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COLUMBUS — The U.S. Department of Agriculture is encouraging dairy producers to enroll in Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC), an important safety net program that helps offset milk and feed price differences. This year’s DMC signup began January 29 and the deadline to enroll is March 31.
“We encourage producers to join the 368 dairy operations in Ohio that have already signed up for this important safety net program in advance of the deadline,” said USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Deputy State Executive Director Traci Garza. “At $0.15 per hundredweight for $9.50 coverage, risk protection through Dairy Margin Coverage is a cost-effective tool to manage risk and provide security for your operations.”
The American Relief Act, 2025 extended provisions of the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill) authorizing DMC for coverage year 2025.
DMC provides dairy operations with risk management coverage that pays producers when the difference (the margin) between the national price of milk and the average cost of feed falls below a certain level selected by the program participants.
DMC offers different levels of coverage minus a $100 administrative fee. The administrative fee is waived for dairy producers who are considered limited resource, beginning, socially disadvantaged or a military veteran.
DMC payments are calculated using updated feed and premium hay costs, making the program more reflective of actual dairy producer expenses.
For more information on DMC, visit the DMC webpage or contact your local USDA Service Center.
POSTED: 03/20/25 at 9:03 am. FILED UNDER: Farm
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Farm Focus Inc. was founded in 1974 to promote agriculture in Van Wert County and the surrounding area. It is the continued mission of Farm Focus to assist Van Wert County students through a scholarship program that will enable them to pursue a degree in an agricultural related field.
Farm Focus Inc. is offering a minimum of two scholarships ranging from $500 to $1,000 to high school seniors interested in majoring in an agricultural related program at a university, college, or technical school. In addition to seniors, full time students already enrolled in an undergraduate program in agriculture are also eligible to apply. This also means that a successful applicant from previous years can reapply again this year. The applicant must be a Van Wert County resident. The minimum grade point is 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. Scholarship funds will be submitted directly to the educational institution by Farm Focus Inc. upon receipt of proof of enrollment or a copy of a tuition invoice.
Scholarship applications have been sent to all nine area high schools where Van Wert County students may be enrolled, s eligible students may contact their high school guidance counselor or agricultural education/FFA instructor for a scholarship application.
The application is also available at the OSU Van Wert County Extension Office, 1055 S. Washington St., Van Wert, or by emailing FarmFocusScholarship@gmail.com. The scholarship application is in PDF and Word formats and can be emailed or put on a jump drive. Questions should be emailed.
All completed applications must be emailed, mailed and postmarked or delivered in person to the OSU Van Wert County Extension Office no later than Friday, March 28.
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AgCredit has announced the launch of a new six-part webinar series in collaboration with AgBizInfo, designed specifically for young and beginning farmers. The series, which is available for free, kicks off on Monday, February 3, and aims to provide essential knowledge and tools to help those starting their farming journey.
This valuable series covers key topics that can make the difference between success and failure in farming. Whether you are just starting out or are ready to take your farming hobby to the next level, this series has something for you.
To register for the webinar series and begin your farming journey with confidence, visit https://www.agcredit.net/ybwebinars.
Topics covered in the six-part series include:
- Site Analysis and Exploring Your Potential – Understanding your land and its possibilities.
- Finding Your Niche and Expanding Your Customer Base – How to stand out in a competitive market.
- Access to Capital – How to find and secure the funding you need.
- Business Structure and Risk Mitigation – Ensuring you build a solid foundation and reduce risk.
- Stop the Burnout: Learning How to Delegate and Build Your Team – Avoiding overload and building a strong support system.
- Knowing Your Biz Numbers and Becoming Profitable – Mastering your finances for sustainable growth.
Webinars will be available on-demand, allowing participants to watch them at their own convenience. Each week, beginning February 3, a new webinar will be released, with a link sent directly to participants’ inboxes. The series will run for six weeks, with new content every Monday.
POSTED: 01/29/25 at 9:58 am. FILED UNDER: Farm
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Ohio State University Extension and Northwest State Community College are partnering to provide a regional event focused on successful implementation of agricultural conservation practices, called “Success Stories of Conservation”.
The event will feature farmers giving 5-minute “lightning talks” that will discuss how specific conservation practices have benefitted them on their operations, followed by a panel-type question and answer session.
In addition, Dr. Jim Uphaus, Professor and Chair of the Agriculture program at Rhodes State College, and Dr. Vinayak Shedekar, Assistant Professor of Agriculture Water Management at The Ohio State University, will host breakout sessions focusing on the return on investment of conservation practices and the benefits of utilizing farm drainage, respectively. The event’s keynote speaker will be Greg LaBarge, Field Specialist in Agronomic Systems at The Ohio State University, discussing his research in the Powell Creek Watershed and what watershed-scale implementation of conservation practices can do.
Agricultural conservation is becoming an increasingly important topic across northwest Ohio, and there are many different practices and methods that can be used to improve local water quality and soil health. This event is designed to showcase real-life implementation of conservation practices and how these practices have affected real-life farming operations, water quality, and soil health goals.
The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, February 20, at Northwest State Community College, 22600 OH-34, Archbold, Ohio. The cost to attend this event is $10 per person, with lunch provided. Registration is required for this event by Friday, February 14. Visit go.osu.edu/SSC22025 to register or contact Rachel Cochran at Cochran.474@osu.edu or 567.344.5016 with questions
POSTED: 01/22/25 at 9:24 am. FILED UNDER: Farm
VW independent staff/submitted information
FORT WAYNE — The Fort Wayne Farm Show, one of the Midwest’s premier agricultural events and Indiana’s largest indoor farm show, is set to welcome over 30,000 farmers and industry professionals once again this year. The 36th annual event, which will be held at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, will feature cutting-Edge technology, educational seminars, and community support Initiatives
Known for showcasing the latest in farm technology and innovation, the show provides attendees with access to the region’s largest variety of farm equipment and services, all conveniently located under one roof. The Northeastern Indiana Soil and Water Conservation District, in collaboration with Purdue Cooperative Extension Services, will offer daily educational seminars designed to address key topics in modern farming.
This year’s show is also highlighted by two grand prize giveaways: a Toro MyRide Zero Turn Lawn Mower and Toro SnowMaster Snow Blower, both generously provided by Plevna Implement, located at 1503 Wiant Dr., Garrett, Indiana. Entry for both grand prizes is free.
Supporting the future of agriculture, the Indiana FFA Scholarship Foundation will hold a fundraising auction at 1 p.m. on both Tuesday and Wednesday of the show. A wide range of donated items will be up for bid, with proceeds benefiting the scholarship program. Last year’s auction raised more than $21,000 for FFA scholarships.
Farm Show dates and times are Tuesday, January 14, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Wednesday, January 15, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Thursday, January 16, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free.
POSTED: 01/09/25 at 11:05 pm. FILED UNDER: Farm
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Farm Credit Mid-America is now accepting applications for its Customer Scholarships and Farm Credit Mid-America Scholars Program. Over the past decade, Farm Credit Mid-America has awarded more than $2 million in financial and educational support to deserving students pursuing careers that promote agriculture and rural communities.
Customer Scholarships are available to the children or grandchildren of Farm Credit Mid-America customers pursuing careers related to agriculture or rural communities. Applicants can attend an accredited two- or four-year college, university, vocational school or trade school.
“We want to encourage young people to pursue these careers and support them in their journey because we recognize they will be the future of our industry,” said Randy Barbee, community investment manager at Farm Credit Mid-America. “Through direct financial support, we are working to secure the future of agriculture and rural communities.”
The Farm Credit Mid-America Scholars program is available to rising college sophomores and juniors pursuing careers in agriculture. Each year more than 25 students receive $5,000 in financial support over two academic years. In addition to financial aid, recipients also participate in onsite learning and travel experiences aimed at developing leadership skills and enhancing financial literacy.
“The financial support provided through the scholarship is extremely helpful, but on top of that, you get to meet great people in the field,” said Victoria Holliday, a recent Farm Credit Mid-America Scholar. “It’s nice to be surrounded by others who have similar goals to you and bounce ideas off of each other.”
Students who meet the eligibility requirements for a Farm Credit Mid-America scholarship are encouraged to apply before the December 15, 2024, deadline. Customer Scholarship applicants are encouraged to apply before the January 15, 2025 deadline. Recipients for both programs will be announced in 2025.
“It’s important to support college students who are interested in agriculture because we’re the future of the industry,” said Daniel Lester, a recent Farm Credit Mid-America Scholar. “If I could talk to other students, I would tell them to apply for the program in a heartbeat. It opens many doors to new friends, experiences and opportunities.”
To learn more about Farm Credit Mid-America’s scholarship programs or to submit an application, visit www.fcma.com/scholarships.
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REYNOLDSBURG — The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) has received a presumptive positive test result of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in an Ohio dairy cattle herd and is awaiting confirmation from the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL).
The dairy operation in Wood County received cows on March 8 from a Texas dairy, which later reported a confirmed detection of HPAI. Ohio’s animal health officials were notified when the livestock began showing clinical signs compatible with sick, lactating dairy cows in other states.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as state veterinary and public health officials, continue to investigate the emerging illness among dairy cows that is causing decreased lactation, low appetite, and other symptoms.
On Monday, March 25, state animal health officials were notified when federal agencies confirmed the detection of HPAI in dairy herds in Texas and Kansas that had cattle exhibiting these symptoms. USDA’s NVSL has since confirmed the presence of HPAI in additional dairy cattle herds in Idaho, New Mexico, and Michigan.
Federal and state agencies continue to conduct additional testing from sick animals and in unpasteurized clinical milk samples from sick animals, as well as viral genome sequencing, to assess whether HPAI or another unrelated illness may be underlying any symptoms. Clinically sick dairy cattle from affected herds range from 1%-20%, with an average of 10% of the milking herd affected. There are no confirmed reports of death loss in dairy cattle directly attributed to these detections. Most sick cows begin recovering within a few days.
According to the Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease and Prevention, there is no concern about the safety of commercially pasteurized dairy products due to both federal animal health requirements and pasteurization and the public health risk associated with HPAI remains low.
ODA is working with state industry partners and federal agencies to encourage farmers and veterinarians to report cattle illnesses quickly, to monitor potential additional cases and minimize the impact and risk to farmers, farmworkers, consumers, and other animals.
Producers are urged work with their veterinarian to practice enhanced biosecurity measures and review and limit cattle movements within production systems to avoid disease spread or bringing in cattle from known disease areas or infected herds. More information on biosecurity measures can be found here.
At this current time, no quarantines or movement restrictions on livestock are being issued by ODA. As officials continue to assess the risks of the emerging disease, and assess epidemiological information, further regulatory control actions may be implemented. If dairy producers in Ohio should see unusual clinical symptoms similar to those described, they are to contact their herd veterinarians.
For more information on the detections of HPAI in cattle, visit the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s website.
POSTED: 04/02/24 at 7:19 pm. FILED UNDER: Farm
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FOSTORIA — AgCredit — one of northern Ohio’s largest lenders for farmers, rural homeowners and agribusiness — announced it will distribute $22 million to its borrower-owners through its patronage program.
Each year, AgCredit’s Board of Directors reviews the cooperative’s net income and determines how much to return to the cooperative’s borrower-owners in the form of patronage. Qualified borrower-owners will receive their share during events at their local offices, through the mail or through direct deposits into their bank accounts. This is the 37th consecutive year AgCredit has distributed patronage with a total of over $444 billion returned during that time.
“Our ability to return patronage dividends to eligible borrower-owners in our territory for 37 consecutive years demonstrates the commitment of our cooperative,” said AgCredit President and CEO Brian Ricker. “I invite all AgCredit borrower-owners to stop into their local office on Thursday, April 4, 2024, to celebrate with our team. Checks will be available for pick up and refreshments will be served.”
How do patronage refunds benefit AgCredit borrower-owners? They reduce their cost of borrowing. AgCredit already offers competitive rates on loans, but on average over the past five years, the patronage program has reduced rates by an additional 1.67%. Dividends are distributed based on the amount of interest accrued on your loan with a patronage return of 20.46% for 2023. The more business you do with AgCredit, the larger your potential patronage refund!
Simply put, it pays to be a member of AgCredit.
AgCredit is a member of the nationwide Farm Credit System. For more information about the Association and its patronage dividend program, visit www.AgCredit.net.
POSTED: 04/01/24 at 3:12 pm. FILED UNDER: Farm
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Farm Focus Inc. was founded in 1974 to promote agriculture in Van Wert County and the surrounding area. It is their continued mission to assist Van Wert County students through a scholarship program that will enable them to pursue a degree in an agricultural related field.
Farm Focus Inc. is offering a minimum of two scholarships ranging from $500 to $1,000 to high school seniors interested in majoring in an agricultural related program at a university, college, or technical school. In addition to seniors, full time students already enrolled in an undergraduate program in agriculture are eligible to apply. This also means that a successful applicant from previous years can reapply again this year. The applicant must be a Van Wert County resident. Minimum grade point is 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. Scholarship funds will be submitted directly to the educational institution by Farm Focus Inc. upon receipt of proof of enrollment or a copy of a tuition invoice.
Scholarship applications have been sent to all nine area high schools where Van Wert County students may be enrolled, so students should contact their guidance counselor or agricultural education/FFA instructor for an application.
The application is available at the OSU Van Wert County Extension Office, 1055 South Washington Street, Van Wert, or by email, FarmFocusScholarship@gmail.com. The scholarship application is in a PDF and Word formats and can be emailed or put on a jump drive. Questions should be emailed.
All completed applications must be emailed, mailed and postmarked or delivered in person no later than March 29 to the OSU Van Wert County Extension Office.
VW independent staff/submitted information
REYNOLDSBURG — The Ohio Department of Agriculture has released the official dates for the 2024 fair season, which includes Ohio’s 94 county and independent fairs and the Ohio State Fair.
The Paulding County Fair will kick off the 2024 fair season June 8-15, and the season will wrap up on October 12 with the Fairfield County Fair. In between, the Putnam County Fair will run from June 24-29, followed by the Auglaize County Fair (July 28-August 3), the Mercer County Fair (August 6-14), the Allen County Fair (August 16-24) and the Van Wert County Fair (August 27-September 2). For a complete schedule, click here.
In addition to setting and approving the dates for the independent and county fairs, ODA is responsible for helping to assure the safety of fair amusement rides, monitoring livestock shows to help assure honest competition and coordinating animal health efforts with local veterinarians.
