Ohio's Country Journal and Ohio Ag Net, 280 N. High Street FL 6, Columbus, OH (2025)

12/23/2025

By Ryan Martin, Ohio Ag Net Chief Meterologist

December 23, 2025 -- We can see a few showers this morning, especially in far southern and eastern parts of Ohio. This afternoon will be warmer than yesterday, as we continue to climb higher on the thermometer through the rest of the week...

December 23, 2025 -- We can see a few showers this morning, especially in far southern and eastern parts of Ohio. This afternoon will be warmer than yesterday, as we continue to climb higher on the thermometer through the rest of the week...

12/23/2025

In this week’s Ohio Ag Net podcast, we recap the incredible career of Dale Minyo. Dale will be retiring at the end of the year, and he shares some of his memorable moments with Ty Higgins, including an interview at a county fair that will forever be etched in his mind.

Ty also talks with Dr. Leah Dorman to get the details on the newly created Protect OHIO initiative, which will deliver meaningful, measurable impact across our state by educating more veterinarians with a specific focus on enrolling more students from Ohio’s rural communities, mentoring large animal and rural veterinarians, and expanding risk assessment and surveillance programs to protect Ohio’s agricultural economy.

Then, Joel Penhorwood visits with Dr. Margaret Jodlowski, Assistant Professor in the Department of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics at Ohio State’s College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences to get her outlook for farm labor in 2026 and beyond that was shared at Ohio State’s recent Ag Policy Outlook Conference.… Continue reading

In this week’s Ohio Ag Net podcast, we recap the incredible career of Dale Minyo. Dale will be retiring at the end of the year, and he shares some of his memorable moments with Ty Higgins, including an interview at a county fair that will forever be etched in his mind. Ty also talks with Dr. Leah

12/23/2025

Traveling to Clark County for the latest Ohio Field Leader Roadshow, Dusty Sonnenberg talks with the Harbage family about their diversified operation, including their recent brush with a barn fire and the resulting lessons from that situation.… Continue reading

Traveling to Clark County for the latest Ohio Field Leader Roadshow, Dusty Sonnenberg talks with the Harbage family about their diversified operation, including their recent brush with a barn fire and the resulting lessons from that situation.

12/23/2025

By Brianna Smith

Fruitcake: you either love it, or you don’t. While the holiday loaf has been the punchline of countless jokes, it has also been a long-standing symbol of the season. Traditionally packed with candied fruit, spices, and nuts, fruitcake is often viewed as an old-fashioned holiday relic. But look closely, and you’ll find that many of the ingredients in a classic fruitcake are being grown right here in Ohio.

Across the state, specialty crop growers are producing cherries, figs, walnuts, and other ingredients that could come together to make a fruitcake with true Ohio flavor.

A century of cherries

Miller Orchards in Amherst, Ohio, has been in the same family since about 1860. Cherries have been a part of the farm’s story for more than a century, with trees planted there since the 1920s. Today, fifth-generation partner Roger Miller grows apples, peaches, plums, pears, and row crops, but cherries still have a special place in the orchard.… Continue reading

By Brianna Smith Fruitcake: you either love it, or you don’t. While the holiday loaf has been the punchline of countless jokes, it has also been a long-standing symbol of the season. Traditionally packed with candied fruit, spices, and nuts, fruitcake is often viewed as an old-fashioned holiday r

12/23/2025

Looking back on the past year, we covered a wide range of timely topics and emerging trends, along with several story-driven pieces that informed, challenged and resonated with readers. Over the next week, we’ll be revisiting a mix of both, including some of our top-performing videos and feature stories.

One of our most-read stories of the year was written by Leisa Boley-Hellwarth, an agricultural attorney and long-time contributor to the Legal Lingo column in Ohio’s Country Journal and online. Her piece recapped a landmark legal battle in New Jersey, where two brothers fought eminent domain claims threatening their 175-year-old family farm. Good news: it had a happy ending!

Read the full story here: https://ocj.com/2025/11/new-jersey-farm-beats-eminent-domain/

… Continue reading

Looking back on the past year, we covered a wide range of timely topics and emerging trends, along with several story-driven pieces that informed, challenged and resonated with readers. Over the next week, we’ll be revisiting a mix of both, including some of our top-performing videos and feature s...

12/23/2025

By Elizabeth Hawkins, agronomic systems field specialist, and John Fulton, professor, Ohio State University

Data-driven decision-making is transforming how farmers manage resources, improve yields, and remain profitable in an increasingly competitive environment. Here’s why and how you can leverage data on your farm.

Why Data Matters

Farming involves countless variables: crop performance, input costs, market prices, soil health, weather patterns, and more. Relying solely on experience and intuition can leave opportunities for improvement in your operation on the table. Data provides:

Accuracy – Replace guesswork with measurable insights.

Efficiency – Optimize inputs like fertilizer, water, and labor.

Profitability – Identify which practices deliver the best return on investment.

Risk Management – Anticipate challenges like pest outbreaks or drought.

Sustainability – Track and improve practices that support long-term soil and environmental health.

Types of Data Farmers Can Use

There exists a wide variety of data you can tap into to make smarter decisions.… Continue reading

By Elizabeth Hawkins, agronomic systems field specialist, and John Fulton, professor, Ohio State University Data-driven decision-making is transforming how farmers manage resources, improve yields, and remain profitable in an increasingly competitive environment. Here’s why and how you can levera

12/22/2025

By Ryan Martin, Ohio Ag Net Chief Meterologist

December 22, 2025 - Not as cold to start the week over the region. We get temps backup to normal today, and have decent sunshine over most of the state...

December 22, 2025 - Not as cold to start the week over the region. We get temps backup to normal today, and have decent sunshine over most of the state...

12/22/2025

By Jon Scheve

Since reaching a 17-month high on November 18, soybeans have been in a sharp decline. Prices have fallen in 16 of the last 23 trading sessions and are now roughly $1.20 per bushel lower than a month ago.

The chart below shows the last 46 trading days. Interestingly, the first 23 days had only 7 down days, while the second 23 days had only 7 up days.

Prices are still a little higher than 46 days ago when the rally started, but below values when the trade deal was announced in late October.

Will soybean prices rally again?

It could be difficult for U.S. beans to sustain demand if South American beans are cheaper. Once Brazil’s harvest starts in late January, there will likely be an uphill battle for several months.

Exports

As this chart shows, export pace for U.S. beans has been terrible.

While attention has been focused on the potential for Chinese demand, broader global demand was largely overlooked by some traders.… Continue reading

By Jon Scheve Since reaching a 17-month high on November 18, soybeans have been in a sharp decline. Prices have fallen in 16 of the last 23 trading sessions and are now roughly $1.20 per bushel lower than a month ago. The chart below shows the last 46 trading days. Interestingly, the first 23

12/22/2025

Looking back on the past year, we covered many timely topics and emerging trends, along with several story-driven pieces that were both informative and engaging. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be revisiting a mix of both, including some of our top-performing videos and feature stories.

For our first post, let’s take a look back to a video produced by Joel Penhorwood featuring an Ohio yak farmer. Join Ohio Ag Net’s Joel Penhorwood as he visits Covered Bridge Yaks in Union County, where Blake Mathys and his family are raising yaks—a versatile livestock that thrive in Ohio’s winter weather. We dive into how these animals, originally from the Himalayan region, are raised for their lean, nutritious meat and soft, valuable fiber.

Yaks in Ohio: A farm that loves the cold
… Continue reading

Looking back on the past year, we covered many timely topics and emerging trends, along with several story-driven pieces that were both informative and engaging. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be revisiting a mix of both, including some of our top-performing videos and feature stories. For our fi

12/22/2025

By Sara Durham

What would you do if you were fortunate enough to win the lottery? Would you spend the money right away? If so, on what? Would you share your winnings with family and friends? Make charitable donations? Invest?

As of Dec. 16, no one had matched all the numbers in the Powerball jackpot, which now stands at an estimated $1.15 billion. The lump-sum payout is estimated at $524.7 million. The odds of winning are 1 in 292.2 million.

I would venture to say many winners would purchase a luxurious home or an expensive vehicle. In theory, those are wonderful indulgences. Still, I often wonder why someone needs 32 bathrooms or 20 bedrooms. One can only imagine the logistics of hosting gatherings of that size. As for vehicles, how large does an SUV or truck really need to be?

Would you take a vacation to a tropical island paradise, visit a snowy winter wonderland, or take a scenic cruise?… Continue reading

By Sara Durham What would you do if you were fortunate enough to win the lottery? Would you spend the money right away? If so, on what? Would you share your winnings with family and friends? Make charitable donations? Invest? As of Dec. 16, no one had matched all the numbers in the Powerball j

12/22/2025

By Randall Reeder, Ohio No-Till News

Do you remember the term “soil tilth?” Perhaps vaguely. Around 1990, soil tilth changed to “soil quality,” which is clearer, at least for farmers.

Now we use the phrase “soil health,” which has a positive meaning not just for farmers but for the other 98% of Americans. As David Montgomery wrote recently, “Healthy soil supports healthy plants, which in turn support healthy animals, and ultimately human health and our overall well-being and existence.” This expresses a direct connection between our healthy no-till soils and healthy people.

You may remember when cover crops were referred to as “green manure,” which required being “plowed under.” We now know that plowing pretty much canceled out the benefits of the green manure.

In the 1990s, cover crops began being promoted for erosion control and to help no-till increase crop yields. Today, cover crops can go by a variety of names depending on the species and purpose: carbon crops, catch crops, companion crops, nurse crops, rotational crops, forage crops, perennial crops, summer annual crops, winter annual crops, pulse crops, cereal crops, and inter-crops.… Continue reading

By Randall Reeder, Ohio No-Till News Do you remember the term “soil tilth?” Perhaps vaguely. Around 1990, soil tilth changed to “soil quality,” which is clearer, at least for farmers. Now we use the phrase “soil health,” which has a positive meaning not just for farmers but for the other...

12/22/2025

In this clip that originally appeared in the Ohio Ag Net Podcast, Dale Minyo meets with the new president of Ohio Corn and Wheat, Eric Tipton, about his path to leadership and the goals his association has as he begins his new role.

Learn more about the organization at www.ohiocornandwheat.org.… Continue reading

In this clip that originally appeared in the Ohio Ag Net Podcast, Dale Minyo meets with the new president of Ohio Corn and Wheat, Eric Tipton, about his path to leadership and the goals his association has as he begins his new role. Learn more about the organization at www.ohiocornandwheat.org.

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