October 28 , 2021 The Beacon • 23

Hello Coshocton County ! We were very pleased about the response to the 50th Coshocton County Fall Foliage & Farm Tour held on Oct . 16-17 which featured the southeastern townships of Franklin , Linton and Lafayette .

The cooler weather allowed for a great turn-out of nearly 1,400 attendees from seven states and from 29 of Ohio ’ s 88 counties . What a great way to see the back roads of Coshocton County and to visit some incredible farm operations . Thank you to everyone who made this year ’ s tour a success .

Fall also signifies the end of another growing season . The words of Solomon ring true when he wrote for everything there is a season and a time for every matter . Our beautiful October weather has allowed farmers to get a good jump on soybean and corn harvest . But holding true to what usually happens as we move deeper into fall , cooler temperatures and a

David Marrison

OSU AG Extension Talk

greater probability of rain will most likely prevail as we work to complete harvest . Let ’ s hope for minimal rain so our farmers can complete harvest in a timely manner .

Our fall harvest will be followed by a long winter ’ s rest before the seeds of this year ’ s harvest bring life back to our fields . In a sense , farm managers can mimic nature . We can harvest the lessons learned from 2021 , take a deep breath during winter , and then chart our 2022 business strategies .

As you plan for 2022 , I would like to share details about OSU Extension ’ s newly released 2022 crop budgets , remind you about our custom farm rates publication , and encourage you to think ahead for continued labor and supply chain shortages .

2022 Crop Budgets

- Barry Ward from OSU Extension recently released his 2022 crop budget forecasts . While crop prices are projected to remain strong , higher fertilizer , seed , chemical , fuel , machinery , and repair costs are expected for 2022 . Factored together 2022 profit margins are predicated to be much tighter than we had in 2021 .

For any producer who has not received the 2022 budget estimates for corn , soybean , and wheat , they can be found at : https :// farmoffice . osu . edu / farmmgt-tools / farm-budgets . In addition to these row crop budgets , there are newly updated forage budgets . These include Alfalfa Hay , Alfalfa Haylage and Corn Silage . Also recently updated are two Market Beef Budgets which include Market Beef Budget ( Self-Fed ) and Market Beef Budget ( Bunk-Fed ).

Ohio Farm Custom Rates - One of OSU Extension ’ s most popular bulletins is the Ohio Farm Custom Rates Bulletin . This guide helps farmers and landowners alike as they negotiate the price to hire farming tasks and operations .

For instance , if my combine is giving me fits during this year ’ s harvest what price should I expect a neighboring farmer to charge to harvest my corn or soybeans . Other rates which can be found in the bulletin include the expected costs for hay harvest activities , brush-hogging a pasture , spreading lime and / or fertilizer , and much , much more . The Ohio Farm Custom Rates can also be accessed at : https :// farmoffice . osu . edu / farmmgt-tools / custom-ratesand-machinery-costs

Plan B , C , D or maybe E - Clear back to last spring , we have been discussing the lingering impacts of the coronavirus pandemic with regards to labor and supply chain issues . Time has not healed these woes as there are still major supply chain shortages with regards to machinery parts , herbicides , and fertilizer . The labor shortage

is also impacting farmers especially finding part time labor to assist with corn and soybean harvest .

Looking forward to next year , our advice is to use any rainy days to look over your equipment . I recently heard Dr . John Fulton speak on this issue in Tuscarawas County and his advice was to make sure you have already gone over your planter and tillage equipment to see what parts you need and get them ordered .

Now more than ever , managers will have to develop contingency plans for almost every aspect of their operation . How will work get done if employees get sick or are in quarantine ? What will you do when equipment breaks down and no parts are available ? If there is a fertilizer or crop protection or weed chemical shortage next spring , what will you do ? How will you respond to other slow-downs in the supply chain ?

Closing thoughts - I hope each of you glean

as much as you can from another crazy year and take time to make plans for 2022 . I would like to share a quote from Brandon Jenner who stated , “ Sometimes we let life guide us , and other times we take life by the horns . But one thing is for sure : no matter how organized we are , or how well we plan , we can always expect the unexpected .” Have a good and safe day !

David Marrison is Associate Professor and Extension Educator , Agriculture & Natural Resources , Ohio State University Extension . He can be reached at 740- 622-2265 or marrison . 2 @ osu . edu .

Need to Advertise ?

I can help !

Contact Mark Fortune mfortune @ alonovus . com or call 220-201-9679