Ohio's Country Journal and Ohio Ag Net

05/08/2026

Darke County farmer Matt Aultman shares how this year's wheat crop is nearly 3 weeks ahead of schedule and will easily be the earliest crop he has ever harvested.

05/08/2026

The Ohio Agricultural Council (OAC) is set to honor the 2026 awardees who have made lasting contributions to Ohio’s agricultural industry. This year’s inductees, John Grimes of Hillsboro, Nancy Patterson of Chesterland, Lawrence H. “L.H.” Newcomb of Hilliard and Sparky Weilnau of Milan, represent a diverse cross-section of Ohio agriculture, from education and youth development to production, agribusiness and public service.

“Each of these individuals has helped shape Ohio agriculture in ways that reach far beyond their own work,” said Mike Bailey, president of the Ohio Agricultural Council and senior vice president of operations and partnerships at Ohio Farm Bureau Federation. “Their impact can be seen in the people they’ve mentored, the programs they’ve built and the example they’ve set for others to follow.”

The ceremony, celebrating its 60th year, will be held Friday, August 7, 2026, and is expected to draw more than 600 attendees, including community leaders, industry professionals and family members.… Continue reading

The Ohio Agricultural Council (OAC) is set to honor the 2026 awardees who have made lasting contributions to Ohio’s agricultural industry. This year’s inductees, John Grimes of Hillsboro, Nancy Patterson of Chesterland, Lawrence H. “L.H.” Newcomb of Hilliard and Sparky Weilnau of Milan, repr...

05/08/2026

Darke County farmer Matt Aultman shares how this year’s wheat crop is nearly 3 weeks ahead of schedule and will easily be the earliest crop he has ever harvested.… Continue reading

Darke County farmer Matt Aultman shares how this year's wheat crop is nearly 3 weeks ahead of schedule and will easily be the earliest crop he has ever harvested.

05/08/2026

By Brianna Smith

After what felt like an exceptionally cold, long winter, I was excited to check on my dahlia tubers. I started growing dahlias a few years ago just for fun. I love the flowers, the bright blooms in the yard, and cutting bouquets to place on the kitchen table throughout the summer.

The first year, I only had a handful of plants in pots, so winter storage was easy enough. I simply moved the pots inside and hoped for the best. By the second year, I had expanded the collection into raised beds and more containers. I had more colors, varieties and blooms than ever before!

Then fall arrived, along with the first frost. Anyone who grows dahlias knows that is when the real work begins. Tubers need dug, cleaned, divided, labeled and stored properly if you want to enjoy them again the next season. It is not difficult work, but it does take time and attention to detail.… Continue reading

By Brianna Smith After what felt like an exceptionally cold, long winter, I was excited to check on my dahlia tubers. I started growing dahlias a few years ago just for fun. I love the flowers, the bright blooms in the yard, and cutting bouquets to place on the kitchen table throughout the summer

05/08/2026

By James Hoorman, Hoorman Soil Health Services

Pesticides (herbicides, insecticides, miticides, etc.) may affect soil microbes in many ways, often leading to reduced diversity and even lower populations of various soil microbes. Soil microbes are bacteria, fungi, archaea, protists, and viruses, and account for an estimated 3% to 4% of the total biomass on Earth. Pesticides often degrade soil health and can reduce agricultural productivity and crop yields. Some pesticides change the soil structure so that the soil becomes dense and compacted. Minimizing pesticide use benefits soil health, microbial diversity, and microbial populations.

Broad-spectrum herbicides are those that kill or control a wide variety of pests, including weeds, fungi, and insects. Since they are so non-selective, they can kill or control beneficial microbes as well as both targeted and non-targeted organisms. Often, broad-spectrum pesticides may also harm pollinators and beneficial predators. When this happens, species diversity decreases along with changes in the overall population of soil microbes, as well as beneficial pollinators and other predators.… Continue reading

By James Hoorman, Hoorman Soil Health Services Pesticides (herbicides, insecticides, miticides, etc.) may affect soil microbes in many ways, often leading to reduced diversity and even lower populations of various soil microbes. Soil microbes are bacteria, fungi, archaea, protists, and viruses, a

05/08/2026

By Dan Armitage

The Ohio Department of Transportation and the ODNR are asking the public to report locations where they frequently see reptiles and amphibians crossing roadways. In spring and summer, reptiles such as box turtles, snapping turtles, and snakes are vulnerable to vehicles as they cross roadways to lay eggs, find new habitat, or seek shelter. In early spring and occasionally in the fall, amphibians such as salamanders, frogs, and toads sometimes cross roads as they travel to breeding areas.

Observers can report locations of reptile and amphibian road crossings via the Wildlife Reporting System, available at wildohio.gov and on the HuntFish OH mobile app. Observations of live animals are helpful, as are reports of roadkill. Users are encouraged to take note of road crossing locations and submit reports — but only after you are no longer driving!

Spring waters spell trouble

It may be May, but as any angler who has gone in over their waders or decided to cool off with a quick swim off the boat’s transom knows, water temperatures remain dangerously cold this month.… Continue reading

By Dan Armitage The Ohio Department of Transportation and the ODNR are asking the public to report locations where they frequently see reptiles and amphibians crossing roadways. In spring and summer, reptiles such as box turtles, snapping turtles, and snakes are vulnerable to vehicles as they cro

05/08/2026

By Ryan Martin, Ohio Ag Net Chief Meterologist

May 8, 2026 -- A bit unsettled through today as some moisture tries to work through...

May 8, 2026 -- A bit unsettled through today as some moisture tries to work through...

05/07/2026

The winner of Week #3 of Ohio Ag Net’s Feeding Farmers was Bell Family Grain Farm in Darke Co. Rick and his son, Tommy, work full time on the 2,100 acre corn and soybean farm. Rick’s wife, Janelle, works full time off the farm at BASF. They variable rate apply all the fertilizer, nitrogen and variable rate seed the corn and soybeans. With their Hagie, they apply all the crop protection and fungicide applications as well as do some custom application of fungicide at tassel for others.

AgRevolution
Paradise Energy Solutions

05/07/2026

Seed Consultants announced via social media on May 7 that they are changing to the Hoegemeyer® brand. Corteva Agriscience is unifying its regionally focused seed brands, including Seed Consultants, under the Hoegemeyer® brand name for the 2027 planting season.

The post went on to say: “Customers can expect a continued commitment to local products built for their growing conditions, backed with personalized support through our local seed dealer network.”

Hoegemeyer® was previously named the regional seed brand of the Western Corn Belt for Corteva Agriscience in 2018. Hoegemeyer was founded in 1937 by H. Chris Hoegemeyer and his son Leonard C., in Hooper, Nebraska. Learn more at www.hoegemeyer.com.

… Continue reading

Seed Consultants announced via social media on May 7 that they are changing to the Hoegemeyer® brand. Corteva Agriscience is unifying its regionally focused seed brands, including Seed Consultants, under the Hoegemeyer® brand name for the 2027 planting season. The post went on to say: “Customers

05/07/2026

The winner of Week #3 of Ohio Ag Net’s Feeding Farmers was Bell Family Grain Farm in Darke Co. Rick and his son, Tommy, work full time on the 2,100 acre corn and soybean farm. Rick’s wife, Janelle, works full time off the farm at BASF. They variable rate apply all the fertilizer, nitrogen and variable rate seed the corn and soybeans. With their Hagie, they apply all the crop protection and fungicide applications as well as do some custom application of fungicide at tassel for others.… Continue reading

The winner of Week #3 of Ohio Ag Net’s Feeding Farmers was Bell Family Grain Farm in Darke Co. Rick and his son, Tommy, work full time on the 2,100 acre corn and soybean farm. Rick’s wife, Janelle, works full time off the farm at BASF. They variable rate apply all the fertilizer, nitrogen and va...