Every two weeks, farmers from across Ohio have submitted an update on what is happening on their individual farms. In this last update for the year, farmers tell us how harvest shaped up and about their plans for the winter. 

 

Nov. 10, 2008

 

Jody Rauch, Washington County
Good morning!

Jamey has about 75 acres of corn left standing.  All of our storage facilities are full so he will build the second of the three bins he bought earlier this year.  He hopes to resume shelling corn by the end of the week.  The average yield for the corn will be 150 bushels/acre.  Jamey really enjoyed shelling the corn at home because the ears were large and full.  The weather was just right so the fodder went through the machine well and those of us unloading the trucks couldn't keep up with him.  We had two trucks moving.

The soybeans are safely in the bin until January delivery.  Wheat is up and looks good so far.  Deer are starting to graze some areas heavily, so we have concentrated our deer hunters in those areas.

We are already planning changes to the operation because of the past year.  We will convert one of the farms we rent from crop ground to pasture. This is in response to increased fertilizer cost, low yields at this location and the high pressure from wildlife. 

I would like to take the time to thank Ohio Farm Bureau Federation for all of the opportunities they have given our family to help spread the word about our chosen profession.  Jamey and I are honored and humbled by those opportunities to share our experiences, both good and bad, that all farmers face each and every day. 

Have a wonderful winter, may God bless us all and protect us daily.

Carol Willson, Fulton County
We finished all of the harvest including the custom harvest that we do on Oct. 26.  Fantastic!!  We have been doing fall field work--chiseling and v-ripping.  The biggest job will be to clean the two combines before we put them away for the winter.  We usually wash each combine before putting them away for the winter.  We will then wash the trucks and other equipment before winter storage.  This past week the weather was in the low 70s, which made it ideal to be working outside. 

The lower fuel prices have helped with lowering some of the inputs such as fuel.  

Don't have an opinion about how the new president and cabinet will affect the farm sector.

In closing, we have much to be thankful for:  family, friends, good health, a caring community, and a chance to start  a new season next spring.

We are wishing all a Happy Thanksgiving, a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Eddie Lou Meimer, Morrow County
Harvest is almost over here.  My crops are in and my son is almost finished.  I don’t know where we’d be without the corn reel.  After Hurricane Ike mashed the corn down, my son ordered one and he says it’s made harvest possible.  Yields are all over the place here in Morrow County.  Soybeans yield range from 25 bushels/acre to 50 bushels/acre.  Corn yields are ranging from a little over 100 bushels/acre to 150 bushels/acre.  Those of us who chose the more expensive crop insurance which locks in not only yield but price will probably see some monies from that.  As we farmers always say: There’s always next year.
                               
As soon as harvest is over and machinery cleaned, serviced and put away, we will start getting ready for the maple syrup season.  There are trees to cut up and remove from the trails due to Hurricane Ike.  Firewood needs to be cut.  Tubing lines to fix and new lines and taps to add.  We were hoping to add up to 500 new taps but with the damage from Hurricane Ike we’ll just have to see what’s left.  Maple syrup prices are still at an all- time high due to a short supply.  Hopefully next year’s season will be good.
               
Although the summer farmers’ markets are over, indoor fall and winter farmers' markets are planned in many communities.  In Marion, we will be in the Southland Mall from the day after Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve Day.  We are doing three-day weekends (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until the last week), and then we will go to the market six days a week.  Worthington’s market will be in the Griswald Center again on Nov. 30 from 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Dec. 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  From January through May we will be at that market every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  I have heard that there will be one in Clintonville, but I don’t know when. 
               
We are looking forward to the holidays and being with family.  So to all our readers, it’s time to wrap up this season and look forward to the coming days with prayer and thanksgiving.

Allen Bohman, Darke County
I finished harvesting on Oct. 14.  The biggest challenge was the downed corn.  The corn reel helped, but I harvested some areas going in one direction because it helped pick up the stalks better. Soybean yields were from 30 to 42 bushels per acre.  Corn yields ranged from 98 to 142 bushels per acre.  I was glad I had crop insurance due to the replanting in the spring, poor yields, and dropping prices this fall.

I finished all the strip-tilling for next year's corn crop.  The ground was still very dry; much of the fall tillage pulled very hard and left some rough ground.  Last week, I washed the combine and will wax it this week.  I will also clean the tractors.  Also this week I will get out and grease the snow blower and scraper blade and set them in an easy place to get to them as the need arises.

There are no special farm projects planned for this winter, just regular maintenance on the equipment.  One trailer needs some repair, paint, and new tires.  The corn planter has a bearing going out so I will pull the shaft and replace all the bearings on it.

I am looking forward to attending the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation annual meeting on Dec. 3-5.  Wishing everyone happy holidays and a good winter.