Agronomy and Farm Management

In this episode, from Ask the Expert at the 2026 Farm Science Review, Bruce sits down with Barry Ward to discuss the outlook on grain inputs for 2027. Barry Ward is the leader for Production Business Management. His primary focus includes crop economics and budgets, land economics, farmland values, cash rental rates, farmland lease issues, machinery economics, and federal & state tax issues.

Harvest is just around the corner, but what does the weather have in store? Dr. Aaron Wilson joins us to break down current conditions and what farmers may expect as we move into the fall harvest season. We talk about the weather patterns shaping the end of the growing season, what they could mean for crop maturity and field conditions, and the factors producers should keep an eye on as harvest gets underway. Whether you’re getting equipment ready or already thinking about when to start rolling, this episode will help you put the fall weather outlook into perspective.

This episode brings listeners to the 2026 Farm Science Review, one of the premier agricultural education and outreach events in the Midwest. Farm Science Review features the latest research, technologies, and management strategies impacting crop production and farm profitability. On this episode we explore offerings across the show on current agronomic challenges, emerging innovations in precision agriculture, and what Ask an Expert speakers you can hear this year. Be sure to stop by the Agronomic Crops tent and Firebaugh building to say hi and get your air freshener!

To buy tickets, visit an Extension office or fsr.osu...

In this episode, Bruce and Josh talk with Curtis Mahnken and Mariah Beverly who are both Economist with the Center for Farm Financial Management at the University of Minnesota. This episode discusses the importance of those “dirty jobs” of financial management and the tools that are out there to help farmers of all shapes and sizes.

Links to various tools below:

Center for Farm Financial Management – https://www.cffm.umn.edu/

CropCost – https://cropcost.umn.edu/

My Market Profit: https://mymarketprofit.umn.edu/

FairRent: https://fairrent.umn.edu/

FINBIN...

We ran out of time last week with guest Dr. Horacio Lopez-Nicora so we doubled up our releases to cover soybean red crown rot, an emerging and increasingly concerning disease in Midwest production systems. He explains how the pathogen develops, the environmental conditions that favor infection, and why red crown rot can be difficult to distinguish from other soybean wilts and root diseases in the field. Dr. Lopez-Nicora also highlights current research and management options, including the role of resistant varieties, crop rotation, and integrated disease management practices aimed at reducing risk and limiting yield loss. Listeners will come...

In this episode, guest Dr. Horacio Lopez-Nicora joins us to unpack the evolving landscape of soybean foliar diseases and what growers need to know for effective management. Dr. Lopez-Nicora discusses the most prevalent foliar issues in soybean production, including the environmental conditions that drive disease development and the challenges of timely diagnosis in the field. He also explores integrated management strategies, emphasizing the importance of scouting, disease forecasting, and fungicide decision-making to protect yield while preserving economic return. Listeners will gain practical, research-based insights into disease identification, resistance considerations, and season-long approaches to reducing risk in soybean fields.

After everything our crops have been through this growing season, we are checking in to discuss what impacts weather, delayed planting and other forces have had on crop development. Dr. Stephanie Karhoff joins us to provide a perspective from across Ohio.

Access the Crop Risk Tool here: https://connect.doit.wisc.edu/cpn-risk-tool/.

Remember to subscribe to the CORN Newsletter for weekly updates and recommendations

Our last weather update at the beginning of March had us talking about lingering drought across the state. Well we can say that has been taken care of and then some. This spring has left some lingering impacts and, in some areas, multiple replants. With crops struggling through emergence and the first few growth stages, we are looking ahead to see what the summer will bring. How much impact will the super El Nino have on our crops? We talk with Dr. Aaron Wilson to get an idea of what may be instore.

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Planting season are never normal and 2026 is no exception. With the southern half of Ohio nearing completion and the northern half struggling to make headway, there was a lot of crop variability as below freezing temperatures hit the state. Expected prolonged cold and wet weather as another wrinkle. Dr. Jason Hartschuh, Field Specialist with OSU Extension, joins us as we talk about the potential impacts on corn, soybean, wheat and alfalfa. We share what to look for now and in the coming weeks as we deal with a cooler, wetter May.

This CORN Newsletter has two articles...

In this episode, Bruce and Josh talk to Dr. Brent Sohngen, a Distinguished Professor of environmental and natural resource economics at The Ohio State University, in the College of Food, Agriculture, and Environmental Sciences. Dr. Sohngen talks about the history of conservation of resources in the United States and the economic impact that nature can have on the economy.

Slug pressure has become an increasingly common and frustrating challenge in crop fields in recent years, driven by wetter springs, heavy residue, and changing production systems. In this episode, we dig into why these slippery pests seem harder to manage than ever. With Kelley Tilmon joining us, discuss the limitations of traditional control options and what growers should realistically expect from different management strategies. From scouting and risk factors to cultural, biological, and chemical tools, we’ll break down what we know and how to make informed decisions when slugs start putting your stand at risk.

For mo...

Join Bruce and Josh as they talk with Greg LaBarge is a field specialist in agronomic systems and a professor at Ohio State University Extension, Columbus, Ohio. Greg discusses the Corn Nitrogen Rate Calculator and how farmers can use this research based tool to help make decisions on their operation. The tool can be found here: https://www.cornnratecalc.org/

After a grueling winter, spring is arriving across Ohio and we are itching to get the planters rolling. After looking at where this past winter landed in the books, we talk with Dr. Aaron Wilson about what we can expect for this season. With drought conditions lingering in some parts of the state and heavy rains across others, we have our fingers crossed for a good growing season. Will Mother Nature deliver? Tune in to find out.

Sign up to receive monthly and quarterly updates from the State Climate Office: climate.osu.edu. Check out mrcc.purdue.ed...

Amanda Douridas is the Ohio State University Extension Educator for Agriculture and Natural Resources in Madison County. Her on-farm research has focused on nutrient management and adapting to changing weather patterns within cropping systems. In this episode, Bruce and Josh talk to Amanda about a research project for target spray for pre and post application.

Two farmers, Fred and Josh Yoder, discuss one conservation focused research project developed by a group of farmers in Ohio. They are part of a multi-state, four-university effort to discover how to increase conservation adoption on farms. Our farmer-led team is working to improve real-world, on-farm performance of conservation practices to ensure they better generate the outcomes – e.g. profitability, yield stability, and protection from extreme weather events – that farmers need.

To learn more about this project, visit: https://ftgup.org/.

On this episode, Bruce and Josh have Clint Schroeder, Program Manager for the OSU Farm Business Analysis program, and Justin Baum, Clinton County Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator for OSU Extension. Clint and Justin discuss how farm managers can determine their cost of production and use the Crop Cost tool from the University of Minnesota in their decision-making process.

https://farmprofitability.osu.edu

https://cropcost.umn.edu

After a brief weather outlook/lookback we get into discussing weather myths and conspiracy theories. Dr. Aaron Wilson takes us through a few common ones. What are chemtrails? Are we seeing weather modification in Ohio? These are a couple of the big ones we talk about. Listen in and see what you think.

For more on weather modification, you can utilize noaa.gov. You can also connect with the State Climate Office at climate.osu.edu.

On today’s episode, Bruce and Josh talk with Dr. Logan Minter, Associate Professor in the OSU Department of Extension and associated faculty with the Department of Horticultural and Crop Sciences, statewide Field Specialist for Specialty Crops, and the Ohio Integrated Pest Management Program Coordinator. Dr. Minter discusses the opportunities farms may have in diversifying their portfolio with specialty crops and some considerations before implementing specialty crops. He also discusses the new research study publication, ePlus, which can be found here: https://go.osu.edu/eplusreports

We continue our discussion with Eric Richer, OSUE Field Specialist, by digging into more hurdles of organic grain production. From nitrogen sources to paperwork, we take a realistic look what farmers can expect in an organic system compared to conventional.

To dive deeper into this topic, we recommend attending the 2026 Ohio State Organic Grains Conference January 7-8. For more details, visit: https://offer.osu.edu/events/2026-OrganicGrainsConference.

Transitioning to organic production is not a consideration farmers can take lightly. The intensive management, restrictions on inputs and changes in marketing must be well understood. To help us wrap our heads around that process, Eric Richer, OSUE Farm Management Field Specialist, joins us to dive into the opportunities and challenges organic production presents in Ohio.

To dive deeper into this topic, we recommend attending the 2026 Ohio State Organic Grains Conference January 7-8. For more details, visit: https://offer.osu.edu/events/2026-OrganicGrainsConference.

To renovate or not to renovate? That is the question many pasture managers face, especially after two dry summers. With a large commitment of time and money, it is a question that should be carefully considered. To help us do so, Dr. Emma Matcham, State Specialist for Integrated Forage Systems, walks us through the process from start to finish. We consider stand evaluation, timing, seeding methods and more as we discuss the nuances farmers face in making this decision.

Additional resources:

Giving new life to tired pastures: https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/anr-0159
Forage...

This episode comes to you from the 2025 Farm Science Review at Ask the Expert, where Bruce sits down with Barry Ward, Leader, Production Business Management & Director, Income Tax Schools at The Ohio State University, to discuss his thoughts on Crop Inputs, Farmland Values/Rents, Tax Law – 2025 & Looking Ahead.

We continue our discussion with Dr. John Fulton on how to increase the reliability of harvest data. This time we focus on the in-field practices. With bigger machines, it is getting more difficult to collect high res data. Tune in for recommendations on things such as how long passes should be and more to increase the quality of your yield data.

For more resources on harvest data, visit: https://digitalag.osu.edu/precision-ag/research-focuses/harvest-technologies.

Join Josh at Ask the Expert at the 2025 Farm Science Review with Garth Ruff, Beef Specialist for OSU Extension. In this episode, Garth discusses the current state of the beef markets.

Farmers write some big checks based on harvest data. How confident are you in the quality of that data? We’re getting into the weeds with Dr. John Fulton about how to ensure confident decisions can be made based on what is collected in the field this fall. In the first of this two part series, we talk about how yield measurements are collected in the combine, provide advice on calibration and discuss how unintentional mistakes can lead to big missteps with input decisions.

For more information on calibration, visit: https://digitalag.osu.edu/precision-ag/research-focuses/harvest-technologies.

In this episode, Josh Winters, Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Educator, talks about the research, “Discovering Agricultural Producers’ Communication Preferences in the Appalachian Region of Ohio”. In this research, Josh discovers the way that farmers in this region prefer when obtaining educational information, promotional materials, program types, and the barriers to digital connection.

Tar spot concern continues to grow across Ohio as it shows up in more and more fields each year. Each year farmers and researchers wonder if this will be the season it really explodes, causing widespread economic damage. For a background on Tar Spot, check out episodes 123 and 101.

In this episode, Dr. Stephanie Karhoff updates us on the latest research and treatment recommendations for managing not only Tar Spot but Gibberella ear rot and the vomitoxin it causes. Each disease has certain weather conditions and infection timing that are critical components to successfully managing it in field...

Join Bruce and Josh as they introduce Ellen Essman, who recently joined the OSU Extension’s Agricultural and Resource Law Program. Ellen Tells us about herself and what she is looking forward to helping with in her new role.

Dr. Aaron Wilson is back online to share exactly where this spring came out in the rankings. It might surprise you! We also provide an outlook on what we can expect from Ohio’s weather for the rest of the growing season season and what that means for crop health.

Sign up to receive monthly and quarterly updates from the State Climate Office: climate.osu.edu. Check out mrcc.purdue.edu/ to find useful tools such as the GDD calculator and freeze predictor. You can also reach out to Aaron at wilson.1010@osu.edu.

Trevor Corboy is the current Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator for OSU Extension Brown County.  Trevor resides in Brown County with his wife Rachel on his family’s which was establish in the 1850’s farm.  Here he is active in raising Angus cattle, Boer and Nubian goats, hay, and grain products. Trevor currently provides leadership as one of the four co-leaders with the small farms team for OSU Extension. In this episode, Trevor will give you a peak at what the Small Farm College consists of through OSU Extension.

Each planting window brings the same question- Should I plant corn or soybeans first? Perhaps you have heard it referred to as the Battle for the Belt. Dr. Osler Ortez joins us for an update on his research based competition with soybean specialist Dr. Laura Lindsey to determine when the best windows are for planting corn and soybeans. They are also looking at where the largest yield losses occur when planting is delayed. These results can help farmers make decision on when to switch between corn and soybeans based on the calendar, maturity and conditions.

Follow updates...

Bruce Clevenger is an OSU Extension Field Specialist in Farm Management which is a state-wide position teaching and conducting research as a member of the OSU Farm Office Team.   His background was 28 years as a county Extension Educator in NW Ohio focusing in field crop, farm management and specifically farm drainage and drainage water management.

Bruce’s Email is: Clevenger.10@osu.edu

Additional Resources: https://u.osu.edu/hshw/

We are once again joined by Dr. Aaron Wilson to share an outlook on what we can expect from Ohio’s weather for the spring planting season. We reflect on drought recovery, the heavy rains over the first weekend in April and what the summer is shaping up to look like.

For drought resources, visit: go.osu.edu/Ohio_drought. Sign up to receive monthly and quarterly updates from the State Climate Office: climate.osu.edu. Check out mrcc.purdue.edu/ to find useful tools such as the GDD calculator and freeze predictor. You can also reach out to...

Kendall Lovejoy, OSU Extension Educator for Fulton County, joins the podcast to discuss some research he has been doing related to the starter phosphorus fertilizer on yield and economics. In this podcast, Kendall will share his findings and locations to discover more information about his various studies.

Additional Resources:

Dr. John Fulton and Alex Thomas share the latest on utilizing drones to seed cover crops. They have done extensive research evaluating seeding capabilities, timing and stand establishment and share the results with us. We also talk about what it takes to become a licensed UAV operator, the challenges and advantages of seeding with UAVs and the future of availability considering tariff restrictions.

For more information, find research results in the 2023 and 2024 eFields reports: https://digitalag.osu.edu/efields. You can also visit the Digital Ag homepage: https://digitalag.osu.edu/home and check out their social...

Christie Welsh currently serves as direct Marketing specialist with the with OSU South Centers in Piketon, Ohio to provide education training for Ohio’s producers and farmer. Christie has a strong interest in the economic development of rural Ohio and is especially interested in family farms and agribusinesses with this region. To connect with Christie, email her at Welsh.183@osu.edu

Dr. Alyssa Essman gives us the rundown on which weeds we need to watch for (hint- it’s still waterhemp) and management strategies for success. We talk about some cost effective options that still allow for a diverse selection of herbicides to mitigate further resistance development. Over the top application of dicamba is still illegal so we asked her about that as well. Tune in for insight as you make preparations for spring.

For more from the weed science program, visit https://u.osu.edu/osuweeds/, catch their articles in the CORN newsletter and find them on so...

Christine Gelley is the Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Educator in Noble County. She specializes in forages and pasture management, where she is the team leader for OSU Extension’s Integrated Forage Management Team and is the Vice President for the Ohio Forage & Grasslands Council. Christine talks about the challenges forage and beef producers are facing from the 2024 drought in southeastern Ohio.

Additional Resources:

Interpreting a Soil Test Report- https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/agf-0514
Fertility Management of Meadows- https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/anr-5
Understanding Value in Lime- https://ohioline.osu.edu/fa...

The 2024 eFields report is here! With 260 on-farm research sites across 42 counties, there is sure to be something of interest to everyone. In this episode, we highlight a few of the projects included in this year’s report.

To view the online version, visit: digitalag.osu.edu/efields. For a print copy, contact your local OSU Extension office or email digitalag@osu.edu.

To suggest topics for 2025, email Amanda at douridas.9@osu.edu and let us know what you want to hear about!

Robert Moore is an attorney and research specialist with the Agriculture and Resource Law Program at The Ohio State University. Prior to joining OSU, Robert and his wife, Kelly, owned Wright & Moore Law Co. LPA, a law firm in Delaware, Ohio focusing on legal services for farmers and landowners. After 18 years of private practice, he joined OSU Extension. Robert’s area of focus is farm succession planning, business entities and taxation.  Over the years, Robert has worked with many farm families in designing and implementing succession plans for their family farming. Today, Robert joins Bruce and Josh talking about Pre...