OPiniOn Ohio’s Country Journal Heads up Ohio agriculture! As if feeding the world wasn’t
enough to keep you busy, Ohio Agriculture, wait until you see every- thing else you need to concern yourself with in the coming months. As farm writers and broadcasters at
Ohio’s Country Journal and Ohio Ag Net, it is our job to keep you informed about the myriad of issues that will impact your farms and, take it from us, 2012 will not be a slow news year. Here is a laundry list of some topics
we highly recommend you follow closely this year.
The 2012 (maybe) Farm Bill We have been told recently that
there is a 50/50 chance that the farm bill will be written this year. Understand that we came up just shy of reaching a farm bill in 2011 until the so-called Super Committee failed to do anything even mediocre. This is an important discussion for all farm groups (and farmers). Agriculture has had a string of a few good years and no one will feel sorry for making cuts that are far beyond necessary to our sector of the economy. It is our belief that get- ting it done this year is more beneficial, as 2013 will bring a lot of new and une- ducated lawmakers to Washington. Ag has many advocates in D.C. now that know what is best, under these eco- nomic circumstances, for American agriculture. Plus, many of the farm bill programs expire this fall.
Nutrient management and water quality
Holy smokes will this be a hot topic
this year. So much so that we have added a category on our website (
http://ocj.com/category/livestock/ nutrient-managementwater-quality/) specifically to keep people up-to-the- minute informed on this issue. Stay on top of this one as it may change the way you farm in just the next year or two. Not familiar with the 4Rs? You will be.
Crop insurance Some of the changes in crop insur-
ance, like lower premiums for Ohio, are very welcome news. However, did you know that your bill will be due a bit earlier starting this year? Plus, if you plan on tearing up your wheat, your agent needs to know (and not as you are doing it). Also, you should know that some lawmakers have their eyes on that pot of federal money used to support crop insurance. In his recent federal budget proposal, President
Barack Obama suggested some cuts to this crucial tool for risk management.
CAUV Your land value is increasing, but
that is not the surprise. Sticker shock and ticker shock may abound, though, when you get your tax bill. Believe it or not, Ohio’s Current Agricultural Use Valuation program is one of the best in the country. The bottom line is that your land is worth more now and Uncle Sam will always get his cut. Just remember, it could be worse, much worse, in the absence of Ohio’s strong CAUV program.
Weed resistance This may be the most important
year to discuss, and do something about, weed resistance. Next year may be too late. The Ohio AgriBusiness Association and Ohio Soybean Association are holding a series of meetings early this month to talk about preparing, defending and defeating weeds. Get the details about these meetings and make a point to be there. If this is an issue you fail to address this year, chances are that you will regret it in future years. Now is the time to be good stewards of the unbe- lievable technology that is available.
HSUS Yep, Ohio agriculture’s favorite
extremists in suits are at it again. The Humane Society of The United States recently released more videos from two
12 News • Ohio’s Country Journal •
ocj.com • March 2012
Oklahoma pig-breeding facilities. Keep the barn doors open as this usually has consumers asking questions about the way you operate. Show them, explain to them and educate them on why you do what you do and how you wouldn’t have an operation if you didn’t do it right. HSUS is also working on dog breeding rules and exotic animal regu- lations in Ohio. It is up to us (and you) to make sure these measures reflect reality, science and common sense.
Mild winter The weather has been mild and wet
this winter and it is already causing agricultural headaches. PRRS is a signif- icant problem in some part of western Ohio due, at least in part, to the winter weather. Entomologists and plant pathologists also fear insect and disease problems could be more problematic in the upcoming growing season. Oh, and did we mention weather,
corn and soybean demand, child labor laws, and CRP? The list truly does go on and on, but that is where we come in. You can read about all of these chal- lenges on the pages of this issue. You can stay even more up to date with Digital Dale and daily visits to
www.ocj.com. Even more information is just a turn of the radio dial away though the coverage of Ohio Ag Net on the airwaves. We are in front of all of these issues, allowing you to focus on making sure people around the world are fed. We are here to serve the farm- ers who serve the world.
Ohio’s Country Journal staff
800-686-8299 • 614-273-0465 Fax 614-273-0463 1625 Bethel Road
Columbus, OH 43220-2071
www.ocj.com • E-mail:
ocjstaff@ocj.com
production department Editor
Managing Editor Staff Writer
Accounting/ Circulation
MATT REESE
ExT. 210,
mreese@ocj.com KIM LEMMON
ExT. 209,
ocjstaff@ocj.com TY HIggINS
ExT. 207,
ty@ohioagnet.com SHERYL JOHNSON
ExT. 201,
sjohnson@ocj.com
Marketing specialists HEATHER HETTERICK
419-303-4667,
heather@ohioagnet.com LORI LAWRENCE
614-395-9513,
llawrence@ocj.com KIRBY HIDY
ExT. 203,
kirby@ohioagnet.com
Published by AgRICOMMUNICATORS INC. Publisher
BART JOHNSON ExT. 205,
bjohnson@ocj.com
Ohio’s Country Journal is not responsible for more than one incorrect insertion of an advertisement and will rerun in a later edition or cancel charges on the incorrect part of the ad which is in error only. No copy of a questionable nature knowingly will be printed. Also, this publication will not be respon- sible for any misunderstanding or losses which may develop through its advertisement. We reserve the right to censor or reject and to determine what is questionable or objectionable advertising.
copyright, 2009, Agricommunicators Inc., Ohio’s Country Journal. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means, mechanical, photocopying, or otherwise, without the express written permission of Agricommunicators.
ohio’s country Journal (ISSN 1082- 7854) is published semi-monthly 24 times a year by Agricommunicators, Inc., 1625 bethel Rd., columbus, oH 43220- 2071. Periodicals postage paid at columbus, ohio, and additional mailing offices. PoSTMASTER: Send address changes to ohio’s country Journal, 1625 bethel Rd., columbus, oH 43220-2071. Editorial and advertising offices are locat- ed at the same address. Annual subscrip- tion price is $14 per year. ohio’s country Journal reserves the right to edit or refuse all material which might be objectionable in content or appearance. No material contained within ohio’s country Journal may be reproduced or used without the prior approval of ohio’s country Journal.
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