2015 Fall Ag Tab

SUPPLEMENT TO

THE EARLY BIRD AND

BLUEBAGMEDIA.COM

FALL AG TAB OCTOBER 2015

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PAGE 2- FALL AG TAB-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-OCTOBER 18, 2015

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Improving the future of Ohio AgricultureThe Toledo

water problems of 2014 caused g r o w i n g concerns over water quality, especially in Lake Erie’s western basin. In order to fully address

the issues with nutrient loading in Lake Erie we must address issues in our municipalities and in farm country.

Understanding that many farmers in northwestern Ohio have taken voluntary steps to reduce their environmental impact, Senate Bill 1 considered these actions and made them the law for all farmers in the western basin of Lake Erie. When asking farmers to change practices, we must also extend those same expectations to other nutrient loaders, so additional regulations have been placed on waste water

treatment and dredging across the state.

Research from The Ohio State University and other agricultural experts clearly indicates that farmers should be applying nutrients only after checking the weather. After all, when nutrients leave the field farmers lose money, so retaining that value in their fields is a priority. Farmers have always checked the forecast before cutting hay and the same diligence should be paid to keeping nutrients on the field.

For the many farmers who are already utilizing nutrient-management plans, these new standards will not have a significant impact on these farms. The new guidelines are meant to ensure that all farming practices are in line with the best nutrient management policies.

The new standards set by SB1 ban the application of nutrients when the top two inches of soil are saturated by precipitation and limits when fertilizer can be applied to frozen soil. Nutrient applications are also limited while there is a significant chance of rain.

As of July 3, 2015, these standards are in effect.

However, in order to reduce the financial burden on small and medium size livestock farms, these operations are permitted to seek a temporary exemption allowing more time to prepare. Additionally, the Division of Soil and Water can grant permission to apply manure in emergency cases.

The new regulations set forth by Senate Bill 1 are very important for the health of Lake Erie. They have been prescribed based on agricultural research and determined to be the most environmentally sound approaches to farming. Lake Erie is an asset to Ohio, and we all have interests in preserving the health and beauty of the lake for years to come.

As farmers begin to follow these new provisions, they should be consulting with their county NRCS, OSU Extension, and the Division of Soil and Water.

If you would like further in-depth information on Senate Bill 1 and these new guidelines, please visit tinyurl.com/newaglaws

Please give me your opinion on this topic and other issues in the news by completing a brief online survey at tinyurl.com/buchyoctober2015.

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MV FFA hosts 46th annual Fall Fair

Fruit Sale in Versailles

UNION CITY – The Mississinawa Valley FFA chapter held its 46th annual Fall Fair on Oct. 1. There was a great interest in the chicken and ham dinners this year as the chapter sold over 1,600 dinners! The meal is prepared entirely by the student members of the chapter along with some help from the Mississinawa Valley Cafeteria Staff.

Every year, the MV FFA works hard to make the Fall Fair a success, and with the help of the members this year’s event was record setting.

Like in years past, each

FFA members brought in a minimum of four exhibits that were judged and displayed in the ag shop for the community to view. The different categories of items included hay, grain, flowers, eggs, fruits, vegetables, baked goods, and shop items. The most points earned in each category were awarded as follows: Shop – tie between David Townsend and Leslie Dirksen; Flowers – Daisy Brim; Baked Goods - tie between Hope Jankowski and Emily Yount; Vegetables – Grant Stachler; Grain – Blake Scholl; Hay – Mason

Hummel; Fruit – tie between Grant and Madison Stachler; Eggs – Colyn Nelson; Canned Goods – Hope Jankowski. The overall winners were Grant Stachler, first place; Madison Stachler, second place; Hope Jankowski, third place; Daisy Brim, fourth place; and Will Hall, fifth place.

Many dedicated community members come out each year during the day and help judge the Fall Fair items. The MV

FFA would like to thank all of the judges for spending their time helping and making the Fall Fair possible every year.

Also, a special thank you to all of the members, whom without all of your hard work and dedication, Fall Fair would not have been a success! Another big thank you goes to the local Main Street Market for donating bags and Cal Maine for donating boxes.

VERSAILLES – The Versailles FFA fruit sales will continue through Nov. 13. The chapter will be purchasing their fruit and nuts from Florida Farm; meat and cheese from Pearl Valley Cheese and Ohio Heritage Beef; and barbeque sauce from B.D. Yummers.

This list extensive, but you can always rely on great fruit being available, including apples,

oranges, tangelos, and pink grapefruit. Several types of gift boxes are also available.

The chapter requires all orders be pre-paid. If you have any questions or would like to purchase any product, contact any Versailles FFA member, call the Ag Department at 526-4427, ext. 3113 and ask for Mrs. Wuebker or email her at [email protected] through Nov. 13.

College Fair in VersaillesVERSAILLES – Versailles

FFA Scholarship Committee along with Versailles High School Guidance Counselor Hollie Ahrens are working together to host the second annual College/Technical/Military Fair on Nov. 12, 5-7:30 p.m. This function is

open to any high school student and their parents and will be an opportunity to explore post high school plans. This activity will allow students to further explore colleges, universities, technical schools and military branches.


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Protecting poultry industry from diseaseCOLUMBUS — Since

November 2014, an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5 has gripped the U.S. poultry industry, killing close to 50 million birds from commercial and backyard flocks in 19 states, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Originally spread by wild waterfowl, the virus has impacted turkey and chicken producers in the West and Midwest. Heavy losses to egg farms in Iowa —

the nation’s No. 1 producer of eggs until the current outbreak decimated production there — have sent egg prices soaring across the United States, more than doubling in some parts of the country.

While the virus has not reached Ohio, experts with the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences at The Ohio State University have been helping poultry producers learn about the disease, boost

biosecurity measures on the farm, and prepare to minimize the flu’s impact if it were to reach the state.

Ohio’s poultry industry is worth $2.3 billion and directly supports more than 14,600 jobs, according to the Ohio Department of Agriculture. Nationally, Ohio ranks ninth in turkey production and has now surpassed Iowa as the top egg producer.

Mohamed El-Gazzar, Ohio State University Extension’s poultry veterinarian, has been working with the poultry industry since the virus was discovered in the U.S. He said there are two main types of challenges when it comes to the current outbreak: challenges related to the virus

itself and challenges related to the logistics of disease control.

“The initial data shows that this virus has a relatively longer incubation period, about seven days, compared to other highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses,” El-Gazzar said. “This allows the virus to get into poultry houses and remain undetected for a longer period of time, which in turn provides a higher chance for the virus to be transmitted to other poultry.

“Another challenge is that, unlike many other highly pathogenic influenza viruses, this virus produces mild to no

PROTECTING POULTRYcontinued on page 5


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disease in wild migratory birds, with estimates indicating that this virus might survive in wild bird population for up to five years. This means there could be recurring episodes of this outbreak with possible new introductions in the fall and spring migrations.”

Once the virus is found in a particular location, El-Gazzar added, control and eradication strategies pose their own challenges — especially on poultry-dense areas such as Darke and Mercer counties in western Ohio, where it is more likely to spread from one farm to another.

“Ohio State has worked extensively with us on different scenarios of how the avian flu virus could impact us and how to handle that,” said Bill Knapke, environmental manager for Cooper Farms, a large poultry operation in western Ohio. “The emphasis has been on taking biosecurity to a new level to avoid spread of the disease, and focusing on our mortality disposal

methods right on the farm.”Keeping the virus out of Ohio

and minimizing its impact if it were to reach the state are crucial for both consumers and farmers, El-Gazzar said. If this outbreak would extend to Ohio layer operations, egg prices would increase even more dramatically nationwide, affecting both consumers and food manufacturers.

Additionally, if Ohio were to experience a 50 percent loss of poultry production, OSU Extension estimates the ripple effect would reach $1 billion in overall economic losses, including $815,000 in annual wages, said Sam Custer, an agriculture and natural resources educator based in Darke County.

Poultry production losses, Custer said, would also impact field crop farmers in the state. “If we would lose half of our poultry for a six-month period, you would reduce corn demand by 27 million bushels, the equivalent of 9 percent of our state corn production,” he said. “Soybean demand would be reduced by about 5 million bushels.”

PROTECTING POULTRYcontinued from page 4


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Versailles hosts State Greenhand Conference

VERSAILLES – For the 22nd consecutive year, the Versailles FFA held its annual State FFA Greenhand Conference. The conference was held at the Versailles High School on Sept. 12 for all of the Greenhands in the State of Ohio. Greenhands are first year members in the FFA.

This year was the largest conference Versailles has ever hosted, with approximately 546 FFA members in attendance. The members came from all across Ohio along with one Indiana school. Schools that participated in the conference were Fayette, Preble Shawnee, Twin Valley South, Fairlawn, Lancaster, Ansonia, Mechanicsburg, Cardinton-Lincoln, Paulding, Franklin Monroe, Benjamin Logan, Newton, Botkins, Miami East, Jackson Center, Anna, Ohio Hi-Point, Madison Plains, MV, Greenville, Milton Union, A.B. Graham, Urbana, Southeastern Clark, Covington, St. Marys, Coldwater, Eaton, Greenon,

Northridge, Valley View, Ross/Butler Tech, Hillsdale, Parkway, McClain, and Versailles.

The theme of the conference was “First Down and Life to Go.” The goal of the conference was to make FFA members aware of opportunities within FFA as well as develop their leadership skills, and to get new members excited about the FFA.

The day started with an official welcome and speech from Ohio National FFA officer candidate Sydney Snider, which was followed by a skit presented by the Versailles FFA officer and assistant officer teams. Following the skit were various workshops, such as Opportunities in the FFA, Teamwork, Goal Setting, SAE and Communication.

The students then broke for lunch, which was donated by Papa John’s and Subway. Door prizes were also awarded. To

GREENHAND..continued on page 7


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conclude the day the students participated in CDE roundtables presented by officers and other members to learn more about the different career development events offered by FFA. The CDEs exposed in the roundtable’s included Job Interview, Agricultural Communications, Public Speaking, Ag Sales,

Tractor Trouble Shooting, Soils, Ag Issues, Wildlife/Nature Interpretation, Food Science, Dairy Foods, Greenhand Quiz, Parliamentary Procedure, General Livestock, Dairy, Horse, and Poultry. Overall, the day was a great success. Each greenhand participant left with a greenhand conference t-shirt designed by past Versailles FFA president Brent Stammen.

FFA Chapters had the

opportunity to participate in a canned food drive. The winning school was East Clinton; Miami East placed second.

The conference was conducted by the Versailles FFA officer team, Versailles FFA Leadership Committee, Versailles FFA members, State FFA officers, National FFA officer, and Ohio National FFA officer candidate.

The Versailles FFA officers that made the conference

possible were President Danielle Hesson, Vice-President Alyssa Morgan, Secretary Lewis Kremer, Treasurer JJ. Petitjean, Reporter Clair Schmitmeyer, Student Advisor Kayla Bruns, Historian Ellen Peters, Sentinel Collin Peters, Parliamentarian Maggie Hedrick, Assistant Vice-President Bri Buzzard, Assistant Reporter Makayla Berger, Assistant Treasurer Ashley Petitjean, Assistant Secretary Taylor Tyo, Assistant Historian Kylie Lyons, Assistant Sentinel Toby George, Assistant Student Advisor Tessa Tyo, Assistant Parliamentarian Shelby Winner and Versailles FFA Advisor Dena Wuebker.

The State FFA Officers that attended the conference were National FFA candidate Sydney Snider, State President Matthew Klopfenstein, Vice President Mary Buehler, State Secretary Michaela Kramer, State Reporter Aaron Klohn, State Sentinel Robby Thiel, Vice President at large Ryan Goddard, Vice President at large Lesley Shanahan, and Vice President at large Sarah Landis. Shown are the Versailles FFA members, officers, state officers, and national officer who attended the Statewide Greenhand Conference.

GREENHAND..continued from page 6

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Grain handling safety tips during harvestCOLUMBUS – With grain

harvest well underway statewide thanks to favorable weather conditions throughout the region, growers are reminded that taking extra precautions when handling grain can lessen the potential for injury.

When working around grain storage facilities, incidents such as slips, trips, falls, severe trauma injuries, entanglement or engulfment can happen in a fraction of a second, said Kent McGuire, agriculture safety and health coordinator for Ohio State University Extension.

“Throughout Ohio, on-farm grain storage facilities are being upgraded, and newly constructed on-farm storage facilities are getting larger and larger,” McGuire said. “Harvest season is in full swing and there is a lot of activity filling these facilities with corn and soybeans.”

“With that in mind, it’s important for people to think about the safety issues involved when handing grain throughout the fall and winter months. A lot

of farmers recognize the hazards associated with handling grain, but during a busy harvest season, safety may not always be at the forefront of their work process.”

“It’s always a good idea to notify family members or coworkers before starting any potentially dangerous work and tell them when you expect to finish,” McGuire said. “If you are supposed to be done within a specific time, someone can check on you periodically or if you are late.”

Other safety tips include: * Keep equipment properly

maintained. Recognize, respect and avoid equipment hazards such as cut points, wrap points, pinch points, burn points and stored energy. Severe injuries from equipment hazards can happen in a fraction of a second.

* Emergency contact information and procedures should be available and verified. Make sure cell phones are adequately charged and have signal before starting potentially dangerous work.

* Know where overhead power lines are so they can be avoided

when moving equipment or using a portable auger.

* Make sure there is adequate lighting at the facility when working in low light conditions to prevent slips, trips and falls.

* Have a fire extinguisher handy and charged. A fire in its beginning stages often can be extinguished by a quick response by someone with a fire extinguisher.

* Wear an N-95 respirator when working around grain, as it keeps 95 percent of the dust and other pollutants from the grain from entering the lungs.

* All equipment shutoffs should be labeled in the electrical panel and at switches. This makes it easier to shut off specific equipment in the event of an emergency.

* Never enter a grain bin when the unloading equipment is on. Lockout or tagout procedures should be developed for all equipment to keep them from being unexpectedly started.

* Never enter a grain bin alone. If entry into the bin is necessary, always have at least one observer outside the bin, and make sure all augers are turned off. One person is to enter the bin, and the others should remain outside in case an emergency occurs. Always use a body harness with a lifeline secured to the outside of the bin.

* Bridged grain or grain lining the wall of the bin is dangerous and should be handled at a distance.

* Use a pole to break up bridged grain, and try pounding on the outside of the bin to dislodge grain that clings to bin walls.

* If the grain is out of condition, poisonous gases may accumulate. If you suspect that the air inside the bin is unsafe, do not try to enter without first sampling the air.

More information on scheduling grain safety awareness programs can be found at agsafety.osu.edu/grain-cart/scheduling.

GREENVILLE – The annual TractorCade, which is held to kick off National Farm Safety Week, gives students an opportunity to see how slow farm equipment moves and helps them understand the importance of sharing the road with local farmers. The purpose is to promote farm safety on and off the farm. They are hoping by recognizing this week and promoting safety, they can help reduce accidents during this busy harvest season.

Stan Hughes, High School CT

director, and Kim Berner, CT secretary, served as this year’s parade marshals. They considered it a privilege to drive a tractor for such an organization as the FFA. By driving the tractor, Mr. Hughes and Ms. Berner hoped to show their support for members of the local FFA Chapter.

Koenig John Deere equipment sales also allowed the chapter to borrow a tractor for this special day; that was the tractor that Mr. Hughes was driving and Ms. Berner was riding in.

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SWCD hosts soil judging for local FFAsWAYNE TWP. – On Sept.

22, the Darke Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) held its annual land judging contest for Darke County FFA Chapters as they prepare for the District Contest. This year’s contest was held at Jim and Linda Rismiller’s Farm off Streib Road northeast of Versailles. This year seven teams from four schools – Franklin Monroe, Greenville, Mississinawa Valley and Versailles – participated in the event.

The land judging contest consists of rural and urban tests. This year teams only competed in the rural test. Significant changes were implemented at the 2015 contest to better prepare Darke County teams as they move onto Districts. A few of the changes implemented on the rural test included a focus on soil health, nutrient management, best management practices and a more in-depth look at soil properties.

Each test challenges the students to not only identify soil types, but also consider other soil characteristics when making

recommendations for use of that area. The contest consisted of four stations, three soil pits and a written test. The students had 15 minutes to finish the test at each station. Upon completion of the contest, students were asked to hand in their answer keys before Darke SWCD staff would go over the answers and reasoning at each station.

This year, Versailles Team

#1 finished with the highest team score on the rural test, followed by Versailles Team #2 and Mississinawa Valley. The highest individual score was Dean Heitkamp from Versailles FFA. All participants and advisors from the top three teams will be invited and recognized at the 60th annual Meeting and Banquet on Nov. 23.

“Darke SWCD would like to thank the Rismiller’s for graciously

hosting this year’s competition, George Skidmore and Tim Rank for their evaluation of the soil pits, Jeff Miller and Darke County Ditch Maintenance for digging the pits and all the schools for participating in the event. The participation and enthusiasm from the students and teachers is what makes this competition great,” said Jared Coppess, district administrator for Darke SWCD.

George Skidmore (left) and Tim Rank (right) from Darke SWCD evaluate the soil pit for the 2015 contest at Jim and Linda Rismiller’s Farm northeast of Versailles.

FFA students analyze a soil pit during the 2015 land judging contest held in Wayne Township at Jim and Linda Rismiller’s farm.


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2015 Fall Ag Tab