Since 2011, Ohio’s leading corn, soybean and wheat checkoff organizations have invested nearly $3.5 million dollars in research and education to address the water quality challenges faced by farmers and all Ohioans. That investment continues as the Ohio Corn Marketing Program (OCMP), Ohio Small Grains Marketing Program (OSGMP) and Ohio Soybean Council (OSC) have recently approved a fourth year of program funding. “Water quality has been and will continue to be one of our top… Read More

The 2015 Ohio State Fair begins this week and Ohio soybean farmers invite fairgoers to have fun, learn more about soybeans and meet some of the men and women who grow them. The Ohio Soybean Council (OSC) and soybean checkoff are presenting sponsors of the fair, as well as presenting sponsors of the 2015 Junior Livestock Shows, the O’Neill Swine Building, Voinovich Livestock and Trade Center and Rabbit & Poultry Pavilion. The Ohio Soybean Farmers’… Read More

Extension specialists with the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences at The Ohio State University will use more than $1 million in new funding to help farmers develop nutrient management plans and to assist fertilizer service providers gain certification in a national nutrient stewardship program. The initiative — funded by $531,000 in grant money and $531,000 in local cash matches from various agencies and industry groups — targets Ohio’s western Lake Erie watershed, home… Read More

Dr. Andy Michel offered some great tips for managing pests in 2015: 1.  COLD WEATHER: The cold weather last winter did not necessarily knock out all soybean insects. Some, like soybean aphids, are quite capable of surviving outdoors as eggs or even indoors, like the brown marmorated stink bug. 2.  SLUGS: Not technically insects, they are one of the most devastating early-season pests. A rainy spring will favor slug development. 3.  EARLY-SEASON BEAN LEAF BEETLE:… Read More

“BPA Free.” Health conscious consumers considered it a victory when the simple phrase began popping up on packaging as they believed it was a change for the better. Recent studies show the effort behind the movement may have raised awareness, but the Bisphenol A (BPA) replacements may not be any safer. Information surrounding the consumer concerns and the opportunity to develop a new product to meet a market demand led to a project for the… Read More