The Monthly Dairy Luncheon Series starts this Wednesday, Nov. 16, at the Pizza Hut in New Bremen (state Route 66 at Amsterdam Road, south edge of town). Dr. Maurice Eastridge will be present to discuss “Management and Feeding Systems for Dairy Heifers.”
This opportunity to visit and share with local dairy farmers begins at 11:30 a.m. and is usually over by 1:30 p.m. Yes, there’s a pizza-and-salad-buffet (Dutch Treat), or you can order off the menu. The discussion is typically very good with some interesting stories as well! Please join us if your schedule allows!
Lamb 509 will be presented in December by the OSU Animal Sciences Department. Sponsored by the Ohio Sheep Improvement Association and the Ohio Sheep and Wool Program, Lamb 509 is a two-day short course designed to address several factors associated with producing consistent, high quality, wholesome lamb at the farm, through the packing-plant, and to the retail level. This is a hands-on program that will greatly improve a producer’s understanding of the quality attributes that affect consumer acceptability and, ultimately, consumer demand for lamb products.
The program is being held Dec. 13-14 at the Animal Sciences Building on the OSU Columbus Campus. A maximum of 32 spaces are available on a first-come first-served basis.
The registration fee for LAMB 509 is $125 per participant. This fee covers all meals, materials, and parking arrangements. We have fliers at our office with more information or you can go to http://www.ohiosheep.org/osia%20programs/2016/registration.lamb509%202016.pdf.
West Ohio Agronomy Day will be held on Monday, Jan. 9, at St. Michael’s Hall in Fort Loramie, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. This is our annual Recertification Program for Private Pesticide Applicators and will also include the two-hour Fertilizer Applicator Certification Training for those who already have a Pesticide Applicator License.
The Evening Portion of West Ohio Agronomy Day will be on Tuesday, Jan. 17, at the Days Inn (“old Holiday Inn”) in Sidney, beginning at 5 p.m. with a light supper and ending about 11 p.m. This program will also include the two-hour Fertilizer Applicator Training. Trust me: You’ll be hearing more about these two meetings as time passes!
Well, with harvest winding down, manure applications are happening all over this area. In addition to correctly managing the application, it’s also a good time to remember Manure Safety. Any liquid or slurry stores, when agitated, will release toxic hydrogen sulfide and methane gasses that can be lethal. I remember when I was up in Huron County, there were two individuals from the same farm killed by these gasses: The son was overcome by the gas and fell into the pit; Dad went in to save him and was also overcome and died.
Therefore, it is important to remember the key safety rules when agitating and emptying manure stores: take steps to promote ventilation, remove workers (and if possible, the animals) from buildings or nearby downwind structures, start the agitation slowly, and watch for any harmful effects. Avoid entering an enclosed manure store without appropriate precautions, and be aware that you can be overcome with a single breath if concentrations are high.
Levels of hydrogen sulfide over 10 parts per million (ppm) should be considered dangerous, with most personal alarms set at 10 to 20 ppm. Levels of 1-10 ppm cause irritation, 10-50 ppm cause more serious problems with eyes and respiratory tract, and above 50 ppm can be lethal quickly. Be sure that new or inexperienced workers are trained in safety procedures.
We will be filling our empty 4-H educator position. Thank you to the 4-H and community leaders who have provided input as we move forward.
