James J. Hoorman

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Writer at Freelance

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Articles

Reducing Compaction with Roots

3 weeks ago | ocj.com | James J. Hoorman

By James Hoorman, Hoorman Soil Health ServicesBrian Doughtery, an Understanding Ag consultant, says compaction is a sign of a poorly functioning soil. Soil compaction is not a natural occurrence; it comes from too much equipment (heavy axle loads, too much tillage), not enough biology (lack of roots and living organisms), and excess nutrients. Well-aggregated soil looks like black cottage cheese; soil crumbles easily in your hand, and water and gases move freely in the soil.
NCGA and ASA disappointed in vote on 2,4-D duties

1 month ago | ocj.com | Brianna Smith |James J. Hoorman

By Brianna SmithThe National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and the American Soybean Association (ASA) expressed serious concern on Tuesday after the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) voted to impose anti-dumping and countervailing duties on imports of the herbicide 2,4-D from China and India. The U.S. Department of Commerce will now determine final duty rates.
Improved nutrition decreases pests

1 month ago | ocj.com | James J. Hoorman

By James Hoorman, Hoorman Soil Health ServicesNew research from The University of Florida shows that healthy plants with high levels of nutrients resist plant pests. As farmers prepare for spring planting, applying fertilizer enhances plant growth, yield and reduces pests. Arnold Schumann, Ph.D., Professor in the Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences department at UF, outlines the benefits that certain nutrients give plants to fight various fungi, bacteria, and viral diseases.
New agricultural research

1 month 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.
Ohio’s Country Journal welcomes Brianna Smith as new editor

2 months 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.
Survey of Farmers using Cover Crops

2 months 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.
Roundup (Glyphosate) Alternatives

Mar 6, 2025 | 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.
The rewards of service to industry and others

Mar 6, 2025 | 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.
Ohio farmers benefit from global advocacy with USSEC President Janna Fritz

Mar 6, 2025 | 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.
What’s up about Roundup® (Glyphosate)?

Mar 4, 2025 | 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.