By Andi Anderson
As harvest season begins across Ohio, farmers are evaluating crop performance and lessons learned from the 2023 growing season.
The latest Ohio State University eFields Report highlights a broad range of field trials and research projects conducted in 47 counties and 184 on-farm sites across the state. Released in January, the report is a valuable resource for farmers, covering topics like farm business management, safety, and stress management.
The 2023 edition includes new additions such as the OSU Corn, Soybean, and Wheat Performance Trials, showcasing results on fertilizer applications, nitrogen and sulfur use, and fungicide effectiveness.
The report also explores new technologies, including the growing role of drones in agriculture. Several trials examined drone services and their impact on efficiency in various farming scenarios, with continued research planned for 2024.
OSU is actively supporting technological advancements in farming through resources like the 2024 Ohio Farm Custom Rates publication, which now includes drone application rates.
The increasing availability of biological products also led to testing different biologicals during the 2023 and 2024 seasons, providing insights into their effectiveness.
The report features results from ongoing studies, including a multi-year soil health survey and Soybean Cyst Nematode sampling, with more than 150 samples contributing to the 2024 report. This data helps farmers understand and improve soil health for future crop seasons.
For those looking to improve their farming operations, on-farm research offers a practical way to test and evaluate new products and practices.
The OSU Digital Ag Team provides customizable trial options to help producers assess the efficiency and profitability of their choices. Farmers interested in participating can contact their local OSU Extension office or email digitalag@osu.edu to start planning.
Photo Credit: ohio-state-university
Categories: Ohio, Sustainable Agriculture