If you believe you have outstanding grain obligations with United Equity, Inc. and have questions, please call ODA at 614-728-6410. Ohio’s Grain Indemnity Fund was created in 1983 to reimburse farmers when a licensed handler becomes insolvent. Claims to the indemnity fund are handled through ODA’s Grain Feed & Seed Section in conjunction with the recommendation of the Ohio Commodity Advisory Commission.

Ohio Revised Code gives priority to the automatic lien established and held by the department for the benefit of farmers in the event of a grain handler’s failure or insolvency.… Continue reading

Following the success of its inaugural event, the Buckeye Cattlemen’s Summit will once again bring Ohio cattlemen together for breed association meetings, industry updates, producer education and OCA traditions. OCA partners with the Buckeye Hereford Association, Ohio Shorthorn Association and Ohio Simmental Association to provide a full day of educational opportunities and industry engagement.

The Summit will feature morning and afternoon sessions focused on timely beef industry topics, providing producers with practical information and tools to take back to their operations. Breed association meetings will also be held throughout the day.

Youth education remains an important part of the Summit, with opportunities for Ohio Beef Youth Council participants to compete and learn. The event will include educational activities and contests designed to help Ohio youth expand their knowledge of the beef industry.… Continue reading

The Ohio Soybean Council has a building at Farm Science Review that greets thousands of visitors each year. It is filled with displays that tell the stories of Ohio’s soybean farmers and how their check-off dollars fund research, education, and projects designed to return value to the farm. Mackenzie Joseph is the Communications Manager for the Ohio Soybean Council and recently visited with Field Leader to preview some of the highlights at this year’s Farm Science Review.

Field Leader: Farm Science Review is a destination for thousands of Ohio’s soybean farmers as well as the general public. What are some of the things visitors will learn about in the soybean building at the review this year?

Joseph: We are very excited this year to have the Ohio Soybean Building back in action. It is building number 441 if you are looking at a map of the review site.… Continue reading

For months now we have heard terms in the popular media of the impending “Super El Niño” or even “Godzilla El Niño” to depict the climate cycle we have entered. But what does it really mean and perhaps more importantly, what does it mean for farmers? Back in June, OCJ’s Brianna Smith and I discussed these issues on the Ohio Ag Net Tv podcast. This is a review and an update on El Niño conditions and potential impacts across the region heading throughout the rest of 2026 and into 2027.

What is El Niño?

El Niño refers to an ocean-atmosphere climate phenomenon linked to a periodic warming in sea-surface temperatures across the central and east-central equatorial Pacific Ocean. Its origins extend back centuries to Peruvian and Ecuadorian fishermen who noticed periods of abnormally warm water around Christmastime that greatly reduced fish catches. Later, scientists discovered its links to atmospheric circulation via the position of the jet stream, which has downwind effects on weather patterns in many areas of the globe.… Continue reading

The annual study, conducted by Barry Ward, leader of production business management with Ohio State University Extension, found western Ohio cropland values are expected to change between a 0.1% decline and a 0.9% increase from 2025, depending on the region and quality of the land. Cash rents are expected to range from unchanged to a 1.5% increase.

Tight profit margins and worsening liquidity continue to weigh on cropland values and rental rates. At the same time, relatively strong farm equity positions and elevated property taxes are helping support values and rents. Crop prices, input costs, and yields will also help determine where farmland values and rents finish the year.

Ward conducted the 2025-26 survey from January through April 2026, gathering 132 responses from professionals and others familiar with Ohio farmland markets.… Continue reading

As farmers finish this year’s crop and begin looking toward the 2027 growing season, input costs will once again be a major consideration. Fertilizer prices, in particular, can have a significant impact on the bottom line, making nutrient management an important part of the planning process.

For farmers considering manure as an alternative or supplement to commercial fertilizer, Mark Eilerman, an independent agronomist with New Ag Horizons, said one of the most important steps is knowing exactly what is in the manure being applied.

“Manure is a big one here anymore,” Eilerman said. “I’ve got a lot of clients using any and all kinds of manure for their fields. Usually, it’s a discounted price compared to commercial fertilizer.”

Eilerman said manure can offer an economical source of nutrients, but there are also considerations such as compaction and weed seeds. Before determining whether a manure source is a good value, farmers need to know its nutrient content.… Continue reading

“OPC’s strength comes from leaders who understand both the challenges and opportunities facing Ohio pig farmers,” said Cheryl Day, executive vice president of OPC. “Stacey, Anthony, and Tyler each bring valuable perspectives that will help guide the council’s work on behalf of producers, consumers and the future of our industry.”

Voight was elected to represent OPC associate members. She brings 29 years of experience across production and technical-service roles within the pork industry.

Her career began with hands-on work at boar studs across Ohio, and she previously managed an 80-sow show-pig herd.… Continue reading

The answer could have significant implications for Ohio soybean production. Red crown rot, caused by the soilborne fungus Calonectria ilicicola, can persist in fields for years, making early detection and accurate diagnosis especially important.

“This is an important time to scout because red crown rot symptoms become most visible during the reproductive stages of soybean, particularly during pod fill,” said Horacio Lopez-Nicora, associate professor of soybean pathology and nematology and a Provost’s Early Career Scholar at CFAES. “August and September are an excellent window for growers to walk fields and look for patches of plants showing premature yellowing, interveinal chlorosis and necrosis, wilting, or plant death.”

Recent record rainfall and resulting wet conditions make scouting especially timely because red crown rot is favored by warm, wet soils.… Continue reading

Corn reaching the dough stage is at 100%, ahead of last week’s 95%, and well ahead of the 94% five-year average. Corn reaching the dent stage is at 73%, ahead of last week’s 59% average, and above the 62% average. Mature corn for the state is sitting at 16%, right on with the 13% average. Ohio corn condition was rated 61% good to excellent, with 48% good and 13% excellent.

Soybeans dropping leaves has reached 15%, ahead of last week’s 1% and above the 15% five-year average. Ohio soybean condition was rated 58% good to excellent, with 45% good and 13% excellent.… Continue reading

For Ohio soybean farmers, transporting soybeans and soy products such as soybean meal and soy oil is vitally important, since we do not have a large number of end users within the state. Annually, 1.5 million bushels of soybeans are exported out of Ohio to poultry and hog operations in East Coast states. Railroads provide a cost-effective method for shipping these bulk commodities. A recent study by the USDA on Rail Competition and its importance to agriculture found that “an affordable and reliable transportation network is necessary to maintain the strength and competitiveness of American agriculture and our rural communities.  Rail service is a particularly important part of that network for U.S. agriculture, because it is virtually the only cost-effective shipping alternative available for low-value, bulky commodities in rural areas that are distant from water transportation and markets.”… Continue reading

Hosted by Ohio Farm Bureau’s Young Agricultural Professionals State Committee, the Winter Leadership Experience gives farmers, students and ag professionals an opportunity to build personal and professional skills, make new connections and grow as leaders in their community, Farm Bureau and agriculture. The conference is open to Farm Bureau members of all ages.

With the theme “Growing Connections. Shaping Legacy,” the 2027 Winter Leadership Experience will focus on bringing members together to step away from daily operations, gain fresh perspectives and grow together. Breakout sessions will offer practical information and ideas participants can take back to their farms, businesses and communities. 

Participants of the 2027 Winter Leadership Experience will also hear from keynote speaker, Dan Venteicher, known online as the Iowa Dairy Farmer. Venteicher will share his personal experience navigating cancer, losing his mom, a farm accident that nearly took his father, and the everyday challenges of agriculture.… Continue reading

The property features extensive grain storage alongside high-capacity unit-car rail transloading capabilities. This strategic acquisition expands Kalmbach’s direct access to local grain while strengthening the company’s broader investments in feed, pet food, and ingredient manufacturing and distribution.

“We really appreciate the opportunity to work with Mennel, another exceptional family business,” said family member Paul Kalmbach Jr. “This transaction was built on trust and reflects the great working relationship between our two teams. We’re excited about the capabilities this facility adds to our footprint, allowing us to better serve our customers for generations to come.”

… Continue reading

Anyone looking to support mental health well-being in rural America can benefit from this resource. New episodes premiere every Wednesday in September, with insights meant to inspire action year-round. Watch the first episode below and sign up to receive each video episode by email as they air.

Upcoming episodes

Episode 2 – Turning Concern into Action at the Grassroots Level – Premieres Wednesday, Sept.… Continue reading

After recent success with a one-day professional development event with K- 2 educators from kindergarten through second grade, Ohio Farm Bureau expanded the program to include a second day for educators in third through fifth grades.

The event was open to all formal educators and included in-depth visits with farmers and commodity groups in livestock barns, hands-on curriculum training and a behind-the-scenes look at the new imAGine Ag exhibit. Attendees also received classroom toolkits featuring National Ag in the Classroom content, agriculturally accurate books, and lesson plans connected to imAGine Ag.

“Our educators have an incredible opportunity to help the next generation understand where their food comes from and the role agriculture plays in their communities, ” said Marlene Eick, senior director of leadership development at Ohio Farm Bureau.… Continue reading

Things are moving along pretty good over here. On the vegetable side, we’re harvesting tomatoes, and they’re all starting to turn red. We don’t really want them all to turn red at once. We’d like to stretch that harvest out into October if we can. On the crop side of things, the beans are looking good. For the corn, some of the earlier planted fields are starting to burn up. Around here, I think some fields could probably be shelled in two or three weeks.

As far as pest and disease pressure goes, everything seems under control in the tomatoes. In some of the earlier planted corn fields, I’ve noticed what looks like tar spot showing up. I’m not sure whether that’s related to spraying, not spraying, specific hybrids, or just the fact that those fields are getting older and starting to dry down. At this point, it’s hard to say exactly what’s driving it.… Continue reading