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1 week ago | 
ocj.com | James J. Hoorman |Dusty Sonnenberg
By James Hoorman, Hoorman Soil Health ServicesRecent soybean research by Rafiq Islam, Ph.D., soil and bioenergy program leader at The Ohio State University, shows benefits from using sulfur fertilization and small doses of aspirin or salicylic acid (SA, a fulvic acid) to increase soybean yields. Soybeans are planted on about 86.5 million American acres. Yearly increases in soybean yields have been flat, and with lower prices, farmers are looking for ways to get higher yields.
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3 weeks ago | 
ocj.com | James J. Hoorman
Ohio’s Country Journal is excited to announce that Brianna Smith has joined the team as our new editor. Smith, formerly referred to as Brianna Gwirtz in her freelance work with Ohio’s Country Journal, has been a valuable contributor to the publication, writing insightful articles in the past. Smith now brings her expertise and passion for agricultural communications to lead our editorial team.
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3 weeks ago | 
ocj.com | James J. Hoorman
By James Hoorman, Hoorman Soil Health ServicesThree years of national survey results have now been collected on farmers who no-till and use crop crops. No-Till farming magazine shared these results recently. Around 80.5% of all no-till farmers use cover crops which has been steady, although slightly less than the peak in 2023 at 83.2%. Weather, especially dry weather in the fall and getting a crop established could be part of the reason for a slight decrease in cover crop acres.
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1 month ago | 
ocj.com | James J. Hoorman
Crops, Ohio Field Leader, Top Headlines By James Hoorman, Hoorman Soil Health ServicesRoundup® (chemical name glyphosate) is the most commonly used herbicide in the world. However, due to weed resistance and human health concerns, its days may be numbered. How will farmers control weeds chemically if this product is gone? The following is a highly technical summary of herbicide alternatives to using Roundup® (common name) or glyphosate.
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1 month ago | 
ocj.com | Matt Reese |James J. Hoorman
By Matt ReeseSteve Reinhard, from Crawford County, has spent much of his career as a farmer serving others off of the farm. On the farm, Reinhard and his brother, Tim, manage 1,400 acres with soybeans, corn, wheat, malting barley, and hay in the rotation. They employ everything from no-till to conventional tillage and chisel plowing on the farm and have been experimenting with cover crops.
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1 month ago | 
ocj.com | James J. Hoorman
Crops, Featured Audio, Top Headlines Ohio soybean farmers have a strong voice on the international stage as Janna Fritz, a sixth-generation Michigan farmer, takes the helm as president of the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC). In this timely update from Commodity Classic, Ohio Ag Net’s Dusty Sonnenberg talks with Fritz about her journey from working in agricultural organizations to leading global advocacy efforts for U.S. soy.
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1 month ago | 
ocj.com | James J. Hoorman
By James Hoorman, Hoorman Soil Health ServicesWith the selection of Robert F. Kennedy Jr as Secretary of Health and Human Services, many farmers are wondering how long glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup®, will be around. On 298 million acres of USA cropland, 280 million pounds of glyphosate are used annually. Globally, Roundup® (glyphosate) has increased 15X since its introduction in 1996 due the use of genetically modified crops which allow its use without killing the main crop.
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2 months ago | 
ocj.com | James J. Hoorman
VIDEOPlanter Prep Reminders February 17, 2025 Agronomic Video Series, Crops, Equipment, Top Headlines, Videos Though the temperatures right now in Ohio don’t show it, planting season is fast approaching. Mike Hannewald and Jared Chester of Beck’s Hybrids step us through adjustments and tune-ups to keep in mind for your planter. Check AlsoBy James Hoorman, Hoorman Soil Health Services The 2025 winter weather has been colder than …
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2 months ago | 
ocj.com | James J. Hoorman
By James Hoorman, Hoorman Soil Health ServicesThe 2025 winter weather has been colder than most years. Temperatures in the teens and single digits have caused the soil to freeze deep. While this may be good for reducing some insects and other pests, it can also be harmful to wheat and hay crops. How deep the soil freezes will depend upon the amount of snowfall received. Snow acts like a natural insulator, so it blankets the soil, keeping it from freezing as deep.
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2 months ago | 
ocj.com | James J. Hoorman
By James Hoorman, Hoorman Soil Health ServicesPlants need both Nitrogen (N) and Phosphorus (P) to grow well. A lack of these two elements limits growth. Farmers apply N & P fertilizer, especially to corn, to increase yields but there is a limit. Since the 1900’s, N fertilizer applications have increased 5X or 500% while P fertilizer inputs have increased 76%. Too much N fertilizer ties up soil P levels and other nutrients.
