Grain harvest has started but not without problems. Late planting, and a wet summer, especially with the wettest August on record; is causing grain problems in both soybeans and corn. Harvest lately has been delayed due to slow dry down and wet weather. In soybeans, farmers are reporting black soybeans. Black discolored soybeans at harvest can is often linked to dry and wet soybean growing stress and fungal diseases affecting the plants during their growth cycle. Saprophytic fungi can colonize dead plant material, leading to black dust clouds during harvest.  Fungi like Cercospora or Diaporthe can cause discoloration and some viruses may cause discoloration. Enlist soybeans also has a trait that causes soybean coat discoloration which is not related to fungi or virus infection. A drying (drought like) cycle followed by repeated wet cycles can cause seed discoloration and mold, particularly in areas with late rains in August and September. While primarily causing purple discoloratio...

  It’s October, and the weather has finally cleared up for farmers to start harvesting crops in earnest. This time of year, is also one of the most dangerous times for people working in the fields. The combination of long hours, heavy machinery, unpredictable weather, and tight deadlines often creates a high-stress environment where safety shortcuts can lead to injuries or fatalities. Here are some tips to prevent accidents. The rush to harvest can lead to mechanical failure. Preventative maintenance is the first line of defense against farm accidents. Ideally, do daily inspections of equipment and perform a rigorous inspection of fluid levels, belts, tire pressure, and mirrors. Ensure all Rollover Protective Structures (ROPS) and Power Take-Off (PTO) shields are fully intact and locked in place. Never operate machinery with missing safety guards. Remove dry chaff, dust, and crop buildup from engines and bearings regularly. This buildup creates fire hazards when exposed to extreme ...

Farmers spend a lot of time perfecting equipment: planting, spraying, and harvesting. However, it’s the microbes and the soil biology that contribute greatly to final yield. Understanding that biology is becoming even more important in modern agriculture. A key fungal microbe called Trichoderma (Tri) provides a lot of soil and plant benefits. Tri is a genus of filamentous, soil-dwelling fungi widely found in the rhizosphere (root zone) and decaying organic matter. It is non-pathogenic to plants and is valued in agriculture and horticulture for its beneficial relationship with plants, disease and pathogen control, and nutrient recycling. Tri stimulates beneficial microbial populations by producing enzymes that break down complex organic matter and secretes compounds that inhibit pathogens while promoting beneficial bacteria. Trichoderma (Tri) also enhance nutrient cycling by solubilizing insoluble nutrients like phosphorus, iron, copper, manganese, and zinc by secreting organic acids an...

A recent September 2026 U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) study evaluated agricultural best management practices (BMPs) at an edge-of-field site in the Eagle Creek watershed near Findlay, Ohio. The project started in 2010, with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) working together. These three government agencies identified farm fields in priority watersheds—watersheds critically important to Great Lake health. Intensive BMP’s were implemented in five States to test the efficacy of best management practices, also referred to as agricultural conservation practices, to reduce sediment and nutrient runoff on agricultural fields. These fields were chosen as representatives of the priority watersheds because their farming practices and geographical conditions were common among farms in those watersheds. A farm site located near Findlay, Ohio, in the Eagle Creek watershed used two conservation practices, cove...

    Soil depth has a big impact on where the majority of beneficial microbes live. Most soil microbes live in the top 0-10 inches of the soil profile, concentrated heavily within the O (organic) and A (topsoil) horizons. The highest density of microbial activity is typically found in the top 2 inches of soil. As you move deeper into soil, microbial abundance and diversity drops exponentially fast. In soil profiles, the O Horizon (Surface Litter, 0-2 inches) is a hotspot for microbial activity; with decomposing plant litter, leaves, organic debris, and oxygen. Next, the A Horizon (Topsoil, 2-10 inches) holds the highest concentration of stable organic matter, nutrients, and oxygen; supporting dense populations of bacteria and fungus. Moving down, the B Horizon (Subsoil, 10-30+ inches), microbial populations plummet dramatically due to less organic material, compacted clay, and significantly less oxygen. The C & R Horizons (Substratum/Bedrock) have even less microbes, and ha...

Robots are invading the world of agriculture. Robots can do a lot of labor-intensive work, are very precise, are helping to boost yields, and reducing nutrient applications leading to more sustainable agricultural production. With less nutrient runoff, less erosion, less soil compaction; robots are helping farmers make their farms and the environment a cleaner and safer place to live. Here’s how robots are affecting agriculture. Farmers are now using robots (some self-driving or autonomous) to operate tractors and seeders to plant crops. The tractors use GPS (satellite signals that show where the robot is located in a field), AI (artificial intelligence or internet programs) that plant seeds at the right depth and right spacing for optimal yield. Robots can also identify weeds and insects using computerized sensors for vision and link that with AI to apply herbicides, zap them, or mechanically remove weeds or even pests; reducing the use of chemicals by up to 80%. Often quite small, th...

  Diesel fuel and fertilizer prices are soaring motivating farmers to look for ways to reduce costs. This past year, many Midwest farmers started no-tilling to reduce fuel costs. With healthier soils, fertilizer costs should decrease. Healthy soils promote higher microbial levels. Each soil microbe is a soluble bag of fertilizer and your nutrient use efficiency improves, so less commercial fertilizer is needed. The soil has a huge bank of tied up plant nutrients just waiting for healthy soil microbial populations to release them to plant roots. Starting no-till is the first step. Soil compaction is usually a big problem. Excess tillage and a lack of roots in the soil profile causes soil to lack the soil organic matter (SOM) to form healthy soil macro-aggregates. The roots form macro-aggregates with the help of soil microbes. The macro-aggregates store active carbon (glues for good soil structure), improve water infiltration, increase water storage. Micro-aggregates allow good gas e...

  Rain this past week caused some flooding, especially in the several counties around Lima, Ohio and further south and west. Rainfall amounts of 9-10 inches were recorded. Most of Northwest Ohio got several rainfall events over several days. Officially, the 5-year drought appears to be over. Flooding effects on corn and soybean development varies and depends on crop stage of development, soil types, and how long water remains in the field. For the State of Ohio, if the corn was planted early and the corn is more mature (dough to dented), the flooding effects may be less severe; unless the corn stands in water for extended period of time (past 2 days). For northwest Ohio, delayed spring planting delayed corn growth development. Corn has caught up somewhat but a lot of corn is just past the tasseling stage and is setting kernels. This can be a tough stage for corn development if fields remain flooded for extended periods of time. Some corn fields may have had high winds, lodging and ...

  Farmers in the Eastern Midwest are wet while farmers in the Western half of the Midwest are struggling with heat and drought. After 5 years of hot dry summers, especially in July and August; farmers in the Eastern half of the country are getting a cool summer and plenty of rain. Crop scouts are now touring the country to determine corn and soybean yields. The eastern half has to scout a flooded area with record rainfall amounts, downed corn, and standing water from central Illinois into eastern Ohio. The western half scouts crops that have had very little moisture for most of the summer. The result is thinner cobs, lighter ears, and some yellow corn from denitrification (lack of N) in the east. The USDA national estimate for corn yield is 180.7 bushels average per acre across the nation. That is down 2.3 bushel from July and 5.8 bushel from last year’s record. About 61% of the corn is rated good to excellent, down 11 points from last year. Another 14% is rated poor to very poor. ...

  Biochar is a fine-grained, porous, charcoal-like substance produced by heating organic plant or animal matter (biomass) in a zero- or low-oxygen env ironment. This chemical decomposition process is called pyrolysis. Unlike regular charcoal, which is primarily produced to be burned as fuel; biochar is created for agricultural enhancement and long-term carbon storage. Biochar is made from wood chips, crop residues (like corn cobs), forestry waste, and animal manure. The biomass is sealed inside a container and heated to high temperatures, usually between 750°F and 1300°F. Because oxygen is absent, the material cannot catch fire or turn to ash. Instead, it breaks down into energy-rich gases and a highly stable, solid carbon structure. Biochar is great for enhancing soil. The microscopic, sponge-like structure of biochar acts as a physical filter that catches and holds moisture in the soil. For nutrient storage, biochar prevents fertilizer runoff by trapping essential minerals and ma...

  Smoke from over 830 Canadian wildfires continue to cause hazy skies, poor air quality and breathing health concerns for those most vulnerable, especially in Northern Ohio, Northern Indiana, and Michigan. While the worst air quality concerns occurred 2-3 weeks ago, there is still an Air Quality Alert for this area. The smoke contains many fine particles which get in the lungs and exacerbate breathing problems. Elderly people, children and those suffering from any type of illness need to stay vigilant. The hazy skies and campfire-like smell may make the sunrise and sunsets more colorful, but they are dangerous for affected individuals. For these individuals; limit outdoor activity, keep windows closed, monitor the air quality index and monitor your breathing. Consult a doctor if experiencing difficulty. With the recent rains and weather patterns, the smoke and haze may start to diminish. The effect of the Canadian wildfires on crop development has been minimal. The weather has been...

  Waterhemp is a tall summer annual and a common Midwest weed, thriving in wet areas but is adaptable to various conditions. It is an invasive weed in both corn and soybean fields. Yield losses may range from 11% to 75%. It has separate male and female plants, producing over 1 million seeds per plant. Waterhemp seedlings have light green to red-pink stems. Cotyledons (first leaves) are oval to lance-shaped, hairless, red-green above, and dark red below. The first true leaves are oblong, dark green, shiny on top, reddish-pink underneath, and shallowly notched at the tip. Mature plants can be 2.5–12 feet tall, upright and branching. Waterhemp has a deep taproot with secondary fibrous roots, competing with corn and soybean crops for water and nutrients (Cornell University). The pigweed family includes waterhemp, Palmer amaranth, and redroot pigweed species. Palmer amaranth has longer leaf stalks than the leaf blade, broader leaves, sometimes with white chevron markings while waterhemp...