Ohio Workshop Focuses on Soil Tests and Nutrient Management

January 10, 2014

2 Min Read
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Reading soil test results, understanding the meaning of those results and then translating them into accurate nutrient application rates is a key area that will be addressed during the West Ohio Agronomy Day Jan. 13, 2014, offered by Ohio State University (OSU) Extension and Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center researchers, educators and agronomists. Growers who have a clear understanding of what nutrients are already in their soil and what nutrients are missing are more likely to produce higher yields while saving money, according to OSU agronomists.

Open to growers statewide, the program is designed to help growers produce higher yields while maintaining a strong financial bottom line.

"Nutrient use is the focus of the program this year, with an emphasis on knowing the right amount of nutrients to apply," says Deborah Reinhart Brown, OSU Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Educator, "Our goal is to help growers maximize their yields while also watching the bottom line by being judicious about how much nutrients they need to apply and how to apply it. Yes, we want growers to get good yields, but we don't want them to waste money by applying too much fertilizer in areas where it's not needed. By knowing what their soil tests say, they can determine what is needed where to improve their yield potentials."


Additional topics that participants will learn about in the courses include:

* New recommendations for nutrient application

* Manure management and fly control

* Correct rate of pesticides mixed in the tank 

* Insect management in field crops

* Cover crops

* Resistant weed management

* Fumigation

* Introduction to precision agriculture

The program will also feature a grain market update and will offer programs for farmers looking for Private Pesticide Applicator Recertification Credits, as well as programs that offer Continuing Education Units for Certified Crop Advisers, Brown says.

Participants can attend a morning or evening session of the workshop. The morning session runs from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and the evening session runs from 5:30 to 9:45 p.m. A light breakfast and lunch will be served during the daytime session and a light dinner will be served during the evening session. The workshop will be held at St. Michael's Hall, 33 Elm St., in Fort Loramie.

Walk-in registration costs $20. For those needing Private Pesticide Recertification Credits, the cost is $40. More information about the program is available by contacting Brown at (937) 498-7239 or via email at [email protected].

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