Ohio's Country Journal and Ohio Ag Net

31/10/2025

The following is a list of award winners from Ohio named at the 2025 National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, according to the National FFA. This story will be updated as more winners are named.

The following is a list of award winners from Ohio named at the 2025 National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, according to the National FFA. This story will be updated as more winners are named. Proficiency Awards Agricultural Processing – Entrepreneurship/PlacementBlake Schmitmeyer
Versailles

31/10/2025

By Ryan Martin, Ohio Ag Net Chief Meterologist

October 31, 2025 -- Next week is sunny and a bit warmer. We are dry Monday through Friday. Excellent evaporation is likely through the period, and field work will be unencumbered for the week overall...

October 31, 2025 -- Next week is sunny and a bit warmer. We are dry Monday through Friday. Excellent evaporation is likely through the period, and field work will be unencumbered for the week overall...

31/10/2025

Still no USDA Crop Progress report? No problem — we’ll make our own!

Tell us how harvest is going in your area. Comment below with your county and a quick update on your progress.

We’ll collect your reports and share the results next week. Stay safe, and happy harvesting!

31/10/2025

By Jim Sutter, CEO, U.S. Soybean Export Council

There has been a lot of good news for U.S. soy lately, thanks to the work of the soybean check-off. This news would typically have made headlines if the China situation was not simply overshadowing everything. The most recent study shows that for every $1 invested in the soybean check-off, U.S. soybean farmers get a $12.30 return on that investment.

For instance, did you know:

U.S. soy exports to other destinations are looking very solid. While China remains absent from major U.S. soybean bookings, global demand paints a far healthier picture. According to the USDA’s Weekly Export Inspections report, U.S. Soy exports excluding China are up 46% compared to this time last year. That strength reflects both competitive pricing and disciplined market diversification over the past several years. The chart below is for whole soybeans only, but I believe that meal exports are also strong based on market chatter and record crush levels.… Continue reading

By Jim Sutter, CEO, U.S. Soybean Export Council There has been a lot of good news for U.S. soy lately, thanks to the work of the soybean check-off. This news would typically have made headlines if the China situation was not simply overshadowing everything. The most recent study shows that for ev

31/10/2025

🎃 HAPPY HALLOWEEN! 👻

Things are getting a little bone-chilling on the farm… Meet Skeleton Sam, our most dedicated farmhand!

He never complains, never takes a break, and is always tuned in to Ohio Ag Net! Thanks to our own Joe Everett for taking pictures of him hard at work.

During this long harvest, we're guessing a few of you farmers are feeling like Skeleton Sam yourselves!

31/10/2025

By Dr. Rob Johansson, Director of Economics and Policy Analysis, American Sugar Alliance

The volatility of the cocoa market has led to some truly spooky headlines over the past year, including cautionary tales of candy shortages. It’s inevitable that these headlines will rise from the dead again this Halloween and opponents of U.S. sugar policy may choose to take this opportunity to take a stab at sugar producers.

But if your Halloween basket is light on chocolate this year, it’s cocoa that’s the culprit – not sugar.

Chocolate, a key ingredient found in many Halloween favorites, is made from cocoa beans. And nearly 60% of the world’s cocoa beans come from just two countries: Ivory Coast and Ghana. Both countries have had several years of terrible harvests, leading to a global deficit of cocoa and prices 200% higher than just three years ago.

The prices for some other key candy ingredients, including dairy, oil, and sugar, by comparison have remained relatively unchanged over that same period.… Continue reading

By Dr. Rob Johansson, Director of Economics and Policy Analysis The volatility of the cocoa market has led to some truly spooky headlines over the past year, including cautionary tales of candy shortages. It’s inevitable that these headlines will rise from the dead again this Halloween and oppone

31/10/2025

October is recognized as Soybean Cyst Nematode (SCN) Action Month, a time when farmers should actively test soil for SCN. This is particularly important as the end of the soybean season is when SCN levels are typically at their highest in the soil. The Ohio Ag Net’s Ty Higgins visits with Jeremiah Mullock, Product Manager for Seed Treatment from BASF and Dylan Mangel, Extension Plant Pathologist at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in this Featured Audio to talk about the significance of SCN to a farmer’s bottom-line and what can be done this time of year to get ahead of the pest in 2026.

… Continue reading

October is recognized as Soybean Cyst Nematode (SCN) Action Month, a time when farmers should actively test soil for SCN. This is particularly important as the end of the soybean season is when SCN levels are typically at their highest in the soil. The Ohio Ag Net's Ty Higgins visits with Jeremiah M

31/10/2025

Marysville FFA is a national finalist in Premier Chapter Strengthening Agriculture award. Brandon Fann and Natalie Williams are president and vice-president of the chapter and are representing their organization at the 2025 National FFA Convention. Tune in as Ohio Ag Net learns about their highlight project.

Coverage of the 2025 National FFA Convention is sponsored by Wilmington College. More information at www.wilmington.edu.… Continue reading

Marysville FFA is a national finalist in Premier Chapter Strengthening Agriculture award. Brandon Fann and Natalie Williams are president and vice-president of the chapter and are representing their organization at the 2025 National FFA Convention. Tune in as Ohio Ag Net learns about their highlight

31/10/2025

Ohio FFA’s National Officer Candidate, Hannah Saum of the Amanda-Clearcreek FFA Chapter, talks with Ohio Ag Net about her experience advancing to the coveted Phase 2 of the process. Learn more about Hannah and her thoughts ahead of the new National FFA Officer announcement on Sat., Nov.1.

Coverage of the 2025 National FFA Convention is sponsored by Wilmington College. More information at www.wilmington.edu.… Continue reading

Ohio FFA's National Officer Candidate, Hannah Saum of the Amanda-Clearcreek FFA Chapter, talks with Ohio Ag Net about her experience advancing to the coveted Phase 2 of the process. Learn more about Hannah and her thoughts ahead of the new National FFA Officer announcement on Sat., Nov.1. Coverag

31/10/2025

A major development in United States-China trade relations this morning brought long-awaited good news for American soybean producers. Following a high-level meeting between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Busan, South Korea, China has agreed to purchase 25 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans annually, beginning with an initial shipment of 12 million tons before January.

The agreement is part of a broader one-year trade truce between the two nations and signals renewed stability for soybean markets that have been volatile since trade tensions escalated in 2018. According to U.S. Treasury Secretary Jeff Bessent, the soybean commitment represents one of the largest agricultural purchase pledges made by China in recent years.

President Trump took to Truth Social stating, “I was extremely honored by the fact President Xi authorized China to begin the purchase of massive amounts of soybeans, sorghum, and other Farm products.”

USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins applauded the trade deal on her X, formerly Twitter, account. … Continue reading

A major development in United States-China trade relations this morning brought long-awaited good news for American soybean producers. Following a high-level meeting between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Busan, South Korea, China has agreed to purchase 25 million metric

30/10/2025

The Farmers for Free Trade Motorcade has been making its way across the Corn Belt and made a stop in Columbus to meet with Ohio agriculture leaders and share the importance of trade for farmers and consumers alike. Ohio Corn & Wheat Ohio Soybean Association

30/10/2025

A major development in United States-China trade relations this morning brought long-awaited good news for American soybean producers. Following a high-level meeting between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Busan, South Korea, China has agreed to purchase 25 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans annually, beginning with an initial shipment of 12 million tons before January.

A major development in United States-China trade relations this morning brought long-awaited good news for American soybean producers. Following a high-level meeting between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Busan, South Korea, China has agreed to purchase 25 million metric