Column: Fall fertility tips and local events highlight busy October in Holmes County

Another month is down, and harvest season, fall birthing, and fall leaves and traditions are right around the corner. It's remarkable how drastically the weather has changed over the last two years compared to the previous four to five years and how that has significantly impacted harvest times and our pastures.

On my farm we enter the fall calving season and wean the foals — exciting and fun times. I have a cow due by the end of the month, and then a few more as October continues.

It's crazy how fast life happens and backs up sometimes. This year I am a few weeks later with calving, not a huge deal for me as we normally have plenty of fall pasture this time of year, but unfortunately, that is not the case this year. My poor cows have been on the dry lot with hay for a few weeks already. While thankful for the late rain, I worry it might not be enough for our pastures to recover well this fall for next spring. It's also proved hard to add nutrients back onto the fields in the correct timeline/way.

Early fall is one of the best times to apply maintenance fertilizer to perennial forages. Soil is typically firm in September, and autumn applications provide nutrients that support winter survival and strong regrowth the following spring. Now is the time to prepare and secure fertilizer supplies to ensure applications can be made on schedule.

Hay crops remove significant nutrients with each harvest — about 50 pounds of K₂O and 12 pounds of P₂O₅ per ton of dry hay. Maintaining adequate soil phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) is essential for both productivity and stand persistence. However, over-application not only wastes money, but also can harm water quality and animal health.

Always base applications on a recent soil test. If a soil test has not been done recently, this fall is an excellent time to collect samples. Tissue testing also can be a helpful diagnostic tool when nutrient deficiencies are suspected.

When recommendations call for high rates of P and K, consider splitting applications. Apply half in the fall and the remainder after first cutting next year, once soils are firm. This strategy improves efficiency and reduces the risk of nutrient loss.

To ensure accuracy, Ohio State University Extension provides an Excel-based Fertility Recommendation Calculator, along with a user guide, available at forages.osu.edu. We encourage producers to use this tool to verify recommendations, as some fertilizer guidelines in circulation may suggest unnecessarily high rates.

Avoiding excess is especially important:

—When soil test P exceeds 50 ppm, the risk of P runoff into streams and lakes increases, making additional fertilizer unnecessary.

—Applying too much K can lead to luxury consumption by forage crops, raising K levels in forage to the point of creating animal health risks.

Applying the right amount of fertilizer — no more, no less — protects your wallet, your livestock and our environment. This information was gathered from an article written originally by Mark Sulc, Greg LaBarge, CPAg/CCA, Ohio State University Extension.

The month of October is a crazy, busy one, with many great events in Holmes County.

Harvest for Hunger is Oct. 1. 

Bring your family to The Farm at Walnut Creek and help support Holmes County food pantries.

It’s a fun day for a great cause. Enjoy time together while making a difference in our community.

Sponsored by Holmes County Farm Bureau, the 2025 Harvest for Hunger continues the new format first introduced in 2023. In earlier years the event featured a locally sourced meal hosted by an area farm family — this year the Farm at Walnut Creek.

“Holmes County Farm Bureau came to us and asked how they could help us raise awareness,” said Edgar Raber, director of the Love Center.

For Raber, the partnership makes a real difference. Proceeds from Harvest for Hunger directly benefit the four Holmes County food pantries. In 2022 the Love Center distributed 553,570 pounds of food to 647 families. Raber said in 2023 demand only grew, and while the need for food and financial support increased, many former donors and volunteers became pantry clients themselves.

The auction will include special recognition of sponsors and a look back at the history of the event with Dr. Eric Shaver, DVM, president of Holmes County Farm Bureau, and Raber.

Bring your family and join us for an evening of food, fun and community support.

The Farm at Walnut Creek hosts over 500 animals, comprised of species from six of the seven continents. Its menagerie includes exotic animals such as giraffes, camels, zebras and kangaroos, along with more common animals like horses, llamas, buffalo and deer. Visitors have the opportunity to view and hand-feed the animals from their car or a horse-drawn wagon.

During the evening attendees will hear about the history of Harvest for Hunger and the work of local food pantries through presentations by Shaver and Raber.

The meal and event are offered for a freewill donation, with all proceeds supporting Holmes County food pantries.

Planning for the Future of Your Farm or Business is Oct. 11 from 9-11 a.m.

Do you have a plan in place for the next generation of your farm or business?

Can your operation support your retirement?

Join us for an informative session featuring John DuBois, Illumination Financial Group, and Moriah Hinton, Critchfield, Critchfield & Johnston.

Bring your questions and gain valuable insight into farm and business succession planning.

RSVP by Oct. 8 by calling 740-452-2356 or emailing holmes@ofbf.org.

A light breakfast will be provided.

If you would like to schedule a farm visit or have any questions, reach out to me.

Stay safe and enjoy this fall weather!

Janessa Hill is an ANR educator with Holmes County OSU Extension. She can be reached at hill.1357@osu.edu or by calling the office at 330-674-3015.