To my fellow Certified Crop Advisers,
After this year, I think of the saying,“If farming were easy, everyone would!” Unfortunately, it has not been an easy year and we have certainly had challenges with weather again this year, and also the threat of yield-damaging spider mites in numerous areas. As Certified Crop Advisers, our clients will be looking to us more than ever to keep them profitable after a challenging year with yields in most areas of the state.
For the August update, I would like to send you a few reminders. For those who may have missed the Software for Developing Nutrient Management Plans Workshops last winter and early spring, there are offerings for this fall again. The dates are August 27, September 12 and November 13. After attending this training, you would have the ability to write Nutrient Management Plans for your clients. Details can be found on the calendar page of the Agronomic Crops Team website at http://agcrops.osu.edu/calendar. This is a great opportunity to stay proactive in our 4 R approach: right source, right time, right rate, right place.
Also, please check out the new website for current CCAs, future CCAs and growers: http://www.thatssoundadvice.com/. This website is a result of research work that Traci Bultemeier, past chairwoman of the Ohio CCA Board, had done through a questionnaire. CCAs can converse safely and freely on topics. The website also helps to build a community foundation that is important to the business of agriculture. CCAs can also gain access to many presentations and articles written by fellow agronomists in the industry that could be useful with their clients. You can access the CCA exclusive pages with the same username and password for the current agronomy.org website.
The website was designed to help promote the program to current and potential clients and to help retain current CCAs and attract new certifications. Remember that being a CCA is valuable and these tools can help you demonstrate that value to your clients. Should you have questions about the website, you can email Traci Bultemeier at traci.bultemeier@pioneer.com.
Once again in 2013, the Ohio CCA Board is proud to announce the “CCA of the Year” award. Please stay posted for details in the near future; an application will be available soon. If you are a Certified Crop Adviser in good standing, you can be nominated by an employer, client or peer. Perhaps you can think of a deserving CCA for this award. If so, nominate them!
Be sure to stop by the Farm Science Review being held September 18, 19 and 20 at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center in London, Ohio. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the event. For those needing CEU credits, The Ohio State University Extension will hold a CCA college once again in the east parking area agronomy plots.
Respectfully submitted,
Tina Lust
Chairwoman, Ohio CCA Board
midwestseed@aol.com