Extension Calling: advice for the farm, garden, and home
276 episodes - English - Latest episode: 27 days ago - ★★★★★ - 2 ratingsYour source for research-based information for the farm, garden, and home. We bring Extension education to your pocket in 30 minutes or less. Please share your thoughts and ideas at: https://bit.ly/ExtensionCallingEvaluation.
These mini-trainings will give you entry to mid-level information that is easily digestible. If you are looking to improve your health, the health of your farm or garden, or simply better understand our food system, tune in.
Recorded by Karen Cox of WVU Extension ([email protected]) and Dan Lima of OSU Extension ([email protected]). Produced by Karen Cox. Transcripts by Dan Lima.
Programs and activities offered by the West Virginia University and Ohio State University Extension Services are available to all persons without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age, veteran status, political beliefs, sexual orientation, national origin, and marital or family status.
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Episodes
Healthy Pastures & Healthy Profits
August 14, 2022 16:00 - 28 minutes - 39 MBHealthy profits come from getting good buyers and providing quality products. Grouping sales through calf pools can be a great option. But nothing replaces the need for healthy soils & healthy pastures.
Managing wildlife pests and tree health
August 07, 2022 16:00 - 29 minutes - 41 MBWatching wildlife can be a great pass time, but what do you do when those lovely critters become a nuisance? While deer often take center stage in the pest category, coyote, racoons, rabbits and groundhogs all come with a host of potential challenges. For the second half we talk about the leading issue for tree health and some potential solutions.
Dear o' Deer!
July 31, 2022 16:00 - 27 minutes - 38.1 MBDeer, love 'em or hate 'em, they're everywhere. While, feeding the deer can make them sick, losing your crop to them can make you sick. There are many ways to manage this prevalent pest. Tune in to find out which one's work and which don't.
Hay, how well do your grasses grow?
July 24, 2022 16:00 - 24 minutes - 34.2 MBTurf, Pasture, and Hay all have a heavy grass component. Keeping that grass healthy means keeping the soil healthy. More nutrients in the soil lead to healthier and more nutritious grasses, and they'll be more resistant to disease and drought.
Do rainy days ruin hay?
July 17, 2022 16:00 - 29 minutes - 40.4 MBThe nursery rhyme "rain, rain go away, come again another day," was probably written by a farmer trying to put up hay. Rain may or may not break your hay, only timing and moisture will tell.
Identifying and Controlling Autumn Olive
July 10, 2022 16:00 - 29 minutes - 40 MBAutumn and Russian Olive are invasive, thicket forming, shrubs that can significantly reduce pasture quality. Like other woody invasives, tackling this pest takes work and patience. But, doing it the right way, the first time can drastically reduce the time and cost of removal.
Poison Hemlock -Should you be worried?
July 03, 2022 16:00 - 28 minutes - 40.2 MBPoison hemlock is in full bloom and starting to set seed. It can be found in pastures, hay fields, ditches, trails, and pretty much anywhere with a lot of sun and some soil. How dangerous is it? When consumed in quantity it can be deadly, but otherwise it will probably just give you a rash. Learn how to identify it and what steps are needed for control.
Scouting for fall armyworm and other pests
June 19, 2022 17:41 - 28 minutes - 39.8 MBLast year we were surprised by an outbreak of fall armyworm. This year we share advise on when and how to scout for this pest. We discuss identification and control and also review a few other pests to be out looking for right now.
Forage Quality
June 12, 2022 16:00 - 28 minutes - 39.8 MBWhat do cows eat? More importantly, what can they digest? What is CP? What is ADF? Tune in to learn the answers and how to use this information to fine tune your feeding program.
Soil: nature's multivitamin
June 05, 2022 16:00 - 29 minutes - 41.2 MBWhile plants conduct photosynthesis for food, like us, they still need minerals to be healthy. Your body uses a strong acid to break down food, but too much acid in soil (or too little) can keep your plants from digesting the minerals they need. Like our show? Let us know at bit.ly/ExtensionCallingEvaluation
What is Forest Farming
May 29, 2022 16:00 - 28 minutes - 40.3 MBOften forests are forgotten parts of farms. Slopes that couldn't be pastured or cropped, or areas waiting for a timber harvest. Forest farming is the intentional planting and growing of crops on the forest floor. It could include botanicals, mushrooms, and more.
Preventing Pests from Becoming Problems
May 22, 2022 16:00 - 27 minutes - 38.2 MBScouting regularly and early interventions are key in producing a healthy crop. Tired of losing your cucumbers to bacterial wilt? Protect them early from cucumber beetles. Squash bugs, vine borers, and mildews can also ruin your crop just when it's starting to look good. Save the headache, start scouting now.
Reducing Stress When Handling Livestock
May 15, 2022 16:00 - 27 minutes - 38.7 MBWho couldn't use a little less stress in their lives? If you find working or loading cattle difficult, we may have some tips to help you! The Beef Quality Assurance training offers a powerful program to reduce stress in you and your livestock while also helping you bring a better-quality product to market. More and more buyers want BQA Certification so be sure to check out https://www.bqa.org!
We got the beets
May 08, 2022 16:00 - 27 minutes - 39.2 MBA beet-tacular episode full of information on this often ignored but amazing veggie. The humble beet, a well rooted sister of Swiss chard, is grown for both roots and tops and is a healthy addition to your diet. This cool season crop can be planted early and then planted again and again giving you a continual harvest. We want to credit some great extension publications that we used in today's show: https://web.extension.illinois.edu/veggies/beet.cfm and Chioggia Beets – Wisconsin Hor...
Conserving Soil with Cost Share
May 01, 2022 16:00 - 28 minutes - 39.8 MBSoil and water are our two most precious resources. There are several programs available to help protect and improve them. Today we discuss many of these programs and lay out how you can use them to improve the environment and your bottom line.
Sweeten Your Summer with Sweet Corn
April 24, 2022 16:00 - 27 minutes - 38.9 MBSweet corn is best fresh from a local farm, and a driver for farmers' market sales. New varieties improve stability of that sweet sugar and protect your ears. Make sure your soil is warm when you plant for good pollination later. Listen to the show for more helpful tips!
Muddy Pastures Mess with Sustainability
April 17, 2022 16:00 - 27 minutes - 39.2 MBMud makes a mess, and this spring mud is a problem. From calf and lamb health to grazing success, excess mud can eat into the profitability and sustainability of your farm. Learn some steps to take to recover from mud and to prevent future problems.
Do's and Don'ts of Spring Lawn Care
April 03, 2022 16:00 - 29 minutes - 40.9 MBThinking about fertilizing your lawn with the first mow? Bad idea. But, if you have a problem with crabgrass, it is a good idea to treat now with a pre-emergent herbicide. Learn more tricks and tips for a healthy lawn, with and without herbicide.
Is Your Water Safe to Drink?
March 27, 2022 16:00 - 28 minutes - 40.1 MBThere's no downplaying the importance of access to safe drinking water. But did you know your produce needs safe drinking water too? Today we add a little clarity to water testing needs for drinking water and irrigation water, including how to address problems.
Spring Precautions, Asparagus and Rhubarb!
March 20, 2022 16:00 - 28 minutes - 40.6 MBWith the passing of the equinox, spring is officially here. But the dangers of frosts and freezes are not gone. Row-cover is just one of the precautions you can take to protect young crops. Some crops like asparagus and rhubarb can be planted now.
Managing Fruit Tree Diseases
March 13, 2022 16:00 - 28 minutes - 40.4 MBTiming sprays to prevent problems is more effective. Today we discuss how to time your sprays right with a focus on preventing Apple Scab and Plum Curculio. We also introduce a forecasting model that does all the math for you: https://newa.cornell.edu/
Biosecurity Keeps Animals Safe
March 06, 2022 17:00 - 28 minutes - 40.4 MBIf you have poultry, you're hopefully aware that the highly pathogenic avian influenza is back again. Biosecurity simply means to take steps to keep disease off the farm. Backyard and small-scale farmers should be extra careful right now. In this episode we discuss signs and symptoms for HPAI and simple steps to keep all animals safe. Share your thoughts on this show at: https://bit.ly/ExtensionCallingEvaluation
Spotted Lanternfly Update
February 27, 2022 17:00 - 27 minutes - 38.5 MBLike we knew it would, Spotted Lanternfly is spreading. Many vineyards have already been lost, but you can help control the longer-term impacts by helping to slow the spread. From early awareness to infestation, there are different things you can do to help. In WV please email [email protected] and in Ohio please go to https://u.osu.edu/spottedlanternfly/
Effective Frost Seeding and Good Grass
February 20, 2022 17:00 - 26 minutes - 36.7 MBFrost seeding utilizes the natural freeze thaw cycle to embed clover seedlings to a proper depth. But seedlings need your help to survive, "We've killed more clover seedlings by putting nitrogen on during a frost seeding than any other way." says Dr. Ed Rayburn. Tune in to avoid other expensive mistakes when growing grass (lawns, pastures, and hayfields). Like the show? Please let us know! https://bit.ly/ExtensionCallingEvaluation
Fundamentals For Funding Farming
February 13, 2022 17:00 - 28 minutes - 40.7 MBFarming can be a very rewarding career, but it is also a very expensive business. There is no such thing as a free lunch but finding the right grant or loan can give you a boost. For a successful application, you need to know your objectives and match them to the goals of your funder.
Common Diseases of Leafy Greens
February 06, 2022 17:00 - 28 minutes - 39.5 MBLeafy greens are common winter crops for high tunnels due to their low light needs, but disease can spread quickly in indoor growing systems. Increasing air flow and decreasing humidity are two cultural steps you can take to prevent problems. Learn more about growing healthy plants indoors as we share a great publication: www.e-GRO.com (Electronic Grower Resources Online).
Check your roots
January 30, 2022 17:00 - 27 minutes - 38.9 MBWhether your growing grass, trees, or hydroponic spinach, healthy roots are key for healthy plants. Many plant problems start with unhealthy roots. Maintaining proper oxygen and moisture levels can be tricky with some soils. Learn some key indicators for root issues and some steps you can take to prevent them.
Keep the family together, keep the farm alive
January 23, 2022 17:00 - 31 minutes - 44.2 MBIf you want to keep the chickens, don't chicken out on this conversation. Farm Succession Resources and Planning for the Successful Transition of Your Agricultural Business
Food safety plans are a step toward farm sustainability
January 16, 2022 17:00 - 29 minutes - 40.7 MBFood safety can benefit your produce, whether you are growing for home consumption or wholesale. Keeping records of your activities can aid your farm's sustainability. Blend the two together through a farm food safety plan and you may just watch your production grow in profitability.
Planning Considerations for Raised Beds
January 09, 2022 17:00 - 28 minutes - 39.8 MBRaised bed gardens can help you great good growing conditions where you once had none. However, thinking ahead for site, design, and material considerations can take you from frustration to success.
Calculating Input Costs and Output Values to Get Down to Profits
December 26, 2021 17:00 - 28 minutes - 40.2 MBWhen growing anything, including livestock, the best way to maximize your returns is to make sure that the inputs (fertilizers, time, etc.) don't cost more than what your end product is worth. Today you'll hear about the corn nitrogen rate calculator at (iastate.edu)http://cnrc.agron.iastate.edu/. We discuss why using tools like these will help your bottom line. We also cover other ways to improve soil productivity like increasing organic matter.
Poinsettia Care Throughout the Year
December 19, 2021 17:00 - 26 minutes - 36.7 MBPoinsettias and Christmas Cactus both bloom during the holiday season. If you're up for the challenge, you can keep these plants healthy through the year and enjoy their blooms over and over again.
Worried about Nitrogen Costs
December 12, 2021 17:00 - 27 minutes - 37.9 MBInput costs always factor in your profit margin, especially when costs are high. But fertilizer cost per pound isn't the only thing to look at. Different nitrogen sources give different results. Compare costs of different N sources using a NPK Fertilizer Calculator (uga.edu). Tune in to learn more and let us know if you like the show at: https://bit.ly/ExtensionCallingEvaluation
Forestry and Carbon Credits
December 05, 2021 17:00 - 29 minutes - 40.7 MBCarbon credits are the new buzz, should you sign on? What about harvesting? Work with a professional forester to make a plan and do what's best for you and your woodland. Afterall, forests take a long time to forget our mistakes.
How to not waste grass
November 28, 2021 17:00 - 28 minutes - 39.6 MBAnother way to say the baler broke is "stockpiling by accident." While it may not be ideal, it doesn't have to be waste. Get back in and graze that hayfield, access to water and fencing required. Use surplus hay to restore poor pastures this winter.
Meating Expectations: Processing wild game
November 21, 2021 17:00 - 27 minutes - 39.2 MBWild meat is a healthy and sustainable addition to your dinner table. But, you must take steps to do it safely. Our special guest Josh Peplowski regularly supplies wild game for his family supper and also teaches WVU Extension's Venison 101 program.
Meating Expectations
November 21, 2021 17:00 - 27 minutes - 39.2 MBWild meat is a healthy and sustainable addition to your dinner table. But, you must take steps to do it safely. Our special guest Josh Peplowski regularly supplies wild game for his family supper and also teaches WVU Extension's Venison 101 program.
Safe steps for hunting season
November 14, 2021 17:00 - 28 minutes - 39.6 MBStay safe this season, wear blaze orange while hiking and avoid areas where people are hunting. Hunters should always ask permission to use private property, and notify others where they will be hunting. Be safe in processing, cooking, and storing too!
Daylight Savings: how light impacts plant growth
November 07, 2021 17:00 - 27 minutes - 39.1 MBThere's more to light than meets the eye. Duration, quality, and intensity each have different impacts on plant growth. Understanding and manipulating light can help improve your crops and extend your growing season.
Spotted Lanternfly: Scout It Out
October 31, 2021 16:00 - 29 minutes - 41.6 MBDo your part and help scout out spotted lantern fly. Egg masses can be hard to identify but, wine, walnuts, hops, and maple syrup are all at stake. Special guest Erika Lyons joins us from Jefferson County who's quarantine is now in effect.
IPM for Growing Under Cover
October 24, 2021 16:00 - 27 minutes - 39.2 MBFollowing basic Integrated Pest Management is key to keeping problems manageable in fields, high tunnels, and greenhouses. Monitor the environmental conditions, scout weekly, and utilize a balanced pest control program.
Forage Quality Factors
October 17, 2021 16:00 - 27 minutes - 38.5 MBGrazing and haying is easy to do right but it's also easy to mess up. Paying attention to the growth of your forage and the weather is key to giving your animals what they need when it's time to feed.
An inside look at improving the herd
October 10, 2021 16:00 - 28 minutes - 39.8 MBHealthy cows have healthy calves. However, there's more to it than that: what traits are your livestock passing down? Calving ease, temperament, and maternal instincts are important to consider when breeding. Planning and record keeping are key.
Establishing New Pastures
October 03, 2021 16:00 - 28 minutes - 40.1 MBQuality pastures and hay fields require a variety of healthy, digestible plants and a lack of undesirable ones. When you are starting from scratch, you have a great opportunity to set things up right, but you'll also have greater challenges.
Converting Woodland to Pasture
September 26, 2021 16:00 - 28 minutes - 39.7 MBCutting trees and planting grass are obvious steps in converting woodland to pasture. But if that is your whole plan, you are destined for a rough time. Controlling invasives and adjusting pH are just two of the steps you're missing. Tune in for more!
Can Livestock and Woodlands Coexist?
September 19, 2021 16:00 - 28 minutes - 40.3 MBIt is a longstanding view in the world of forestry that livestock and timberland cannot coexist. Livestock can cause significant harm to trees, forest soils, and the all important duff layer on the forest floor. However, with good understanding and careful management there may just be a way to have the best of both worlds.
Fall Armyworm
September 12, 2021 16:00 - 26 minutes - 37.9 MBIt's 2021, a pandemic is still impacting our lives, a hurricane just passed through causing flooding, and so the next logical thing would be an insect outbreak. If your watching your pastures brown and your hay magically disappear due to an over abundance of caterpillars, or your putting in tender fall crops, this show is for you.
Post harvest handling for fall crops for winter storage
September 05, 2021 16:00 - 27 minutes - 39.1 MBProper treatment of crops at and after harvest is critical in keeping food safe, beautiful, and long lasting. Harvesting at the right time and properly curing will help improve shelf life. Potable water and clean tools will too!
Fall and Winter Crops
August 29, 2021 16:00 - 28 minutes - 40.2 MBThe end of summer doesn't have to mean the end of your production season. Fall and winter produce can not only extend your market season but may also bring you higher prices. Tune in to learn how to extend your season.
Knotweed Control
August 22, 2021 16:00 - 27 minutes - 38.9 MBKnotweed infests our waterways, our farms, and our gardens. Unfortunately, many removal techniques make knotweed problems worse including cutting or digging. Learn the right way to control this invasive plant and make your labor count.