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Jan 2, 2025 | 
farmanddairy.com | Chris Zoller
This past year was another one that provided opportunities and challenges for crop production, forage management, livestock care and grazing. Most of Ohio experienced some degree of drought, with the southern and southeastern parts of Ohio forced to manage drought conditions of historic proportions. As we close the year and look forward to 2025, now is a good time to reflect and plan. What did you accomplish in the prior year? What obstacles did you face? What might have you done differently?
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Aug 2, 2024 | 
farmanddairy.com | Chris Zoller
Depending upon your location in Ohio, there is a high likelihood that you are experiencing some level of drought conditions. While dry conditions can restrict plant growth, poor soil pH and fertility can also contribute to this problem. If it’s been a while since you’ve evaluated the lime and fertility needs of your pastures, now is the time to develop a plan to collect samples this late summer/early fall.
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Dec 28, 2023 | 
farmanddairy.com | Chris Zoller
If your family is like mine, watching Christmas Vacation — at least once — is an annual occurrence this time of year. The main character, Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase), is determined to show his family a fun, old-fashioned Christmas. Things quickly become chaotic.
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Dec 7, 2023 | 
farmanddairy.com | Chris Zoller
The latest U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service Livestock, Dairy and Poultry Outlook was released Nov. 16. This report, released monthly, summarizes production and economic data for livestock, dairy and poultry production. This article will highlight portions of the dairy section of the report.
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Nov 2, 2023 | 
farmanddairy.com | Chris Zoller
Much of the area has or will receive a killing frost, putting an end to grass growth for 2023, and limiting livestock grazing. I’ve visited with a few beef farms in the last few weeks to discuss cattle production, pasture growth and overall management. In each of these visits, soil sampling has been a topic of discussion. If you have fields in need of a soil sample, now is an ideal time to complete this task.
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Oct 26, 2023 | 
farmanddairy.com | Chris Zoller
In a recent Iowa State University Extension Northwest Iowa Dairy Outlook, the report described the impact of dairy beef on cattle slaughter. This article will review the report and discuss the importance of Beef Quality Assurance. The complete report is available here: https://blogs.extension.iastate.edu/nwiadairyoutlook/2023/10/03/dairy-cow-slaughter-accounts-for-40-60percent-of-overall-cow-slaughter/.
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Aug 31, 2023 | 
farmanddairy.com | Chris Zoller |Jason Hartschuh
By Chris Zoller and Jason HartschuhCorn silage is a critical ingredient in rations fed to dairy cattle, and in just a few weeks, the harvesting process will begin. Making high-quality corn silage is time sensitive and breakdowns can be costly. A breakdown in the field can lead to delayed harvest and lower-quality silage, resulting in poor milk production and animal performance.
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Aug 3, 2023 | 
farmanddairy.com | Chris Zoller |Mike Estadt
By Chris Zoller and Mike EstadtEach month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service publishes the Livestock, Dairy and Poultry Outlook. Each report analyzes the economic impacts of month-to-month changes in USDA’s WASDE reports. This article will review the dairy section of the report and provide management suggestions to consider.
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Jun 22, 2023 | 
farmanddairy.com | Chris Zoller |Eric Richer
By Chris Zoller and Eric RicherYou likely completed a balance sheet at the end of 2022 or the beginning of this year. Now may be a good time to use figures on the balance sheet to determine the financial health of your farm business. For more information, see this OSU Extension fact sheet: https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/anr-0135. IntroductionThe balance sheet is one of four financial statements critical to the management and operation of a farm business.
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Jun 15, 2023 | 
farmanddairy.com | Chris Zoller
By Chris Zoller and Garth RuffMost of Ohio is abnormally dry and more than half of the state has been designated as being in moderate drought. The U.S. Drought Monitor maps compare drought conditions from May 30 and June 6 (the two latest maps available at the time of writing this article). Notice how the map changed (more areas of yellow) in Ohio in just one week. If these dry conditions continue, pasture quality will decline rapidly.
