All About Agriculture
72 episodes - English - Latest episode: almost 4 years ago - ★★★★★ - 1 ratingAll about Agriculture is a podcast featuring recorded interviews with Wooster WQKT radio host Ron Hamilton as part of Farm Hour program broadcasts. The primary audience for these interviews is dairy farmers but the interviews often have wider application and interest. Topics covered include: farm financial management, farm employee management, manure management, milk quality, forage production and use, silage management, grain storage and more.
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Episodes
Episode 71 - Livestock Water: Quality and Quantity
August 04, 2020 05:00 - 10 minutes - 1 ByteWater is the most essential nutrient for life. The health of our livestock and their performance depends on access to clean, adequate water. WQKT host Ron Hamilton and Wayne County Extension Ag Program Assistant Matthew Nussbaum discuss providing both the quantity of water that livestock require during the summer months as well as some management practices to ensure that the provided water is as clean and safe as possible. Livestock may drink more than you think, especially in the hot and h...
Episode 70 - Tank Mixing Pesticides
June 09, 2020 05:00 - 9 minutes - 1 ByteTank mixing allows for the treatment of various pests, for example weeds and disease, in the same sprayer pass. Successful tank mixing can save time and money. However, when tank mixes are not compatible, dollars are lost due to decreased pesticide or product efficacy and in increased time needed to clean out a sprayer. This podcast discusses common mistakes that lead to tank mixing errors and incompatible spray mixes and provides a protocol to use when considering tank mixes.
Episode 69 - Determining Forage Moisture Content
June 02, 2020 05:00 - 11 minutes - 1 ByteMoisture content drives what happens to forage after it is removed from the field, whether quality is maintained or degraded. Improper moisture content can reduce storage life. If the moisture content is not correct, hay can mold and spoil, baleage and silage will not ferment properly. This podcast discusses tools available to help determine forage moisture content including microwave ovens, commercial forage moisture testers, vortex dryers, moisture probes and moisture sensors.
Episode 68 - Baleage Rewards and Risks
May 26, 2020 05:00 - 10 minutes - 1 ByteBaleage combines baling with ensiling. Forage is baled at high moisture content and wrapped in plastic. Baleage offers the rewards of producing a high quality, highly palatable forage under weather conditions not conducive to dry hay production. If not made correctly, there are increased feeding risks from botulism and listeriosis organisms. This podcast covers practices that ensure high quality baleage, including moisture content, bale density, and wrapping. Risk factors of potential...
Episode 67 - Grazing Management Increases Pasture Productivity
May 19, 2020 05:00 - 12 minutes - 1 BytePastures respond to management. Increase pasture productivity by following the four “R’s” of grazing management; Right beginning grazing height, Remove/Reduce seed heads, Residual leaf area and Rest period. This podcast describes each of the four R management practices, concluding with a practical application of what is needed to apply these management principles.
Episode 66 - Heat Abatement and Ventilation System Maintenance
May 05, 2020 05:00 - 10 minutes - 1 ByteDairy cows have an optimal environmental temperature of 40-60 F, so heat stress is a concern during summer months. This podcast discusses heat stress in dairy cows, the consequences of heat stress and visible indicators of heat stress. Fans are an important component of heat abatement and managing dairy cow heat stress. Basic ventilation system maintenance is outlined in the podcast.
Episode 65 - Alfalfa Weevil Scouting
April 28, 2020 05:00 - 10 minutes - 1 ByteThe alfalfa weevil is an early season pest that can cause damage to alfalfa in terms of both yield and quality reductions as weevil larvae chew on alfalfa plant leaves. This podcast describes how to identify the weevil larvae and their damage and the scouting procedure for alfalfa weevil. Economic treatment thresholds depend upon the number or larvae per stem and the height of the alfalfa plant.
Episode 64 - COVID-19 Farm Biosecurity
April 21, 2020 05:00 - 13 minutes - 1 ByteTypically, farm biosecurity focuses on protecting livestock health, but the concern with COVID-19 is human health. Since farms, in particular farm labor, are not able to work remotely, this podcast discusses on farm biosecurity practices that can help to keep farm family members and farm employees safe during the COVID-19 coronavirus focusing on farm personnel behavior, modification of common practices and disinfection.
Episode 63 - Using Protocols to Train Farm Employees
April 07, 2020 05:00 - 5 minutes - 1 ByteProtocols are defined as a set of steps or procedures that guide or define how a larger task is accomplished. They are useful because they lay out the details of a specific task. This podcast discusses common pitfalls of farm protocols and how to write protocols that will be followed by farm employees and that will produce positive results on the farm. Some specific protocol examples are included.
Episode 62 - Cover Crop Termination
March 31, 2020 05:00 - 10 minutes - 1 ByteAs we look towards the 2020 planting season, we don’t want a cover crop competing with a primary or cash grain crop. Therefore, the grower needs a plan in place to control or terminate the existing growth before the corn or soybean plant emerges. This podcast covers timing of cover crop termination and methods of cover crop termination including both mechanical and chemical termination. Mechanically, tillage, mowing and rolling/crimping are discussed. Chemical termination includes use of both...
Episode 61 - Winter Wheat Stand Evaluation
March 24, 2020 05:00 - 11 minutes - 1 ByteEvaluate winter wheat stand yield potential after green up. This podcast describes using stand counts and weed pressure assessments to determine yield potential and whether a stand should be kept or rotated to another crop. For stands that will be kept for grain harvest, the weed assessment also determines if there is a need for an herbicide application. The podcast closes with a discussion on nitrogen fertilization of stands, including the use of livestock manure.
Episode 60 - Identifying and Treating Calf Diarrhea
March 17, 2020 05:00 - 11 minutes - 1 ByteCalf scours or diarrhea is one of the leading causes of early calf mortality. This podcast is based on a presentation given by Dr. Jess Goff at the 2020 NE Ohio Regional Dairy Conference in Wooster. The podcast begins with a discussion of normal small intestine function. The next point is causes of calf diarrhea and the resulting disruption of normal small intestine function. The podcast concludes with a discussion of how to evaluate the severity of calf diarrhea and use of rehydration fluid ...
Episode 59 - Frost Seeding
March 10, 2020 05:00 - 9 minutes - 1 ByteLate winter and early spring are traditionally good times to frost seed in Ohio. Frost seeding is a pasture and hayfield renovation practice. It involves broadcasting seed during periods of freeze/thaw cycles to ensure good seed/soil contact. This podcast covers what is necessary for a successful frost seeding regarding sod condition, timing, species, and seeding rates.
Episode 58 - Cattle Lice
March 03, 2020 05:00 - 12 minutes - 1 ByteCattle lice are contagious and can build up to high population levels during the winter to early springtime period. This podcast discusses the types of lice, their biology and lifecycle, along with the potential for reduced weight gains, anemia and increased illnesses associated with heavy infestations. Symptoms of cattle with lice infestations are discussed. The podcast concludes with treatment options.
Episode 57 - New Hire Reporting and First Day Orientation
February 11, 2020 05:00 - 9 minutes - 1 ByteAll employers, including farms hiring farm labor need to report new hires to the state of Ohio. This podcast outlines the reporting requirements including the necessary forms such as the W4 and I-9 Employment Eligibility form that need to be filled out and filed. Timelines and resources for more information are provided. The podcast concludes with some tips for a first day orientation to provide a positive first day employment experience.
Episode 56 - Farmland rental and lease agreements
February 04, 2020 05:00 - 11 minutes - 1 ByteWhat is the land rental rate in “X” county? There is not a single price point answer to this question. There are tools that can help provide a framework. This podcast discusses the factors involved in determining a land rental rate and why this is a discussion between landowner and land renter to arrive at a rental rate. The podcast discusses why written agreements are important to prevent misunderstandings, protect both parties and provides examples of what should be include...
Episode 55 - The ARC/PLC Farm Bill Decision
December 31, 2019 05:00 - 12 minutes - 1 ByteThe first 10 minutes of this podcast focuses on the Acreage Risk Coverage (ARC), Price Loss Coverage (PLC) program decision that farm commodity crop growers need to make by March 15 to participate in the 2018 farm bill. Each program is briefly explained, along with scenarios where each program is most likely to result in a payment. Listeners are directed to decision help tools on the OSU Extension farm bill web site at go.osu.edu/farmbill2019 for more information. The podcast conclude...
Episode 54 - Winter Calf Care
December 26, 2019 05:00 - 11 minutes - 1 ByteCalves are more susceptible to cold stress as compared to older animals because they have low body fat reserves and a larger surface area to body mass ratio, so they lose body heat more rapidly. Calf managers need to understand the lower critical temperatures of young calves as a starting point. Winter care needs to focus on the calf’s physical environment including housing, and nutrition. This podcast provides some recommendations to keep calves dry, comfortable and growing in winter...
Episode 53 - Winter Hoof Care
December 22, 2019 05:00 - 10 minutes - 1 ByteWinter weather complicates general hoof care management because we get frozen and uneven walking surfaces, along with cold, wet surfaces and slippery areas. Wet conditions, and physical trauma that can result from those uneven walking surfaces and slips while walking contribute to higher incidences of digital dermatitis. This podcast discusses the effect of winter weather on digital dermatitis management and provides some ideas and tips to keep hooves healthy and digital dermatitis at...
Episode 52 - Bunker and Silage Pile Safety
December 03, 2019 05:00 - 10 minutes - 1 ByteThere are two primary risks associated with bunker silos and silage piles: a person working on top of the pile or the bunker falling off the pile/bunker, and second, a person or persons on the ground near the silo or pile being buried by a silage avalanche. All bunker silos and silage piles are not the same. Factors that should be considered when assessing safety risks are height of the silage, face management, and labor tasks. Safety measures and guidelines are discussed.
Episode 51 - Managing SCC to Improve Milk Quality
November 26, 2019 05:00 - 13 minutes - 1 ByteHigh somatic cell count (SCC) milk is lower quality milk. This podcast focuses on explaining the significance of SCC, its relationship to mastitis and what the farm can do to manage for low SCC. Use of bulk tank SCC as well as individual cow records can help to identify high SCC issues. Management practices to reduce mastitis and keep SCC low include good milking protocols and providing a clean environment for the cow.
Episode 50 - Defining and Measuring Milk Quality
November 19, 2019 05:00 - 10 minutes - 1 ByteThis podcast covers some common methods of measuring milk quality and the quality standards associated with each including somatic cell count, standard plate count, preliminary incubation count, laboratory pasteurization count and coliform count. These quality measures are directly affected by cow health, cow handling, the cows ration, cleanliness of the cow’s environment, milking procedures, milking equipment maintenance & cleaning procedures, and post-milking handling of the milk.
Episode 49 - Retaining Farm Employees
November 05, 2019 05:00 - 13 minutes - 1 ByteEmployee turnover is costly, with sources estimating anywhere from 50% to 150% of an employee’s yearly wage to hire and train a replacement. Increasing employee retention is about more than increasing wages. Surveys indicate that people stay in a job when they feel appreciated and have a sense of belonging. This podcast discusses some strategies to provide that atmosphere for farm employees and increase employee retention.
Episode 48 - Starting Calves Right
October 29, 2019 05:00 - 12 minutes - 1 ByteDairy heifer calves represent the future profit center of a dairy operation. Getting a dairy calf off to a healthy start by reducing calf-hood diseases and ensuring good average weight gains translates into a significant milk production advantage in the first lactation. This podcast covers three management factors to start calves right; colostrum feeding, post-colostrum nutrition and the physical calf-raising environment.
Episode 47 - Fall Manure Application
October 22, 2019 05:00 - 12 minutes - 1 ByteAs corn and soybeans are harvested, fields become available for fall manure application. Manure is a good source of both macro and micro nutrients as well as organic matter. This podcast covers some best management practices to ensure nutrients in manure are effectively utilized by next year’s crops while protecting water quality. Risk of manure movement off-site is minimized by considering soil test P levels, application rate, application method and weather forecasts.
Episode 46 - Effective Communication with Farm Employees
October 01, 2019 05:00 - 12 minutes - 1 ByteGood communication with farm employees helps to keep a farm operation running efficiently and profitably. This podcast describes some strategies to use both verbal and written communication methods more effectively. Developing a farm employee handbook can improve and provide guidance for both verbal and written communication with farm employees. Other communication methods covered include email, bulletin boards, white boards, one-on-one conversations, farm meetings and telephone calls.
Episode 45 - Feeding Poor Quality Hay
September 24, 2019 05:00 - 12 minutes - 1 ByteDue to persistent rains, there was a lot of first cutting hay that was not dry baled until the end of June or early July in 2019. The result is poor quality hay. This podcast covers how to use a lab analysis to evaluate forage quality, how to find information regarding livestock nutrient needs and how to match forage quality to livestock needs.
Episode 44 - 2019 Silage Making
September 10, 2019 05:00 - 13 minutes - 1 ByteThis podcast covers practices and principles necessary to achieve high quality silage with an emphasis on how to manage the portion of the 2019 silage crop that was planted late and will be harvested as an immature corn plant. Immature corn silage will not have the grain and starch content of conventional corn silage. Producers will need to carefully monitor plant moisture before harvest and possibly consider a cut and wilt rather than field chop harvest method.
Episode 43 - Recruiting and Interviewing Farm Employees
August 27, 2019 05:00 - 12 minutes - 1 ByteThe goal of hiring a farm employee, whether part-time or full-time, seasonal or year-round, is to hire the right person for your farm situation. Putting thought and effort into recruitment and interviewing are key factors in making the right hire. This podcast discusses some practical steps and applications including writing a job description, how to structure the job interview and what types of interview questions to ask.
Episode 42 - Building a Productive Farm Culture
August 06, 2019 05:00 - 11 minutes - 1 ByteFarm culture plays an important role in the profitability and success of most farm businesses. Farm culture affects and determines how a farm does business, how communication takes place on the farm, how family members, farm employees, service personnel and visitors to the farm are treated. Understanding farm culture aids in developing an effective human resource program on the farm. This episode examines components of farm culture and how to build a productive farm culture where people enjo...
Episode 41 - August Annual Forage Options
July 30, 2019 05:00 - 11 minutes - 1 ByteGrowers who need supplemental forage can utilize cool-season annual crops planted in August. This episode covers the use of traditional cool-season annuals such as oats, spring triticale, oat/pea, oat/cereal rye, and annual ryegrass. The podcast concludes with non-traditional forage options of soybeans and buckwheat. These forages will all be harvested 50 to 80 days after planting. The episode covers potential yield and forage quality along with management tips.
Episode 40 - Scouting for Potato Leafhoppers in Alfalfa
July 23, 2019 05:00 - 11 minutes - 1 BytePotato leafhoppers (PLH) are one of the major economic pests of alfalfa capable of causing both yield and quality losses. This podcast covers the biology and life cycle of PLH as well as the proper scouting procedure involving the use of a sweep net to determine PLH numbers. Sweep net sampling allows a grower to determine if PLH are present at economic treatment levels. Rescue treatment options are discussed.
Episode 39 - Cleaning and Sanitizing Milking Systems
July 16, 2019 05:00 - 11 minutes - 1 ByteClean in Place (CIP) systems are a crucial component of producing high quality milk. This podcast discusses the factors involved in ensuring that the cleaning and sanitizing process is effective. Key factors that need to be monitored include: water temperature; timing of cleaning and sanitizing cycles; volume of water; velocity of water through the system; drainage effectiveness and the chemical balance between cleaning products and the farm’s water supply.
Episode 38 - Farm Transition Planning
July 09, 2019 05:00 - 11 minutes - 1 ByteSuccessful farm transition to the next generation requires planning and is a process that requires effort, good communication, and legal assistance. Farm transition or farm succession is concerned with passing on an economically viable business operation to the next generation. This podcast discusses some of the important steps and considerations in farm transition planning.
Episode 37 - Making High Quality Baleage
June 26, 2019 05:00 - 10 minutes - 1 ByteBaleage involves wrapping a high moisture forage bale in plastic. This podcast discusses keys to making high quality baleage, including forage maturity, moisture content at baling, bale density, timing of wrapping and number of layers of plastic wrap to use. Depending upon the conditions, a baleage production system could reduce the time between mowing and baling by one-third to fifty percent compared to a dry hay system.
Episode 36 - Handling Difficult Conversations
May 07, 2019 05:00 - 11 minutes - 1 ByteIn farm business meetings there is the possibility that there will be difficult, awkward, or undesirable topics that have to be discussed to move the business forward. Additionally, there are difficult conversations that need to take place outside of farm business meetings, in those day-to-day interactions among farm family members and between non-family farm employees. The focus is on communicating with persons who are under stress, communicating when there are disagreements/misunde...
Episode 35 - Manure Sampling for Nutrient Analysis
April 23, 2019 05:00 - 11 minutes - 1 ByteIn today’s farming environment, we have to account for the nutrients in manure and sampling manure for analysis is the only way to get a good idea of the nutrients contained in manure. Manure nutrients have value. This podcast covers why manure should be sampled for nutrient analysis, when to collect a manure sample and some tips on how to collect a representative manure sample.
Episode 34 - Forage Options after Alfalfa
April 21, 2019 05:00 - 12 minutes - 1 ByteSevere heaving injury has been observed on many alfalfa fields this spring. This podcast focuses on annual forage options in situations where an entire alfalfa field or significant patches of an alfalfa field have been lost due to winter injury. Small grains, annual ryegrass as well as some warm season annual grass and legume options are discussed.
Episode 33 - Alfalfa Stand Health Evaluation
April 09, 2019 05:00 - 9 minutes - 1 ByteWinter weather impacts the survivability and health of the alfalfa stand. Forage growers should plan to spend time assessing winter damage and evaluating stand health to determine if the stand can remain in production or needs to be rotated to another crop. This podcast covers assessing alfalfa heaving damage and evaluation of stand health through stem counts and digging roots.
Episode 32 - Heifer Management
April 02, 2019 05:00 - 11 minutes - 1 ByteEconomical and productive heifer management is based on keeping the heifer growing into her second lactation. Managers need to monitor heifer weight and use benchmark goals based on percentage of mature weight. Failing to meet benchmarks has economic consequences. This podcast provides benchmark goals and discusses the management necessary to reach those goals.
Episode 31 - Calf Management
March 26, 2019 05:00 - 10 minutes - 1 ByteManaging calves to allow them to reach their genetic potential begins at birth. Feeding colostrum up to four days before switching to a milk replacer, understanding calf nutrient requirements and managing human factors are all partof good calf management. The goal is to double body weight between birth to weaning at 56 days of age. Calves have a high efficiency of gainso managers need to optimize nutrition and strive for high average daily gains.
Episode 30 - Farm Business Meetings
March 17, 2019 05:00 - 11 minutes - 1 ByteFarm business meetings can build the type of communication and trust that is necessary for a farm business to function more smoothly and that can help a farm succeed into the next generation. This podcast covers how to start and plan farm business meetings, presents some guidelines and ground rules that can help to facilitate orderly communication, and answers some basic questions regarding farm business meetings.
Episode 29 - Mastitis Management Tips
March 10, 2019 05:00 - 11 minutes - 1 ByteDistinguishing between contagious vs. environmental mastitis is an important component of effective mastitis management that includes the prudent and judicious use of antibiotic therapy. This podcast covers distinguishing characteristics of contagious vs. environmental mastitis, on farm milk culturing, and some strategies and tools to use in the management of mastitis.
Episode 28 - Calculating Cost of Production
March 03, 2019 05:00 - 10 minutes - 1 ByteCalculating a cost of production for a market unit of any product sold off the farm is useful to answer questions regarding breakeven costs, and to determine how competitive your farm is in the market place. This podcast examines what is needed to calculate a cost of production and how that figure can be used to answer important financial questions.
Episode 27 - Productive and Passionate Employees
February 05, 2019 05:00 - 11 minutes - 1 ByteThe ideal employee is both productive and passionate, and while those are personal characteristics, the farm owner/manager also has a responsibility in developing productive and passionate employees. This podcast discusses the role of recruitment, providing clear job responsibilities and expectations, defining job/farm direction and providing positive leadership and supervision in developing and managing productive and passionate employees.
Episode 26 - Managing Farm Stress
January 29, 2019 05:00 - 10 minutes - 1 ByteFarm stress due to the current economic conditions in many agricultural enterprises is real. Chronic stress causes physical, mental and emotional damage. It is important that farmers and farm families learn to recognize symptoms of stress. While there are certainly times when professional help is needed, this podcast covers some commonly recommended strategies for managing and coping with stress.
Episode 25 - Total Mixed Rations (TMR) Audits
December 11, 2018 05:00 - 11 minutes - 1 ByteMany dairy farms use a nutritionist to formulate specific rations for their cows, but the actual mixing of that ration and delivery to the cows is done by someone on the farm. A Total Mixed Rations, or TMR, audit reviews and examines the steps involved in gathering, preparing, mixing and delivering the formulated ration and determines if any changes or improvements are needed.
Episode 24 - Milk Production Costs and Feed Cost Management
December 04, 2018 05:00 - 12 minutes - 1 ByteAs low milk prices continue, dairy producers need to know their cost of production and where they might find opportunities for financial gain. Feed costs account for more than 50% of the total cost of milk production. This program focuses on some feed cost management practices such as farm grown forages, ration ingredients, feed shrink, and multiple TMR mixes that offer opportunities for cost savings.
Episode 23 - Dry Cow Nutrition and Comfort
November 06, 2018 05:00 - 11 minutes - 1 ByteIn part 2 of dry cow management, the podcast focuses on dry cow nutrition and comfort. The characteristics of dry cow nutrition with regard to the far off and close up dry cow are discussed with attention to forage potassium content and the dietary cation-anion difference (DCAD) status of the diet. Some general cow comfort situations regarding bunk space, heat abatement, and resting space recommendations are summarized.
Episode 22 - Dry Cow Management
October 30, 2018 05:00 - 10 minutes - 1 ByteManagement decisions and practices during the dry period impacts the health and milk production of the cow in the next lactation. In this part 1 podcast, the topics of dry period length, how to dry off high producing cows, dry cow mastitis prevention treatment, and selective dry cow treatment are discussed.