Wet and Mild Winter

Wet and Mild Winter

There’s been minimal need for rock salt and snow shovels this winter in Ohio. With temperatures hovering in the 40s — and even rocketing to 70 degrees in Columbus this month — the season is one of the most mild and wet in recent memory.

While most Ohioans cheer not having to scrape ice off their cars or shovel snow-covered sidewalks, it’s a different story for the state’s farmers, who could experience a variety of weather-related challenges.

For example, according to The Ohio State University Extension, perennial fruit crops survive cold winter temperatures by experiencing a hardening-off process in the fall that leads to dormancy. A period of cold temperatures, called the “chilling requirement,” is necessary for proper fruit-bud development and a productive bloom during the growing season. The chilling requirement is different for each fruit species and variants within the species. It remains to be seen how this winter’s milder temps will impact the state’s fruit crops.

“It’s too soon to tell if there will be an affect or not on apples and peaches,” said Bill Dodd, president of the Ohio Fruit Growers Marketing Association in a recent Bucyrus Telegraph article. “It looks like the weather is expected to get back to ‘normal’ and if that happens, that’s a good thing. There’s no damage yet and the critical time is yet to come.”

The state’s wheat farmers are also being challenged by Mother Nature. There’s concern that 25 percent of the wheat crop might be damaged because of standing water in fields.

“Farmers make repairs via tillage,” said Steve Prochaska from the OSU Extension in the same Telegraph article. “They’ve not been able to do that. It is a major topic this winter as to what they are going to do this spring and to till mud is not an option.”

The situation is also causing concern among Ohio’s maple-syrup producers, who rely on above-freezing temps during the day and freezing temps at night to optimize sap production.

“Last year, we had perfect weather and a perfect season,” said Doug Fitch, a maple-syrup producer in Milton Township, in the Ashland Times-Gazette. “We could get bigger runs earlier if it gets cold, but we’re not getting those clear, frosty nights.”

America Celebrates Agriculture March 8

Today — Thursday, March 8 — is the 39th anniversary of National Ag Day, appropriately the same day that I post my weekly blog dedicated to the agriculture industry.

Deservedly, agriculture has its own day in recognition of what it provides to our country and its residents.

National Ag Day is organized by the Agriculture Council of America (ACA). ACA is a nonprofit organization of leaders in the agricultural, food and fiber community, dedicating its efforts to increasing the public's awareness of agriculture's role in modern society. ACA developed a video to promote its important mission.

The National Ag Day program encourages every American to:

• Understand how food and fiber products are produced

• Appreciate the role agriculture plays in providing safe, abundant and affordable products

• Value the essential role of agriculture in maintaining a strong economy

• Acknowledge and consider career opportunities in the agriculture, food and fiber industry

According to Dean Bev Durgan of the Minnesota University Extension:

“We are living in a time of record land prices and good profits from agriculture. Today, agriculture employs 14 percent of the U.S. workforce and agricultural graduates have multiple job offers. There is an increased recognition of the importance of farmers and food. Even Bill Gates, the second-richest person in the world, is now devoting his wealth toward improving agricultural productivity.”

Though those of us active with the industry understand its significance, there is still much work to be done to educate consumers about the role of ranching and farming to sustaining and supporting American people and the U.S. economy.

“Not only do we need to teach consumers about farming, but those of us who work in agriculture need to continually upgrade our knowledge,” said Durgan.

Diane Gress from Shreve, Ohio, won the 2012 Ag Day Video Essay Contest and importantly noted during her video, “Most consumers do not realize the importance of agriculture to their everyday lives. In reality, from tomatoes to T-shirts, agriculture provides a myriad of products that consumers never connect to agricultural production.”

The consumer education process beings with American youth. Countrywide programs are essential to increase awareness of the necessity of the industry and range from state Future Farmers of America (FFA) and 4-H groups, to national efforts such as the “Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food” campaign.

It’s been widely reported that farmers and ranchers will be responsible for feeding more than 9 billion people by 2050, more than the current 144 people each farmer is currently responsible for feeding.

ACA describes American agriculture best — “abundant, affordable, amazing.” So today, I urge you to honor a member of the industry.

Are you doing your part to educate friends, family and acquaintances about the role of agriculture?

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What is ACRE?

At this time of year, most farmers are already thinking about spring planting; however, they should also be considering enrolling in the Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) program.

The ACRE Program provides a safety net based on state revenue losses. When the ACRE program is selected, it substitutes the price-based safety net of counter-cyclical payments as part of the Direct and Counter-Cyclical Program.

The United Stated Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides farms with a revenue guarantee. The formula multiples the five-year state average by the most recent two-year national price average for each eligible commodity.

Eligible commodities

• Wheat, barley and oats
• Grain sorghum and corn
• Upland cotton
• Rice
• Soybeans
• Other oilseeds: canola, crambe, flaxseed, mustard seed, rapeseed, safflower, sesame seed and sunflower seed Peanuts
• Dry peas, lentils and small and large chickpeas

For the 2012 crop year, the two-year price average will be based on the 2010 and 2011 crop years. When all criteria are considered, if the target and annual revenue is less than the revenue guarantee, the farm is eligible for support with the ACRE program, assuming that all other qualifications are met.

Because Ohio had two years of record-high grain prices, the revenue guarantee in the ACRE program is very good.

According to Chris Bruynis, assistant professor and Ohio State University Extension educator, ACRE could be the right safety net option for some farmers in Ohio this season because of the strong protection it will offer.

“Examining the numbers and price/yield assumptions, farmers can speculate about the probability of an ACRE payment being triggered in 2012 and if it’s right for them,” Bruynis said.

Bruynis estimates the price guarantee for 2012 corn to be $5.69 per acre and 2012 soybeans to be $11.50 per acre.

An Ohio’s Country Journal article states that the current strong prices do not indicate much potential for ACRE payments in 2012 if yields are average or above average. The ACRE program does, however, offer strong downside protection for what could be very volatile marketing months ahead.

Farmers have until June 1, 2012 to elect and enroll in the ACRE program. For more information, visit www.fsa.usda.gov.

Are you or do you know a farmer who has participated in the ACRE program? What has been your experience with the program? Do you plan to participate in the program?

Photo obtained from: kneb.com