WOOSTER — The erratic weather of early spring brought new challenges with it for regional farmers.
“Ohio has been in kind of a weird bull’s eye for weather this year,” said Gerry Puckett, director of communications for the Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association.
The 80-degree weather of late April-early May followed by unseasonably cool temperatures played havoc with the growth of small grains, hay fields, and pastures, according to OSU/Wooster’s College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Studies extension office.
OSU/Wooster’s annual Small Grains Field Day on Wednesday, June 18 will provide
updates on wheat profitability and fertility, pest management, plus a summer weather outlook.
“The fact that we will have leading researchers onsite with their latest research feeds right to the heart of what growers need to know,” Puckett said.
The half-day gathering for area farmers takes place Wednesday, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the OSU/Wooster Campus at Schaffter Farm, 3230 Oil City Road in Wooster.
Tours of the OSU wheat, barley breeding plots, and the USDA ARS Soft Wheat Quality Lab will also be available.
It’s a place to ask questions, get advice and connect with other Ohio growers to hear what they are doing with their own operations. The event is sponsored by the Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association.
For more information, contact OSU extension agents Frank Becker becker.587@osu.edu or John Yost Yost.77@osu.edu at 330-264-8722.