February 24 , 2022 The Beacon • 7

Hello Coshocton County . Legendary hockey player Wayne Gretzky often shared advice from his father Walter , who said , “ Skate to where the puck is going , not where it has been .” True to this quote , our agricultural producers had a great opportunity last week to skate down to Zanesville to learn what some of Ohio ’ s leading agricultural experts are thinking with regards to where the ag puck is going .

Coshocton County Extension was pleased to partner with Muskingum County Extension to host one of OSU Extension ’ s 2022 Agricultural Policy and Outlook Meetings on Feb . 14 . The goal of this regional meeting was to share deep thinking in the areas of agricultural law , real estate and cash rents , agricultural inputs , federal farm policy , and macroeconomics . Today , I would like to share with you some key takeaways from this excellent meeting .

2022 margins for corn and soybeans

Barry Ward , assistant professor for the Ohio State University , provided an outlook for the 2022 corn and soybean crops . When it comes to costs , the news is not good as the cost of planting this year ’ s corn and soybean crops may be the highest ever . Yes , highest ever .

Ward estimates seed will be 10 % higher , diesel fuel 20 % higher , drying costs up 20 % and cropprotection chemicals 50 % higher . However , the biggest escalation is being seen in fertilizer with prices up 46-145 %. Our nitrogen-loving corn crop will be the most expensive as all of our nitrogen sources are tracking 100-145 % higher

David Marrison

OSU AG Extension Talk

than a year ago . There also are concerns the cost of some inputs may climb higher as we move toward spring , due to supply-chain shortages and the tensions between Russia and Ukraine .

One bright spot is both current and futures prices have been tracking higher for both corn and soybeans . This is providing farmers with an opportunity to lock in favorable prices . Ward urges farmers to fine-tune their budgets in order to have a good handle on their cost of production . This will help drive the decision-making process in securing inputs and what price to sell the 2022 crop . As a reminder , all of OSU Extension crop budgets

can be found at farmoffice . osu . edu .

Ward also encouraged farmers to take soil tests to determine where phosphorus and potassium applications are needed the most and which fields may not need as much . He also urged farmers to use the Corn-Nitrogen Rate Calculator located at cnrc . agron . iastate . edu to help pinpoint the most profitable nitrogen rate given current conditions . Also make sure to evaluate other fertility sources such as swine , beef and poultry manure .

Policy outlook

Carl Zulauf , professor emeritus from the Ohio State University , and Matt Roberts , former grain marketing specialist for the Ohio State University , both provided thought-provoking discussions on agriculture , inflation , federal debt , labor issues and agricultural policy .

Zulauf and Roberts indicated our bumpy economy may continue for some time . With the probability of the Federal Reserve increasing interest rates , there was discussion on inflation and our federal debt . One interesting perspective shared was that our federal debt is not a Republican nor a Democrat issue but rather an American issue . Since 1975 the amount of time each party has been in power in the Whitehouse and Congress has been essentially an even split . Both parties have contributed to our rising national debt .

Discussion also was held on labor issues and generational differences with regards to work . Our experts agreed our current labor issues may be here for quite some time . The workplace has changed .

The core of the baby boomer generation is reaching their retirement years with many leaving early due to the coronavirus pandemic . Labor wage inflation was up 5 % last year . Both gentlemen indicated this inflation measure will be a defining , ongoing attribute of the U . S . economy in coming years .

So how are you going to move your business to where the puck is going ? Will you be able to see the forest through the trees ? As our cows say , “ I hope you ruminate well .”

Have a good and safe day .

David Marrison is an associate professor and extension educator of agriculture and natural resources at Ohio State University Extension . He can be called at 740-622- 2265 or emailed at marrison . 2 @ osu . edu .

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