Fertilizer: Yes or No?

If you've run a corn or soybean budget for the 2009 crop recently, you know that contract prices for next year's crops are not at break even levels today. As growers look at alternatives for creating profit with row crops, fertilizer is one of the most discussed topics.

In many cases, reserves of P and K have been built up in Fairfield and surrounding county soils to a point that additional P and K applications at this time will not enhance yields. In other cases, perhaps the appropriate amounts of N, P, K or even lime will add profit to the balance sheet.

Are Grain Options a Viable Alternative During Volatile Times?

“Outlooks for row-crop prices are meaningless in this broader investment environment, and even long-term market bulls are likely to avoid these markets until they are convinced the downside volatility from outside markets’ influence has run its course.” This November 24, 2008 statement in the DTN Snapshot Staff release suggests that there is upside potential coming in the grain markets . . . sometime. Yet, how long will grain producers be able to sit on their grain in hopes of better markets arriving . . . sometime. Perhaps a “grain option” becomes a viable marketing alternative at this point.

With that concern laid squarely on the table, Dan Zwicker, Market Analyst for the ADM Grain Group will join us in the Fairfield County Ag Center at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, January 6, to discuss effectively utilizing the “options” market during these times of highly volatile grain prices. Zwicker is headquartered in Decatur, and has over 30 years experience in the futures industry and is a widely recognized market advisory analyst.

His primary scope of activity is to build producer relationships with ADM by providing services and products that afford grain marketing support that will enhance better marketing decisions for grain producers. Prior to joining ADM Grain Group, Zwicker severed as Operations Manager and Senior Market Analyst for AgriVisor Services as well as heading up his own market advisory firm, Zwicker Consulting, Inc. Zwicker received national recognition with his Zwicker Cycle Letter having been highly ranked during the 1990’s by Merrill Lynch Ag Hedging and Top Producer magazine.

Following Zwicker, meeting participants will enjoy lunch, compliments of ADM Grain in Columbus. After lunch, Joe Young of Young Crop Insurance will offer his insight into crop insurance alternatives for 2009.

The afternoon program will conclude with Aaron Stockberger, Fairfield County FSA Director, who will share information regarding the new Farm Bill, and changes for 2009 in the FSA farm programs.

Reservations are requested, and may be made by contacting ADM Grain in Columbus at 800.274.0386.

Agricultural District Form Appeared in Mail?

It has come to our attention that an Agricultural District Form has been sent out by the Fairfield County Auditor with no explanation. This is not the Current Agricultural Use Valuation form (CAUV) that reduces your taxes. This is the form that you sign up for a 5 year period which for that 5 years gives you a certain degree of protection against nuisance suits and eminent domain plus the deferment of assessments for water, sewer or electric lines.

Apparently the auditor is attempting to get as many people as possible on the same 5 year cycle. The law requires enrollment for 5 years and sign up for this program to continue in the program. However, at the end of their 5 year period a person may choose to not designate their land as an agricultural district, thus being able to convert land from agricultural production without an agricultural district penalty. However, a CAUV penalty will be incurred.

According to the auditor's office, those receiving the form have a choice. They can simply sign the form and send it back in, upon which they will start their new 5 year enrollment in the agricultural district. However, if a landowner wishes to keep their original cycle, just call the auditor's office, 678-7020 and tell them you wish to keep your enrollment and original cycle.

Small Farm College Planned for Early 2009

A ten-week short course for landowners and those wishing to make an income on a few acres is planned for early in 2009.

The Ohio New and Small Farm College will be held at the Fairfield County Ag Center, 831 College Avenue, Lancaster, at 6:30 p.m. on consecutive Mondays from January 26 through March 16. One session will be a daytime session involving a tour of successful area small farm businesses.

The course is open to the public, but will be geared to landowners in and around Fairfield, Franklin, Perry, Pickaway and Licking counties.

The course will cover many of the aspects involved in goal assessment and business planning. Government assistance programs will be presented as well as legal issues. The business enterprise opportunities available in east central Ohio, as well as marketing alternatives, will also be covered. Specific production session topics will focus on crops, horticulture, animal production and natural resources.

CAUV changes NOT as costly as some perceive

Much recent local conversation has revolved around the adjustments being made to CAUV land values this year by the Ohio Department of Tax Equalization. Unfortunately, many have come away from a local forum, and/or media and farm organization publications with the implication this change could increase total real estate tax bills by up to 65%. This is simply NOT THE CASE.

In fact, what is happening is CAUV (Current Agricultural Use Value) values for farm land in Ohio are being increased by approximately 65% in 2007 by the Ohio Department of Tax Equalization. These values are utilized for tax payment calculations for taxes which will be paid in 2008. The net cost impact for the "average" Fairfield County farm presently being taxed under CAUV will be less than $4.00 per acre. Here's why.

Keep in mind that CAUV valuation is only applied to the land which qualifies and not the home, home site, or buildings. Thus, the increases that are being discussed will only occur on the farm land acreage that presently under CAUV. On many tax duplicates farm owners receive, the value of the home, home site and buildings makes up the majority of the taxing value for the total property.

New Economic Based Nitrogen Recommendations for Corn Are Available in Online Spreadsheet!

Would you throw oats from a perfectly good plane?

Many of you know that in recent years we have been doing research on extending the grazing season by flying oats into standing corn and soybeans in August. We are making plans to continue these efforts yet this month. The goal is to have an airplane in the County by mid August to fly seed into standing corn fields. If there is enough interest, we will have the plane back in September to fly seed into standing soybeans.

Private Pesticide Applicator Record Keeping Requirements

Ohio's "Private" Pesticide Applicators who apply restricted use pesticides have been required to keep records of those pesticide applications for 10+ years. The requirements were intended to be similar to other pesticide records required by the 1990 Farm Bill.

For many years, only the records of those individuals who were being investigated for a spraying complaint were checked for completion and accuracy by the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA). However, in recent years ODA has been doing random checks of Private Applicator records including those of several farmers in Fairfield County over recent months.

To meet the requirements of the ODA, records of all applications of restricted use pesticides made by private applicators or under their supervision must be maintained for a period of three years from date of application, and be made available to the ODA upon request. In the case of a crop site being leased or rented by a private applicator, the private applicator must make the pesticide application record available within 30 days of the request by the owner of the land or his agent. The following information must be recorded on the day of application, and maintained for the three year period.

(1) Certified applicator (name, address, certification number);

(2) The brand or product name, formulation, and EPA registration number of the restricted use pesticide applied;

(3) The total amount and the rate of application of the restricted use pesticide applied;

(4) Location and/or field number for area treated and total area or acreage treated;

(5) Crop treated;

(6) Target pest;

(7) Month, date and year of application;

(8) Type of application equipment;

(9) Method of application (preemerge, postemergence, planter, foliar, etc.);

(10) Weather conditions including air temperature, wind speed and direction when pesticides are applied outside of structure.