The drought which much of Greene County experienced until Sept. 27 has left us with many problems for both farmers and homeowners.

We are thankful that most of the rainfall was able to soak into the soil as opposed to running off. For farmers, the rainfall shortage has limited the yield of corn and soybeans, especially for those fields planted later than normal this past spring or those fields with less organic matter in the topsoil to hold what soil moisture was available. In addition, the yield for second crop planting of soybeans will be lower than expected due to lack of water and even more so if we have an early frost. The rainfall has helped bring pastures back as well as hay fields, but it is too late in the year to get hay off these fields and pasture lost cannot be reclaimed.

Several corn fields I have seen were damaged by the winds on Sept. 27 and will make harvest more troublesome due to broken stalks of corn. One of the corn fields I saw raised for sileage was flattened by the wind. For homeowners, the drought has left many lawns with dead grass and in some cases dead or weakened perennials. Reseeding of lawns is near the end of the best time to plant grass seed. Seed to soil contact is critical for any possibility of success along with making sure the seeded area is kept moist for the seed to grow. This fall and winter will be a critical time to monitor the perennial plants you have regarding possible water shortages. Many have been weakened by the drought and even with the recent rainfall (my property received five inches Sept. 27-29) these plants may need additional water later this fall. Especially check the plants growing under the house overhang areas and water if needed if the ground is not frozen.

With the drought in place in August and September there was little reseeding of pastures or hay crops. Usually, the best time to seed crops like Alfalfa, Timothy, Red Clover, and Tall Fescue is August. Seeding now will mean you are gambling on a late frost, warm fall, and adequate rainfall.

Waiting till spring may be the best option. With lawns, pastures, and hayfields try to get a soil test to help prepare the best seed bed prior to planting seed. For many of you, the best action may be to reseed next spring. This is a good time for fall fertilization of lawns, and pasture and hay fields. This application of nutrients can help bring a lawn or field back to a healthier condition. Plan to apply potassium and phosphorus on hay and pasture fields based on a soil test. Most lawn fertilizers contain primarily a small amount of nitrogen and phosphorus. If reseeding next spring, get a soil test to determine what your lawn needs now prior to seeding time. Never apply fertilizer to frozen soil as much of the nutrients will be lost in runoff.

Animals which eat grass and hay

In talking with some farmers including those who have a few horses, this year is a real problem of how to have enough pasture and hay to feed animals like sheep, goats, cattle, and horses. If you raise animals for profit as part of your farming operation, there may be funds through the USDA Farm Service Agency Office to help cover the lost feed related to pasture. This office is in Xenia Industrial Park at 1363 Burnett Drive and can be reached at 937-372-4477. Ask for the Farm Service Agency. An informational meeting on assistance available for farmers with pasture damage will be held at 10 a.m. on Oct. 22 at the OSU Extension Office, at 100 Fairground Road (Greene County Fairgrounds). No reservations are required.

Need hay?

Due to the drought the supply of hay for this area of the state is far below normal. If you need hay and have not already secured it start immediately as hay prices will only get higher and harder to find.

Our climate

According to Aaron Wilson who is the agricultural weather and climate field specialist for OSU Extension, you can monitor future drought conditions in Ohio and the U.S. by visiting unl.edu (Current Map | U.S. Drought Monitor). The Oct. 3 map shows most of Greene County is now in the D1 moderate drought level region.

In listening to Wilson’s program at Farm Science Review a few days ago, he suggested we need to look at ways to withstand more weather extremes using cover crops and drainage systems, which are better able to withstand periods of high rainfall. To deal with high winds we may have to consider planting more windbreaks; farmers need to utilize crop insurance, and we need to follow weather in counties around us to be prepared for storms which may impact us.

As an example, the FSR site near London was heavily damaged by a tornado on Feb. 28. This is not the normal time for tornadoes. Rainfall amounts are not expected to increase soon and we will need a wet winter to help recover from this drought. We do not accumulate water in the soil in the summer as most water leaves as runoff and evaporation.

Also, drought areas beget drought. I asked Wilson why we do not get more rainfall coming from the south and he mentioned several states to the south of us like Kentucky and Tennessee were so dry the moist air coming from the south dried up as it crossed these states and lost their moisture.

In a side note Wilson mentioned his family was looking to move to the Xenia area earlier this year but too few homes for sale had basements which for him was a necessity related to the severe storms we have experienced in the past.

They’re back!

The Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs are back but probably due to the drought seem to be in lower numbers and are appearing later than normal.

Is your home being invaded?

I am not referring to break-ins from people or animals but the introduction into your home of spiders, stink bugs, Multicolored Asian Lady Beetles, Cluster Flies, Box Elder Bugs, Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, and other insects. How they get in is often hard to determine, but they appear once the weather cools and want to spend winter in your house. Some suggestions for limiting access to your home include checking and replacing as needed, the bottom door and window seals and seal the gaps in double-hung windows. Check air vents particularly those on soffits according to Dr. Dave Shetlar, OSU Extension entomologist, as these can be a prime source of entry. Nylon screens tend to break, and aluminum screens will last longer. Also check for any gaps in your home’s foundation where electric cables, water lines etc., come into the house and caulk and seal as needed. Those insects found in the home should be vacuumed up and disposed of as they can crawl out of the vacuum bag.

Be careful about spraying the outside of your house with pesticides, especially if you have vinyl siding as it may be discolored. Outside sprays containing bifenthrin, or cyfluthrin can help but again always follow the label on the product. Try to keep mulch at least a foot away from your home’s foundation to help control insects including termites as well.

For more ideas on insect control, visit https://ohioline.osu.edu/. Scroll down the list of factsheets to find the insects posing a problem. For detailed information on the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, visit https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/ent-90.

Jerry Mahan is a retired OSU Extension educator for agriculture and natural resources for Greene County. His can be reached at [email protected].