours, and demonstrations during all three days of the Review.
This is a place you can go to discover such things as:
• How grazing goats can help control invasive plants in your woods.
• How to call turkeys, identify frogs, stock your pond with the best types of fish, and grow your own edible mushrooms in a bucket.
• How and when to harvest timber, and what today’s volatile lumber prices can mean for you and your woods.
• How to identify the spotted lanternfly, an invasive species new to Ohio that can damage your fruit and shade trees and grape vines.
To view the whole listing of topics and when they are offered go to: fsr.osu.edu
Hours for Farm Science Review are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 21-22 and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 23. Tickets are $7 prior to the FSR by stopping by our Clinton Extension Office, 111 S. Nelson Ave., Wilmington, or you can purchase tickets at the event for $10 at the gate. Children ages 5 and under are admitted free.
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.
